My dog is aggressive to strangers and barks on walks. What can I do?

This is a hard question to answer without really knowing what is going on. If Max is becoming aggressive, growling, snarling, attempting to bite, etc, then this is a very complex and worrisome issue that should be worked with by a professional in your area. A trainer coming by in person can help observe what is going on, and provide more tailored training plans to address the issue. If Max seems nervous when you approach, you can work on getting him more comfortable with you by tossing a favorite treat to him every time you approach. Over time, he'll start to associate you with with something positive (the treat) instead of something negative. If he does growl or become agitated, moving away and giving him some time to relax before trying again is best to avoid escalation of any behaviors. If he is acting aggressively toward other dogs, separating him if things get too rough or a fight breaks out, and then reintroducing both dogs again slowly can help. Removing items of contention such as toys, bedding, bones, etc can also help reduce the possibility of a fight over these items.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Firstly, this is almost always fear-based. Talk to your vet about getting him some anti-anxiety medication to calm him down enough to get the muzzle on. And frankly, even after he is neutered he’ll probably need something like that for daily use while you can do some counter-conditionung training. My favorite is trazodone as it is very safe, can be used long or short term, can be started and stopped, and can be given with certain other sedatives and anti-anxiety medications. Best wishes to you and Max!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! This is tough! He sure is cute! I recommend using the gentle leader head collar for better control and asking for sedatives like trazadone from your Vet. Do not take him to these places until you train him to look at you (with treats) in social situations. This will take some time. You may want to pay for private training lessons so you can focus on this one behavior. There is no instant fix but being proactive, like you are, is a good step! He is young still. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/petsafe-gentle-leader-dog-headcollar Good luck!

Hello, and thanks for your question. Most “aggression” issues in dogs are ultimately based on fear to some degree, so I would suspect this is at least partially fear based. Maggie knows that your family is her “pack”, and she’s nervous of outsiders. Every time she barks/growls at others and they end up walking away, she may be reinforcing to herself that “hey - this works! I should keep scaring strangers away!” If this is a behavior you want to work on (and I would recommend it, before it escalates to biting a visitor or stranger on the street) I highly recommend recruiting the expertise of a professional. Ideally a veterinary behaviorist, but your primary vet may be able to direct you to trainers they recommend. Behavior concerns require a lot of time, effort, patience, and consistency, and it’s important to give Maggie the right response at the right moment, before she’s too worked up to be receptive to you. A professional can help you learn how to read these subtle signs before Maggie is completely overstimulated. Here’s a link on aggression that may be helpful to you. https://www.petcoach.co/article/aggression-due-to-dominance/ Hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The answer is complicated and stems from the root of the problem. If Cassidy genuinely wants to play and meet these dogs, I don’t know that I would necessarily do anything. If this stems from fear of other dogs, leash anxiety specifically, or protectiveness of you, these are treated differently. Lowering the fear threshhold (if appropriate) via anti-anxiety medication can help tremendously. I’ve had severely dog-aggressive dogs who, with medication, don’t seem to care at all when they pass another dog on a walk. Results of course vary depending on root cause, medication, and individual dog. Counter-conditioning is also crucial. This is the act of training Cassidy to associate other dogs with something good (usually treats). This can take weeks and all of dedication and patience but is usually more effective and long-lasting than medication. Sometimes it is not effective however, until the medication is started. I’d have a conversation with a vet first to help narrow down the cause and start on medication if appropriate. Then move to a reputable trainer or behaviorist. Best wishes to you and Cassidy!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Issues with walking on a leash can be very common in dogs. I do recommend a thundershirt and a pheromone collar for dogs with this issue; they may help. they may not, but it is always worth a shot! I also would recommend working with some re-focusing exercises while on a walk. Typically a "watch me" command works well in these situations (there are various teaching videos available on YouTube). If it is persistent, it may be that Max may need an anti-anxiety medication to help with this issue, which would be a conversation to have with your regular veterinarian. Good luck!

I strongly recommend you consult with a professional, in-home dog trainer. You need a trainer to come to your house so they can see the behavior and the interaction of all the family members with Max. This is your best bet. Aggression problems need special care and it is not recommended that you try to correct this on your own. You may give him the wrong signals and make him worse. Especially with his breed you need to do this correctly and since his life start was not good that plays into his issues. This is a situation that definitely needs professional intervention. I suggest you call your vet to get a referral for a trainer or do an online search for trainers in your area. Best wishes.