Question:
The first two years of my beagles lives they were very social with people and dogs. I made sure that my dogs saw almost everything they could. But about a year and a half ago I took my dogs to Superpet where another large dog (great dane mix I believe) came at me and my dogs growling and barking. My dog Rusty was startled and then turned to go after the other dog, I'm guessing to try and protect me and himself. I thought that this was just an isolated incident and that was it because he seemed alright with other strange dogs afterwards. About a few months later we went to the vets. When we walked in he was great with the other dogs in the waiting room, but when we were leaving he tried to make friends with an old german sheppard, but the german sheppard bared his teeth and growled at Rusty, so then Rusty started to lounge at the sheppard and bark like crazy. Since then everytime we see a strange dog he goes nuts, and I mean nuts, and there is no controlling him. He gets almost hysterical. He's only a little beagle buts its like trying to hold down a Rottweiler. Is there anyway you can RE-socialize an older dog??? I really need some help. It's hard to walk two dogs by myself when one of them is acting like a maniac. It's really starting to get outta hand, he is even starting to bark at people now. It's only when he is on the leash or in the backyard, when strangers come in the house he is all over them like he's in love with them. A few times he acted like that and I just walked up to the person he was barking at and he stopped and sniffed the person and went on his way, but I can't do that all the time cuz people are afraid of him cuz of his barking.


Answer:
How old is Rusty?
Could he be losing his sight/hearing/sense of smell so that he is getting jumpy 'cos he's not aware of what is happening? He might be barking out of alarm or fear if he's not prepared for what is coming like an encounter with another dog or people.


Answer:
Does he usually react when he is on leash and the dog is off leash? Do you have friends that have large, gentle dogs? To me, it sounds as if he's associated large dogs with aggression. Has he ever acted this way towards small dogs? Anyway, I would try resocializing him with dogs that you know will not be agressive. Approach these dogs many time throughout the walk (bump paths often) and maybe he will be more comfortable around larger dogs.


Answer:
Any updates Pawzforamoment?


Answer:
sorrrrry i didn't see ur post.

Well, I'm trying to get him to stop barking in the backyard too. I heard that getting them to be quiet then to wait for a bit then give em a treat. I'm trying that but he is soooooo tricky. He will be quiet, I will give him his treat then will just go right back barking again, grrrrrr, lol. Sometimes I can't be mad at him cuz he is just so funny. He will run over to me and sit and be so quiet, then after he gets the treat he bolts and starts barking. When he was sitting quiet I realised that there was another dog barking in the distance. Very Faint, but u can hear him. I thought Rusty was barking for no reason, I guess that is the reason. Now everytime I go out with the dogs I hear this dog barking (even more than Rusty) I think that dog must be outside all the time...I hope not cuz it's REALLY cold.
I'm thinking of starting a doggie playgroup with some people from the neighborhood. Do you think that would be a good idea?? I think it will have to wait till the spring cuz its waaaay to cold right now. I know of a few dogs on my street that seem fairly nice.
Actually, he is only like that on the leash or in the backyard to dogs outside the fence. I've had friends bring their large dogs to my house and he wasn't too bad. Just in the beginning he kinda barks but then stops and plays.

Do you think it might be an excitement thing? I was wondering that cuz it seems like it's more of a beagle howl and not a growling type of bark. Kinda reminds me of when you see them hunting and they howl to alert the pack. I dunno, just a theory.


Answer:
It could definitely be from excitement. Does his tail wag? Or does he seem aggressive (haunches up, tail up but not wagging)?? My dog growls when he is happy and if you didn't see his tail whipping, you'd think that he was angry.
Many dogs that I know have trouble when they are on-leash or confined and the other dog isn't. My trainer told me that it is always best to introduce dogs on-leash for two reasons. First, and most obvious, it is much easier to break up a fight should something happen. Secondly, dogs can feel threatened when they are restrained and the other isn't. I think the playgroup is a great idea. Just make sure to introduce them properly before letting them loose on each other.


Answer:
The doggy playgroup sounds like a great idea! Like Candice mentioned, make proper introductions and keep a close eye on the group and be prepared for fights.
He could be barking from excitement. Keesha would bark when she's playing with other dogs and she's the first to bark when someone knocks at the door or when my neighbour's beagle barks. She also barks at other dogs when being walked on leash and she barks at squirrels. Keesha is just more vocal than Ally and it's natural for her to bark. Once she knows she has my attention, she stops. She's just letting me know what is going on.
I also think it's natural for him to bark at other dogs when behind the fence, it could be from a more protective standpoint. Also the barking in response to the other dog's barking is probably natural communication.