'My puppy is 6 months old and we got him when he was 4 weeks from a lady with 19 puppies in a trailer. Rufus is a collie/ Shepard mix and I already had an older lab who is well behaved. Rufus is aggressive with me especially but also with my boyfriend and my other dog. He has bit me on numerous occasions and made me bleed. We have tried to make him submit when he acts like this but he is so aggressive it makes it difficult to put your hand near him to show him who is boss. The most frightening part is that he snaps more often for no apparent reason like dr. jeckel and mr.hide, he will be begging for attention one minute and growl/ bite you the next. I don't even want to pet him anymore I really need help!'

What kind of obedience does this guy have- commands he knows etc. Also, what training methods do you use? Is this a new problem or if not when did it start? Just gathering important info for more experienced posters

How are you trying to show him who is boss? How do you try and get him to submit?

Hi Marissa,
Can you outline a typical day for your pup? ie what is his daily routine regarding feeding, potty breaks, exercise and sleeping.

Is he crate trained?

He knows how to sit and stay. He will wait for us to tell him it is okay to eat. So he knows basic commands. This is not a new problem but I thought neutering him would help the issue and it hasn't. It has been going on for a few months.

We were told to not act fearful when he growls and starts to bit and to put your fist or arm in his face then put him on his side and make him submit until he calms down. I was told making him submit is the best way to show your dominance.

He sleeps downstairs and we just bought him a new crate because the other was too small and now he refuses to sleep in his crate he growls when he is in in and when we go near it. We wake up and feed him and my other dog. We will typically take them both outside to the park to play fetch. He has a doggie door at my house which they both use to go to the bathroom if we are not across the street at the park.

Put him on a leash--all the time, inside and out--whenever he's not in his crate. It's the easiest way to control a puppy doing anything you don't want him to do, IMO.

Is this "play" agressive--like jumping and wanting to engage with you, but using his mouth in an inappropriate way? (my guess) Or is this real agression--meaning he's actually attacking you out of fear or anger?

If he's playing with you in an inappropriate way, he just needs to learn how to play with you where you set the game rules---have you tried a tug toy? A 6-month-old seems pretty young to be doing anything other than trying to engage with you in the only way he knows how. Wrestling him into submission or whatever you're doing may be his idea of fun. He bites, you wrestle. Fun game!

Make up new games to wear him out. Chase, fetch, tug, loooong walks. Something.

He is attacking with real aggression. He growls like he is possessed then will bite and make you bleed.

If you are convinced that this is not just puppy brattiness.....

I would go back to the begining with him & take all priviliges away & crate him as if you just got him & start the ground work all over again. He needs to EARN any freedom or privliges. PERIOD. The bigger & older he gets the bigger the problems will be. Forget all that alpha roll crap(putting him on his side etc)& just put a leash on him take him out to potty to walk & then back in the crate.

I would put a bowl with treats near the crate & toss a few in there every time you tell her to go in there. If he is behaving nicely & quietly, when you go to walk by the crate, toss him a couple of treats & tell him her is a good boy. Feed him in his crate.

Reads Ed's groung work article. Do not allow him off leash outside. Always have him under your control...he gets to make NO decinsions about ANYTHING...you make them ALL. He needs to learn respect. No respect no freedoms.

Don't be in a rush to give him as freedoms or privilges. Make him earn them for a while. After things imporve...I would always make this guy live by NILIF. (nothing in life is free) he earns everything! Wants a pet or you want to pet him...make his sit first, sits & waits to get out of crate, to get his food...etc.etc.etc.

Never have any fear of backing things up if you need to along the way. The male that I have became a PITA when he hit 2ish & I went back to the basics of 'boot camp' until I felt that he was back on track. Never be afraid to go back & reinforce training. It is an ongoing thing & is NEVER ever finished. There is ALWAYS maintenance training to do.