Showing aggressive/"top dog" tendancies

[pls1979]

I have a 3 year old Aussie Shepard/Chow mix, Einstein. He's my biggest problem right now. He will growl at my fiance' and my 12 year old daughter if they even pet him and I'm afraid that it will escalate to biting. If you tell him to get off the couch, he growls. He has gotten fierce enough with my fiance' that his hackles will be up and he's in the "stance", but fortunately has not snapped. After reading through Sitstayfetch, I can tell that we've let him believe he is the alpha at our house.

I have two other dogs. A 2 year old Brittany/Aussie Shepard, Scrappy, and an 8 year old Shar Pei/Lab, Harry, who is not a problem at all. Scrappy; however, has started growling at Einstein and it has come down to some pretty serious fights. I'm afraid that these will escalate and one of us may get caught in the middle and/or a trip to the vet for injuries.

I just feel completely overwhelmed at how to even begin to work with my dogs. I have read the How to be the Alpha booklet and we have all 3 started doing these small things at home with the dogs. Aside from that, I don't know where to start or what to do. I don't want to get rid of my dogs, but if I can't get Einstein calmed down and no longer growling at any of us, I can't have him at home with the possible liability. I have tried to work with him a little, but he will growl at me (then roll over on his back, which really confuses me) and I'm afraid to correct him as I'm not sure how much of his growling is just that or if he will act on it.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[KOPsBecks]

How's everything going with the Alpha training?

[billy blazes]

A year ago we were having big time trouble with our 6yr old Dal. He was growling at my kids. After much research (we considered putting him down) we discovered the Alpha Dog training and tried all the techniques. Things went really well for the most part. When you live with a dominant dog you need to be "on" 24/7. It sometimes feels like you're more a dictator than a friend. Unfortunately this spring Billy suffered an injury to his neck and has been confined for 6weeks, I also sustained a knee injury. Without my ability to take care of his excess energy, Billy has already reverted back to his dominant aggressive behavior. He is again growling at my kids and now even my husband. Frustrating!!! At this point he is confined until I can get back on my feet to begin his training over again. Good luck with your dog, it is very unnerving when the animal you expect to love and protect your family growls and terrorizes them. Oh yeah, the trainer from K of Pets suggested we try "rescue remedy" to help calm our dog while we work with him.