Obedience training

[Erequisit]

King has recently started making big strides in the community he has become very confident in himself. I love that for him; but I don’t love that for other dogs. King is amazing around other people still, children , adults. Anyone I speak to with him around he just sniffs and hangs out by my side. Recently on our walks though I have been running into ALOT of other dogs, we were alone in the country for the first 4 months we were together (rescued at 8 months) (currently 1 year 2 months old)
So him and I have been having a hard time understanding each other and what’s right and wrong.. his hair spikes up that’s a no-no from me…

He is leash trained and recall trained (for humans) but my goodness does he want to just fight every dog now… I am not sure if it’s because I haven’t neutered him yet (waiting 18 months)

Anyways, tell me some of your stories! Battles challenges you’ve experienced, I’d really like to read some and maybe find a better understanding.

We use a harness, and recently I had to buy a halti because he all the sudden wants to start pulling again. I love this dog. He makes me laugh, smile, and really all around happy. But I also get worried about other people and what they think when he’s barking viciously at their dog.

So if I need to get an obidience trainer I will be. Just need some second opinions guys / gals

 

[Malakai The Great]

Totally normal phase for a young WL dog, especially one who spent his early months without a “dog world” to practice in. You’re not dealing with aggression, you’re dealing with confidence hitting a growth spurt and him not knowing what to do with all that new energy.

The hackles are just info, not a verdict. My male went through the exact same thing around that age: perfect with people, but every dog within a mile suddenly needed a dissertation on “personal space.” It’s maturity + hormones + lack of early dog-to-dog reps all clashing at once.

You’re doing everything right by managing it and not letting him rehearse the behavior. If he’s pulling and lighting up, the environment is too much for where his head is at, nothing wrong with stepping back, giving him more structure, and rebuilding neutrality through distance reps.

Neutering won’t fix it, and honestly 18+ months is the right call anyway.

If you bring in a trainer, look for someone who actually understands reactive working dogs, not just “treat the bark away” stuff. But you’re on the right path. This age sucks for a lot of males, then one day they wake up with a bit more brain and a lot less ego.

You’re not alone in this one.