Aggression towards small dogs.

[Sprocket]

Well times are changing and Drew and I are moving back in with his parents.

We dont' WANT to but we are sick of renting and living paycheck to paycheck, being miserable and would rather save money to buy a house sooner than later.

Anyway, his parents have a young (5,6 7 8 month old) puppy. I am not sure what kind, I think boxer/shepherd mix. He has given their chorkie reason to go to the vet twice already. Once for stitches because he grabbed him instead of the toy, and another time for reopening those stitches.

Last time we were at their house, this dog full on attacked Sprocket for no reason.

I know this dog gets little to no exercise, is not properly trained, or stimulated. When he starts barking, they just shove him in their daughters room.

When we move in I will not allow my dogs to be alone with him but I also want to help him. I plan to take him running in the morning with Gunner. To the park as often as I can. I want to work on his basic training and help him become a more self controlled. He is rather out of control and has no idea what to do with himself.

Now I am worried about his past with small dogs and I would hate for him to injure Sprocket or the chorkie because I would not be able to forgive myself.

What would you suggest? Am I on the right track?

[xellil]

i think of course you should be careful, but I would bet physical and mental stimulation would change his attitude alot, poor fellow. And sorry you have to move in with his parents. I know we have to do what we have to do, though.

[whiteleo]

Are you sure that's a dog you want to take to run off leash at a park? or are you going to go somewhere else? I don't have a lot of advise but just know that once they get past the socialization age, it is pretty hard to change behavior especially since it sounds like he has run the household!

[Sprocket]

i think of course you should be careful, but I would bet physical and mental stimulation would change his attitude alot, poor fellow. And sorry you have to move in with his parents. I know we have to do what we have to do, though.

Yes we do have to do what we have to do. I am rather positive about it though.

I plan to be VERY careful with this dog. I do not trust him but I want to help him. He is a small dog, probably 30 lbs, smaller than Mikey is.

[xellil]

He's not very old. I don't know alot about young dogs, but it seems to me at half a year it can't be true aggression? They aren't sexually mature (or not much) - i mean, the young dogs at the dog park may growl and argue but they are nothing like the old dogs I have seen who are truly aggressive.

[Sprocket]

Are you sure that's a dog you want to take to run off leash at a park? or are you going to go somewhere else? I don't have a lot of advise but just know that once they get past the socialization age, it is pretty hard to change behavior especially since it sounds like he has run the household!

I wouldnt' be letting him run off leash until he is properly trained and socialized. I would take him with my dogs, but keep him on the leash. Until his recall and basic training is set and I trust him, He won't be going any where off leash. We don't go to a fenced in park, its a huge plot of land, probably 200 acres.

I have a hard time believing that he is too far gone. He is young still and with the right direction I am sure he will turn out to be a fine dog.

[Sprocket]

The dog in question :)

[brandypup]

I would probably start in a more controleld setting like obed class. It could justbe the way the dogs were introduced? Make sur eyou have a lock on your door and dog crates so no one else gets an idea to let dogs play when your not there.

[Sprocket]

I would probably start in a more controleld setting like obed class. It could justbe the way the dogs were introduced? Make sur eyou have a lock on your door and dog crates so no one else gets an idea to let dogs play when your not there.

I dont' think they are willing to put that kind of money into him.

[whiteleo]

He looks very young not close to 8 months old...Your right, if you put a lot of work into it then they be turned around. I guess I'm just used to dealing with dogs that weren't socialized and abused!