Dexter - decisions decisions...

Well, a few good things from the weekend.
1) Dexter finished his starters snooker title on Sat! That means he's now in adv for gamblers & snooker. Also to get this snooker title, he had to do 12 poles! Good boy :)
2) Both jumpers runs were actually very good. One off course in one of them caused by the door he likes so much to investigate in our building, and too slow on the other, also caused by too much investigation. But when he ran it was good.

the bad :(
He was much more unmanageable this weekend than usual in his snarkiness. I couldn't even hold him ring-side while we were waiting to go in if any of several dogs were also waiting. Intense BCs (staring at the dog running, NOT at him) were especially setting him off and he'd snarl & writhe in my arms. his list of dogs he does not like now includes:
1) short nosed dogs (pugs, bostons, frenchies, etc) - these are all aliens that must be eradicated from earth.
2) schnauzers and schnauzer lookalikes. just hates 'em. maybe it's the eyebrows? this was bad bc our relay partner was a schnauz look-a-like. parter ran 1st, dexter 2nd. well, he fixated, and i couldn't even let go of dex, he was just staring at his partner. i'm pretty sure he did not want to play.
3) intense BCs
4) a friend's pitbull. yeah, that's smart dude to take her on! not that *she's* mean, but i'm pretty sure she'd win that throwdown.
5) extra fluffy dogs, like keeshonds.

It's so frustrating. the dog has been EVERYWHERE with us since we got him at the age of 4.5 mo. he has had several nice play mates. i can't think of any incident where he was attacked or even overly intimidated. his aggression is definitely rooted in insecurity. is it nature or nurture? i'm thinking probably some of both.

it makes me sad, because when is not freaking out about other dogs, he looks like he is having fun playing agility. but this weekend, we ran after a schnauzer & a short-nosed dog, so he was all keyed up at the warmup area, and his runs were fairly distraction-full.

so, i have to ask myself, are the fun times worth the stressed out times (and really i'm more concerned here about HIS stress than mine)? Is this a problem we can overcome? how so, if yes? I have never worked with a fear agressive dog before. he is usually fine outside of agility trials, but then again outside of agility most the dogs we meet are calm & laid-back (even agility dogs, when they are outside of the trial situation). the only real situation i can think of that's been a problem outside of agility is my in-laws new whippet pup. he was 5.5 mo or so when dexter met him, and dex wanted to kill him. but this puppy was bursting with energy, and i'm sure intimidated dex (not an excuse, but maybe a reason). he's been to the dog park in the small dog area and never had any issues with those dogs. a little jack at the agility trials is like his best friend, they play and play and play and it is so cute.

he *is* better at outdoor shows. the adrenaline doesn't get cooped up in the building like indoors. plus more room to "manage". so, maybe i'll just do a few runs now and again outdoors.

i just hate to think what *might* happen at these indoor shows. if he ever really went after someone, i would be mortified if he did any damage, and really - how many dogs wouldn't be able to kill *him* if they wanted to in return??? it's pretty scary.

in the end, he really adores his daddy cuddle time that he gets every night when we go to bed, and the special play time he gets with us in the mornings before we let the other dogs out. he does the funniest things out of all of our dogs, and we just adore him. oh well if he doesn't work out as an agility dog.