I just registered at your website today and have found what I have read so far quite informative and very interesting. I landed at your site due to a situation that happened yesterday morning with my Boxer, Joe. He is a rescue, no background, but we estimate him to be about a year old. We also believe he was abused. We have had him less than 4 months, and he has also gone to obedience school and passed with flying colors. He is a big lover, and has never shown signs of aggression until yesterday morning when I was leaving for work and I tried to put him in his crate. I tried to get him in there with the usual lure of treats, and he was just sitting on the couch, not budging. So, I tried everything that he loves to no avail. I decided to put him in there myself and I went to take him by his collar, and he started snapping at me. I was late for work and decided that he has to go in his crate, so I put on a heavy coat (anticipating his bites) and I tried again. Indeed he bit me. No blood, just a bruise (to my heart too) He was so wound up I could hardly believe he was the same dog. Every time I reached for him he snapped at me. I did make the mistake of yelling at him, which I now believe he perceived as me trying to hurt him. I know never to do that again. I finally got him in there by putting his gentle leader on and the leash and walking him in there.

We only put him in his cage while we are at work. He sleeps in our room and is always out when we are home. We dont use the cage as a form of punishment either. And interestingly enough, he will go in his cage to play with a toy, but when we want him to go in there we have to lure him with treats, and its always worked up until yesterday morning. He is not food aggressive, we have 2 cats that he is fine with (they eat and drink from his bowls and he has no problem with that). He lets us take his toys away from him, he lets us clean his ears and teeth (the nails hes not big on, but he doesnt snap at us). We take him to the pet stores and he behaves himself, and overall he is a wonderful dog. So, I just would appreciate a little insight as to what might be happening here. We have only had him less than 4 months and we want to nip any problem in the bud before it gets to the point where we can't. We love Joe dearly and would do anything for him.

Thank you very much

You wrote that he's gone thru obedience school. I assume it was with somebody else. Anyway, it can be that he doesn't accept you as leader yet and you have to do obedience training with him. He is also in age where he tries to challenge your leadership. Make it clear for him that you are the alpha. He is still young and you can form him the way you want. If he tries to bite you, you don't have to shout. Make sure he wears a prong collar and correct him immediatly with a 'Pfui' or 'No' and praise him if he shows the behavior you want.

Thank you for your advice. I do feel that he doesnt see me as a leader as he does not act this way around my husband. We have let him get away with pretty much whatever he wants, and I think he feels like he is the Alpha pack member. We are trying to put limits on what he does, and make him earn special privileges such as sitting on the couch with us. We started this last night and he seemed confused, as I would be if I were him. We let him do things and now we are not allowing it. I am just hopeful that we all can make a smooth transition into this, and I believe that we will all be happier in the end because he will know that we are the leaders and even though he is not, his life is still wonderful.

Thank you very much!

This is a fairly simple problem. YOu try to lure him with treats. i.e. bribe him. The bribe didn't work. He was much more comfortable on the couch. Pack leaders sleep in an elevated position overlooking 'their' territory. You then challenged his leadership by trying to make him move. He then did what he was supposed to do and prove to you he is the leader by biting. First step don't let him on the couch. Second step have a leash on him. When he cops an attitude you grab the leash not his collar. His collar happens to be right next to his mouth as you found out.

I would also suggest that you practice putting him in his crate frequently throughout the day, not just when you leave. Make it exciting and happy for him every time he goes in there. No need to keep him in there for very long, just the going in part is what you want to practice. Also, if you do not have one already, I recommend a Kong toy. You can stuff it with goodies, cramming the stuff in there so it's hard to get out, or just smearing a blob of peanut butter inside. Only give him this special treat when he's in his crate.

Hello Amy...WOOO! Back up to square one and start over with this dog immediately! The human has created the problem by not establishing rules and allowing the dog to do whatever he wants.

Put a six foot leash on the dog and teather it to your belt so the dog has to be at your side no matter where you are for at least two weeks whenever the dog is out of the crate (always take leash off while in crate). If it is inconvenient (like while in the shower); allow the dog to drag the leash. This will begin your"alpha status" and give you control over the dog.

There are no options to going into the crate. Tell the dog using the same words or phrase each time (I use "time to go to your room.)If the dog "bucks up", keeping calm, lower your tone using the same phrase and gently take the dog's collar by your hand and give the dog a firm "escort" into the crate. Close the door and walk away. Having treats and toys already within are fine. Howver; don't reward misbehavior by trying to "bribe" the dog into the crate.

Enroll yourself and dog into a quality obedience training class (not a supermarket type..they graduate everyone per store policy). Of course; you have to devote daily time to lessons at home too!

I'm sure other's on this board can also offer some good advice..just my 2cents...good luck!

Wow! All of this was GREAT advice! Ironically I had ordered the Dog Training for Dummies book a while back and it arrived last night. A lot of the advice I have received here is in that book, things that I was totally unaware of. Its funny you mentioned about him being on higher levels, as our bed is very high and when he got up there yesterday, he was at his worst. I know now how to control the situation, and will do so if the situation ever presents itself again. I let things get out of hand by yelling at him and I do not blame him for biting me. I am not upset about it, I look at it as a learning experience, and I have the battle wounds to prove it.

So, I gather that nobody thinks that he is just aggressive, just that he is a fear biter?

You dont know how truly grateful I am for the imput.

Thank you!!!!

Its plain to see this dog does not view you as being in charge. If this dog has been thru obed. it couldnt have been with you. Your dog is saying "Id like to coexist with you but never ask me to do anything" your dog obviously has no problem with correcting you. Get a prong collar and go thru obed. again. Remember obed. is not a series of tricks but a relationship you build and develop with your dog. Dont make excuses for your dog he never gets to BITE YOU. He needs a real clear pitcure who is in charge. You can still have a fun relationship with your dog but there needs to be no question who is in charge.You make the rules not him. Put a Prong collar on the dog and a leash and let him wear that in the house 'under supervision' and make sure this never happens again.Another good thing would be to drill a small hole in the center of a nickel and run a string thru it and tie a knot,then tie the other end to the gentle lead halter and go straight to the river and toss them in and the next person you run across tell them about how you just lost a nickel.

Originally posted by Amy Donnelly:
So, I gather that nobody thinks that he is just aggressive, just that he is a fear biter? Not exactly. Based upon your description, I would say that yes, he is aggressive, and that the root cause is dominance.

I think I agree with that. He is a very confident dog, and protective. Every noise he hears he is right there, checking it out. He seems fearless, but yet he is an absolute sweetheart. We are determined to make this work. : )