Aggressive towards dogs off leash

Hi I know of a 5yr old alsation who is aggressive towards other dogs who are off leash and come towards him. At this time the alsation is on a lead. Is he protecting owner, himself , or what? He does not show any signs of fear
I would appreciate some advice.
Thanks

[zetstaff]

I'm not sure what it is, my boy is far worse on his lead than off. Could be because the owner gets tense when other dogs are coming towards them, anticipating something happening.

I do it, can't help it, + I put it down to this

[kita]

Dogs react by either 'flight or fight', since they are on a lead and cannot run away ('flight') then they are left with no other alternative but to 'fight'.

They are not necessarily protecting anything/anyone or 'reading' anything from the handler, they simply cannot do anything else.

The dog may not appear to be fearful but it probably is.

Sue

[zetstaff]

Originally Posted by kita

Dogs react by either 'flight or fight', since they are on a lead and cannot run away ('flight') then they are left with no other alternative but to 'fight'.

They are not necessarily protecting anything/anyone or 'reading' anything from the handler, they simply cannot do anything else.

The dog may not appear to be fearful but it probably is.

Sue

If we are around dogs we know then there is no problem, but if strange dogs come running up then Boris definitely picks up from me that I'm tense. Otherwise he'd be all babyish like he usually is

[kita]

Originally Posted by zetstaff

If we are around dogs we know then there is no problem, but if strange dogs come running up then Boris definitely picks up from me that I'm tense. Otherwise he'd be all babyish like he usually is

But if you are around dogs you both know then you both know that there is no need for 'fight or flight' so you are both relaxed.

If a strange dog came running up and someone else was holding the lead Boris would probably still react - not because they are tensing up but because he does not know the dog and has to react in the only way he can.

My last dog was a very macho entire male dog. We used to have a big Rottie cross GSD nearby that was used as a guard dog. They hated each other with a passion. My boy would always fire off at the dog - hackles the lot (even trying to come back at me) and the other dog did the same, if they could reach each other I have no doubt it would have been a serious fight to the death.

My boy used to stiffen up and raise his hackles at the first sight of the dog.

Now in theory you would say that it was me tensing up every time I spotted the dog - as indeed I did.

BUT there was also an identical dog (sister to the guard dog) also walked by men in overalls. I could not tell the difference between the two dogs.

My boy NEVER once reacted to the sister. Yet I gave the same reaction to both dogs because I did not know which one it was.

I used to feel pretty silly when it turned out to be the female dog as I was stood there back against the wall bracing myself ready for my dog to kick off - he was stood there like an angel!!!

Sue

[zetstaff]

Originally Posted by kita

But if you are around dogs you both know then you both know that there is no need for 'fight or flight' so you are both relaxed.

If a strange dog came running up and someone else was holding the lead Boris would probably still react - not because they are tensing up but because he does not know the dog and has to react in the only way he can.

My last dog was a very macho entire male dog. We used to have a big Rottie cross GSD nearby that was used as a guard dog. They hated each other with a passion. My boy would always fire off at the dog - hackles the lot (even trying to come back at me) and the other dog did the same, if they could reach each other I have no doubt it would have been a serious fight to the death.

My boy used to stiffen up and raise his hackles at the first sight of the dog.

Now in theory you would say that it was me tensing up every time I spotted the dog - as indeed I did.

BUT there was also an identical dog (sister to the guard dog) also walked by men in overalls. I could not tell the difference between the two dogs.

My boy NEVER once reacted to the sister. Yet I gave the same reaction to both dogs because I did not know which one it was.

I used to feel pretty silly when it turned out to be the female dog as I was stood there back against the wall bracing myself ready for my dog to kick off - he was stood there like an angel!!!

Sue

they are such ANGELS aren't they