Over protective dog
Discussion
Had a couple of occurrences recently with Leo.
He’s very attached to me and definitely ‘my’ dog.
He shows affection to the kids but only if I’m not there - as soon as I’m home he won’t leave me alone.
Few weeks ago me and my daughter were having a little pillow fight and he started barking and growling at her.
Tonight, he was on my knee and the rest of the family wanted a group hug - as they walked towards us he started growling at them, they backed off and he jumped off me and walked towards my daughter still growling.
I sent him to his room and he knew he’d done wrong (daughter in tears by now!)
Let him out a few mins later and all was ok.
Bit worrying, as he’s a lovely dog usually.
Any ideas as to what / why etc..?
Thanks.
He’s very attached to me and definitely ‘my’ dog.
He shows affection to the kids but only if I’m not there - as soon as I’m home he won’t leave me alone.
Few weeks ago me and my daughter were having a little pillow fight and he started barking and growling at her.
Tonight, he was on my knee and the rest of the family wanted a group hug - as they walked towards us he started growling at them, they backed off and he jumped off me and walked towards my daughter still growling.
I sent him to his room and he knew he’d done wrong (daughter in tears by now!)
Let him out a few mins later and all was ok.
Bit worrying, as he’s a lovely dog usually.
Any ideas as to what / why etc..?
Thanks.
Afraid not.
The usual answer is you have to reassign his position in the pack if you belive these things.
I.e make him wait till you’ve all gone through the door.
Great people first when coming in.
Feed dog last etc, give treats but give everybody else in house treats first.
Note: not an expert just stuff I’ve read
The usual answer is you have to reassign his position in the pack if you belive these things.
I.e make him wait till you’ve all gone through the door.
Great people first when coming in.
Feed dog last etc, give treats but give everybody else in house treats first.
Note: not an expert just stuff I’ve read
Yes I've read that too.
All ready do most of that.
Reading other stuff, it may be that we're too 'attached' - he sees others as a threat to his position with me?
Wife reckons it's because he's always with me when I'm home - sitting on me, I feed him, take him for most of his walks etc.
When I'm not there my daughter is then his favourite, which made his reaction last night somewhat baffling.
All ready do most of that.
Reading other stuff, it may be that we're too 'attached' - he sees others as a threat to his position with me?
Wife reckons it's because he's always with me when I'm home - sitting on me, I feed him, take him for most of his walks etc.
When I'm not there my daughter is then his favourite, which made his reaction last night somewhat baffling.
Not knowing your dog i don't want too offer any advice. If it was mine and had similar problems id make sure he new i was boss. Firm no would be a start, even a tap on the nose depending on if he is a forward dog or it may make him go backwards in training if he is not a confident dog.
I would consider getting a trainer in where they teach you, your family and the dog to interact correctly. Find the right trainer and you will know the future with dog and family.
I would consider getting a trainer in where they teach you, your family and the dog to interact correctly. Find the right trainer and you will know the future with dog and family.
I am no expert but would suggest two things.
1) Find a trainer who can train you and family as well as your dog.
2) Somebody other than you to feed the dog. I would suggest your daughter. Also make sure your dog waits to be fed.
The suggestion of a muzzle is up to you to decide on. From your description the ‘aggressive’ behaviour was telegraphed, so maybe can be predicted.
Having had a rescue collie as our first dog I can sympathise. It is very upsetting to see your loving four legged friend suddenly showing this type of behavour.
Good luck
1) Find a trainer who can train you and family as well as your dog.
2) Somebody other than you to feed the dog. I would suggest your daughter. Also make sure your dog waits to be fed.
The suggestion of a muzzle is up to you to decide on. From your description the ‘aggressive’ behaviour was telegraphed, so maybe can be predicted.
Having had a rescue collie as our first dog I can sympathise. It is very upsetting to see your loving four legged friend suddenly showing this type of behavour.
Good luck
You need a good trainer after ruling out medical reasons with a vet check.
In the meantime you need to break his bond with you. Definitely no more sitting on your lap, that has to stop now. Get other family members to feed him play with him. No one to one time, hugging him etc.
These are basic tips for now but as recommended by others a good trainer should help address the balance.
I don't know if he is neutered or not but if not this may be a possible area to discuss re behaviour.
In the meantime you need to break his bond with you. Definitely no more sitting on your lap, that has to stop now. Get other family members to feed him play with him. No one to one time, hugging him etc.
These are basic tips for now but as recommended by others a good trainer should help address the balance.
I don't know if he is neutered or not but if not this may be a possible area to discuss re behaviour.
When we got our Lab as an 8 week old and I was working mostly from home at the time so was there for the dog to bond most with me.
However, we made sure my wife feed him at least once a day, walked him by herself at least once a week (as well as walking him with me when possible). He's never allowed to jump on us. If we get on the floor then it's play time.
He did go through a phase about 8 months ago (at 18 months old) of dominating my wife while out for a walk if other dogs were around but a bit of training for her (from friends with Golden Retrievers as she wouldn't listen to me) soon resolved the issue.
Basically, let the dog know who the bosses are, get some help if you need it. Should be easily sorted but a real pain if you don't.
BF
However, we made sure my wife feed him at least once a day, walked him by herself at least once a week (as well as walking him with me when possible). He's never allowed to jump on us. If we get on the floor then it's play time.
He did go through a phase about 8 months ago (at 18 months old) of dominating my wife while out for a walk if other dogs were around but a bit of training for her (from friends with Golden Retrievers as she wouldn't listen to me) soon resolved the issue.
Basically, let the dog know who the bosses are, get some help if you need it. Should be easily sorted but a real pain if you don't.
BF
MellowshipSlinky said:
Boosted LS1 said:
Why is he sitting on you? Why aren't you sitting on him? That's part of the problem imo.
Think I'm beginning to realise that.He loves affection from me - can't help showing it him!
About 20ish years ago, I was the victim of a very savage attack by a lovely family pet, a golden retriever. It went full out in an attack to my throat and I only survived due to going into PH Director mode and jamming my fist in its mouth till it could be subdued.
I found out later that it was in the process of being retrained due to a change in its owners family circumstances. The owner had a new partner and the dog thought that they were a threat to its position. The poor dog was a little confused. I still consider myself lucky to have survived the attack and still have the scars.
Be careful.
I found out later that it was in the process of being retrained due to a change in its owners family circumstances. The owner had a new partner and the dog thought that they were a threat to its position. The poor dog was a little confused. I still consider myself lucky to have survived the attack and still have the scars.
Be careful.
The Dangerous Elk said:
fttm said:
and maybe a boot up the backside when he growled at your kid might've had a better result than sending him to "his room". It's a dog not a child , treat him appropriately , stop sending out the wrong messages .
I didn't pick up on that, send a dog "to his room", ffsMoron
Thanks for all the genuine help from others - will start acting on it.
MellowshipSlinky said:
Yeah, a swift kick is really going to help things.
Moron
Thanks for all the genuine help from others - will start acting on it.
Maybe, maybe not. Replicating the "wild" where a level of physical dominance exists in the pack is part of the training a dog needs. It needs to know there is that possibility, how you teach it that is the question. I agree it is a level that is not often needed with a dog and should never be the first, second or third option, it does however need to know it IS a level you have the power to use. It should be the dog's own decision never to escalate its behaviour to the point where the pack leader (you) exerts such power.Moron
Thanks for all the genuine help from others - will start acting on it.
(*Note, this DOES NOT require the dog to be beaten etc)
He knows when I raise my voice that I'm not happy, and will either stop whatever it is that's made me talk like that, or will slink off to 'his room'
(Whether you like that term or not, that's what we call the utility room where he sleeps.
Just a turn of phrase)
One thing we think hasn't helped is that I was off work for 5 months after an accident, so he spent every waking hour with me whilst everyone else was at school or work.
Another thing we've also picked up on - my daughter has long hair and both instances of his protectiveness was when she had wet hair - don't know if she looked like someone else to him or something.
(Whether you like that term or not, that's what we call the utility room where he sleeps.
Just a turn of phrase)
One thing we think hasn't helped is that I was off work for 5 months after an accident, so he spent every waking hour with me whilst everyone else was at school or work.
Another thing we've also picked up on - my daughter has long hair and both instances of his protectiveness was when she had wet hair - don't know if she looked like someone else to him or something.
As said by others, he needs to know he is bottom of the pack.
The danger you now have is he thinks he is your 2nd (or could be), you have a dangerous (potentially) dog unless you are very firm with him for some time and make it very obvious that he cannot even think about challenging other pack members for that position.
The danger you now have is he thinks he is your 2nd (or could be), you have a dangerous (potentially) dog unless you are very firm with him for some time and make it very obvious that he cannot even think about challenging other pack members for that position.
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