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Location: West Sussex UK
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,044
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How lovely of you to take on a rescue dog ~ I love to hear about these cases, it restores my faith in human nature
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Obviously you are concerned about your dog's reaction to other dogs & don't want this to escalate ~ this is perfectly natural. But you know from his behaviour at the foster home that he can cope being around other dogs & doesn't need to resort to aggression.
I think that his reaction to other dogs when on a lead & out on walks is very common. Many dogs display aggressive-type body language when they meet other dogs on a tight lead. If the lead is tight this distorts a dog's body language, so other dogs can't read his body language correctly nor can your dog do the same if the other dog is on a tight lead. Plus being restrained on a lead means that the option of avoiding or going away from perceived danger (flight) is taken away from them, so the only tactic they can resort to is fight, i.e. start with stiff body language, maybe hackles raised, growling etc. No doubt at this stage you take him away from the other dog before it gets worse.
Do you ever let him off the lead? What is he like with other dogs at these times?
If you don't let him off lead, then you need to find someway for him to meet other dogs so that you can see his reaction, but in a way that won't worry you & will be safe for all concerned. Is the foster home he was in very far from you? If not, what about contacting them to see if you could meet for a walk with their dogs. You would probably feel safe letting him off lead with the other dogs & could see how he reacts. It would help build your confidence in his interactions with other dogs as well.
Alternatively do you have friends/family/neighbours with a dog (even better if it is a calm, neutered, older dog with plenty of experience around other dogs)? Perhaps arrange to meet them in a neutral area & see how he behaves? If you don't yet feel confident in letting him off lead, then try a harness & long line, but also try to ensure that the line doesn't go tight so that he still feels he has the freedom to move away & express normal body language. If you are still very worried, then even muzzling him temporarily may increase your confidence that he can't hurt another dog.
In the meantime I suggest that you try to avoid meeting other dogs when your dog is on a lead. If necessary cross the road, or choose another route. The more he engages in the aggressive behaviour, the more likely it is to get worse, & the more likely he is to start thinking all other dogs are unfriendly.
You also say that he has only recently been neutered & it takes a while for the hormones to settle down after neutering (sometimes weeks/months) ~ he probably still has male testosterone levels so will be inclined to show male behaviours, including all the posturing that goes with being a testosterone-fuelled adolescent!! This should calm down after a while.
Best of luck with him ~ I hope you have many happy years together
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