How do I handle this?

[miacat]

My dog is bigger than the rest here in this complex, and she's always been a doll.

But I guess she got tired of taking crap just because she's bigger - she's starting to react when little dogs go at her.

They aren't likely to hurt her, and she's not biting them, but she's growling right back and showing her teeth, scaring the **** out of the little dog owner.

It doesn't matter who starts it, I'd rather her go back to being unflappable.

Do I 'correct' her for responding?

Also, when she was young I taught her not to fight over food or treats or toys. If she did, I'd hold her and make her watch the other dog take her toy and like it!

If it was a bone, I'd correct her for defending it, then give her another to show that there are plenty, she can share!

The other day she reverted to defending a bone from a visiting dog.

[susuzpandamonium]

Has something changed in your household recently that would make her change her behavior? It sounds like she is being defensive...is it only the one dog? Or is she around lots of smaller dogs?

[miacat]

She grew up in this complex surrounded by little dogs. She used to be like 'Oh come on' if one got on her, there were a couple of times it was too harsh and she'd respond.

Today surprised me because the dog didn't do a serious attack - he just growled at her over food. He found something edible in the grass, she went over to sniff it too, he got pissy, and then they were growling and flashing teeth.

This looks very scary to the other person, because her dog could fit in mine's mouth. Were they the same size, she'd be apologizing to me that her dog started it, but with the size/power differential, we're always in the wrong, kwim?

Nothing has changed in here. Some say that her dog-aggressive tendencies could come out around this age (she is part Akita) but she is still never the aggressor. She still usually walks away when other dogs start stuff

[Emily]

I wouldn't correct her. She is telling them to back off and that's a dogs instict to protect, food agression is absolutely not okay. Mine have been taught from puppy on up that they do not growl or snap when someone takes their food. However, if they are out with other dogs and the other dogs are bothering them, they will let them know by growling and snapping and I don't do anything about that.

I hope that made sense.

[Montani Semper Liberi]

I would not let her near the other dogs.
I would keep her leashed.
She may kill one of the little dogs.
How old is she.

Go to leerburg.com and look to the left for "Training Articles" and read them for info about dogs and how they react to each other.

[lmncc2003]

She's a girl.... maybe it's that time of the month...














Okay. Now that I got my laugh on:)

I can understand with the poor thing being fed up. You still need to reinforce the behavior for her that you had always taught her though. There is nothing wrong with her being reprimanded. And it isn't like she went really crazy.... just instincts took over. The 'little' dog owners should understnad that. Animals are animals.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

(Generalizing statement) Little dogs get away with more because they are little. Owners tend to think that "Princess" is cute when she is growling and snapping to protect her food or toys.

Little dogs are more apt to bite than bigger dogs because of this.

I would say that you keep your dog on her leash so that you can pull her away if she gets in a snit with the little dogs. You would feel bad if your dog did bite the other dog (regardless of its size) best to try and keep your dog away from them. But in reality its a dog eat dog world and dogs will show normal pack animal traits when around other dogs.

Heidi (mom to 3 dogs, 1 small 2 big)

[miacat]

Originally Posted by queenofthehivemomof5

(Generalizing statement) Little dogs get away with more because they are little. Owners tend to think that "Princess" is cute when she is growling and snapping to protect her food or toys.

Little dogs are more apt to bite than bigger dogs because of this.

I would say that you keep your dog on her leash so that you can pull her away if she gets in a snit with the little dogs. You would feel bad if your dog did bite the other dog (regardless of its size) best to try and keep your dog away from them. But in reality its a dog eat dog world and dogs will show normal pack animal traits when around other dogs.

Heidi (mom to 3 dogs, 1 small 2 big)

That is so true! Some of the little dogs here outright attack mine - they jump on her face!

She got sick of 'walking away' every time, I guess.

She is only responding enough to say 'back off' like someone mentioned, perfectly normal and OK.

The issue is it's NOT OK to the little dog owners. To them, if their dog even bites, it won't do any harm to mine. If mine decides to bite, their dog could be dead.

She is NOT going to bite. It's rare she even stands up for herself and says 'back off'.

She is always leashed, and I don't take her up to unknown dogs anymore. This was a dog that had known her since he was a baby, and they were always friends. HE developed food aggression and changed up the dynamics.

Like I said, no one would think anything wrong in my dog's response if it were not for the size differential.

The owner said it's her dog's fault - that doesn't stop the fear that if her dog goes too far, it could be seriously injured.

I feel she has to be ulta-passive given the situation.

[miacat]

Originally Posted by Montani Semper Liberi

I would not let her near the other dogs.
I would keep her leashed.
She may kill one of the little dogs.
How old is she.

Go to leerburg.com and look to the left for "Training Articles" and read them for info about dogs and how they react to each other.

She is (3). We go to large dog parks every week,,,,, she is unleashed there and never shows a hint of aggression.

She was socialized heavily with all the small dogs to make SURE the Akita instinct didn't rule. And she's only PART Akita. The other markings indicate Shepherd, but she is mixed with something else too, because she is only 58 pounds.

An Akita or Shepherd would be at least 80 lbs.

She does NOT see small dogs as prey at all,,,,,, she loves to play with them as long as they are not attacking HER!

[Montani Semper Liberi]

Originally Posted by miacat

She is (3). We go to large dog parks every week,,,,, she is unleashed there and never shows a hint of aggression.

She was socialized heavily with all the small dogs to make SURE the Akita instinct didn't rule. And she's only PART Akita. The other markings indicate Shepherd, but she is mixed with something else too, because she is only 58 pounds.

An Akita or Shepherd would be at least 80 lbs.

She does NOT see small dogs as prey at all,,,,,, she loves to play with them as long as they are not attacking HER!

I never said she saw the small dogs as prey. You even said so in your previous post that the owners dogs could be dead in case your dog bit them.

My Alfie -120 pound German Shepherd who is very sweet kind and laid back bit the holy hell out of a German Shepherd puppy who weighed approx 60 pounds at the time. Alfie was laying in my lap and the puppy jumped on him. Alfie turned his head and got ahold of him and bit him in the eye. I paid out $90.

He had never done anything like that before. In fact he did fabulous with a "pack" of dogs at the rescue he stayed at for 4 months. He was know for being a gentleman.

The puppy was only playing and wasn't trying to be mean at all. Alfies response was uncalled for in the situation. OTOH he bit the puppy. So I paid for it. The owner wanted to go half, but I refused. From here on out, I don't let him near other dogs.

IMHO you aren't protecting YOUR dog FROM the little dogs. You are asking your dog to allow itself to be attacked AND if it doesn't, then what?

I wouldn't even leave my house if I saw one of those little brats out. And if I did, I'd take a spray bottle and hose them down for even trying any BS with my dogs. Why do people think it's "OK" for little dogs to act like rats on acid and if big dogs do, well then they are "mean"

That said we (Alfie and Xena my other German Shepherd and Buster Parsons/Boston mix) have been approached many times by stray dogs on our walks. My dog s know I will protect them from any harassment. I tell them to sit and they do, and I take care of getting rid of the stray.

Your dog is an adult now. No longer a puppy.