Dog aggression.

[pl77]

Hi.  My 5 year old corgi mix gets along well with other dogs, IF they are not larger than him and standing over him.  I've seen him play and romp sweetly with little dogs and big dogs that don't try to mount him, but the moment one stands over him his lip curls and he gets growly and nervous.  

I admit I haven't been doing a good enough job socializing him with other dogs in the last few years (two small kids and a divorce), but the two littles and I took him to a dog park today for the first time.  He's spent the last five years having long walks with me and playing with my ex sister-in-law's corgi, who he still plays with, but he's always hated her huge black lab, who is dominant and stands over Colin (my dog).  While at the dog park I had to have him leashed at times because he played fine with the smaller dogs and some of the bigger ones, but one big one in particular was goofy and wouldn't back off, kept standing over him.  The owner sat in a chair and did nothing to keep her dog from standing over mine although I pointedly asked her to, she sent over her eight year old who couldn't convince the dog to go away.  Colin avoids dogs he doesn't like and either keeps to himself or plays with the other ones, but when the big ones come and stand over him he gets growly and has snapped.

How do I work with him to calm down when the larger dogs are close?  He's not barking or snarling or pursuing them, but I do worry he'd bite if one he disliked wouldn't back off.  He's neutered and healthy, and when I brought my cat home he became submissive to her in no time (he let her eat his food while he looked on sadly) so I don't think he's particularly alpha.  He's great with the kids, too.  I trained him when I adopted him and he listens well.

[cmeon]

I don't read dog aggression from your post here. He hasn't bitten anyone, right? He doesn't go after these dogs- they approached him, looking for trouble (standing over another dog, invading their space, is not playful or nice). He may be less tolerant than another dog when it comes to rudeness- that doesn't mean he's aggressive or the one with the problem.

Honestly, dog parks aren't what they used to be, in general terms. A good owner would have realized that his dog was posturing/being rude and leashed him/removed him/not taken him in the first place/socialized him better as a puppy.

If you want to work on his tolerance a little, a good group obedience class is going to be a better place to do this than the dog park. A good trainer can help you understand his reactions better, as well, help pinpoint whether you're reacting in a way that makes him more touchy. Even if he knows the basics.

[peppermint]

I second what cmeon said - no dog park, and a group obedience class should be helpful. You can only control what your dog does, not what other dogs do, such as standing over him - the dog park is not a good place for training or keeping your dog safe because of this. If a group class doesn't work, I would look into individual training or consulting a behaviorist for help. Good luck! I love corgis

[pl77]

Thanks! No, he's never bit anyone/anything. Just snapped when he was extremely stressed after I tried to lead him away with the other dog dancing around on top of him.

Group obedience sounds like a fantastic idea and very doable with my schedule. Thank you very much!

[peppermint]

P.S. If that's him in your siggy pic, he's ADORABLE! He sounds like a great dog!

[pl77]

Thanks! That's him When I went to the Humane Society he and his sisters were wiggly little puppies. His sisters were trying to get into the treats jar and he came and sat in my lap and buried his face in my neck. Obviously I was/am smitten!

[peppermint]

Jul 17, 2014 9:16:21 GMT -5 pl77 said:

Thanks! That's him When I went to the Humane Society he and his sisters were wiggly little puppies. His sisters were trying to get into the treats jar and he came and sat in my lap and buried his face in my neck. Obviously I was/am smitten!

OMG! what a sweetie! let us know how his group classes go!