My 4 yr old husky/shepherd mix aggressively dominates some dogs when she's off leash at the dog park; specifically there are about 7 or 8 dogs that she has "gone after" since we got her 2 yrs ago. "Go after" means she'll pounce on these dogs, snarling and growling - these episodes end in less than 5 seconds (not sure if it's only because I yell at her or if these other dogs are sufficiently subordinated by then!).

My dog generally seems quite proud of herself after an "attack" unless she gets a big scolding. She has never drawn blood. I have often thought that this was just big-time alpha female behavior, but I would appreciate some knowledgable opinions on the subject.

My dog is a 60 lbs; we got her from a rescue when she was two years old. I have thought that if my dog wanted to inflict harm on another dog that she could do so in heart beat - is this faulty thinking?

More info: the dogs she chooses to dominate/"go after" are always the sweetest dogs - one of them is incredibly submissive and my dog just seems like a big bully who wants to make sure that this wimpy dog knows her place. These dominance attacks are awful and embarrasing.

Is this behavior part of "normal" canine social structure? Advice please.

(I should mention that my dog is not aggressive towards people and she's expecically sweet and playful with children).

You've hit the nail on the head. She's displaying normal alpha female behaviour. The object is not to hurt the other dog, but only have it submissive to her. Now, that she does this at the park is kind of unusual unless she considers the park to be part of her territory. It sounds as though you go there often and see the same dogs, so she may have started accepting it as an extension of her territory and pack.

Now, then, what to do about it is a problem. I have seen an alpha in my pack "go after" a submissive dog in the park and, once the dominance thing is taken care of, they play happily together. But it still made me nervous and embarrassed at what humans perceive as bad manners. That's just it. To the dogs, what is happening is just part of their normal behaviour patterns. It takes training to make them understand that it is not acceptable behaviour.

Since you allow her to run freely at the dog park, there are a couple of options. When you catch her at this behaviour, say "No!" in a loud firm voice - enough to startle her - and then put her on her leash and make her stay on her leash for the rest of your stay. She will soon associate that behaviour with your displeasure and restriction in her play.

The second thing you could do is to buy a long leash (20') that will allow her to run a bit, but still give you control over her movements. It takes practice to learn to manage that much leash, but you'll get the hang of it. Then, when she takes off after a dog, you can stop her and say a firm "No!".

Of course, there is another trick but it's kind of "off the wall". When she runs one way, turn around and run the other way. Often, that will catch their attention and they will chase after you thinking you are leaving them.

Thank you granma_ota; your comments are very reassuring and affirming to boot! You are right that we go to the dog park all the time - I had not considered that the dog now sees it as her turf. I will be especially stern with her when this happens again, becasue it likely will. I'll add that most all of the dog park regulars are familiar with my dog, but this does not make her boorish behavior any more acceptable. I REALLY like your idea of leashing her up immediately after a "domination" attack. If fact, I may just take her right home afterwards so she'll really get the picture. She is a smart dog.

Thanks again for the kind words and wonderful advice.

Thank you granma_ota for the kind words and wonderful advice. I think I will leash her up and take her home immediately after the next "dominance" attack.

oops - sorry for posting twice... I didn't think the first one went through.

[its_a_zoo_in_here]

my hubby of 1 yr and i moved our blended family in together, we each had a female dog coming into our relationship both are of about 3 yrs old -1 sib husky and 1 (jack russell/pom/shihtzu mix-very calm, agreeable and affectionate).

problem is...they were tolerant of eachother initially, minor squabbles (mix moved into husky home) we figured they needed to establish alpha...but in the past 3 weeks, husky is bullying mix dog with a vengence and squabbles are daily+. hubby is getting fed up and i'm at my wits end! how do i correct it for long term effect...the break it up yelling is too brief an effect. Mix dog is walking on eggshells too. suggestions? is this going to get worse?

[german sheep]

Hello its_a_zoo_in_here,

that is the clear argument that dogs do not play!
At the beginning it was harmless because the husky thought he could sort it out without showing aggression but could not solve the problem from his point of view.

The owners had the imagination that what the dogs showed is nice and cute.
But it wasn't, both dogs tried to sort this conflict out without blood flowing or skin hurtle. They didn't come to a clear result and now it has to get worse.
This is not the end!!! If you do nothing one day will be a bad situation.

Dogs are pure and egoisitc individuals and not made to share important things, like territory, the owner, love and affection, food etc.
You have no familar pack situation but in fact a forced contact between two foreign similar beings. They have to share but don't want it.

What happenes when two children at the age of 4 yr. are "playing" without supervision. How long does it take to have the first body shown argument?

Seen from the huskies point of view its owner has shown inacceptable and illogical behaviour as he accepted two intruders which doesn't belong to the social alliance in their territory. Territory as the space or the room which is neccesary to survive.

What does wolf pack A do with a foreign individual from pack B when entering the territory? If there is enough food displace it or kill it when not enough food is existing. Nearly the same situation happens in your home with enough to eat.

So what you can do is to show both dogs, that everything is cleared through you and the other human being.
That means: every dog has a place where it can stay and feels safeness, if you have the possibility: in that way they can not see each other.
When you go for a walk then only with one dog after the other. Don't let them in the garden without supervision and take them on the leash, means with every dog seperately.

Food only from hand and not just from hand but let them work for it. We have to work for our money to be able to buy food, so why let the dogs have everything for nothing.
If you would get 5000 $ per month for free how long will you think of your boss?

If you see that they have a special eye contact between them (I guess you know what I mean), block it with your body and give the initiator something to do for you, maybe a sit or an eye contact to you or whatever
BUT don't say it to him, let him find out for himself what you want it to do. That is more stressfull for the dog.

They have to know that if they are stressing you, you will stress them in a higher level.
The attention must lay on you not on the other dog.
Before you can loose this kind of constriction they have show you that the new behaviour has already been established.
Then step by step you are able to lift everything you can take the responsibility of.

http://hunde-sprache.de/wp/?p=131&lang=en#more-131
http://hunde-sprache.de/wp/?p=194&lang=en#more-194

LG
gs