My dog is showing aggression towards my young daughter. What would you suggest?

Question

Hello,

    I have sought help from numerous sources (too many to mention here), including my vet. I have one huge problem with our border collie, named Oreo, she is 7 yrs old, we've had her since she was 10 weeks old. She is a wonderful dog all the way around... for obedience, etc. no problems.

    The problem is she is showing aggression towards our daughter who will be 4 yrs old in February. She used to be able to go and pet Oreo and help me feed her, etc. However over the last couple months her aggression is getting worse and worse. I've gone to the point that she is back in the kennel or tied to me with a leash or has to wear a muzzle in efforts to prevent her from biting my daughter. Oreo has even gone to the extent of preventing my daughter from getting on her own bed. If Oreo is close to either me or my husband, and she comes walking by (not at all provoking Oreo), Oreo will growl then show teeth. Two suggestions have been made - either find her a new home or have her put down. She also has dog aggression. As well as more and more not willing to let people see or pet her. I work from home as a pet groomer, I need to fix this.

    If you need more info let me know what you'd like to know.

    What would you suggest?

    Shanette

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. As your daughter gets older, your dog is trying to make sure he keeps his place in the pack order by making sure your daughter doesn’t become higher ranking than he is. It’s up to you to be the leader, you have been allowing your dog to call the shots without even knowing that you are doing so. This is completely normal behavior in dogs and how they interact with each other. This is also very dangerous behavior especially when children are involved.

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.

I’d start with our Groundwork program and the video that picks up where the article leaves off, Pack Structure for the Family Pet.

Here is a 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’d use a muzzle and this dog would be either on a leash, muzzled attached to me or in a crate at all times until this issue is under control. Oreo should not ever be loose in your house at all, she’s lost those privileges by behaving in a dominant manner.

I would direct you to the search function in the upper left corner of the website for any additional questions you may have. If you type in your key words it will guide you to articles, Q & A’s and posts on our forum. You will find out that your problem is probably the most common issue discussed on our website.

I hope this helps.

Cindy