My dog has always had a behavior problem, but was never really aggressive until a year ago. What can I do to change this?

Question

I'm finding your web site very informative. I have a 4yr old mixed breed that I brought home when he was about 6-8 weeks old. His living conditions weren't very desirable, 12 pups in the bed of a old pickup truck with kibble just dumped in at feeding time. The mother looked to be a Husky mix & the assumed father a retriever mix.  Ozzy (my dog) , has always had a behavior problem, but was never really aggressive until a year ago. I have 2 cats that he has attacked, one just got roughed up a bit, the other was rushed to the vet for treatment & now stays totally away from him. January of 2008, Ozzy bit my husband in his face for no apparent reason while laying on the couch, this required stitches & a visit from the local animal control. Since then I've been snapped at about 3 times. Once was just walking past him while he was sleeping in the floor, he got my foot pretty good. Second time, I was giving him a treat & he bit my hand. Third time, Ozzy was lying on the bed & when I reached for a blanket he bit my hand again. All of these bites caused bleeding. He doesn't like strangers, doesn't matter, outside, inside or when he's in the car. I'm becoming afraid of my own dog. I've had dogs my entire life & never experienced anything like this. After looking at your site, I'm assuming he is a pack leader & I've tried some training techniques, but he also seems to be a nervous dog also. He always needs to be muzzled during a visit to the vet. Yesterday, he went around the house with his hair hunched up and seemed to be on guard for no apparent reason, he acted like he did something bad & would go lay in his crate. People are suggesting that I put him down, but I love him & I feel like I've failed as his owner. I have made a few mistakes, feeding him from the table & letting him sleep in my bed. What can I do to change this? I'm at desperate need for advice. Any info would be much appreciated.

Thank You,
Kelly

Accepted Answer

The problems you are seeing are the result of the way you live with your dog. When dogs act like this they lack leadership from their owners. In other words their owners don’t understand how important pack drive is in how they raise their dogs.

Owners of dogs like yours underestimate the genetic power of "PACK DRIVE " Pack structure is not something new and it is not optional, and if you don’t provide the structure and leadership a dog NEEDS then he or she will behave as canines have for thousands of years and will structure your family and household their own way. Your dog is not behaving badly out of spite or stubbornness; your dog is simply being a dog, a dog that needs some guidance and rules.

If you want to fix a problem like this you can but it takes some work.

Here is a 3 ½ hour DVD that I would recommend titled Dealing with Dominant and Aggressive Dogs.

If you go to the link on this DVD you can read about what it covers. You will also see a detailed outline of what’s in the video.

I also recommend our video on Pack Structure and the Family Pet and the free article that gives you an outline of how to set yourself up for success with a new dog or how to rework an existing relationship with a dog.

Getting the dog off the furniture and into a structured daily routine will help immensely. The videos and article will guide you through how to deal with him and help him become a happy and balanced dog.

I also noticed that you explained his horrible start to life. Many of the people who email me about their dogs do the same thing BUT you need to understand that dogs do not think about the past and by feeling sorry for his horrible puppy hood you are projecting weakness to your dog. So many people feel bad about what their dog had to deal with in the past so they let them on the furniture and allow them all kinds of freedom because they think this will “make up” for the past. Dogs don’t ever feel sorry for each other; they live in the moment 100%. Do your dog a favor and treat him like a dog that needs lots of structure and leadership and don’t feel sorry for his past life.

I hope this helps.

Cindy