Why Are Dogs Aggressive With Only Certain Other Dogs?

Today Uncle Stonnie is talking about a question we get asked a lot, which is why are dogs aggressive with only certain other dogs. In this video, Stonnie demonstrates how a Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy is calm and composed, while working in a group of dogs and puppies but then becomes very reactive when the group is replaced with one particular dog that he doesn't like.

00:00 Introduction & Group Walk
04:08 Aggressive Reaction To One Specific Dog

We hope you guys enjoy!

#dogaggression #puppytraining #puppysocialization

[StonnieDennis]

Are you a fan of my training style, but can’t travel to Kentucky to see me in person? No worries! I offer an awesome online dog training course, which includes access to an array of exclusive videos and content, personalized coaching, journaling, and in-depth mentoring and evaluation by yours truly! If you just need some an advice or have a couple questions you need answered, I also offer professional consulting by the hour.

Both of these great services can be found here: www.kentuckycanine.com

Thank you all for your remarkable support over the years! I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your appreciation and patronage of this channel, my training style, and my kennel. Always remember, it’s a great day for a puppy-sized adventure!

[krystal]

I had a very friendly, outgoing dog when I was high school. I took her to the park every day, and she loved everyone she came in contact with. One day, we passed a guy on the walking trail. She started growling and would not take her eyes off him. I trusted her judgment, and we went right back to the truck and straight home. I remember my mom saying I was right to trust my dog.

[CJ_Kelly]

If a dog who gets on well with most people and dogs suddenly reacts to a person, dog or situation like Hank is acting here, I trust their instincts and adjust accordingly. They don’t feel the need for false politeness, they just tell you what they’re feeling. More people should listen to both their own and their dog’s gut instincts.

[jamieabele]

Oddly enough, I do have an Anatolian who acts as my guardian. If he perks up for any reason, I pay attention. He has saved me from both animal and human predators. Dogs are amazing animals.

[joefish]

One of the main reasons I like Stonnie Dennis' videos is because you have an opportunity to observe and compare behavior between dogs; both dogs of different breeds and dogs within the same breed. I particularly enjoyed this one because it was a specific and unhealthy dog behavior (unhealthy from the perspective of a dog owner), rather than general behavior. Both dogs were very interesting to watch for different reasons. Thanks Stonnie!

[leegardner]

Just a interesting side note, I have a English & a French Beagle (Harrier), the male French Beagle is very laid back and rarely Barks, the English Bitch is a typical Beagle who will bark at a leaf blowing past the window. We sit together and watch Uncle Stonnies videos almost everyday (working thru the back catalogue) along with other You tube Dog based material, not once has either of them reacted to any of the dogs on screen. Hank has been watched several times and what a fine beast he is, but with this video, at the start, as normal, no reaction, as soon as he reacted to Taji, our English Beagle was up, barking at the screen, then charged the TV and stood there barking for the rest of the video. When it stopped, she calmly turned around jumped onto the back of the sofa and lay back down.
The power of silent communication.

[cw]

You have the coolest dog yard ever! They are so relaxed and walking over ramps, down slides, across canoes…you name it.

[dim]

There is one smaller dog that drives my dog crazy. I never understood it until I happened to be walking alone towards the dog as it passed my house. What I had never heard or realized was that the other dog would make a low growl and bare it’s teeth when it passed my house. You couldn’t really see it because of its longer fur and my human ears didn’t hear the growl from across the road. My dog had his reasons.

[anmolsingh]

I am already liking hank. He is not afraid and willing to stand ground even though unwise in context.

[kelleywyskiel]

You are so chill it’s therapeutic just to watch you with the dogs. The boat bridge is my favorite. I love how you come up with courses for the dogs like this.

[Mr.Crowley]

Those black lab puppies are just so adorable — their happy faces just are so delightful

[debbiesmith]

He's afraid because he doesn't have his pack with him. I'd like to see how he reacts when he's got some backup.
I also agree with what Stony said it's a great big dog he might not be confident that Stoney could fight him off.
My dog usually hides behind me when he's afraid of another dog . The only time he was aggressive to other dogs was when I was on day 3 of covid. The first 2 days I didn't take him for a walk he was so great he just laid beside me the whole time. Even though he's a young hyper Golden Retriever. I live in rural Canada a lot of people leave their dogs running around and some of them are aggressive. I generally walk mine on a leash when we are in town. we are often approached by other dogs
A discussion/ VIDEO of dog body language would be awesome. Thanks for all your great videos Stoney.

[rayr]

It is called threat perception and the catahoula pup is working on fine tuning his. You introduced a large even tempered, confident dog, and the puppy is saying get away threat, I dont know you. This is typical of catahoula dogs. It is very different than most other dogs. The catahoula pup will not be able to focus on any other activity until the threat is resolved. You dont believe? We can take all those dogs in this video and go to a Louisiana marsh that is loaded with alligator. The catahoula will identify motionless gator quickly and more importantly will never let its guard down. The other dogs will start sniffing something, drop their focus, and be in immediate peril. It is a dog bred by Indians and french to live in the marsh. Everyone suggests "my dog is a good watchdog and very smart". If left overnight in the marsh, your dog will also be dead by sunrise. Its all genetics. the catahoula isnt the fastest, or strongest or smartest dog. It is the dog best equipped to live, hunt and survive in a marsh. You always trust its innate threat perception. It isn't fooled by a mouse or the wind. If these three features sound like your lifestyle than the catahoula is the choice for you.

[ravenbird]

I have a Kangal/Pyr who is very large. He usually has no problems with dogs because he has always been mellow and moves slowly. He has never been as bouncy as Taji unless engaged in mutual play. Lots of dogs do not like giant bouncy dogs. There is low content wolf dog that is super large and bouncy and dogs are terrified of him. The way they move seems to be an important factor.

[stevenrn]

I have a female white GSD that I got as a 2 YO rescue 6 years ago. She had massive anxiety issues and we were able to work through almost all of them except her threat assessment toward other dogs. But there is an exception.

She loves un-neutered younger male dogs. The reaction difference between these two groups (un-neutered male dogs VS all other dogs) is simply astounding.

[melblacke]

I know what I would would keep the dogs apart. Who knows why some dogs just do not get along with certain other dogs? It might not make sense to humans but it happens. That's why, when we are out and about, when people say.... oh my dog loves other dogs...I tell them something like no offense but your dog is many times larger than my dog and if we humans miscalculate, my dog cannot defend herself against your dog so no, it really is just not a good idea. As a dog trainer, Stonnie, you would be able to know the warning signs which, depending on the situation, can be quite subtle. However as the owner, it is my responsibility to keep my dog safe, even from my own poor judgment or other well meaning dog owners.

[indigentphd]

Great video! I rescued an Anatolian/Kangal. She was/is always being threatened and sometimes attacked by other dogs. She used to fight back, but through lots of socialization and calm responding on my part, she can tolerate it now and just moves away. This was a great video to help me understand why she gets picked on even when she is not sending aggressive vibes. If the other owner won’t take responsibility for their dog, I let them know, “She might not tolerate that much longer and your dog could be really injured if she decides to fight back.” I try to be hyper-aware in all social situations as I know her power.

[BrandonJones-cqyu]

I have a dog that was a stray, and she likes every dog except very large lgd breeds. As soon as they start walking up, she starts posturing. She plays with great danes and English mastiffs, but a pyr or Anatolian Shepherds are no gos. I just accept it. I don't like everyone, and my dog doesn't have to either. As long as it doesn't get overwhelmed to the point it doesn't listen.

[SaschKrassBass]

100% agree and I am 100% guilty. I fussed at my dog once because she threw a fit when she just saw another dog from the distance. When came closer, I realised that the other dog communicated to my dog that she (both she) wanted to kill my dog. So, I basically fussed at my dog for displaying defensive behaviour against somebody else who clearly wanted to harm us. My dog just was more right, more early than me.

[jutaymfm]

I do love your desensitization process, along with the generalization. It flows smoothly, switching different obstacles. The way that you handle the dog. working with the dog and keeping it focused on you and in the track.