Aggression/Dominance

[kimo]

Hello everybody! I am new to this site and I need help for my beloved Kim.

I have a 10 year old husky/german shepherd mixed breed. I don't know if
it's his age but for the past 1 year he has become very grouchy. We
thought that he might be suffering from arthritis/dental problem but the
doctor has given him a clean bill of health. He has practically bitten
everybody in the household including me and my husband (but not seriously)
for some reason or another; i.e. nobody can come near his food bowl, if he
found something interesting, be it a tissue, a paper, a crayon, etc. you
can't go near him, or if you scream , kiss or snap somebody, he would growl
and bite you. When someone visits, he has to be kept in the bedroom cuz he
would growl at them.

My vet suggested that he be put down to sleep. Putting him down is our
last option so I did some research on the internet, bought the book and joined this forum.

I really need help. Thanks.

[ncolby]

Hi There,

It's always difficult in older dogs to determine whether or not the cause of their particular issue is health related. It has been my personal experience that things such as Hip Dysplasia, Arthritis and even simple ear infections can and will cause aggression issues in your dog. I am assuming that you like and trust your vet, however, I guess I just find it dismaying to hear that a professional would just throw in the towel and suggest putting down your pet. I would make certain that there is no such underlying condition, as this would not be uncommon at your dog's age. You can lay near your dog and stroke her while she is resting, gradually working down to her hind quarters. If she reacts at all to her legs being touched (even just by looking up at you), it could very well be hip issues. We had an 11 year old Bloodhound that we had to put down last year (after 3 surgeries for different issues), and she was SO terrified of the vet that she would display almost no symptoms when we were there. I had to test her myself at home and convey her symptoms to the vet in order to have her put on Duramax (for Arthritis).

This being said, I have to say that it sounds very much as if your dog, Kim, has established herself as the Alpha dog in your home. Displaying signs such as those that you have described are indicative of a dog that has grown up "ruling the roost" if you will. Is Kim allowed on furniture and allowed to sleep in your room? Is her food bowl always available? These are just a few of the many things that, as innocent as they seem, will give your dog the impression that she is the Alpha in your home. It is NOT true that you "can't teach an old dog new tricks", you sure can, so it is great to hear that you bought SitStayFetch.

I suggest that you read and implement the bonus "secrets to becoming the Alpha", and make sure that everyone in your home is on the same program. Your dog will be much happier and more secure when she realizes that she is not in charge of protecting you, and that you and your family are the Alpha's in your home. German Shepards (including mixes) are hard wired to guard and protect, so you'll need to be very patient and consistant to change what she has come to think of as her duty. Don't give up though, changing your behavior towards Kim is the secret to changing her behavior.

In addition, the bonus "quick quide to aggression" will be very helpful. It covers many issues, includung Food aggression, and how to stop this behavior.

There is a lot of information contained in SitStayFetch, so take your time and read it in it's entirety. Understanding the dog's Pack Mentality will help you understand how certain actions on our part, most of which we do out of love, create insecurity and overprotectiveness in our pets. I have three dogs, one is very old and well behaved, the other two are 12 months and 15 months and have been having some issues (both are large breeds). I have been taking the two younger ones to training class, but also have been following the SitStayFetch program and utilizing the forum. I see a huge difference in my dogs and, while the training classes are good for socilization, SitStayFetch has proven to be a better investment.

Good luck, don't give up and keep posting!

[Loki's Alpha]

Hi, I also have a german shepherd/husky mix with some aggression issues. We no longer have problems taking away things he knows he should not have. We started by trading what he had for something he was allowed to have, such as a rawhide piece or treat. That way, he learned that when we take things away, it is not always a bad thing. We also gave him toys, but took them away and traded for something he liked better. Another thing you can do is give him something to play with or chew and sit right next to him while he chews. Pet him or touch him in some way, but do not take away his treat. He will learn to tolerate people right next to him while he chews if we are not a threat to taking away his prize. I hope this helps a little.

[kimo]

Hi again and many thanks for your responses. You all made me feel a lot better and got hope for Kim. The information contained in the book really gave me a shock and made me guilty for what Kim became to be. We rescued Kim when he was days old, eyes still closed and almost dying. Took care of him like a baby and was overly pampered, allowed to do practically anything he wants to. Yes, he sleeps with us and he owns the whole house. He is completely a house dog and never goes out at all. He is always scared of the outside world so we thought why stress him if he is happy indoors. Now I realize what a big mistake!!!! To keep him away from the rest of the family, a dog fence was built in the area of the our bedroom where he has access to the bathroom to poopoo and goes up to bath tub to pee as he always does.

What I don't understand is Kim has always been a submissive and sweet dog and only when he turned 10 that he showed some aggressiveness.We have ruled out arthritis as well and he passed the arthritis test. Our vet even says that Kim is very strong and healthy for his age, may be because he never eats anything except broiled chicken.

My dilemna now is that my husband (who I thought is the Alpha one) is not willing to change how we treat Kim. His mentality is that he is old so why put him to another ordeal so we just have to exercise a lot of precaution until he leaves us. I really feel sorry for Kim but until my husband agrees with me I cannot do anything to help Kim. This forum somehow helps me emotionally.

[ncolby]

Hi There,

You shouldn't feel guilty about things you did not know. Everything you have done for your dog, Kim, is out of love for him (sorry I referred to him as a her before). Our Bloodhound, Darby, that just passed away last year sounds a lot like Kim. My husband had to take off two weeks from work to bottle feed her because her mother stopped producing milk and the breeder needed help (I didn't know him then). She was the best dog personality wise, but her attitude was that SHE was the boss. She was allowed on furniture, slept in bed (all 130 pounds of her) ate a lot of people food etc. She basically did whatever she pleased. She could not be around many people, as she would howl and jump on them. I could do very little in the way of changing her because I didn't know a thing, and because my husband had no problem with the way she was.

Your dog should not be a point of contention between you and your husband. Don't let this situation cause fights and disrupt your life because your husband doesn't see the need to change Kim...he obviously loves him as much as you do. There are, however, a few things that you can implement yourself without cooperation from others to let Kim know that you are the boss. These things would be things such as making him sit before you let him out. When he growls or snaps at you, don't reprimand him...just turn your body and completely ignore him, even walk out of the room. Dogs want your attention, so one of the worst things you can do as punishment is to withdraw it.

There are many more "low key" things you can do on your own. Read the bonus Alpha book and pick a few that you know you can do consistantly, and maybe if your hubby sees a little change in the way Kim treats YOU, he'll want to jump on board and help.

[kimo]

Dear Loki/NColby,

You're responses are such a big consolation for me. I'm sure you know how it feels like when you see your beloved pet suffer emotionally and you are helpless. I can sense his tension when he sees everybody leaving for work and growls as if saying something (stay together and don't leave). I know what he wants just by looking at each other and sense each others emotions. I never realized that he has lately bestowed upon him to be our protector and caretaker just like what the book said.

I will definitely do as what you suggested NColby and will be on this site each day as my source of solace. Our 2 kids have their own family so Kim is like our 3rd child. I do share and understand my husband's sentiments.

Thanks again and take care
Kim's mom

How do I post Kim's picture?

[ncolby]

Hi There,

You can insert a picture in your profile. Go to user CP, then select "edit profile picture" and download a picture of your pet. I think people also post pictures in the Pet Lovers Forum, but I have not done this so I am not certain how it works.

Nicole

[kimo]

Many thanks Colby. I will and hope to do it successfully. It's so nice to be a part of this forum knowing that everybody tries to give a helping hand in their own small ways.

Kind regards.
Kim's mom

[kimo]

Sorry, I missed your name. Thanks again Nicole.