A Working Case Study Dealing with Intraspecific
Dog Aggression
The Problem:
This particular problem case began one year ago early January, 2010. I responded to a client’s call regarding their 2 male dogs fighting with each other. The two dogs, a 5 year old Golden retriever and a 2 and ½ year old Great Dane, both intact because of Show Dog quality, had already had several fights over the previous couple of days. The Dane was, clearly, the aggressor. I arrived at my client’s home and, in the middle of my note taking, witnessed a battle: the Dane (208 pounds) lunging and grabbing the Golden (85 pounds) at the base of the head, lifting him off the ground and shaking him violently side to side. We quickly agreed that if the issue was not rectified within a realistically short time frame, one of the pets would need to go.
How I Resolved the Problem:
I followed up with them the following morning. My client had read articles by several experts who said that after male dogs fought and one clearly had established dominance over the other, there was no further need for aggression. I told them that in this case, the Dane’s high degree of insecurity (notwithstanding his size) was the root cause behind the severe level of aggression and eliminating the insecurity while simultaneously helping the dog owners to establish a clear and strong leader role would be the goal.
I began by bringing the Dane outside and beginning the process of helping him learn to heel properly. It is my opinion, based upon my many years of experience, that the Heel directive (I don’t like to use the word command) is the single most important in helping to establish leadership with one’s dog. Once the heel was doing well, I introduced the Golden into the mix, having him heel as well. I then began the process of helping them to heel next to each other. That done, I moved onto reinforcing coming when called with the Dane. After accomplishing that, I moved to conditioning the Dane to go to his dog bed when directed, while doing the same with the other.
The End Result:
We were now into the third month and one morning my client asked if I thought there was a chance that they would ever be able to be off leash when outside. I answered, “Let’s bring them outside right now, and find out.” We took them outside, and they actually played – a little – together. They have not fought since and now play well. They sleep together in the kitchen. All the barriers that, at one time, kept them separated are now down. My client even puts them outside in the morning by themselves with their frisbees.
The entire process involved a little more than 3 months of intense work on our parts. My client along with the dogs are now a very content pack. I urge anyone experiencing a dangerous situation such as this was to seek professional, competent assistance. If you enlist a trainer, make certain that he or she has had considerable experience in this area. If you prefer a behaviorist, please hire one only after being assured that he or she will not only tell you what needs to be done, but has the dog handling experience to demonstrate to you exactly how to accomplish it.
