Springer does not stop fighting

[skubillus]

I have a 5 year old springer spaniel, spayed female who does not like many other dogs. Some she is fine with, so it is hard to say what will happen when she meets a new dog. She has a very quick fuse that is only a few seconds long before she starts in on a fight. The problem is that she will not stop fighting after I yell and try to intervene. I litterally have to pull her off the other dog to get her to stop fighting. Luckily I have not gotten bit yet and my dog has not bitten any dog hard yet. So how do I get her to not immediately get into a fight, and if she does to stop when I yell at her? The only solutions I can see are 1) do not let her see any other dogs that she does not know (if she is on a leash she tends to be more aggressive than if loose); or 2) Not just scold her after a fight but beat the crap out of her (I did this with another dog I had and he never had a fight again). Any other ideas?

[foxi7778]

A quick solution would be to muzzle your dog and NOT let her off leash. If you do not have full control of your dog in every possible situation it should not be allowed off leash. Is this a new thing for your dog or has it always been aggressive?? You should safely socialise your dog with as many other dogs as possible.....socialisation is not just for puppies, it should be continued throughout a dog's life, especially one with aggression problems. If the worst comes to the worst pull your dog out of a fight by the back legs in a circular motion (if that makes sence) so it can't turn to bite you. I think this problem needs to be dealt with before someone reports your dog for being aggressive and she is taken away to be PTS. As for beating your dog...beating an animal into submission is never a solution and is sick and cruel in my opinion.

[MaxHollyNoah]

Hi skubillus,

I totally understand how you feel about having a dog that can starts fights with stranger dogs. It all comes from lack of socialization which needs to be practiced throughout the life as foxi7778 said. One of my dogs had a same problem but we have pretty much got over it with our mutual efforts/practices.

You can refer the following link of my postings about Noah's problem.

Defensive Aggression

I observed his body languages very closely and have learned a way to prevent his aggressive behaviors towards stranger dogs in the off-leash park.

Remember, dogs can either fight or flight when they encounter unknown fears. When they are leashed, there is no way to flight, thus a fight breaks out.

I can see Noah getting nerveous/fearful/uncomfortable with another dog with his ears backed off and his hackles risen and his feathery tail standing up. If I waited a little longer I would see his lips rolled up showing his teeth.

As soon as I notice he is not comfortable with the dog, I call him to me by saying "Noah, leave it and come!". Fortunately he responds to my commands very well, he comes right back to me. By practicing this, he is building confidence that he can share the same space (the park) with strange dogs and he can still enjoy his activities. I expects other dog owners be responsible of their dogs so that those dogs won't invade Noah's personal comfort zone. Every dog is different and some dogs are so playful and start jumping on dogs or licking stranger dogs' mouth right away but Noah is more reserved and he needs time to warm up. In fact, he can not tolerate other dogs' such behaviors. I do respect Noah's personality and try to prevent potential failures of his. If he does get into a fight, it would not only affect his self-esteem but also I would have to reprimand him (I never use physical punishment as foxi7778 stated that was cruel and sick). By building up good experience (in this case, he does not need to fight with other dogs), he will grow up to a more confident and mature dog someday (I hope).

Please observe your dog closely. You said "She has a very quick fuse that is only a few seconds long before she starts in on a fight" but there should be some signs. The best thing is to prevent a fight rather than stop the fight.

As for stopping fights, foxi7778 is right - hold your dogs' rear legs up as if lifting a wheel barrow and pull them toward you.

Good luck