Ways to deal with excitement/aggression

hi just fishing for some ideas for a friend who's dog is 14months entire male who seems to be being aggresive towards dogs whilst out walking. Not sure if it's just eagerness to see other dogs or more nasty haven't seen it in action! have suggested getting it's attention with watch me and/or walking in other direction but any other ideas welcome. Could it be his age or could he be being territorial if he's walked in same area all the time? he is ok with a few dogs he already knows and this is a new behaviour.Thanks in advance

Is it on-lead aggression? That`s pretty common, and onesolution is to put more space between him and other dogs and reward when calm.
Or is it aggression to other entire males? If so - good basic training and recall / control could be the answer.
Or if it`s fear aggression, building his confidence and socialising him gently - walking with well-behaved dogs, allowing him his own space, positive training and bonding to the owner will help.
In any case - have a read of Jean Donaldson`s Fight! or James O`Heares Workbook of Dog Agression and ask your friend to walk him on a line until she has addressed the issue?

What sort of behaviour is the dog exhibiting? My dog goes beserk with glee when on leash and seeing other dogs; he lunges, barks, yelps and even cries with frustration at not being able to play. It can resemble aggression.

The 'watch me' is a good idea. Your friend will need to practise it a lot if she hasn't already, firstly at home, with no distractions, and slowly building up to the point where it will work EVEN when there are other dogs around.

Above all, she should try to stay calm and keep the leash relaxed - it's hard, I know But any tension she feels will shoot down the leash and be picked up by the dog.

If it turns out to be aggression, then it might be worth taking the dog to the vet to get it checked over, just in case there is an underlying physical problem.

I'm more more experienced folk will be along to answer and give better help than I have been able to offer


edited to add

Sorry, I assumed it was on leash that this is happening - is it happening when he's off leash too?

Hi both thanks for the info It has happened off leash to start with and the dog has jumped on other dogs...i know it could be excitement don't think other dogs were hurt and the dog in question is a big dog so if he had really meant to hurt the other dog it wouldn't have been pretty.He is now on leash and still behaving the same way. I have had some fosters who to all intents and purposes have looked and sounded like they want to kill other dogs but once the initial fuss has passed they just want to play, I think a dog whos unsure will pull out all the stops to look as if they are not to be messed with but quick to backdown when they realise other dog isn't a threat. Yes i have said to start the watch me at home and then build it up from a distance outside once responding. I have suggested meeting and walking with my older dog he's so laid bach it's silly and know he would either ignore him or back off if he looked as if he meant business ! She is trying the calm approach so will see how it goes. Sorry don't know what dogs he has shown aggression/excitement towards although the 2 he gets on with are both males one is neutered not sure about the other.

Has he played with other dogs so he knows how to act round them> I mean was he socialised with dogs as a youngster?
If not, it might be worth looking for a club or trainer who runs a socialisation class. And muzzling him until then?

I think you need to determine whether it actual aggression or barrier frustration. Two entirely different things motivated by (in the first case) potentially several different things or (in the second case) one or two.

Until you can determine the exact underlying cause, recommending a potential solution is pointless.

With the ones he gets on with yes, as for others on a regular basis not sure, but will have come accross others when walking obviously.

Yep it's tricky i know, without seeing him in action I can only go on what she is saying . and she seems to think he's being aggressive

Re it happening off leash:

When I first adopted Dexter, he had not been socialised around other dogs and so if he was at the park and off leash, he would go charging up to them and start leaping and jumping around like a lunatic. It was pure excitement though, not aggression.

I had to stop letting him off leash for a while, and we worked with a good trainer, to teach him how to be a bit calmer around other dogs.

I think it's a great idea for your friend to walk her dog with yours IF it is barrier frustration and excitement.

If it's aggression, then I think your friend should seek help from a professional trainer or behaviourist. And if she's in doubt, her dog should NOT be off leash at all.

Yes i agree will try and go without my dog to start with and get a feel but if in any doubt I will say she needs professional help.