My labrador Dexter (just turned 2) seems in the last few weeks to have developed a reactivity to German Shepherds and Huskies though I can only recall him ever having an unpleasant interaction with one Husky when he was about 1yo. As soon as he sees one he starts barking and growling fairly aggressively and this can be from across a road or some distance away though seems to be focussed on male dogs. In the two years we have had him there has been one Husky frequently walked in an open area we go to that is never allowed off the lead. In respect to owners who have their dogs on leads I always recall Dexter and put him on the lead until we are past them and let him run free. However, a few weeks ago we "met" them across a road and off he went barking and growling and pulling to get across to it, walked on and quiet and normal in seconds. Five minutes later we met (across the road) a female Husky and he did not blink or react. There have been a couple of interactions with German Shepherds with the same reactions and their owners almost seem to expect it and rush off in the next direction available - he then met one when loose and did not react other than start jogging over to them (I recalled him which he did) but the owner picked their dog up and rushed into woods to hide literally, I put him on the lead and nothing more happened. Another walk recently when loose, we came round a corner and met one on a lead and Dexter started to come back as I recalled, then before I could leash him dashed up to the dog, barking and growling but not fighting until I grabbed him and walked on silently as normal as anything. The other dog did not react at all. I would emphasise he has not fought with any dog and only been close to one once, but my concern is one will react and he will get hurt as there is nothing to indicate he would actually bite. Really cannot understand this recent behaviour as he is friendly and boisterous but these days does not try and play with most dogs or even interact with them and has always ignored dogs who growled or were not interested that he met. Before Dexter was neutered, he had male dogs behaving like this to him (particularly when my OH walked him, but she cannot recall the breeds) which stopped after he had the op about 9 months ago and wondering if this is him reacting to un-neutered males but why does it seem to be these breeds ? Due to his friendly nature, we are always defensive when walking him and recall him regularly and at times use a long lead as in the past he used to rush up to random strangers to say hello from 50 or more yards away but extensive 1-2-1 training has improved his behaviour hugely (and taught us how to manage him) but is always something we are working on. Interested in any feedback on similar interaction issues which seem to be breed specific (or is it entire male dog related ?) and how you approached it, though it does seem you meet them in an ambush situation more than manage from a distance.
None of our Labs have been reactive (except to skateboarders) , but they definitely showed a preference for other retrievers or gun dogs, and were a little wary of small dogs, especially small white dogs.
Yes....this exactly! Sorry I’m late to the thread...but I was searching around and found your post... Arnie is now 20 months old and this has been getting worse over the past couple of months.....and it’s only to certain dogs.....he hates a gorgeous Husky, and 2 flat coated retrievers that live near us.....and starts the whole pulling, growling and lunging.....plus sometimes he’ll just decide he wants to have a go and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to why.....I’ve noticed it seems to be dogs about his size....if they are small he’s fine...if they are bigger he’s looks suspicious and moves past the .....maybe he thinks he can dominate those about the same size and wants to prove it??? It’s also worse when he’s on the lead...off the lead he’s not bothered....would love to know if you are still dealing with this and what you’ve done to try and stop it....
It does sound as if your experiences are very similar. As an update we still have Dexter barking and growling loudly at most German Shepherds and Huskies though we walk defensively, use distraction techniques and cross the road/avoid any that we see but it is always noise and when he is on the lead but he does not bite/fight and never sure which dog has actually started this behaviour. If he meets one and both are loose (because I did not see it coming) he shows dominance type behaviour in his body language, but as I walk by comes with me as I call him and no noise or suggestion of fighting but he has never fought with anything. We have discussed with our dog trainer who knows him well (he had a chocolate Labrador who reacted to German Shepherds) and would recommend you get specific advice from someone who knows you and your dog but there is no silver bullet and it takes time like all training. Dogs are very sensitive to the tiniest things about us and our "anxiety" and the way we are reacting now matter how minimal can affect how they act and behave and then you "reinforce" things inadvertently. At times it really seems to make no sense so expect the unexpected per this very recent encounter. We had been on a long walk, he had been off the lead almost the whole time and had come across multiple walkers, dogs, runners, cyclists, a horse and rider etc and he behaved perfectly with all of them and had run himself legless tearing through the woods following his nose. On the return leg we met our second puppy of the day, a 12 week old Golden Retriever (on a lead), they very briefly sniffed and interacted and off Dexter went as I chatted to the owner. Within seconds of this in the distance I could see a young German Shepherd tearing around like a lunatic which they then put on a lead as it was causing chaos with other walkers and dogs. I recalled Dexter and clipped him onto his lead but maybe because they saw us interacting with a puppy they then let their dog loose and over it charged 50 yards. Dexter reacted as it got close lunging, barking and growling, their dog quickly recalled to them (well almost) before it tore up to a horse rider.... Sometimes you can never win no matter how you try and react to situations, every walk is a training experience !!
I've been in a similar situation with our last dog. She had a traumatic experience ( attached by an Airdale) after which she developed what I guess was fear aggressive when on her leash ( lunging at other dogs). It was only occasional but very stressful. Like your dog, she was fine off leash.
