[AnnaWill]

My 2 year old Akita is showing odd aggression toward other dogs... sometimes. She is impossible to read and never does the same action twice. She never attacks a dog from afar, it must first come to us and smell her. She never barks, growls, or raises her fur. Sometimes she is ok with other dogs. She is fine with passing dogs and I can control her with a yank and a firm "no". But the other night she bit my parents dog. They have met before and were showing good progess- Then my parents dog came and sat in front of her and lowered her head (letting my akita have dominance) and my akita put her head over the other dog. Without warning she latched onto her neck. No one moved, neither dog barked, growled, nothing happened to spark this. My father had to pull them apart (at this point my akita had let go and was making no attempt to attack again and showing no signs of aggresion, my parents dog was pissed and not letting go of my Akita and was letting everyone know it). Sometimes she acts interested in other dogs, but I'm too concerned with her past behavior to test her on a stranger. I know that she doesn't care for small dogs, dogs that walk underneath her, dogs that lick her, and dogs that smell her for too long. I really could use some advice. Am I just going to have to throw in the towel and keep her away from other dogs?

[Mr. Vega]

Originally Posted by AnnaWill

My 2 year old Akita is showing odd aggression toward other dogs... sometimes. She is impossible to read and never does the same action twice. She never attacks a dog from afar, it must first come to us and smell her. She never barks, growls, or raises her fur. Sometimes she is ok with other dogs. She is fine with passing dogs and I can control her with a yank and a firm "no". But the other night she bit my parents dog. They have met before and were showing good progess- Then my parents dog came and sat in front of her and lowered her head (letting my akita have dominance) and my akita put her head over the other dog. Without warning she latched onto her neck. No one moved, neither dog barked, growled, nothing happened to spark this. My father had to pull them apart (at this point my akita had let go and was making no attempt to attack again and showing no signs of aggresion, my parents dog was pissed and not letting go of my Akita and was letting everyone know it). Sometimes she acts interested in other dogs, but I'm too concerned with her past behavior to test her on a stranger. I know that she doesn't care for small dogs, dogs that walk underneath her, dogs that lick her, and dogs that smell her for too long. I really could use some advice. Am I just going to have to throw in the towel and keep her away from other dogs?

Maybe... have you had her since she was a pup? If so, did you socialize her around lots of other dogs when she was very young? Where did the incident with the parents' dog go down? Perhaps she felt her territory was being invaded??? How do you respond out at the park when other dogs approach? If you're very weary of other dogs, it's likely that your dog recognizes that (they're watching you closer than you think) and feels the need to protect you. I doubt if it's a foregone conclusion that your dog is condemned to solitude from other dogs, but, you may have to proceed slowly and get her used to them since she's older now.

Another option - there are behavior specialists at most any vet school that specialize in these sort of things.

[AnnaWill]

I've only had her one month- She is a rescue and hasn't had much interaction with people in along time. But despite that she loves loves loves people and children. I know that she was raised with a german shepherd and a shitzu and then was given to a foster family with 3 small dogs and she doesn't have problems with them. I was thinking that it could be me- because I'm defiantly nervous around the other dogs- I live in a large apt. complex and there are a lot of other dogs so I really don't want to have something bad happen.

[AnnaWill]

Oh and she bit the other dog at my parents house. That's where they have always met on and off the lead.

[reeskujo]

I'm a former Akita breeder and have raised them all of my adult life...Akita's tend to be very dog aggressive especially with the same sex and if they have not been raised since puppy hood with other dogs.
They generally give no warning before they attack...if you want to introduce her to other dogs I would recommend you don't do so without her being muzzled...make sure that when she is around other dogs and she shows positive behavior that you give her positive reinforcement such as a treat or a lot of praise...Also make sure that when she's around other dogs she has a leash attached to her and that you are holding the leash so you can keep her from getting to close...Female Akita's also tend to be slightly more dog aggressive then the males...it's possible that with enough socialization and positive reinforcement that you can turn her around but there's also a good chance that she's naturally dog aggressive...If she's 2yr.s old she's also fully matured so if this is a new behavior it could be do to that...Many Akita's are good with other dogs as puppies up until a 1yr and a half or so and then once they've fully matured that behavior changes...They are a breed that you should always be extremely cautious with when it comes to other dogs,small animals and children.

[german sheep]

for a dog it is normal to show aggressions against other dog, only WE don't want it. What do you think is a strange dog for your dog?
It is a concurrent, rival which exactly wants the same ressources the other one claims for his own.

What would you think if your partner introduces another woman to you with the words: doesn't matter, she has all the rights you have but for you it means less work in the house! :shock:
Can this come to a "friendship" to a relaxed relationship? Never and that is exactly what we want from our dogs.

If we doesn't want our dog to show aggressions against others, then we have to take the leadership in our "pack". Then but only then a dog has no reason to act. But too often we leave the decision by our dog and wonder when a situation comes to escalate.

Then my parents dog came and sat in front of her and lowered her head

MY GOD WHERE WERE YOU??? This shows active aggression! Here you should have done something to seperate, immediately! You did nothing and left it by your dog to sort it out, this is no leadership.

and my akita put her head over the other dog

Your dog showed the other: you are mine! and you have to show some obedience!!! if not then ....und all of a sudden with no growling

nothing happened to spark this

no no no they showed you a lot of signs you and your family were not able to read. They have shown a lot and your job is to be more sensitive what is really happening.
It has nothing to do with playing or loving each other.

LG
NN