Zoee's being aggressive?

[Taz_Zoee]

Zoee has never shown aggression. Although I do say she is leash aggressive, only because when she is on a leash and see's another dog she acts and sounds like she's going to tear the dog apart. Until they get near each other (if the other owner allows it) and she smells them, then she is perfectly fine.
Besides that the only time she even showed slight "aggression" was toward a little Boston Terrier that was bugging her. And that was so mild I wouldn't even count it.
Well this past Tuesday we were at the dog park and it was very busy. Zoee was LOVING it. She was having a blast running all over the place. The next thing I know she has a Husky after her. So instead of backing down (like I expected her to do) she stood up for herself and went back at him/her to let them know not to mess with her. I was shocked! And in a way a little proud that she won't let anyone be mean to her.
So, we went to the park again last night and all was fine. Today we went and as soon as we walked through the gate she started snarling and stuff with a mini Schnauzer. Oh great. So I walk around the park and we meet up with a beautiful Golden Retriever who wants to play with her. She gets nasty with him too. I tell her one more time and we're leaving. Sure enough we get back around to the entrance gate and she gets into it with the Schnauzer again. That was it. We left.
I am so upset by this and don't know what to do. I don't want to be known as the aggressive Aussie. I feel like that Husky ruined her.
I do know we are taking a break from the dog park for a while. Maybe we were going too often and she is just getting overwhelmed.
I know (and as Bruce just told me) we need to get her into training again. But honestly we cannot afford that at this time. Is there anything I can do here at home with her?

[dukedogsmom]

How old is she? She may be having pain for some reason. Duke started getting snappy when his hip dysplasia started bothering him more. When did she have her last vet visit? Just something to think about. Does she like to play fetch? I have a pretty long hallway where I can play fetch with Dasher inside since we don't have a fenced in yard.

[Giselle]

Hey Cindy, don't worry! As you know, Ivy and I are going through her own behavioral problems saga, and we can relate.

First, I wouldn't say that the leash stuff is aggression. Considering that Zoee has always been good at dog parks prior to the Husky incident, her leash stuff is called "leash reactivity". A lot of regular dog park goers get really excited upon seeing strange dogs because they equate strange dogs to roughhousing and play. But when the dog is restricted by the leash, that excitement is channeled into frustration:

Although I do say she is leash aggressive, only because when she is on a leash and see's another dog she acts and sounds like she's going to tear the dog apart. Until they get near each other (if the other owner allows it) and she smells them, then she is perfectly fine.

Also, I'm curious. Is Zoee just telling the other dogs to back off or does she actually seek out other dogs to fight them?

There is a huuuuuge world of difference between the two and it sounds like Zoee is just telling them to back off. Ivy, on the other hand, requires a muzzle and serious training

[Taz_Zoee]

Val, Zoee is only 3 years old. Her last vet visit was on March 26th. She had seizures on Easter morning and we went to the ER vet then did a follow up the next Wednesday with our regular vet.

Sophie, thank you, I like leash reactivity MUCH better. As for the question does she seek them out to be mean....No. With the Schnauzer yesterday he was the first dog she went up to then she just snarled at him. And with the Golden Retreiver he was just wanting to play with her and she snapped at him. Then the second encounter with the same Schnauzer it looked like Zoee was going after him, but I think that was the fact that the Schnauzer was already scared of her from the first encounter so then she DID go after him in that way. Or the Schnauzer lashed out first out of fear, I'm not really sure...they were standing behind people when it happened and Zoee almost knocked someone over.

Just to note: These were the only two dogs she had a problem with. In fact there were two other Mini Schnauzers Zoee met and she was totally fine with them, plus a bunch of other dogs. Sigh.....I just don't know. Like I said, we are taking a break for a while. Maybe next weekend I'll try to take her to a different park and see how she is.

Thanks for your responses Val and Sophie.

[kallisto4529]

Oh my sweet Zoee girl!!! Cindy do you think the seizure might have changed her attitude a little? I dont know if it is possible but it does affect the brain some. Could be she was just having a bad day!!!! I hope everything turns out ok, I will try and give you a call this weekend. give her and Taz some kisses.

[Taz_Zoee]

You know what Marti, I actually did think maybe it had something to do with her seizures. But it's very inconsistent. So I just don't know. I'm still going to blame that Husky! The owner wasn't very nice about it either, like it was Zoee's fault and I've seen them there before and have heard her yelling her dogs name LOTS of times. The dogs name is Keeva (pronounced that way anyway).
You sure can try to give me a call this weekend. I have NO idea what I'm doing, but I'll be happy to talk to you if I can. And I will gladly deliver your kisses to my babies tonight.

[Animalhouse26]

Well, Not being there to see the behavior makes it very hard to Diagnose. I know my Falise is like that as well. she has been VERY Social since 5 mo when I got her, and Dog parks, Doggy Day care.. everything. But as of the past yr, she has started getting almost Grumpy. She will growl at the dogs in the begining, But give her like 2 min or a ball to chase, and she forgets. I just tell her "Falise cut it out" Or I will leash her, and walk her to another area. What for her to relax.. and she is fine after that. But, I am VERY in tune with my dogs behavior. I can usually Point out a dog in the dog park to stay away from. It is a great Idea to have them.. But, can also be a pain. As people bring there dogs there as there ONLY Way of excersize. And this can start the issue of aggression because of the pent up frusteration. So, you just have to be aware of who is there... and know the behaviors the best you can. It is a toughy. :-/ But, Like I said.. This is IMO.. And from what I know.. from MY Dog.