Dog becoming aggresive towards stangers

[SDbowhunter]

I have a 13 month old black lab. So far he's been a great dog, fetching machine. But lately he's been aggresive towards stangers in public places. He will bark and growl at my neighbors, after a quick stern NO and it usually subsides and he goes and greets them friendly wagging his tail. He gets tons of socialization with other people and dogs. But the last time i took him fishing he charged 2 people who pulled their boat next to mine and backed them into the corner of the dock. I chased him down and booted him in the side off the dock. I felt horrible kicking him but that was my first reaction. I dont beat my dog and realize beating a dog will get you no where. He stood sheepishly in the water for a couple minutes before i could get him to move. From what ive read and been told agression doesnt cure an aggresive dog. I have also heard using a shock collar is not the proper solution. Even though the lessons learned using the shock collar has proven to be stick whether he has it on or not. Anybody have experience with a situation like this?

[Ufatz]

Believe it or not I think your dog is probably reacting out of fear or nervousness-he sees strangers as threats, to you or to him.It might be wise to keep him under better control when around other people-on a leash or restrained. Walk around with him on leash and walk up to people, or have them walk up to you while you stroke his head and calm him. When he sees that the people are not threatening perhaps that will help. Most Labs are TOTALLY the opposite of course and try to lick the faces off people!

And then it could be you are the unfortunate owner of a bad dog. But lets try the first ideas-keep him under control, don't let him run around loose at the dock etc. He then becomes a TOTAL pain-in-the-asstrophyics to others. Result is they find the dog annoying....but its YOU they don't like!

[slotlimit]

I have never had this problem with any dog I have ever owned but I have seen a few episodes of "The Dog Whisperer" and everytime he deals with an aggressive dog as soon as they start to become aggressive he will put them in a submissive position (laying them on their side and back). It seems to work for him.

P.S. I also stayed at a Holiday Inn Express

[SDbowhunter]

Thanks for the the tips. I was also told by a co-worker that if he continues to do this try to put him in a time out in a kennel for 5 or 10 minutes. I dont want to beleive he is a bad dog, This issue has just recently started to worry me. So far I've had him hunting with at least 10 different dogs, He went to dog training classes, and he's been around small children ages 10 month to 10 years with no issues except he likes to shake to much which could scratch kids(I should have never taught him that). Maybe he was trying to protect my boat? I will definately put him on lead in situations like that again. I just didnt think about it since it was a tiny lake in the middle of nowhere with only 2 other boats on it.

[LABS4ME]

Time out? I guess I don't see what that will do to hinder him from continuing to be aggressive.

I agree, he needs to understand he is not a dominant animal. He should always be leashed when in public. I love dogs, but I hate dogs that are allowed to roam at will and end up jumping on me or getting in my way. I've had dogs jump in my boat before while their owners go about their business. It is a real pet peave of mine.

Whenever I have a young dog show ANY signs of aggression, they immediatley end up on their back in a submissive posture, with me on top, hand wrapped around their muzzle pushing it towards their necks and getting in their face saying 'no'in a deep and menacing tone. When I release them, they should stand up with their tail between their legs and I immediatley command 'heel' and then calm them down. I pet them as long as they remain quiet and tell them 'good dog'. One or two of those sessions usually cures any aggression they have. I do this during feeding time also. They are not allowed to growl or snap when I put my hand in their dish or they gety the same treatment.

I also agree with Ufatz, he needs MUCH more socialization on the leash. Do not allow him to show any signs of aggression. Do not kick or hit him. You may cause him to react with a bite. You need to bite this in the butt asap or you will have big time problems in the near future.

Good Luck!

Ken