[nborodich]

I have had my dog since she was 2.5 months old, she is 1 year old now, a lab mix. We have gone to the dog park ever since she got her shots done. Tula was very submissive, but always seemed to be too persistent in attempts to initiate games with other dogs. Although they would clearly show her that they are either done with her or not interested, she would not leave them alone. I have always thought that she would learn with time to let go and leave, but she is not doing that. Now when dogs snap at her when they clearly warned her and they are not interested in playing with her, my dog starts a fight. She is not displaying submissiveness, she does not let go and leave other dogs alone, she goes right after - which I have not seen before. It looks almost like if she is going in heat (she is spayed though), it did happen very suddenly. We used to go every day, I now stopped going at all after fights like that happened three times in a row and it became obvious that it is not a coincidence or an exception. I am trying to understand a cause of this agression and eagerness to fight because it looks like she is almost trying to fight other dogs and provokes them on purpose. I know that I have done something wrong and overlooked things, so I am not blaming anyone else for that, jusr seeking for an advice of what might have led to this behavior and how I can stop it.

[Todd]

Any lifestyle changes since this behavior first began?

Some dogs change as they mature. Once a submissive dog is not always a submissive dog. For clarification, does she still try to play with the other dogs then if they don't want to play and snap at her or something she starts to fight? What if the other dog agrees to play? Does she act aggressivly or fight, or does she play fine then? Does she by chance fight around certain areas or when a ball or toy is involved? A little more info would be helpful.

[nborodich]

Thank you very much for your response!
For clarification, does she still try to play with the other dogs then if they don't want to play and snap at her or something she starts to fight? - Yes, that is exactly what she is doing. I guess the more I think about it, she has always done this exact same scenario, but never actually crossed the line to provoke a fight. It was always on the edge, but she would not fight, nor leave. And yes, it does sound right, she probably realized that she is big enough to establish dominance and does not have to leave. Also, when other dogs play agressively, she does not seem to have problems with that.
Does she act aggressivly or fight, or does she play fine then? Does she by chance fight around certain areas or when a ball or toy is involved? - No, I do not see ANY signs of territorial agression, she is not protective over me, nor over food, nor over toys; and the fight can happen in any corner of the park.

Thanks again for the insight.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by nborodich

Thank you very much for your response!
For clarification, does she still try to play with the other dogs then if they don't want to play and snap at her or something she starts to fight? - Yes, that is exactly what she is doing. I guess the more I think about it, she has always done this exact same scenario, but never actually crossed the line to provoke a fight. It was always on the edge, but she would not fight, nor leave. And yes, it does sound right, she probably realized that she is big enough to establish dominance and does not have to leave. Also, when other dogs play agressively, she does not seem to have problems with that.
Does she act aggressivly or fight, or does she play fine then? Does she by chance fight around certain areas or when a ball or toy is involved? - No, I do not see ANY signs of territorial agression, she is not protective over me, nor over food, nor over toys; and the fight can happen in any corner of the park.

Thanks again for the insight.

It sounds like she is trying to play and is not excepting the fact that some dogs are not up to it. When the snap at her or something along those lines to warn her to back off, she may be defending herself as if this were a threat, however it still seems she may be provoking the situation. Could be inadvertant, but no matter the cause there are similar possible solutions. I would take her back to the park and have her play, but when she starts to bother another dog who does not want to play, call her off by firmly saying "leave it" or something along those lines and trying something like a body block. This is putting your body between her and the other dog to stop the situation from going any further. You can also try using an umbrella opened to put between them. Once the two are blocked, give your dog praise and a treat reward. You may want to try using a clicker or whistle too. Once she backs off a bit and starts to get the hint, try giving her more leeway and when she attempts to bother a dog who doesn't want to play, tell her to "leave it" . if she does so, praise her and then call her, use a clicker, or a whistle and have her come to you to get a tasty treat. Positive reinforcement is equally as important here as correction. Don't start this training on lead so you can take her back to you because one dog on lead around another that is not can cause the leashed dog to feel vaulenerable and act aggressively. Eventually you should be able to corect her by saying "leave it" and she complies. As I said, during the training process the body block or umbrella can be used to reinforce the training and help meanwhile.

[gambler-girl]

Is she really fighting or playing too hard?

GG