Hi all,

We have a 2-year old black lab that my husband has trained to hunt. The dog has an "aggressive streak" according to our veterinarian. There has been some progression in his behavior and we know we have to nip this in the bud.

We have a 13-year old daughter who is hyper and our dog will growl at her if she bugs him. We are working on her not bugging the dog as well.

Once our dog got into the neighbors yard and chased their miniature pincher. He was trying to nip the dogs rear. It looked to me like he was chasing prey.

When our dog sits in a duck blind with my husband friend, the friend will be petting our dog and from time to time our dog will look at him and give a deep growl.

We had company over for Thanksgiving and our dog growled at my Aunt. My Aunt is an animal lover and she was giving our dog attention, and bent over slightly.

Yesterday our dog was in his crate when he growled at our other dog. I reprimanded "no" and thought whoops because we made eye contact. So, I held eye contact and he growled at me. I told him "no" and he looked away. I repeated this again today and today he looked away after about 3 seconds. I praised him when he looked away.

I see we have been making some mistakes that we are now correcting (such as allowing our dog to lay on the couch.)

I guess I need some perspective on how serious of a problem we are dealing with. From what I've read I think he is dominate aggressive. He is also nearly 100 lbs. My husband tends to dismiss his behavior saying that he's vocal. My husband doesn't seem to think that our dog will hurt the neighbor dog. I feel otherwise. I feel as if there is a monster brewing that will eventually bite if we don't correct this situation immediately. Oh, yes the dog is neutered but we waited until 1 1/2 to neuter him. (had read it's better for joints for working dogs)

Am I on the right track thinking he is dominate aggressive? I would also appreciate any other suggestions. What DVD's would be best for us to start with?

Thank you so much.

I am certainly no expert in this particular area, others will certainly respond. It sounds to me more like the dog is being a bit defensive, he may be unsure of his place and does need a bit of pack structure...

You have described how he is with all of you, but how is he for your husband, and I am assuming he is the primary handler...

Of course, he is no problem for my husband. My husband is undoubtedly pack leader.

 Quote: Kim Murphy

Of course, he is no problem for my husband. My husband is undoubtedly pack leader.

And your husband thinks it's just the dog being vocal when he growls at people, including your daughter?

Here's Ed's pack structure article for adult dogs, to give you an idea of where to start. Keeping him off the furniture is a definite. No loose toys or chew items is another...

Also, if you give him a correction for a pack structure issue, do not reward him or tell him he's a good boy for complying. You want him to clearly understand when he does something that will not be tolerated.

http://leerburg.com/pdf/packstructure.pdf

I'm no expert either but, IMO The pack leader is suppose to communicate what lower pack members can and cannot do, so if your husband is not correcting the growling and such that tells the dog there's nothing wrong with it. Sounds like you stepped up and and corrected the growling and got a response, IMO it doesn't sound like you have a aggressive or dominate dog just sounds like you need some structure.... Good luck

In addition to the other good information given, I would keep this dog well contained. That is, he does not get the chance to chase the neighbor's dog OR your dog OR any dog (or, of course, any child!).

IMO, your husband is shrugging off behavior that is NOT "just being vocal."

I would also put the dog up when visitors come, and even more so if they cannot be relied on to follow your rules about ignoring the dog, not looming over/hovering over the dog, or stressing the dog in any way, which it sounds like your aunt did.

It is not acceptable at all for the dog to growl at the child. MO is that you need an experienced professional to evaluate the dog because someone needs to tell your husband that he is ignoring behavior that needs to be addressed.

" .... the friend will be petting our dog and from time to time our dog will look at him and give a deep growl." I am completely at a loss as to why your husband would allow the friend to do this when the dog is obviously seriously stressed over it.

Lynne have you a good answer and a good link. I'd really read up. I'm glad you posted.

eta

I would separate the child and the dog during this process.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (11/29/2010 08:39 PM)
Edit reason: eta

Toward the end of my working life in Winona Mn there was a line of hunting black labs that displayed this type of behavior, unexpected in a lab, who are usually non-confrontational in the vet office. They were all super large, and all black.
With training and a firm hand all remained in their families, none were PTS. We attributed it to a single sire, whose name I don't recall. He was a big field trial dog.

Your husband really needs to step it up and get on the same page with you or I think you are going to run into a wall when trying to correct this behavior. Since he is the dog's handler, he needs to take the front line in getting the situation under control. If he doesn't see and believe in the bigger picture, I don't think you'll ever be able to solve this. I think a long talk is in order. Maybe print out the article on pack structure and let him read it then talk it over with him. Its important that you explain your observations to him and obviously what you think the consequences will be if he continues to let these instances slide.

Good luck! And kudos for recognizing the situation and researching the solution!