Is this the first time he has acted dog aggressive?
This really wasn't the first incident. Last weekend he was very vocal and
lungy to my mom's dogs, (only the larger ones) and now this weekend happened. Any time a dog is in our front yard he behaves the same way too. It has been a while since we have been around any other dogs so I can't say
when it could have started, but last weekend was the first time I have really noticed it.
Was this the first time he met both dogs?
Yes it was. Harlow had been with us before, but this was Degan's first time.
Degan being on leash while Lucky is off leash can cause a lot of behaviors that might not manifest if they were both off leash. (please note I said might.)
I knew having him on leash, and Lucky off leash wasn't the best of circumstances but I don't think Lucky is a leash-walking dog. So it was the best we could do. I thought since they were fine through the fence that he would be okay, and the leash would come off rather quickly. I am sad to say Lucky is basically just a backyard pet who doesn't get very much attention. (I am always sure to play with him a lot when I visit).
How does Boomer react to Degan?
Boomer was cautious, but really didn't seem to care much about Degan being there. He loves to play with Harlow though.
Dog aggression and anxiety are not the same things, though they may manifest in similar behaviors. Of course, both are quite manageable.
This makes me feel very hopeful!
I gave a lot of thought into the idea of him being fear aggressive and I definitely think that makes much more sense. It was like he needed to 'prove' himself to Lucky. He just seems anxious when out of his comfort zone. I suppose we are at fault for not having him around dogs very much recently. The most he has ever seen of new dogs has been at petco, but we have never had a problem with him there. I have just always taken an extremely cautious stance with my dogs, because I have never wanted to encounter a potentially dangerous situation... and have maintained that they don't
need friends. I have always thought that if something were to happen with another dog that we would immediately be responsible regardless of what really happened...so it has always felt safer to just stay away. BUT, now I am realizing that although that is the responsible mindset to have, I had never taken into consideration that he might have to travel with us. He is a really eager learner, and I don't think it will take
too much for us to get him where I think he needs to be. We are definitely planning to get into some obedience classes, just have to find a time when the time, and money are both even there--I am a broke college student, and Tanner is starting his own company at the moment, so times are tough.
I will say, he did manage to calm down considerably by the time we were leaving today. He was even (sort of) playing with the schnauzer. He never stopped pawing the door to go in the back yard with Lucky though... it seemed like he wanted to play, but wasn't about to just let him out there.
I look forward to seeing what you guys have to say. Thanks for the help!