| You need to understand that your dog completely | | | | If you are not completely sure he is ready to meet |
| believes he is the leader and when you are out | | | | with other dogs and people, you should put a muzzle |
| walking he is protecting you. What you need to teach | | | | on him for the first few times to get a feel of how he |
| him is that YOU are the Alpha, not him. You have to | | | | reacts. If he tries fighting again, you need to go back |
| make him understand that it is not his job to protect | | | | and start over. |
| you on his walk. Here are some methods to change | | | | How To Gradually Introduce Your Dog to Other Dogs |
| his behavior. | | | | Obviously this is going to be a gradual process so |
| Start With Basic Training | | | | please have patience. When you take him out for the |
| This training can help your dog learn to understand that | | | | first time after his training, introduce your dog from a |
| it's OK to have other dogs around him and you. Start | | | | distance. When he sees the other dog, make him |
| training him now and do a little bit every day in a | | | | sit-stay and watch his reaction carefully. As the other |
| mixture of circumstances. Make sure you begin the | | | | person with their dog approaches you, try to have him |
| training in a place that is familiar to him so he can relax | | | | focus on YOU and not the other dog. If he makes a |
| and not get distracted. Once you've done some | | | | move from the "sit" position, have the other person |
| training in familiar areas you can move on to other | | | | back away. |
| environments and distractions. | | | | Use a Gentle Leader Leash |
| Do not move on until you have completed at least 5-10 | | | | It might be a good idea to use a Gentle Leader type |
| minutes of "sit-stay" and then 5-10 minutes of | | | | of leash so you have more control over your dog |
| "down-stay". The first 3 steps must not have any | | | | while he is in training. This leash goes over his nose |
| other dogs or people present...including other family. | | | | and his head. You lead him from his nose and it does |
| 1. First you start inside your home with his leash ON. | | | | not harm your dog in any way. |
| Make him "sit" and then tell him to "stay". After about | | | | Be Careful Not To Reinforce Your Dog's Bad |
| 10 minutes, start teaching him "down-stay". | | | | Behavior |
| 2. When step #1 is finished, go outside making sure | | | | Make sure you hold a slack leash at all times. If you |
| you still have his leash ON. (repeat the two | | | | tighten your dog's leash when you see a strange dog, |
| commands) | | | | you will make him very tense and his aggression level |
| 3. Now while you are still outside, take his leash OFF. | | | | will increase. Speak to him in a happy and very calm |
| (repeat the two commands again) | | | | voice. |
| You Must Avoid Other Dogs Until You Have Mastered | | | | When your dogs learns to ignore the strange dog, |
| Steps 1-3 | | | | make sure you reward him with a treat. Practice this |
| You may now gradually introduce other dogs and | | | | as often as possible. |
| people to your surroundings. However, first try to | | | | Read Up On Alpha Dogs and What It Means |
| socialize him with dogs that have more of a calm and | | | | You should find as much information on Alpha dogs as |
| easy going temperament. This will ease him into it. | | | | possible. This will help you understand why your dog |
| 4. Go outside with your dog's leash ON, do the two | | | | acts the way he does. It is his instinct and unless he is |
| commands. (other dogs and people present) | | | | trained to know YOU are the Alpha, he will continue his |
| 5. Now do the same command with his leash OFF. | | | | bad behavior. |
| (other dogs and people present) | | | | |