Dog growling at me
- Thread starter Storm1
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Without going the professional rout (at least for the moment) what is the best way to handle an act of aggression or the threat of aggression? I had been telling him no, and using the word "bad" in response, but it became obvious that this was not helping. He does not show any sign of anxiety when he growls but he definately has shown signs of it after. The last couple of days there has been some improvement. I've been throwing some small treats in the crate where he has to retrieve them without incident. Away from the crate I've been trying to keep him somewhat more disciplined and using NILF tecniques mentioned. As far as training near the crate this is where it becomes difficult. He is a big dog with a strong bite and I don't want to provoke anxiety or aggression. I'll have to do this cautiously.
What is strange is that most of the time he is very docile and very attached to me. He usually will not eat until I get home and shows lots of affection 99% of the time.
What is strange is that most of the time he is very docile and very attached to me. He usually will not eat until I get home and shows lots of affection 99% of the time.
The only thing I can think of that hasn't been posted here yet, it to make it clear to the dog that you and your family are the alpha dogs. It sounds like he is taking it upon himself to be alpha dog. The best offense is a good defense, as they say. Keep an eye on your dog, and once you see any change in his behavior that shows him going into his "growly" state, get his attention by snapping your fingers at him, or making some sort of authoritative noise. He will be snapped out of whatever state he was going into and it's at that point that you can give him another command. I really don't recommend giving him treats when he's in his growly state because that is just reinforcing that whatever he is doing is ok to do.
I agree with Doberlov about "owning" the crate and making the dog have to work to be allowed in it, etc. Those were great tips. Basically, you paid for that crate, so you own it, he just sleeps there. Also, making your dog wait to eat is a great way to reinforce that you are the alpha. I make all 3 of my dogs sit and wait until I tell them "OK" to eat. They will sit there and drool all over the floor twitching, but will not go to their bowl until they have been given the okay.
I wish you luck in dealing with your dog, and hope you end up finding the right solution for your dog.
I agree with Doberlov about "owning" the crate and making the dog have to work to be allowed in it, etc. Those were great tips. Basically, you paid for that crate, so you own it, he just sleeps there. Also, making your dog wait to eat is a great way to reinforce that you are the alpha. I make all 3 of my dogs sit and wait until I tell them "OK" to eat. They will sit there and drool all over the floor twitching, but will not go to their bowl until they have been given the okay.
I wish you luck in dealing with your dog, and hope you end up finding the right solution for your dog.
This can also provoke an already agitated dog to go the next route...an all out bite or attack. I do not recommend challenging a dog who is displaying aggressive behavior or trying to one-up him on some human- perceived hierarchy. This alpha thing...dominate or be dominated is a huge reason for many such issues. I work with dogs whose owners have taken on this "show 'em whose boss" attitude and let me tell you, heavy handedness is not the answer. You don't snap a dog out of the underlying cause of this behavior. It takes a lot more planning and a specific set of steps to go through to truly modify behavior by getting at the underlying cause. If he is giving a warning growl, take heed. Try very not to put him into a position that triggers this agitation in the first place. Being a good leader depends on controlling his resources.
When giving treats, you're giving them to make a positive association with the trigger. You don't give threats while he's growling. Keep him below threhold when dispensing treats.
I too strongly recommend, as stated before that you get a behaviorist or very good trainer to help you to evaluate what is going on for sure and recommend a treatment plan.
When giving treats, you're giving them to make a positive association with the trigger. You don't give threats while he's growling. Keep him below threhold when dispensing treats.
I too strongly recommend, as stated before that you get a behaviorist or very good trainer to help you to evaluate what is going on for sure and recommend a treatment plan.
I also do not recommend pushing an already aggravated dog especially a dog with high defense drives. Forget showing him the 'alpha smalpha' thing (which is way over rated in my book) ,,you will, as ones have pointed out,,get bit and probably get bit good, if you push issues with him.
I also am all for finding a behaviorist, someone who is gsd savvy would be wonderful
) that can come in and observe what's going on with you and this dog.
I respectfully disagree with puppymomma's first paragraph in the above post, I don't think you realize the result of what your suggesting to someone who has a GSD who could do some serious damage if he decided to get physically defensive.
I have gsd's for 30 years, am lines, german lines, czech lines,,never once did one ever growl or try to bite me. It's about mutual respect, being fair and consistent.
Good luck with your dog, your best approach is someone who can see first hand exactly what is going on .
diane
I also am all for finding a behaviorist, someone who is gsd savvy would be wonderful
) that can come in and observe what's going on with you and this dog. I respectfully disagree with puppymomma's first paragraph in the above post, I don't think you realize the result of what your suggesting to someone who has a GSD who could do some serious damage if he decided to get physically defensive.
I have gsd's for 30 years, am lines, german lines, czech lines,,never once did one ever growl or try to bite me. It's about mutual respect, being fair and consistent.
Good luck with your dog, your best approach is someone who can see first hand exactly what is going on .
diane
No demanding is rude. Its not an alpha thing. Even the most submissive and meek of dogs can demand attention. All my dogs do it to some degree. BUT if I say 'not now' they are to stop and go find something else to do. The most insistent is the most submissive with humans dog I have.
The issue is all my own making. He is sooo cute that I have given in to his demands, so now he will persist. Its simple cause and effect. He has learnt that being persistent can pay off.
The issue is all my own making. He is sooo cute that I have given in to his demands, so now he will persist. Its simple cause and effect. He has learnt that being persistent can pay off.
My wife got Storm from a breeder in Rocky Point on Long Island. I don't know too much more detail, but the male was a sable shepherd and the female was a young czech dog. The male had broken out of his pen so the litter was unintentional since the female was not supposed to be bred that year.
He is behaving much better the last few days. I think piecing some of the advice together has helped alot. My impression is that the growling when I leave is either him trying to control or express displeasure at my leaving. My response calling him bad or saying no while he was crated seemed to be causing fear or triggering reactive behavior (If i'm understanding that term correctly).
He is behaving much better the last few days. I think piecing some of the advice together has helped alot. My impression is that the growling when I leave is either him trying to control or express displeasure at my leaving. My response calling him bad or saying no while he was crated seemed to be causing fear or triggering reactive behavior (If i'm understanding that term correctly).