This is to anyone that has some suggestions:

I have a 4 year old fixed English Springer Spaniel who overtime has become agressive in different ways. I'll start with the first incident at the age of 1 1/2. I used to give him raw hides to chew on, and he was always fine with it, until he growled a little when I tried to take it away. After a few instances of this, I took it away and have NEVER given him any types of raw hides again.

He was always fine and very happy dog. I lived alone with him up until he was about 2 years of age - he did have lots of interaction with other dogs and people on a regular basis. He has had some obedience training.

When Mully gets excited, he tends to twinkle a little. He has done this FOREVER but he can't really hold it once he starts. I don't yell at him for this b/c he can't stop it. I have been able to manage this a lot better by not approaching him when I come right in the door and waiting until he has calmed down a bit.

I moved into a house with another dog (at the time 7 year old female mutt) and 3 other people. It was a big change for both of us, but he seemed to be okay with everything. There was also another dog (female lab) who would come over a LOT and he was always fine with her. They actually are buddies til this day.

One of my roommates didn't always take a liking to Mully.. b/c he would twinkle when excited or when he started he couldn't stop. She would torment him in different ways: like taking her finger and flicking his nose, slapping him w/ her flip flop when he was being loud or peed.

It got more intense and if he was in her way or annoying to her she would take her flip flow and hold it up.

One day - I suppose he got sick of it, he growled at her - and then went after her. (This entire time I'm asking her to not torment the dog that you are making him more and more upset).. she never listened and I know maybe I could have moved out, but those weren't options. So... he has tried to go after her and I've had to hold him back w/ everything I've had. I think if I didn't grab him in time (everytime he's done this) she would have gotten biten. Now that he goes after her, she ignores him, she has quit doing all those tormenting things ... and they simply ignore eachother.. but he looks at her with those eyes like he's going to attach her anytime now. I keep them separated for the most part. How can I fix this?? After these episodes he started to go after the older dog as well. Now, they hardly ever fight ..

I had a behaviorist trainer come in to help w/ this. I have done everything she has said.. There are many things going on here- 1. protective over his food. I feed him away f/ the other dogs, in the garage. He isn't this out of control dog.. he just gets very tense around these situations and I try to keep him from getting in those types of situations.

However, he seems scared or afraid .. sometimes with me as well now. and has growled at me on a number of occasions. Never has bitten me. It seems he is really unsure of his status OR he is so messed up and unsure of himself w/ the roommate. I work with him on sits, sit stays, downs, down stays, etc. he can do it all and is pretty smart. If he sees another dog.. he wants to run after him and sniff...

I work w/ him and will continue to but maybe I can do something else to help make him more comfortable in his surroundings.

Please - don't be condesending.. I'd just like some help in resolving these issues.

Things I don't let him do EVER:
1. Sleep in my bed (he sleeps downstairs in his crate or bed area) .. which is seems to be getting protective of now.
2. Never feed him before me or with the other dogs.. in the garage he is fed.
3. NEVER let him go through any door before me. He always has to sit and wait. Same for the stairs.
4. NO Table food

Thanks for any advice.
Lapasta

Lapasta,

Welcome aboard. How much if any obedience training does the dog have? The simplest and best remedy for a scared or insecure dog is obedience training. I know you said you hired a behaviorist to work with the dog(this could be good or bad, depending on whether this dude is legit or not) but it is more important that you work the dog in obedience. This provides direction and leadership for the dog and it really helps.

Originally posted by Chuck F.:
Lapasta,

Welcome aboard. How much if any obedience training does the dog have? The simplest and best remedy for a scared or insecure dog is obedience training. I know you said you hired a behaviorist to work with the dog(this could be good or bad, depending on whether this dude is legit or not) but it is more important that you work the dog in obedience. This provides direction and leadership for the dog and it really helps. Thanks for the warm welcome. Mully has had the basic puppy training when he was younger. I work with him on the sits, etc. When I had the trainer come in - she gave me instructions on what to do with him. To make him work for everything. So, I would say he knows basic commands. Will NOT come when called ALL the time. Especially if other distractions are around. This is one thing we need to work on, is distractions. He can definitely get a lot better w/ obedience. I was thinking of buying the basic obedience video offered by Leerburg. What do I do for him - when he growls or gets upset and charges my roommate... sometimes w/out any growling/warning.

Lapasta,
Have you taught him "Leave It"? This is what I would work on for that specific situation; of course, in addition to regular obedience driils.

First, teach the "Leave It" command. You do this by setting him up with something interesting to him, such as a treat on the floor. When he goes to investigate it, tell him to "leave it", and when he looks at you, praise him profusely, and offer him a better treat. Only after he knows what it means, if he charges your roomie, issue a "Leave It" in a stern voice. If he breaks off his charge, praise him. Keep a check cord on him so that you can correct him if he does not comply.

 Quote:

One day - I suppose he got sick of it, he growled at her - and then went after her. (This entire time I'm asking her to not torment the dog that you are making him more and more upset).. she never listened and I know maybe I could have moved out, but those weren't options. So... he has tried to go after her and I've had to hold him back w/ everything I've had. I think if I didn't grab him in time (everytime he's done this) she would have gotten biten. Now that he goes after her, she ignores him, she has quit doing all those tormenting things ... and they simply ignore eachother.. but he looks at her with those eyes like he's going to attach her anytime now. I keep them separated for the most part. How can I fix this?? After these episodes he started to go after the older dog as well. Now, they hardly ever fight ..

Sounds like 2 dogs trying to establish hierarchy in the pack <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

That may be, but Lapasta needs to have control over her dog. I'd get rid of this idiot roomie too, or move. Tormenting a dog is just stupid. I'll bet that's not the only stupid thing this person does. Sounds like an obnoxious human being that I certainly wouldn't want to live with. If moving or getting rid of the roomie is not an option, then I'd keep my dog in my locked room when I'm not home, so roomie can't have any contact without me there. If she so much as looked at my dog funny, *I* would be the one snarling and charging at her.

I agree with L Swanson..keep the dog away from the idiot roomy. Better still..even if it's really not an option..make it an option..move.

 Quote:

Originally posted by Barbara:
I agree with L Swanson..keep the dog away from the idiot roomy. Better still..even if it's really not an option..make it an option..move.

Thank you for your posts! Moving out will soon be an option. So that's good. Tonight Mully and I had an episode. He sleeps downstairs in the "mudd room"/walk in area. After letting him out, it's bedtime and as I was fixing his bed, he growled and came after me. I didn't get bitten, but he was angry. I'm starting to think this area is what he thinks is his. As soon as he did that.. I did give him the sit command and then down. After a few seconds I told him to get in his house. I usually don't put him in there... so as he can have more room to stretch out. Not sure what is going on here. Still working on commands, etc. He's never gone this far w/ me though.

Any thoughts??
Thanks!

Anyone here familiar with Rage Syndrome? I know it is seen in Springers more commonly than other breeds.. This seem like an agression problem but the Rage thing might be worth a look.

Sounds like a definite dominate dog thing to me. You have to work him hard in Obedience and long downs. When you correct him watch for growling and nipping, correct him on a level 10 and tell him in a low stern voice "No". Then continue with the lesson. I think the "down stay" really helps control the dominate dog. My personal opinion.

You must become the Alpha or leader, which means you must gain his respect and make him believe you can protect him from room mates and things that may hurt him. Right now I don't think he sees you as Alpha.

My GSD male some people consider dominate, but if he is really screwing up I can call him by his full name, and he goes to a down head between his front legs (he has never been beaten), but he just loves to please. He knows when I lower my voice, and use his full name I am not please. I am the Alpha, "So let it written, so let it be done", stolen from Movie the Ten Commandmence. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

You have to get control of him, your room mate has not helped the dog apparently has found that this kind of reaction makes humans leave him alone.