We adopted Sasser, a year old mixed breed (56 pounds), at the SPCA one month ago. She's a beautiful dog who is active, energetic and a joy to be around most of the time.
During the last week or so, she's begun to exhibit some aggressive behaviors. We knew that she had some dog/dog aggression from the shelter. Shelter staff felt she would relax once she was not in the shelter environment and since we only have other cats right now who have their own space in the house, we weren't very worried.
Behaviors we are witnessing:
- Lunging/pulling while walking at other people and pets we encounter;
- Growling, barking at anything that comes near the property lines, including loud trucks;
- Growling while playing with us.
She scared me today - my 7 y/o daughter brought some friends in the house without my permission. They entered through the back door of our house. I think my initial irritation was evident in my voice - she's not permitted to bring people in without asking first. Sasser began to growl at the girls. My irritation immediately turned to fear as I worried that she might actually go for one of the girls. I placed her in her crate but she barked and growled at the girls every time she saw them.
Any advice anyone has would certainly be welcomed. I'm doing plenty of reading to see what I can find. I believe she is taking her role as family protector VERY seriously - perhaps too seriously. She's a smart dog and learns very quickly. I'm just not sure what I need to do!
Thanks for your words of wisdom!
CJ
CJ,
My name is Randy and I am having problems with my internet service provider. I will be back to help you as soon as I can.
She is a beautiful girl, who's manners seem to be displaced. It seems that you need to set up a leadership position in the household. This can be done by training, which is offered by PetsMart. A leader in the dog world is the one who has control over the resources. You need to establish Pack leader. You can do this in a positive way the will strengthen your relationship with your dog.
How do you feed Sasser?
Food is a powerful resource. Don't let her have any human food scraps. Not only is this sending the message that she can eat YOUR food, which makes her position the same as yours, but can be bad for their digestive system. Also practice every time you feed her leadership by not letting her to eat until you allow her. This is done by getting her food together and then waiting until she sits for her food politely, or if she know the word for sit you can use that. No jumping or whining, just wait calmly. If she jumps then turn away making saying no or a disapproving noise, like UHuh. Once she is sitting politely go to bend down to place the food down, if she gets up, pick it up and turn away until she sits. This may take a while for her to get this, it is not unusual for the first time to take 30-60 minutes. The second & third time will be much shorter. She must eventually sit down while you bend over to put the food down and then stand back up, and then she must LOOK at you. The look acknowledges that YOU own the food, and then you can say a phrase such as "Eat". Which releases her from her position to eat. You make the money, you buy the food, you control when she eats, you be the leader.
If she gets aggressive in anyway with growling or making you feel uncomfortable while trying to feed her, then I suggest you seek the help of a behaviorist.
Also take training courses to help on the walk, and consulting with a trainer on controlling her barking issues. If they suggest a E-collar, shock collar, or citronella spray, to diffuse her barking without trying other positive reinforcement methods I would seek a different trainer.
Also as far as the growling, while in play growling can be common for some dogs, if you don't like it, don't let her do it. When she growls stop play immediately, and turn around and ignore her for 10 seconds then go back to play. You should do this 100% of the time for the message to get across. She will eventually learn that growling is not acceptable during play. Remember you are the leader, you make the rules for play.
Very Important is to be consistent with training, and have all the family members involved and doing the same things, otherwise it will be 10x harder for her to learn what you want.
Hey CJPorter,
For thousands of years dogs have learned to react to human fear by becoming aggressive. We believe it was a reaction caused by common enemies and dangerous animals.
To quote you:
“I think my initial irritation was evident in my voice - she's not permitted to bring people in without asking first. Sasser began to growl at the girls. My irritation immediately turned to fear as I worried that she might actually go for one of the girls.”
You are activating Sasser’s response to fear. She doesn’t know anything else but to respond to you by becoming fearful and aggressive herslef.
Here’s what you need to do:
Unless it's the Boogie Man, always stay calm!
1. Welcome your daughter and her friends into your home without fear or admonition of any kind. Sasser is tuned into your state of being and will respond accordingly. (Remember this is how humans and canines aided one another in response to a friend or foe – absolutely nothing has changed.)
At first put Sasser on the leash so you can step in and get her attention when necessary. Remember, NO YELLING or EYE CONTACT of any kind: you will respond only with your body. If Sasser growls or lunges, place your body in-between her and her obsession. When she tries to go around you -- cut her off with your body. Eventually she will stop, sit or lie down, and wait for your command. After a few successes in your home with the leash, you should be able to control Sasser the same way without the leash.
2. When you walk Sasser, make sure you can create space in-between her and her obsessions. You know already that you need to use your body as a silent blockade until Sasser is 100% calm and ready for a command. Soon she will learn that a calm body blockade is her message that her current behavior is not acceptable.
Chances are that Sasser's growling when she plays is just her way of vocalizing fun. If she gets aggressive when you play just freeze, (Seriously -- like you are made of stone.) and wait for her to mellow. Resume play when you are ready. Sasser will learn what is acceptable play and what is not.