Me an my wife were lying on the floor waching tv with our dog(1 year old intact male) who was also lying on the floor. My dog was chewing on a small piece of tuperware that he likes to chew on. I rolled over and put my face close to his and made a chewing noise similar to his noises. He completly came at me teath showing and all. I reacted very fast and grabbed a hold of him very tightly so he could not bite me and I got on top of him for about 30 sec. I thought he cooled off so I let go but he was still in fight mode so I once again grabed a hold of him and held his front legs off the groud until I felt him relax then I let go of him and gave him the command to go to his crate which he immeditly did like nothing even happened.
This has never happened before. He has growled at me if I put my face next to his toys but nothing really serious just a quick little growl then he stops. I totally realize I brought this about by putting my face next to his and making chewing noises. But whats done is done and I could use some advice about the sittuation besides the obvious which is not to put my face next to his when he is chewing something. My wife saw the whole thing and it really freaked her out. And to be honest it does scare me that if he acted that way towards her she would know what to do. Though he has never acted aggressive in any way towards her, it still concerns me.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

For one thing, it sounds as if he's gotten away with lesser offenses in the past so naturally felt that he had a right to "correct" you for this, in his mind, inappropriate behavior by you. At a year old he's also at the age to test boundaries and try to raise his pack position. I would keep either a prong or dominant dog collar on him with a lead attached (possibly a tab lead)at all times that you are able to supervise him so that you have a safe way to issue a correction when warranted. Is he on a program of nilif and daily obedience training?

Just a reminder: Never leave any training collar on the dog when not closely supervised.

I agree. I would (and have) react firmly and swiftly if either of my dogs showed any sign of agression toward me or my family. Zero tolerance. His minor growling worked in the past in getting you to back off so he did what is natural, he stepped it up when you continued to do the same. It worked before so why shouldn't it work again.
The few times my dogs have shown agression toward each other (never the family)I responded and both dogs immediately went submissive. Haven't had any incident in 4 months so I guess they understand that behaviour isn't tolerated. I would start making sure he understands that whatever he has belongs to you. One toy at a time and you take it whenever you want. If he protests in any way he needs to be corrected.

I've written what is my oppinion and it's what I do, others are more knowegeable than me but while I'm challenged with other issues (food/gas) this is something we have no issues with whatsoever. I and my wife are in charge, the dogs understand it and accept it willingly. It has been that way through 4 dobermans, 2 airedales, 2 pitbulls. Ed has great stuff about how to handle this and Cesar Milan can provide much insite through his tv show/book/dvd. I also agree that consistent obidience tranining is a great ideaand necessary.

Thank you very much for the responses. I very much agree I have let him get away with lesser offenses in the past, big mistake. As far as training I do schutzhund training with him so he definitly knows obedeince. I admit I have become a little lacks with the nilif. Latley I have allowed several toys to be laying around but that comes to an end now. I still have a couple questions for any who would like to respond.
1. Should I countinue to allow him to win the tug from me during training?
2. For anyone who has had a their own dog go at them in similar way, how did the future end up, I mean were you succesful at ending ths behavior.

I don't know if this is right or wrong but its how I see it. Who wins the tug is secondary to who owns the tug toy and who starts and stops the game. My female pit was absolutely insane over basketballs, she would agressively attack them and all you had to say was any reference to "bonnie's ball". Once popped (happened very quickly) and deflated they became her favorite tug toy. Had many tug of war sessions with her and occaisionally she would win (she never lost to friends who knew her well, she was scary aggressive)but I could take the ball and end the game anytime I wanted. Put the ball away and it was no big deal. From what you wrote he considered the tupperware to be his and in my oppinion that is a problem. If you share with him things that belong to you he is less inclined to want to defend it. I routinely take hoofs, chew toys, balls, kongs etc. away from my dogs. Most times I give it back others for whatever reason I don't want them to continue with it, it doesen't matter, it's mine and they know it.

As far as my dogs coming at me in the same way you described I can't offer anything, it just hasen't happened to me. I do know that if it did happen I would correct one notch above the level of aggression displayed by the dog.

I would roll the dog whenever he did it again and then immediatly do some obedience with him and take him for a walk. This will strengthen your position as leader. Oh yeah and never let it happen again without some form of correction to let him know it is not tolerated. If it were me I would flog the He11 out of him like the other person said a level or 2 above the level of aggression shown to you. If it is done to a family member then make the dog submit and let that family member show domiance over the dog too. I (now this is OMO but) would even challenge him to make it happen so I could correct him. While in submissive state even let your wife do it so she can show dominance over him too. You may want to use a muzzle to avoid bites as all of us are not Cesar Milan LOL but seems a good idea. I feel you must provoke the aggression to be able to correct it before it gets out of control

Just my Opinion
Rick Davis

what is nilif?

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what is nilif?

Nothing in life is free

Connie, You always come through <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

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I would roll the dog whenever he did it again and then immediatly do some obedience with him and take him for a walk....... If it were me I would flog the He11 out of him like the other person said a level or 2 above the level of aggression shown to you. If it is done to a family member then make the dog submit and let that family member show domiance over the dog too.......

Alpha rolls and flogging? Flog means whip or beat with a stick.

Is that what you are recommending?