Dog Aggression and Reactivity Issues 

I have a neighbor that always carries a stick. He is 76 and walks his husky 5miles a day. If an off leash dog charges him and his dog that stick corrects things very quickly. I have seen him in action and a lot of times a simple “no” and pointing the stick at the dog deters them from moving forward

I carry a stream water spray bottle. If a dog comes at my service dog. I hit him with a stream of water mixed with vinegar, which is a great deterrent.

Thank you, Robert🙏🏻🐾

Great advice. Thanks for all you do.

I must have been he luckiest person in the world when I got my GSD. She was well socialized and non reactive. I had a Chihuahua and she was so gentle with him. She would lie down and he would just go to town on her and she never lost her temper with him. As a result, she never reacted to other small dogs who got aggressive with her. She would turn her head and walk away, unbothered.

Great answer Robert on us having to be the most exciting thing in your dogs life : ) Interesting questions. Thank you .

Hi Robert great video as usual. You would not believe the power of your voice on my dog when I listen to your videos. I looked up today when listening to this and my dog and cat that usually chase each other are sitting side by side watching me. Thanks for the structure you give me.

I have an 11 year old shepherd mix that has been reactive since she was a pup. I've taken her to classes, watched training videos one after another, and worked and worked with her but little has worked to calm her in certain circumstances. She would get overly excited and sometimes lunge when she saw other dogs or cat on walks. Of course, she is always on a leash and we do just as Robert says here -- keep our distance -- which is absolutely helpful. However, the addition of one simple tool has made a world of difference. I began using the Pet Convincer with her (sold on Amazon). It's handheld compressed air. Absolutely NEVER to be used ON the dog but just in the vicinity of the dog where they can hear it. I take it on walks with us and just as I see her motioning or signaling that she is getting too excited -- before she gets worked up -- I give a little squeeze which lets out a small amount of air that makes a noise which 1) snaps her out of that single-minded momentum and 2) discourages her from repeating the behavior! In fact, I used it once when we were ambushed by two small off-leash dogs on our evening walk and, to my surprise, it worked on them as well! They immediately ran away and we then had a few additional seconds to turn around and head in the opposite direction. I highly recommend using it and watching videos on the proper way to do so. Again, remember it is never to be used on the dog -- just near them.

I was taught that my job is to protect my dog from other dogs. My dog should be confident that will deal with things. If I need help I will ask for it. General rules, Heel away from threat. Cross the street. Put him in a down. Verbaly confront the other dog. But, if another dog "jumps" him.. Drop the leash and let them fight. And never, ever put my hands even in the direction of that fight.

I always walk my dog with a verry mild pepperspray..,I never had to use it and hope I never have too,but might I onces end up in a dog fight I will use that,that will break em up. I had it twice that a dog owner could not hold his leashed afghan dogs and fel,slipped and they came rushing for me and my dog. I choose to stay calm and my dog picked it up..,I had him close between me legs and the two others left and right of my legs sniffling eachother. This was an excelent unpredicted oppertunity to learn about my dogs behaviour. Thanx for your knolledge Robert. I live in the Netherlands,my last dog Isabella was from the Rambo Bloodline..,now I took in a X-Mellinois., I think 90% Belgium shepperd and 10% bull Masiff or something like that..,he'sadepting fine now after 7 months. He is nearly 3 now. Got him as second owner,because his previous owner could not handle him,did not do much with him. It is a blessing to be able to see his progress,and growth. Otherwise he would end up in an dog asilum.

I live in a rural area but have a gypsy camp round the corner ( the gypsies have always been friendly and good neighbours) but let their dogs roam free. When walking my dog's and 2-3 of their dogs come running up barking and going mental, I now let my older dog off the lead to chase them off. Initially I tried to carry on lead walking but they would surround us. This method seems to work without any dogs getting bitten. Sadly because of 4 months of lock down my 8 month old pup has had half his life experience with aggressive dogs, not looking forward to trying to manage dog classes, when my anxious pup is allowed out again!

@robert Cabral FYI I’m going to screen record one of your training segments for an upcoming RU-vid video “best dog trainers on RU-vid” I will tag you in my video

I love you answer about the pitbull.. as an owner of one, your short answer is 100% correct. Because, they are so powerful and head strong and SENSITIVE to their handlers. They are so muchore than worth the time and effort, I put over a year of dedicated undivided work into mine and in return he's taught himself to warn me of my migraines, I've watched him sit right up in bed and comfort his dad all night when he's sick to his stomach. Such a rewarding breed. However you cannot go into ownership weak and unstable (i.e nervous of the rep. Expecting a mean dog and being on edge) it's not going to work out especially with simply unreliable breeders most times at no fault of their own. Our dogs breeder has taken 40 years of his time, breeding his line shaping the unbelievable temperament and handler drive in his puppies. He does not allow dogs with any suspicion of suffering abusive behaviour to stay with the owners he will come get the dog and work it and rehome it, he doesn't home dogs to get rid of them, he is available for helping less experienced owners and behavioural problems if they arise, he will dog sit every one of his pups, he is there for every single dog he brings into this world no excuses. Pitbulls require a high level of dedication always.

Robert i save one puppy in the beginning i think he was hunting dog because i found him in the wood but when i go to vet to check him was Rottweiler. I don't know nothing about him nothing about genetic or temperament. Year and half later she is still with as and is best friend with my Labrador. Issues i have with her is low pray drive and that she have a broken leg from baby. And for rest of his life will have a shot leg. I know what i get when i pick up my Labrador,but i never know what i get when save this puppy. Year and half later i own spoil Rottweiler who thinks she is a Labrador retriever.

Hi Bozman

for this video. Although it may have sounded like a strange question (can i teach my dog not to fight back when attacked) I honestly was wondering the same thing as I have a similar situation. Numerous times my dog, on leash, has been charged by off-leash dogs. The only 2 dogs that actually got close enough to bite were both small. Both ran out of a house past the owner (different dogs, different homes) and attacked my 70 lb dog. Both times I was on the opposite side of the street with my dog on leash. I couldn't stop either attack but giving credit to my dog, it appears to me that his response was to stop them, not kill them, as on both occasions, he didn't shake them, just held them until they stopped thrashing, then released them. The first time, the pup was uninjured, no blood at all and it ran off. The second one ended up with punctures, but recovered (lucky for him as he did manage to bite my dog's foot). I felt terrible about it, but my dog did nothing wrong. My fear is that someone's little dog will not be so lucky in the future. And homes with children (who haven't learned or been taught better) and elderly (who can't react fast enough) are particularly vulnerable. I now carry a long stick in addition to an air horn. And believe me, my hand is on the air horn every time I walk past a house where I know there's a dog, just in case a door opens as I'm walking past. On the opposite side of the street.

Hey rob got another good question for you especially with your work with rescue shelters and university lectures. We all know about the critical period is around 8 weeks to 12 and this is the best time to socialise a puppy ect. But what would you recommend new owners of import puppy's specifically puppy's 15 weeks do since they have missed that critical stage. This does come from someone really considering importing myself the breeders are creditable and raise KNPV Belgian mixes Cheers

Your videos are already extremely specific but is there a 1,2,3 step by step way to make your dog stop barking at everything. It’s kinda knew for my dog but I live in an apartment and I’m not trying to be the guy with the loud dog.

I have a 3 year old Maltipoo that is very reactive when we pass a dog while walking. Thanks for the advice to distract her. I’ll try it, for sure.

Hi. Long story...I own 2yo GSD and basically she has huge drive to other dogs. Probably because when she was a puppy she has to much unattended play with other puppies. That is my guess at least. As mentioned in the video, yeah, distance is important here. There is huge BUT in this story. Due to pandemic (another guess ;)) many people from my neighberhood bought\adopted dogs (mostly Pomeranians, yorks, beagles, Jack Russell, etc) and that is fine in general. What complicates this situation is most of them are off leash. What complicates it even more? Like 90%+ have lack of obedience or proper socialization. So very common situation is when these dogs approach my GSD barking at her, coming closer and closer with no reaction to their owner recall. I am really confused by this situation because there is not much what I can do I think...or at least have no better idea but to get my dog into sit, and ask owner to recall their dog (with no result!). Moving forward is not an option as "an enemy" is moving with us, barking and approaching us even closer. Third thing I do is...I leave like 1 meter of a leash to let her defends by herself. I leave it on her but I truly believe that is not the best idea. So far these dogs ran away...

Hi how do I contact u privately?

I had three stray pitbulls attacked my Caucasian Shepherd last week and I went out there and went at those pits with my dog. I don’t know if that makes me a bad owner but I tried to kill those dogs for trying that crap on my dog I absolutely lost it

Hi Robert hope your doing well! I have a 10month old malinois, the problem is when another dog is near to him or want to play with him, my dog step back or run away like his afraid from him. How can i correct that behaviour or train him to be confident .. i don’t like when he is nervous from other dogs. (His being attacked by two dogs but no damage i dont know if i can relate that) He get afraid by younger dog also. Please if you can help me i asked to much people and in the end no results. Thank you!

Is there anyway i can get my two dogs that were raised together to stop fighting over a female? they have never had problems with each other before but now they fight everytime we put them together.

Hi iv just 3years old German shepherd from 8 weeks had around people and dogs and around family kids from 8months old .10 years old and 20....so great mix and gets on great and so gently with all.problem we have is when we go out I muzzle up incase but also law in Dublin Ireland. He will pull towards dogs in aggressive way .and people he will bark at them and new he ran at man walking by aggressive way . I will correct hi every time .only thing he responds to is prong collar I would pull on it for 2seconds and make him sit .same with dogs. How can we stop this as afraid if got out something bad could happen. Also nobody else other than family members would be able to rub as will go for them .

Where can we buy your shirt ?!

YOU own your dog as property. File a police report about the neighbor dog and expect the neighbor will be angry with you. You can protect a dog with pepper spray or even a garden hose/nozzle, depending on the dog. But the aversive must be enough to deter the offending dog clearly and permanently. If you are sued when a neighbor dog is killed by one of your dogs, the judge may be faced with a superior lawyer from your neighbor. See? Follow laws.

Have you written any books on Doug training?

Wait, did i heard this correctly?? Guy is complaining because other dogs go in his yard and he want his dog to not react to them and when they bite him he doesnt bite them?

LOVE listening to you , I have a saying Never let a dog get into the RED ZONE . Thats when you are socializing your dog on the street , park etc ...Thanks for that chat...

What can you do with a 2 yr old Mali who reacts to other dogs

? Robert is 3,5 months a problem puppy the last only whit mother and grown dogs 2 years 3 1 IPO 1 Malinois . I have a dutch Shepherd from spain and the Nederlands

Case 1: talk to the owner sternly, warn him not to let his dog attack yours. Also make a statement in the police station or any other suitable place. Just to set the record. Then, once the dog attacks, let your dog counter attack, but on a long leash-chase the other dog away. Strike 1 - But there is only one strike..No second or third.Tell your neighbour that next time your dog won't be on a leash.

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