Does this sound like aggression? How do I fix this?

[PureLithium]

I have a 2 year old Boxer and I got her when she was 10 months old. I don't know the truth about her past. I personally think she was locked up in a crate all day or jumped by the other dogs living in the house. Anyways, whenever I try to take her for walks and we come across a dog she tries to lunge at them, growls, barks, and shows her teeth at them. She throws herself around to try to get to them. I walk her on a prong collar and sometimes I switch to a head halter. I know she wasn't properly socialized as a puppy but I'm trying to solve this. I set up play dates with other dogs but when we get together Star is really "aggressive" at the other dogs. She lunges at them and tries to bite them in the face. My mom thinks she's just mad because I won't let her off her leash and play. I don't trust letting her off the leash because of how she acts. it scares the other dogs and some of them want to fight back. I don't want either of the dogs getting hurt so I pull my dog away and they do the same.

Star can play with other dogs after she settles down but she still gets her bursts. At random times she tries to attack the other dogs, she just all of the sudden jumps them and growls. It probably sounds a lot worse with her growling and barking like she does. I take that as being aggressive. If any dog at all barks or growls at her she goes nuts. She wants to attack them and it really makes me nervous taking her out. I know my nerves go straight down to her when I hold the leash but I cannot help it.

So I guess what I want to know is how can I help my dog? I want to help her feel safe around other dogs. I want to feel safe and confident. Both me and my dog need serious help. My mom thinks Star isn't being aggressive she thinks Star is mad at us for not letting her go play. If it were aggression how do I fix it?

[Eddie!]

It sounds like she isn't really safe to be around other dogs at the moment, especially considering these "bursts". She does sound highly aggressive - that's not being playful. If she's going for the dog, growling, trying ot bite them, she wants to fight them. If she were wagging her tail, whimpering and pulling towards the dog, trying to sniff them etc, that's her telling you she wants to be let off her lead and play.

You can take her to dog socialising classes that will hopefully stunt this aggression whilst you still can, and show her how to be around other dogs.

Good luck

[PureLithium]

Thanks for replying.

I've tried an obedience class with her before and she did alright the first time there. Then the second time another dog growled at her so she got into a fight with them. So far I haven't been able to find any other places around here that offer classes. I'll keep an eye open though.

[rescueisnotamyth]

When you take her for walks, put a muzzle on her. That way if you do come across other dogs, she won't be able to bite them. You'll probably want to get the kind where she can drink through the muzzle, too.

Try using a harness on her. A harness will go around the dog's neck and around the dog's chest with a strap connecting the two pieces together. That way if she does lunge at other dogs she won't be putting pressure on her trachea.

While taking her on walks be calm and confident. If you tense up when you go past dogs, she will sense that and think you are scared and try to protect you. Reward her when she is calm around dogs, and remove her from the situation when she gets aggressive. If you are walking toward a dog and she becomes aggressive, turn her around and walk her away. Get her attention elsewhere. Maybe try getting someone to help you with this, try it a few times.

Good luck!