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Author
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Topic: What happened to my sweet boy??
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Rio's mom
Junior Member
Member # 817
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posted March 28, 2004 05:17 PM
hello all, I'm new here and hoping you can give me some advice. I have 22mo.(neutered) Aussie. Rio has been going to the off leash dog park since he was 3 mo old.
He got along well with everyone (dog and human). He played a little rough sometimes, but never in a viscious manner. For quite a while his favorite game was "roll the beagle"-a big hit with everyone except some beagle owners. He played 'tug' with other dogs, and 'chase me' was always a hit.
When he turned about 14 mo. I noticed a change in his dog park personality. He seemed more touchy about certain dogs getting close to him. He became toy possessive. (these are just toys laying around the park-not personal toys from home).
Don't get me wrong-he's never attacked another dog. The skirmishes happen when the other dogs shows any dominant behavior towards him. Or when a dog tries to take a toy Rio is playing with from him.
We've drastically cut back on our dog park visits-taking long walks instead-but I'm concerned about socialization.
Does any one have any ideas or theorys about this change in personality? (He's still the same sweet boy at home)
thanks
Posts: 14 | From: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Mar 2004
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GretaJack
Member
Member # 419
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posted March 29, 2004 05:00 AM
Sounds like a simple case of him wanting to be dominant. This can happen to any dog, neutered or not. Since he is getting closer to the adult stage in his life and is getting farther away from puppyhood, he may be trying to assert his authority. Are the dogs younger than him? An older dog loves to be able to boss around the younger ones. This is not necessarily bad. The puppies need to learn what behavior is acceptable when dealing with their elders. As long as he is not hurting another dog and other owners are not getting upset by his behavior, take him back to the park and correct him when you see unwanted behavior. But this means having voice control over him. That is very hard at a dog park, IMHO. Otherwise leash him, an assert your own dominance over him. He is still getting to socialize with other dogs but is still learning from you what behavior is going to be accepted from his Alpha member, which is you. Good Luck!
[ March 29, 2004, 05:01 AM: Message edited by: GretaJack ]
Posts: 195 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Dec 2003
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