I have an enigma that I would like some help with

My dog, when inside, is a very sweet, gentle, and decently mannered
(sp?) dog.

When we are outside, it is Mr Hyde. He does not listen well. That
usually is not that big of an issue (he does not try to run away or
"drag" us as we walk him), but their is an issue if he sees another
dog.

He becomes very aggressive. He will start to bark, growl, jump, and try
to bite the leash and whip it around. All of this is done in an attempt
to be allowed to do what he wants to do, which I believe is smell/play
with the other dog (because his tail is wagging in what could be deemed
a playful manner).

This isn't a problem for me, I find it fairly amusing, but I am
concerned more for the other pets owners that walk by with the look of
"my god that dog is dangerous", which I know is faaaaarrrrrr from the
truth, but it is hard to argue when your dog is jumping around like a
kangaroo.

We have tried a few attempts to stop this behavior, including a choke
collar (dog has HIGH tolerance for pain it seems, it was like he didn't
even notice it was on, though admittedly I am sure I did not use it to
it's full effectiveness as I had read that it is possible to collapse
the trachia with it) and making him sit while the other person walks by
(though this sometimes back fires as the other owner will also stop to
watch the antics).

I was wondering if this group might be able to offer any tips or advice
for my dilemma

Some background info on Murphy (the dog)
He is a rescued Golden/Something that we think is about 2 years old.

Thanks in advance

said in rec.pets.dogs.behavior:

When we are outside, it is Mr Hyde. He does not listen
well. That usually is not that big of an issue (he does not
try to run away or "drag" us as we walk him), but their is
an issue if he sees another dog.

Is Murphy on leash at this time? If so, do you have any
similar experiences when Murphy is off leash?

He becomes very aggressive. He will start to bark, growl,
jump, and try to bite the leash and whip it around. All of
this is done in an attempt to be allowed to do what he
wants to do, which I believe is smell/play with the other
dog (because his tail is wagging in what could be deemed
a playful manner).

Wanting to play and disobeying you is not aggression.

This isn't a problem for me, I find it fairly amusing, but
I am concerned more for the other pets owners that walk by
with the look of "my god that dog is dangerous", which I
know is faaaaarrrrrr from the truth, but it is hard to
argue when your dog is jumping around like a kangaroo.

You're bang-on the perception is extremely important. Your
dog's life could depend on how his actions are perceived.

We have tried a few attempts to stop this behavior,
including a choke collar (dog has HIGH tolerance for pain
it seems, it was like he didn't even notice it was on,
though admittedly I am sure I did not use it to it's full
effectiveness as I had read that it is possible to collapse
the trachia with it) and making him sit while the other
person walks by (though this sometimes back fires as the
other owner will also stop to watch the antics).

Pain has nothing to do with the proper use of a training
collar, including "choke" collars. Is that how you were
taught to use one?

I'm sorry that I've been far from complete in advice, but you
really do need face-to-face instruction from a competent
trainer. If you post your general area, someone here will
probably be able to point you in the right direction.

Good luck.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

wrote in news:1159498076.462212.164060
@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com:

I have an enigma that I would like some help with

My dog, when inside, is a very sweet, gentle, and decently mannered
(sp?) dog.

When we are outside, it is Mr Hyde. He does not listen well. That
usually is not that big of an issue (he does not try to run away or
"drag" us as we walk him), but their is an issue if he sees another
dog.

He becomes very aggressive. He will start to bark, growl, jump, and try
to bite the leash and whip it around. All of this is done in an attempt
to be allowed to do what he wants to do, which I believe is smell/play
with the other dog (because his tail is wagging in what could be deemed
a playful manner).

This isn't a problem for me, I find it fairly amusing, but I am
concerned more for the other pets owners that walk by with the look of
"my god that dog is dangerous", which I know is faaaaarrrrrr from the
truth, but it is hard to argue when your dog is jumping around like a
kangaroo.

We have tried a few attempts to stop this behavior, including a choke
collar (dog has HIGH tolerance for pain it seems, it was like he didn't
even notice it was on, though admittedly I am sure I did not use it to
it's full effectiveness as I had read that it is possible to collapse
the trachia with it) and making him sit while the other person walks by
(though this sometimes back fires as the other owner will also stop to
watch the antics).

I was wondering if this group might be able to offer any tips or advice
for my dilemma

Some background info on Murphy (the dog)
He is a rescued Golden/Something that we think is about 2 years old.

Thanks in advance


You didn't mention if you have done any training with your dog. If
you haven't gotten into a obedience training class with your dog I
suggest looking for one in your area. A reliable recall and sit/stay may
prove usefull with the outside behavior. Indoors there are not as many
distractions as outside so it's easier to behave well inside. Outside
there are people, cars, birds, other dogs, lot's of good smells. etc...
that can be very distracting to a dog that has not been obedience trained
and it's natural to want to investigate everything, especially other
dogs. Also a training class will give your dog supervised experience
with socialization that may help your dog to respond in a more manageable
manner to other dogs. It's best to do this as a puppy but older dogs can
be taught to not to jump around like a kangaroo when meeting another dog.
I found that my dog, as a puppy, was more difficult to manage
outside as well because of the increased distractions but once we got
basic obedience down she was much better. Now all I have to tell her is
"No" when she begins to do something that is not allowed outside. Most
of the time if we meet a new dog I have her sit and stay until I get an
indication from the other dog's human that it is ok to let her come
closer for a sniff. In fact she has learned to not even approach new
people unless I tell her it is ok to go and say hi. This has all evolved
from having her trained to a reliable sit/stay.
I trained her myself but unless you have had prior experience
training a puppy, I would suggest getting your older dog into a class or
work in person with a trainer. It's can be a little more difficult with
an older dog than a puppy because you have behavior and habits to unlearn
but it is extremely beneficial to teach basic obedience to your dog
regardless of his age. The idea is that you are not only training your
dog but yourself as well and having someone there that can observe you
and your dog interacting is well worth the money if you haven't had any
experience with training.

--
Les Hilliard & Nikki the Super Shih-Tzu