Pitbull Mentality

I have a 1 1/2 year old female named Lexi. I love her to death but she's a terror to other dogs. When we go for a walk and pass another dog, she carries on something awful. Even when the other dog is being friendly, she yips and bites at their snouts.

During obedience school, I had to get there extra early to try and calm her down. She would bark and incite all the other dogs. She particularly liked to target large vicious looking dogs. Needless to say, we weren't the most popular pair in the class.

Does anyone know of a way to get her to be a little more friendly with other dogs? I'm starting to think there's a pitbull mentality stuck inside a Maltese body.
EMF

• Can it be you are uncontiously rewarding to continue these undesirable behaviors but sending out the wrong body langage? There is a really good book called "Dog Training by Bash" that describe a story as yours. Bash has helped this owner solved the agression problem by changing the owner's pattern of uncontious encouragement to the dog! Check this book out in the library or book store! It will give you a new prospective in the way how you handle your dog's agression situation. Good luck!
  CC

• My Oliver, (1 yr), also goes nuts at other dogs. He also goes bananas when he sees (or imagines) birds or squirrels in our back yard. His high-pitched bark was very annoying and there was absolutely no stopping him. Then a few days ago I started reading The Tellington TTouch by Linda Tellington-Jones, before I was even half way through I started doing this message method on Oliver and it immediately reduced his barking by about 80%. I haven't tried him around other dogs yet, but I am hopeful. I under stand there is also a video about the TTouch, but I haven't seen it. I don't know if this will help your dog, but its worth a try.
  LE

• Sounds like you have a dominant dog not a pitbull with long hair! How are you correcting the problem?? NO! BAD DOG! or noooooooo pleazzz stop precious...also by petting her and trying to calm her down is just rewarding her for her behavior. There there.. it's ok...hush little girl should be more like QUIET!! KNOCK IT OFF!! Use a low deep voice and grab her by the scruff of the neck the next time she leeps for another dog. This is something to be serious about. You say you could never hurt your dog?? What are you going to do when your dog goes and bites a child or even you??

  She has to absolutely positively know that you are in charge at all times. When you approach another dog and she goes for it she MUST be corrected for her actions. Once she starts to stop the behavior then praise her like crazy!!! Remember you are responsible for her not her having to take charge of you. You are walking her she is not taking you somewhere. Get it?? Keep repeating the visits with other dogs and if she does not go for them right away praise her alot. If she starts to get nippy, correct her and then bring her back to the dog and try again. Even though you have a small dog this is unappropriate behavior for any dog any size.

  Dogs have to know their place and learn to get along with people, other dogs, and learn to behave in new situations. They must look to you for love and guidance just like children they need rules to make them feel secure. You dog does not know who is boss and is trying to take over and be the leader--hugh mistake.

  Check out dog behavior and training books and read up on how to correct your dog. I can only type so much and can not give you the one on one help you need. You can e-mail me with other concerns and I will be glad to give you my 2 cents worth. You can also seek professional help through trainers, or behaviorists.

  I have a shep mix that I rescued and for social contact I brought her to my in-laws over Christmas. I wanted alot of people around both young and old and to have an over stimulating atmosphere. In other words I wanted her to get stressed out! I needed to see how she would behave and also so I could correct her. Well she was getting in the way with opening packages and so I put her on her leash and made her lay down next to me. She did not want to be stuck to the coffee table and whinned alot. Event though I told her to be QUIET! she started again and again. So I gave in and let her off leash. Where did she go?? To the top of the stairs to get away from all the noise but close enough to see mom and soon fell fast asleep! SMART DOG! Moral of the story all dogs should be well adjusted so that you can take them ANYWHERE! and they will behave beautifully like my mix. Keep us posted!
  PUG