Hey everyone! My dog, Odie, is 6.5 years old and has always been super chill and friendly with other dogs. But recently, while we’ve been on vacation, he’s started showing aggressive behavior toward other dogs. He even got snappy with my brother-in-law’s French bulldog, whom he’s known for years, and another dog he met at the beach. This is so unlike him, and I’m wondering if it’s because of the new environment or something else. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
It could definitely be the new environment. Dogs can get overwhelmed with new smells, sights, and sounds. Has Odie been able to relax much?
Mitchell said:
It could definitely be the new environment. Dogs can get overwhelmed with new smells, sights, and sounds. Has Odie been able to relax much?
Not really. We’ve been hiking a lot and around a ton of other dogs. I think he might be overstimulated.
@PriyankaJonas
That makes sense. Maybe give him a calmer day with just your family and some quiet time. It might help reset him.
How is Odie’s body language before he gets aggressive? Like, is he showing signs of discomfort or tension?
Nala said:
How is Odie’s body language before he gets aggressive? Like, is he showing signs of discomfort or tension?
That’s the thing—he’s wagging his tail and seems happy right before he flips. It’s so hard to predict.
@PriyankaJonas
Maybe the tail wag is excitement, not happiness. Some dogs get overexcited and then lash out when they feel overwhelmed.
Could it be he’s feeding off the energy of other dogs? If they’re hyped up, he might just be reacting to that.
Lauraliam said:
Could it be he’s feeding off the energy of other dogs? If they’re hyped up, he might just be reacting to that.
That’s a good point. He’s been around a lot of excited dogs on this trip, so that might be it.
@PriyankaJonas
A calmer environment might help. Maybe try some one-on-one time with him when you’re back home.
Have you noticed if he reacts more to certain types of dogs, like ones that get close to him or sniff a lot?
LeashLegend said:
Have you noticed if he reacts more to certain types of dogs, like ones that get close to him or sniff a lot?
Yeah, it seems like he gets annoyed when another dog is too sniffy or curious about him.
@PriyankaJonas
He might just be setting boundaries. It’s not unusual for dogs to get snappy when they feel crowded.
If he’s overstimulated, mental exercises can help too. Have you tried puzzle toys or something like a Kong to keep him busy?
HenryIsaak1 said:
If he’s overstimulated, mental exercises can help too. Have you tried puzzle toys or something like a Kong to keep him busy?
Not yet, but we bought some treats and toys on this trip. I’ll definitely try those out!
@PriyankaJonas
Perfect! Stuff the Kong with peanut butter or something he loves. It’s a great way to burn off energy indoors.