Aggression

What do you consider to be an aggressive dog?

How much do you think nervousness in a dog can be misjudged aggression?

all the time sange ppl say their dogs have domincence issues ect ect and the dog turns out to be a big scardy cat hence the issues a confiedent well balanced dog will not go for other dogs on lead ect
i get it all the time big men with sheps garding breeds ect their dog barks at ppl and dogs on lead and they think the dogs protecting them wen in fact its gen more due to fear like i point i point out my dogs dont do that and they are trained to protect even rostam will pass anyone anything and not bat a eye unless challanged
i rarely meat a truely agressive dog altho ones i have met have been working bred crazy ass malis lol

i used to think freds barking and lunging etc at other dogs was agression, i dont think it is, its more frustration

BB suffers with fear aggression, not helped by the fact that most peaple won't or can't look past the barking
Underneath it all, once you have his trust...... he's the softest, most loving hairy big bas*ard

this is it theres soooooooo much more to why dogs do stuff most dogs are worst on lead due to the barrier you have there and the stress some owners transmit through the lead
aww lynne sounds like how xena used to be lol

Like farah said most aggression comes from nervous dogs but they still need to be trained and sorted cause it can get dangerous if these dogs are pushed and they panic. Feeling sorry for a dog that is barking at a dog or a person is not good and should be stopped. There is i expect farah has seen some dogs that are dominant from the start and these dogs will not take to being challenged and would be your worst nightmare, not many are like this but there about. When people who are breeding and care this is why the temperments are so important you need an aminable dog, not something with a hard temperment. A nervous temperment can come through breeding from a nervous dog and should be avoided. :love:

Great posts everyone and interesting to read.

I agree with you Rosemary *rolls eyes* wish people would do as you say and not just breed for the sake of a litter, another thing that I think is important to remember is when seeing the mother (hopefully dad as well) your usually only seeing her in her own environment where her temperament can be quite different to when she is out and about *I have learnt this lesson the hard way* though it's very difficult for most people to actually see the parents other than at the pups home.

i agree guys i bought my mali wanting a hard temperment and that extreme drive but thats what i need for work but im sick of seeing so many dogs with issues due to their breeding its stupid and not needed a lot of breeders i have got my dogs from have shown me their dogs out and working away from home ect so i can see them work and see them out and about which does help a lot as even pup is very friendly at home if ppl visit but if you challange him he will spark up im seeing a rottie tomoz a rescue who has issues with dogs so im taking meg and rostam to help him but i have no dought he is nervous hence his aggression issues but we will see lol

fredsmum wrote:

i used to think freds barking and lunging etc at other dogs was agression, i dont think it is, its more frustration

I'm sure its the same with Marley, Marley has been socialised with dogs and people since he was 11 weeks old at dog training, like I say off lead on the beach he is a dream on lead he is a nightmare but only with certain things and people he is definitely not consistent!!!, he started this at about 13 months old but after he had been attacked by another dog. I know its not aggression, I saw both parents when we got him, Sheryl my friend has his big brother and they have wonderful temperaments. Marley is a big softie, and he barks for attention or when he wants something or if he wants to say hello but someone is ignoring him. We are trying to discourage it and sometimes he is great but other times not so great!! I did have problems with him at one point with terrible mouthing especially when he couldnt have his own way, I got very upset on a couple of occassions as I though he was being aggressive and it was only ever directed towards me but I'm chief discipline person in our household!! He never ever bit me but the mouthing was terrible and it was as though he knew exactly how much pressure to put on me just enough to hurt but not to bite!! but we have worked through it and touch wood he hasnt even attempted it for about 3 months now and the only time he tries is when I groom him but then again Im doing something he doesnt like and he shows his objection but we are working through that one too and although he is mouthing he is not hurting me now its basically mouth around my arm and a grumble its not even a growl and he's wagging his tail I think he sees it as a game!!
I have to say Marley the puppy was a dream , Marley the teen has been hard work but we have seen huge differences in him lately where he is settling down a lot to what he used to be like and I will continue to work with him cos I love the big softie to bits!!