When I say "he took a run at me" the following occurred...yesterday morning, I let him out in the yard to go the bathroom before I left for work. I had a twelve foot drag line on because he does not always come when called. So I when I stepped on the end of the twelve foot line, he decided that he was going to charge me and bite my hand (he was a foot eight feet away). He is aggressiveness is its highest around his cage and his food bowl. When he becomes aggressive his tail is in an up wagging position. Another curious thing, sometimes when he has something he should not have "towel, piece of clothing, etc” he will go hide under the bed and snarl and be aggressive at that point also. I now have him on a six foot leash in the house at all times. Is it possible for a dog to be both dominant and fear aggressive?

If he were my puppy I'd rehome him. I don't have the experience needed to deal with a dog like that. And just suppose you two do come to terms, What if you have a guest or child over? My nerve bag is great around me, the wife and kids and thru ALOT of desensitivity drills I got him ALMOST safe around other ppl. You might want to check with some trainers in your area.

He is actually fine with other people very loving and approaches them without hesitation. He has never ever shown aggression towards anyone other than me and on the rare occasion my wife. I am really starting to believe he just needs to be re-ranked within the pack. To me, he is showing dominance and aggression over other members of his pack because he believes he is the alpha, any thoughts?

Hand feed for awhile, with a fork at first. get control of the toys. I lifted my Erika off the toy by her flat collar while saying "Aus" after she drops it I pick it up play with it for a second and give it back to her or give her another toy. Now she'll drop anything with the command. Or you can try distrating him with some more interesting toy or food and take the other. Do this often enough he might figure out that all good things come from you.

Here is an interesting link that describes different types of dog aggression; maybe it will help you to determine what type of action needs to take place.
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/aggres1.html
My 18 month old male gsd (95lbs) is dominant/alpha, and has occassionally challenged me in the past; but since I had first pick of the litter, and tested him, I knew what I was getting when I brought him home. He started challenging me at about 9 months (only happened twice)and both times he basically got physically platzed (downed) by the scruff of his neck and a firm "nine"; then at about 13 months he tried it again, and because of his size, he got physically body slammed into a down stay and stayed there until I let him up. But I am also the trainer and feeder of our family - my husband doesn't have the authority over our dogs; he's never the one to discipline them either.
Good luck.

Ed's comments edited into this post:

I had a look at this weh site. At best it is very rudimentary. It is does not have a lisy of the types of aggression . I am working on an article for my web site right now that will have over tenty different sections on aggression - becaurefulk aboiut what you read on the internet.

Ed, can a dog be both dominant and fearful aggressive?

Hi Ed, I look forward to your up and coming aggression articles; you already have some really great info under your corrections link; I was hoping that previous link I found (tho very basic) would help determine what type of behavior patterns this dog fell under - is it primarily a pack issue; or is his agression coming from ?? and like you have said, what action you decide to take with your dog is hopefully the right action - because if it's the wrong action it may make it worse or create even more problems.

 Quote:

If he were my puppy I'd rehome him.

He is a PUPPY???? I guess I didn't catch his age in previous posts. If he's a puppy, then I'd consider something a lot more extreme than rehoming - rehoming will only give someone else your problem, and "someone else" might be less able to deal with it - causing "someone else" to be bitten more seriously, or someone else's kid mauled. Personally - and sorry - I think the dog sounds like he's got a few bolts loose and I'd seriously consider 'rehoming' him to the rainbow bridge, and starting again with a sane dog.

molly

Hi Molly, I ment rehoming with someone who knows how to deal with these issues.

Here's the link to Ed's dvd - dealing with dominant agressive dogs: http://leerburg.com/301.htm
I haven't ordered it yet but I'm going to, my 2 1/2 yr old female gsd growls when you try to make her move her from lying on the bed, - we've only had her 7 months, and she recently took a bite at me for getting her off the couch. I don't let her get away with it and it's happening a little less, but I'm going to get this DVD.