LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Canine Aggression

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Past Questions

Question: Hi, I just adopted a five-year-old, spayed female Toy Poodle, named Muffin. So far, she has been wonderful, very sweet, and very smart. Her one flaw I guess is that she will not relinquish a toy or treat after we give it to her. If we get too close, she will growl and act as though she will bite us. We have been trying to make sure she knows who is the head of the house by saying "NO!" in a loud voice, but then she runs and hides behind a chair. My husband rolled her over onto her back and held her there and stared at her until she looked away from him. Are we making matters worse by doing this? What is the correct way to help a dog get over this type of aggression? We do love her very much, except for this one habit. Thanks Wendy Jones and Muffin PS. There are no other dogs in our home, just Muffin. - Posted by: wsjones@redwing.net

Answer: Hi Wendy,

It sounds like your new pet is confused about her place in her new family. It actually sounds like she is trying to buffalo you over the toys and treats, but she seems to cave when you assert some authority.

It is important for you and your husband to establish your position as this dog's leaders. That said, your husband's use of the Alpha roll is not going to help you achieve your goal in a healthy manner. I suggest he stops doing that in favor of another course of action.

I think the best thing your family can do is enroll your new dog in obedience class. This gives you the opportunity to establish your leadership position in a positive and structured manner. Only one of you should work with the dog at class while the other person observes the training techniques. As you practice at home during the week, the two of you can take turns working with Muffin so she comes to understand that you are both her leaders. Once this is achieved, the fake aggression over the toys and treats should disappear. As a bonus, you will have a wonderfully trained companion.

Thanks for your questions! - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, much help needed please... We have a beautiful four-year-old German Shepherd (Moses) that was sleeping this morning on the lounge. Our two-year-old little boy was saying wake up Momo, wake up, and then he jumped on Moses and tried to ride him like a horse. Moses of course woke startled and went for the face. He got our son flush, but did not puncture his skin, only grazed him as he withdrew his bite. Moses has never been aggressive towards his family before, but obviously we are very concerned to say the least. It could have been far worse . Is this the same as a dog attack? Do you think we need to remove Moses from our home? It would be heartbreaking, but the possibility of a recurrence is too much to bear at this stage. We also have a five-year-old and a seven-month-old little girl to consider. Moses is part of the family. You advice needed please. Thank you. Kind Regards Simon & Kylie - Posted by: kysnpie@bigpond.net.au

Answer: Hello Simon and Kylie,

I won't kid you, this is a serious situation, and you will ultimately have to make your own decision about what is best for your family. That said, let me share my thoughts, and hopefully they will help you sort things out and come to a resolution.

First, I do believe that Moses' reaction was as different from a dog attack as night is from day. This dog was sleeping and startled awake by what felt to him like an attack from an unknown source. He did seem to recognize in mid-action that it was only your son, and pulled back on what could have been a life-threatening bite, turning it into a warning. Under the circumstances, I believe Moses reacted as well as he was able. This was not a conscious decision to attack, but rather an instinctual reaction to protect himself.

Now, I'm curious to know what happened in the immediate aftermath of the episode. Once your son's face was attended to and he had a chance to calm down, did you talk to him about what happened? I think it was important to take this opportunity to try to teach him not to climb on the dog because the dog really doesn't like it. I realize your son is only two, and may not be fully able to comprehend what happened, but it's important to try to help him understand so he doesn't repeat his actions. I'm also wondering how he regards Moses now? Have things returned to normal, or is he a bit fearful of Moses? And just as important, is Moses fearful or wary of your son? It's important to take into consideration the feelings of both parties, but doubtless that your son's feelings and safety must come first. My point is that if things have returned to normal, you might try to keep Moses in the family, and monitor your son more closely around the dog to head off similar situations. This will be easier as your son becomes older. However, if Moses now regards your son with apprehension, it may be safer to adopt him out to an adult household.

You have a big decision to make, so please consider my thoughts carefully, and don't hesitate to discuss the situation with a qualified canine behaviorist. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hello, my nine-year-old Boxer recently started standing at the end of the driveway and chasing people who walk by. He is normally so sweet, and I never even had to close the gate before! The other day when the gate was closed he broke through a small hole and attacked the mail person. I got his thyroid checked and it is fine (he does take meds for hypothyroid). The vet said go to a trainer, but I cannot believe this is my answer. He has ''never'' been like this. It has been a long winter here, and I had summed up his hyperness around the house to the weather, but what about this aggressive behaviour? Do you have any ideas? I am so worried now. Thank you. - Posted by: pjstoesz@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Pam,

I think your vet is right, your dog has decided he is the pack leader in your family, and he is taking it upon himself to protect the family territory. A basic obedience class should put him back in a subordinate role. You can also ask the trainer for specific advice on how to stop the fence charging. I would enroll as soon as possible because animal control can pick up your dog if the mail carrier or someone else presses charges. I'd hate to see that happen when this problem can be remedied.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes that this situation can be quickly worked out. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a Boxer female named Bella that is just over one year old. I have had her since she was a pup. I have always been concerned about her because whenever she barks, no matter what it is at, she raises her hackles. Last night, my neighbor, who Bella sees all the time, came over. Bella was tearing apart her toy and my neighbor picked up some of the pieces she had torn off and tried to get the one piece out of her mouth. Bella showed her teeth at her, snarled and snapped at her. It was an extremely aggressive display. I am very concerned about this behavior, and I'd like an opinion about how to handle the situation. At the time that it happened, I put Bella in her kennel and told her she was a "bad girl". She knows that this is not a good thing to do. I'm not sure if there is anything else I should do should it ever happen again. What I can do to prevent this? I cannot afford to have an aggressive dog because I have seven small grandchildren. Bella has been around them. and she has never shown aggression towards them or anyone else for that matter, other than raising her hackles when someone first comes around. This incident with the neighbor was a first. - Posted by: jebierto1@aol.com

Answer: Hi Billie,

You have a serious situation on your hands, but one that I think it's not too late to correct. Bella sounds very much like a strong alpha bitch that has decided she is in control of your family pack. She's going to show aggression to anyone she thinks presents a challenge to her, and this seems to be getting progressively worse with this new incident with your neighbor.

At over one year old, it's time for Bella to attend obedience class. This training will put her in a subordinate role to her humans, but it does it in a very structured and positive setting. This will be the first step in getting Bella back under control and making her a safe and reliable companion.

Once Bella has the training, you can begin allowing each family member (you'll have to supervise the grandchildren) to walk her on leash, showing them the commands for heal and sit. Bella will learn that she must follow their leadership, as well as your own, and this should result in her taking up position at the bottom of the family pack beneath the people.

Now, let's address the particular incident with your neighbor. When Bella snapped at your neighbor for interferring with what she was doing, the dog wanted to be left alone. When you removed her and put her in her kennel, she got what she wanted- to be left alone. A more useful response in such a situation would be to give an immediate, strong "No" command, remove the dog from the situation and immediately put the dog on a leash. Walk her on the leash and require her to stop whenever you command her to, and shorten up on the lead so she cannot lunge forward ahead of you. This puts you back in control and forces the dog to submit to your leadership. You continue with the leash work until the dog is calmly following your lead. It's also very important that you have the correct energy while you're putting your dog through her paces. This is not a punishment, it is a teaching exercise designed to help you regain control, so you have to remain calmly authoritative throughout the exercise without losing your temper.

I think if you can carry out these suggestions and remain consistent in your expectations for Bella, she will learn to respond without aggression. She just really needs to learn her proper place in the pack.

Best wishes for training success. - posted by:Kelly

Question: We have three dogs: a five-year-old Min Pin, a three-year-old Pitbull and a four-year-old Min Pin. One of the Min Pins and the Pitbull are always getting into fights which the Pitbull always wins. Now the Min Pin has developed an aggression problem with anything thats around and also guards the dog food. Is there anything that I can do before the fight goes too far and my Min Pin ends up dead! - Posted by: nugget02@tds.net

Answer: Hi Anna,

Unfortunately, you've hit the nail on the head. Your Min Pin is much smaller than your Pitbull and bound to lose in the end. Miniature Pinschers are quite feisty, but they are no match for a Pit.

Since the problem is so severe, I think you should bring in a canine behaviorist to evaluate the situation and see if these dogs can be rehabilitated enough to live safely together. Otherwise, you may need to give one of the aggressors away in order to ensure no one is killed.

Thank you for your question, and I do hope the behaviorist can bring harmony back to your home. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I recently got a new puppy, and she's now 13 weeks old. We got her from a pet store. All they could tell us was that she was part Chow. She seems to be very aggressive. She bites and chews from the time we take her out until we put her up. Sometimes she bites really hard and other times she bites softly, but it's a constant thing. The only time she isn't biting is when she's sleeping. When she doesn't get her way, she bites really hard and growls or barks. She also seems to have trouble with being house broken. She can have really good days (no accidents), then the next day it's like she forgets everything. It's very evident that she loves us, but it's rough living with her at times. I love her so much, and I would be devastated if I couldn't keep her because of her behavior. Everyone keeps telling me it won't change because she has Chow in her. I had a Chow before, and she was the sweetest thing and very protective, but she was never a constant nipper. This situation has totally stressed me out. I've read every book in the library, trying to figure this out. Please help me ASAP. Thanks! Sandra - Posted by: msassycatisback@aol.com

Answer: Hi Sandra,

Chow Chows are known for being a bit more strong willed than some other breeds, so a dog with Chow heritage may require concentrated training in order for you to gain the dominant position with her.

Right now, your puppy is the alpha in the pack, and this needs to change. How do you currently respond to the nipping? Ignoring it or giving in to your puppy will only reinforce the unwanted behavior. The best way to address the situation is to give her a firm "No" command and confine her for a time out when she nips or shows any other aggression. Let her out after about ten minutes, and then redirect her into a situation or activity that you can praise her for. You might also reinforce your training by spraying your hands with bitter apple spray to make them distasteful to your dog.

Luckily, your puppy is almost old enough to begin obedience training and this will naturally reinforce your alpha position with her. In the meantime, a puppy socialization class could also be helpful, and the class trainer might be able to offer further suggestions for controlling your dog's nipping if he/she can observe it in person.

All things considered, I don't see a reason to give up on your dog at this time. She's just a strong-willed puppy pushing her boundaries right now, but I'm sure you can correct the situation and give her the structure she needs to become a great family pet.

Best wishes, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful. - posted by:Kelly