Should I be worried?

[Gempress]

We were at Petco today, and Voodoo suddenly went off. He was barking and growling at another dog across the store, a cute little terrier mutt. My hubby had to restrain him with an arm around his neck to get him under control and calmed. The little dog wasn't doing anything, just standing there and staring at Voodoo.

This incident really set me on edge. From what I read, catahoulas can be dog-aggressive. But Voodoo has never behaved like this before. He is fine with my mother's maltese, and hasn't reacted to any other dogs he's met. He's just a friendly young dog.

Here's another thing that bothers me. My neighbor's chihuahuas have been running loose and antagonizing my dogs through the fence. Is it possible that Voodoo is developing aggression towards strange small dogs? I really hope not. If that's the case, I will be EXTREMELY mad at my neighbor for letting her dogs run amok like that.

I hope this was just an isolated incident.

Any suggestions?

[jess2416]

NM * sent PM*

[doberkim]

I think that you have a breed that is known to be dog aggressive, and while he is sweet and calm now with most dogs, he is immature. Does this one isolated event mean he will be DA for the rest of his life? No - but as a breed that is known for DA, you have to accept that and be prepared for it - most dogs are not BORN aggressive towards other dogs, but as male dogs mature it can happen. I would also neuter Voodoo ASAP.

[Bailey+Ralph]

It is hard when you have a dog that can be DA.
Bailey is such a sweetie, but i am always on my guard if he is near other dogs, just incase.
I hope that this isn't b/c of those chi's, that would be terrible if they are making Voodoo feel the need to be aggresive with other dogs :(

[SummerRiot]

I agree with Doberkim - nuetering would be a good thing to look into very soon. It will help ease his testosterone levels lol!

Riot CAN be like that with certain dogs he meets as well though - its also a phase he has been going through though and I have worked very hard with him by taking him to every dog show I can get him into - conformation, obedience, agility, rallyO - now he doesn't compete at all of them, but its sociliazation for him to be there.

[Gempress]

Voodoo is going to be neutered soon, within the next month.

I am prepared for the possibility that he might become dog aggressive, but I'd like to do what I can to minimize it.

I think I'll try what SummerRiot did, and see about taking around more dogs.

[Roxy's CD]

Socializing him with other calm dogs is the way to go. Perhaps enrolling him in a class with dogs that have already taken a few and know the drill. Hades, (being a pitt of course- so known for DA) I enrolled him in some basic obedience just to say I did. My mistake was he was put into a beginner's class, both beginner people/dogs. It was horrible! All the young dogs were excited and jumping around and the people didn't know how to stop it... Just a very bad nerve racking situation for the both of us. He took some privates and he's in a more advanced dog/owner class now, so everyone is much calmer and relaxed.

Apparently you guys have "dog parks", lol, I've never seen one, but from my experience dogs in the dog park are crazy! Not a good way to go! You need a relaxed, calm dog, calm environment...

Good luck Gempress!

[GSDlover_4ever]

You must be very careful that your dog NEVER has a bad experience with another dog (ie: fight), or else your Dog Agression problems would escalate to the extreme.

[elegy]

attention work (teaching "watch me") is absolutely invaluable in dealing with dog-aggro (or even just dog-reactive) dogs. group obedience classes have been great for both of my dogs- they've learned to pay attention and work with me even in the presense of other dogs.

[dr2little]

Yes, it's great he's getting "snipped" in the next short while. While it is very important that he be socialized, always using control through obedience..watch me as ELEGY suggested and lots of rewards for good behavior, it is also so important that he never get into a tight spot (fight or bullying) situation like GSDLOVER mentioned. He is young, and I think that we hope that our dogs will remain peaceful towards other dogs, but this behavior or predisposition often shows/grows with age. Many dogs show nothing until 12 - 24 months and beyond. Control with lots of obedience rather than restraint and socialization with proven non dog/dog aggressive dogs is the best way to go.

Even dogs who normally wouldn't have this predisposition can develope problems in this area due to experience. I'd have a long chat with the neighbors (Chihuahua owners), you don't need their irresponsibility to impact your dogs future.

Sophie, who is a true social marshmellow with both dogs and people, is now being desensitized to small black dogs due to my idiot neighbors schnauzer. She was full on attacked while I was leash walking her. While I was able to protect her...and the min. schnauzer (lucky she was leashed), the experience caused problems. The schnauzer was off leash and did this twice:mad: (came out of nowhere). While the city was called and the owner fined, the damage was done. She had just turned 3 and attended all of my puppy and adult classes as the best "demo" dog I could have hoped for....she hasn't been back to class since.:(

[Gempress]

I took Voodoo for a quick walk around the block earlier. There were a few other people walking their dogs, and Voodoo was fine. He was interested, but not aggressive or reactive.

I'm hoping that what happened at Petco was just an isolated incident. But just to be sure, I think I'm going to start taking him around other dogs to socialize a lot more.

[Renee750il]

Sounds like maybe the neighbor's Chis are setting him up to dislike some small dogs, Gempress. :rolleyes: At least Zeus is a good example for him.

[Gempress]

Sounds like maybe the neighbor's Chis are setting him up to dislike some small dogs, Gempress. :rolleyes:

That's what I'm thinking, and gawd, I really hope not. :( I've worked so hard with my boys. I hope it's not undone by two renegade chihuahuas and a stupid neighbor.

[Roxy's CD]

Aww! I'm glad he did fine on the walk. Do you take him to the store offen? Perhaps if you don't maybe he was just nervous in the new environment. I imagine you walk him around your area quite a bit so he used to it, but maybe at the store the other dog and all the smells just made him nervous.

[Snark]

Well, if talking to the stupid neighbor doesn't help (isn't there a leash law in your area?), I'd be tempted to 'ambush' the little dears with a hose the next time they stop by your fence. You'll feel better (at least, I would) and the dogs might just learn that it's no fun to stop by your fence. If their owner gets upset about soggy dogs, tell 'em to keep their dogs in their own yard.

Other than that, the attention command works well - the boys aren't normally aggressive towards each other, but Murphy will do the aggression transference thing if, say, a car goes by (both are determined car-chasers) while I'm walking them and he can't chase the car. So he would turn around and attack Michaleen instead, who would snap back... Anyway, now when I see a car approaching, I ask them to 'watch' me and they do, ignoring the car as it goes by.

[SummerRiot]

I'd definately be having a "word" with your chi loving neighbour.

Our neighbours cat was in our yard when I got back from the dog show and I shooed it away. Riot LOVES cats and wants to play with them, so tries to get near them - they run, so he follows with tunnel vision, what if it ran across the road, he chased and got hit?! I HATE it when people let their cats loose in my neighbourhood, so much.

I dont let my dogs wonder around, so cats shouldn't either.

its not fair for you to deal with the repacusions of someone elses neglect!

[barkingmad]

Everyone has missed one point here just because yur breed is known for DA. What are the other dogss doing? Are they antagonising him or trying to play and his natural behaviour is to be aggressive. If he is thinking they are being aggressive then he will respond like wise and relate this to ALL small dogs much more so than big dogs.
Chihuahuas can be little sods I have one. Jealouy is in their nature as are related traits one of these could be their behaviour towards your dog.

Definetly get advice from a professional and this next step might seem dangerous but it could work. Gradually get him used to the Chihuahuas. This will mean working with your neighbour. Point out the problems thatyour breed canhave and that you want NO harm done to their dogs especially by yours and see what you can all work out.
Don't leave this your dog will not grow out of it he needs training!