Tiny dog showing aggression to big dogs

[GeorgianMumto5]

He's a toy breed and I've always been cautious lest he develop any kind of 'small dog syndrome'. Accordingly he has been very well socialised, expected to walk among other dogs and not be picked up when out and about, etc. He enthusiastically attends dog school and was, until recently, very good with other dogs. For a 'prissy' breed he's sociable and confident. However, he was surprised by a very big dog recently, who bowled over and knocked my tiny lad flying. Nothing more than big dog enthusiasm, but it freaked out ddog. Initially he rolled onto his back (once he'd stopped rolling, full stop) and did the 'submissive' thing, but then he cunningly leapt up, ninja-style, and bit the big dog on the nose. Poor thing didn't know what hit it.

A bit further on, he was playing happily with some other small dogs when a whippety dog bowled in and made a lunge for ddog. Ddog is fast and managed to turn, mid run, leap up and bite whippety dog on the nose. There was growling baring of teeth and general nastiness (mainly from ddog, but whippety dog was giving it some too). The following day another dog lunged at him from nowhere, as I walked him on the lead and ddog snapped back, but couldn't do much as I kept walking - fast.

Since then, ddog is not happy around bigger dogs (anything up to and including a springer he's OK with) and does the whole 'Leap and Snout Bite' thing, with bared teeth and growls. Now, I don't blame ddog for being all upset by this, but he can't go round picking fights with bigger dogs. One day one of them is going to bite him on the nose back and his whole head will come off! Plus it isn't nice.

To help him through it, I'm recalling him when we see bigger dogs, treating him and putting him on a long lead until we're safely past them. I try and keep his focus on me, with treats and my voice. I can't be doing with trying to avoid all bigger dogs, as that will never help ddog realise that they're OK. I just try and make sure he doesn't meet them in an uncontrolled situation, which is obviously not going to happen when they appear from round corners but I do my best and we are now avoiding busy parks, which is where the original conflicts occurred.

Anything else I can do to get him over this Napoleon complex?

Poor boy, I think he's had his confidence knocked. Do you know anyone who has calm bigger dogs who you could get him to meet up with?

Poor lad, it's not really Napoleon complex, it's fear aggression caused by a series of bad experiences. My pup has a similar problem, although he is a large breed. He was leaped on and bowled over (by two large dogs that had charged across the park with no owner in sight) on his first two lead walks following his vaccination confinement. He's 1 year old now and still worried by off-lead dogs, but will happily ignore on-lead dogs or greet them appropriately if they are close by and friendly.

I think you're doing the right things. Although I would be rewarding both watching the other dogs calmly and quietly and being distracted to watch you on cue too. Something that helped my boy relax around other dogs is taking him to places where dogs aren't allowed off-lead. We've taken him to a couple of VW shows and vintage car rallies and he's come on in leaps and bounds through doing this, as all the dogs have to be on-lead and under control, so he's learned that just because there are other dogs around, doesn't mean he's not safe, iyswim.

I would also look up BAT training (Grisha Stewart) and consider using that. It's essentially where the dog is worked at a distance they feel safe at from whatever the source of their fear is, then rewarded for appropriate behaviour (so turning away, sniffing the ground, looking at you etc, rather than growling, snapping, posturing) by being allowed to retreat from it. The message the dog gets is that you will keep them safe and they won't be forced to confront the source of their fear, but if they behave appropriately they will get to avoid them anyway. There are some videos on YouTube of people using BAT for this sort of problem if you want to see it in action.

If you aren't confident with this level of training, I'd book a couple of sessions with a qualified behaviourist (positive methods only and run a mile if they start spouting about dominance/pack structure etc). Have a look on the APBC website and see if there is anyone near to you. If your dog is insured, a certain amount of behavioural work may be covered if you get your vet to make the referral.