Hi everyone - I hope someone can shed some light on this - here goes.

I have a 3 yr old shepherd, he's never shown any sign of aggression towards my family members in that time - up until now.
Hes started growling at my wife when she gets to close to him.
A bit of background - my wife was his number 1 since we bought him at 10 weeks old. However recently weve had our 1st child. And from the 9 month preceding this til now she's taken a back seat and Ive began to look after him ie I take him for his walks - he comes to work with me through the day. We trained with him in schutzhund for a couple of years but quit because of our available time after the baby was born.
And now its as if he doesnt want anything to do with her and if she tries to get to close he will growl.
Can anybody please explain whats happening here? Is it a pack heirachy issue? Is it fixable. I cannot have a dog in the house who grwls at my wife - especially when thers a 15 week old bay to think off.
After 3 years of brilliant behaviour hes now put a question mark over his head. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
ps sorry for the long post.

Tim

Tim,
I would first start with a trip to the vet to ruleout ant health problems. Barring any problems I would I would go back on the dogs training. I would read or re-read Ed's groundworkarticle and go back to crating the dog. He needs to learn in no uncertiant terms that you are both the boss. I would also suggest reading Ed's new article on corrections.

Hello Jason,

Yes, Im going to take him to the vets this weekend for a checkup.
We still have his crate so you think we should crate him more often - at the moment his crate isnt used really - he generally just sleeps in the hallway.

I'd go back to having your wife train with the dog in obedience for a few minutes a day. If he growls she should pop him with the prong for inappropriate behavior. I could be wrong, but that's the way I'd deal with it.

yes crate him.

what is happening basically is the pack order he is used to was wife you him. now it wife you baby him and he does not understand why a pup(in his eyes of coarse, is higher in rank than him so he rebelling a bit.

by doing the above he will understand the new order of the pack

Thanks for your responses - I'm definatly going to get my wife back training him a couple of times a week in obedience with a pinch. Im also going to start crating him again at night.
Ive also just read Eds article on corrections and im noticing things about his behaviour which could relate to him rebelling - things like pushing through doors before us - constantly pulling so hes in front when walking - getting on furniture and beds - climbing over him instead of moving him. Things I used to make sure of but over time neglected - I think I have to go back to bascis with him, well both me and my wife do.

Good luck Tim... You came to the right place for great advice. I had some huge behavioral issue developed with a dog I had had for 3 years when I introduced a second dog to the home. This board saved his life. We still have a ways to go… but then again… This dog never had a rock solid foundation so I am as much to blame as he is… But this board and the information contained in the thousands of posts is worth it’s weight in Gold. Ed’s articles are no-nonsense rock solid. And his DVD’s are the best. Seeing Ed in action is just amazing… Not to ruin your rep Ed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />… but he is a real sweetie and his love for dogs is blatantly obvious when you see him in action. Stick around and you will learn A LOT.

Best of luck!

PS, You can post pictures of you dog in the bio section.

Tim I think it is time to find the dog a new home.

I know I am quick to push the panic button but with 15 week old baby at home there is really no room for error. It is probably a pack/dominance issue (caveat I am not a dog trainer) but with a new baby at risk, and it is at risk, this not the time to sort out the dog's "issues".

Find the dog a good home with no children. I am sure the dog would be happier (especially through those ear piercing 2:00 a.m. cries) and you will rest easier knowing your baby is safe from a dog who might want to clarify the pack order.

Tim, I know this is a bad spot to be in but, I would be very careful having your wife correct the dog with a prong collar. She would need to give a strong correction. Needs to be done in a manner that the dog can't bite her. I would consider having a second leash on him. I think Ed has an article that explans how to do this.

Can't say that I would be comfortable with him around one of my babies. Like I would want him in another room.

Sounds like you have some difficult things to sort out.

Good luck,
Debbie

 Quote:

...I think I have to go back to bascis with him, well both me and my wife do.

I hope you will read these articles ASAP:

http://www.leerburg.com/dogs-babies.htm

http://www.leerburg.com/kidbites.htm

That first article above is very detailed about having a dog and a baby in the house. The crate, the leash, the behavior assessments, the Basic Obedience -- all there.

Also, QUOTE from Leerburg (Ed Frawley) follows (see number 2):
"I have produced 2 videos that have sections on dogs and kids or dogs and babies.

1) Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months (http://www.leerburg.com/120.htm) has a section called "Puppies and Children" that explains how a child should treat a puppy, and how to deal with the puppy's prey drive and children.

2) Basic Dog Obedience (http://www.leerburg.com/302.htm) covers babies and older dogs as well as how to have a child handle an older dog."

Another site I think has good points about dogs and babies:
http://www.familydogonline.com/Babies.htm

And this site has a good checklist about aggression and dominance:
http://www.thedogscene.co.uk/articles/training/the_need_for_leadership.htm

As others have pointed out, this is nothing to take lightly or relax your vigilance about.