Well first off let me start by saying I have been a lazy idiot. I have an 8 year old german sheperd which has almost no training. He is house broken and knows the sit command that's it. Recently I've been trying to train him to respond to other commands (stay, come, lay down). The problem is he gets aggressive with anything he doesn't like including giving him treats. How can I train him not too snarl or growl when giving him a treat or ever? The larger question I guess is can I train him without using treats.
Training an aggressive adult dog
- Thread starter do_dirty
- Start date
Your dog growls at you when you try to give him a treat? That's....odd. Could this may be an extreme form of resource guarding?
As far as training without food treats: a reward is anything the dog wants and enjoys. Play with a favorite toy, a walk around the block, access to the back yard, a throw of the ball, anything your feel your dog would work for. Shepherds typically are high drive dogs that enjoy play with toys and activity so I'd think you have a pretty long list of things you could use as rewards.
As far as training without food treats: a reward is anything the dog wants and enjoys. Play with a favorite toy, a walk around the block, access to the back yard, a throw of the ball, anything your feel your dog would work for. Shepherds typically are high drive dogs that enjoy play with toys and activity so I'd think you have a pretty long list of things you could use as rewards.
It could also be play-growling.
VERY IMPORTANT: When he growls or snarles at you, do not punish - hitting him, yelling, pushing, etc. IF it is aggression, this will only make it worse. You can, however, close your hand around the treat and turn your back for a second or two or until he stops growling, then try to give the treat again.
You can check out www.apdt.com for a trainer search, most of the trainers listed are positive reinforcement trainers.
VERY IMPORTANT: When he growls or snarles at you, do not punish - hitting him, yelling, pushing, etc. IF it is aggression, this will only make it worse. You can, however, close your hand around the treat and turn your back for a second or two or until he stops growling, then try to give the treat again.
You can check out www.apdt.com for a trainer search, most of the trainers listed are positive reinforcement trainers.