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About Jill Connor, Ph.D.
Expertise
I have spent my entire professional life (25+ years) rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. I do not make ANY MONEY from participating on this site (AND there's NO LINK to my website, this is a real pro bono participation). I am a STRONG advocate for the domestic dog. THIS MEANS: If you are a caring, empathic, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If I ask you to DO YOUR HOMEWORK and journal your dog's behavior, PLEASE do it. I normally spend at least TWO HOURS (initial consultation) in a client's home, during which time I evaluate the dog for temperament and do an in depth interview of all humans in the household. I CANNOT do this on this site or in any other text venue, so I MIGHT ask QUESTIONS. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. If you can't be bothered spending the time doing your own work, please do NOT expect me to use psychic skills to obtain answers from you; without YOUR information, I can't succeed. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience
30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnosis cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Dogs > Canine Behavior > Neutered Springer Spaniel doesn't like Intact Male(s)

Canine Behavior - Neutered Springer Spaniel doesn't like Intact Male(s)

Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 11/6/2009

Question
Hi, I have a very well socialized, neutered English Springer, who loves all people, kids, cats and other dogs. He's now 18 months old and always tries to engage other dogs in playing. He's always the passive one, when wrestling, ends up on his back with the other playmate on top, never aggressive, and when he gets back up, goes back for more "fun."

We had a incident at an off leash dog park with another Springer who is unneutered. The other dog played with ours for a few months when they were younger (8 mos to a year). Recently we saw this dog for the first time in about 4 months, and the unneutered dog attacked mine. Mine bared his teeth, but cowered between my legs after that.

Today, an unneutered 7 mo old big yellow lab came happily running up to mine, and mine growled and tried to pounce on him!!!!

This is the first aggressiveness I've seen with my dog who has been "fixed since 8 months old. Two other witnessess who know my dog were also shocked that my dog showed the aggressiveness, saying, "wow, that's a first!!"

Again, he loves meeting all dogs, runs right up to them, shares treats with other dogs without jealousy, etc.

Two incidents with intact males...but two different shows of aggression, one on the other dog's part, and one on my dog's part!

Please advise? Thank you!

Answer
Your dog has an acquired fear response. Dog parks are notoriously problematic, can cause all sorts of behavior problems in dogs. First: remove the dog from the dog park environment immediately and don't return. Second: find a training venue with ONLY positive reinforcement training and an experienced trainer and enroll the dog for novice obedience class. Explain to the trainer (who must be CERTIFIED by a national organization, and ask for references before enrolling) that your dog has acquired a fear aggression response because of an unfortunate incident at a dog park. The trainer will be able to observe your dog in a multiple dog learning environment and advise you appropriately. Systematic, controlled interaction with other dogs in a highly structured environment, if done properly, should extinguish the dog's conditioned fear response and restore his confidence.

Read Nicole Wilde's "Help for Your Fearful Dog..." and Turid Rugaas' "On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals". You can also go to Turid's web site:
http://www.canis.no/rugaas/index.php

Nicole's book will help you understand the tendency toward submission and fear your dog has (most likely) genetically acquired. Turid's book will help you understand "dog" and be able to clearly read your dog's body signals so you can redirect the dog to a trained behavior that you can reward if you observe the dog's body signals indicate he is beginning a fear response.

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