Any advice for 11 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback that is aggressive to other dogs?
by admin on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 | 4 Comments
He is neutered and the son of “poi” dogs, Hawaiian dogs used for boar hunting. Nearing 80 pounds, been to obedience school, nothing helps…
put it down
When walking him use the “Gentle Leader”. with this device you have total control over his head, and he cannot start a fight….As you are walking, pass a dog, and hold him close. After the dog is passed (no matter how your dog behaved) give him a tiny treat. I like to use pieces of cat kibble for this, as it is dry enough and small enough to hold alot of them in my pocket. Each time you pass or are near dogs, give him another treat and praise. Soon he will look forward to seeing other dogs, and begin wagging his tail, instead of bristling his fur..
This may take a week or two to ingrain the task, but it always works.
You can get this at your local pet supply, on line at drsfostersmith.com or a little cheaper on eBay.com
They run about $17 for your breed’s size in pet stores.
This is what they look like, and directions are in the package>>>
In the UK they are called “Halti Harness”
lots of time, lots of praise, lots of treats. you need to get some of what we call “bomb-proof” dogs, dogs that nothing phases, no matter what. My dogs aren’t like this but I know a few dogs who never bark or anything, get them to come to your house, etc. keep them on the lead for their own safety and your dog on a very short lead. ignore him if he barks or snarles, muzzle him if needed. get the other dog to just sit their at first, then let the other dog play with some of your dogs toys… feed them toegther but at a safe distance, things to relax the dogs and bond them. do this regularaly. depending on the type of aggression, i could give more specific help, email me at if you want anything else
This breed does tend to have a dog aggresion problem, and it is hard to believe since they are pack hounds, but….
There are several ways to condition your dog to not act aggresive. Chetco described one, another is to sit with the dog and have a friend approach with their dog. Have them stop before your dog becomes too upset, and just stand while you have your dog do some basic commands (sit, down) Give lots of treats, praise him well, and the next day, do it again with the other dog a little closer. Repeat this prossess until your dog will accept the other dog very close, and still respond to you. This is the method I use for dog aggresive pit bulls that I rescue. It is important to note that most dogs remain aggresive, you just have better control. If you dog is just fearful, and not dominate or ‘protecting’ you, he may be non-aggresive after the conditioning. With Ridgebacks the temperment could go either way, but from his linage, I’d say it is aggresion!