That makes sense to me.

Thanks.

One of the things that helped me the most was to STOP all free attention, all touch. Alone on my farm 14-15 hrs every day raising a pup I gave constant attention and interaction. My pup had been attempting to "call the shots" from a young age -- I was ineffective in recognizing and correcting the problem earlier, despite hints and constant whining about the dog on the Forum.
Growling made it clear I had to change or loose my dog.
I'd bet your dog tried a growl out once or twice at the kennel, a little growl, and whomever the kennel help was backed right up, and he learned something. Now he's trying it out at home.
He may have some fear too, or had fear at the kennel.
I'd recommend that you PM Connie for a diagnosis and prescription. I did what she said, to the letter, and it was magic.

Steve just for clarification, I have no problem getting him into his crate, he goes willingly. If I have to leave I tell him to 'go to his house' and he strolls right in. The problem is once he's in and he lies down. If you approach his crate and try to pet him through it he growls at you and he can get very adamant with that growl...it's when he first goes in...which is why we are now leaving him alone once we put him in. If he's been in the crate and you approach and you are opening the door to let him out, he's as happy as can be...he comes out tail wagging and playful, he'll lick you.

I've been very persistent with my husband that we not correct the growl when we put him in his crate and we were the ones trying to pet him and brought about the growl because I don't want him to have negative feelings about that crate. He goes into it on his own when he wants to be alone and if I'm home I do let him do that and come out when he wants to. I only close the crate when I'm going to be gone and don't want him to have free reigns of the house.

Aaron an easywalker is a harness that goes on around the neck but fits low so its over the back and also goes around the torso. The front strap fits over the muscular part of his front legs so he has less ability to pull when he walks because his strength is confined. The leash actually fastens to the clip on the strap acrossed his front legs instead of on top so I have alot more control. He's actually a good walker, other dogs, children, bikes, nothing really bothers him. He doesn't pull, but I use the easy walker as a precaution as he does have two temptations when walking, birds birds birds and squirrels (he's a hunting breed).

 Quote: Barbara Yusko

Aaron an easywalker is a harness that goes on around the neck but fits low so its over the back and also goes around the torso. The front strap fits over the muscular part of his front legs so he has less ability to pull when he walks because his strength is confined. The leash actually fastens to the clip on the strap acrossed his front legs instead of on top so I have alot more control. He's actually a good walker, other dogs, children, bikes, nothing really bothers him. He doesn't pull, but I use the easy walker as a precaution as he does have two temptations when walking, birds birds birds and squirrels (he's a hunting breed).

Interesting... we just had a post recently with a link showing how much damage these walkers can do to the dog. I'll find that link and attach it.


ETA: Link
http://dogsintraining.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/why-are-choke-or-chafe-my-only-options/

 Quote: Barbara Yusko

The problem is once he's in and he lies down. If you approach his crate and try to pet him through it he growls at you and he can get very adamant with that growl...

I have a rule in my house, when the dog is in the crate with the door shut she is invisible. No one is to talk to her, pet or even look at her. Its better for training this way, it ensures that you will have a calm dog in the crate.

Its good that you have stopped petting him in the crate. I would continue with that.

At around eleven months my dog started showing her teeth to me. It first happened when she was laying in front of the door one day and I told her to move it.

It was around that time that I joined this forum, and it was suggested to me that I take her through the pack structure program. I followed the advice and it got a lot better.

Its not to say that it fixed everything immediately, as she has matured I have had to back up her training to the first step of pack structure a few times. But every time it has gotten better. She is more respectful of me everytime she has gone through it.

I realize now that she is two, she will probably have to live her whole life with NILF every day. Its really not a big deal once you learn to work it in to your lifestyle.

Not to say that your dog is just like mine. Yours might only go through the program once and get the message. The dog I have is very pushy at times, and she needs a lot of reminders that she doesn't run the show.

Working the pack structure program never hurts, its all about showing leadership without confrontation. Every dog needs leadership to live a happy life. Its how they are wired.

Check out the article, the forum archives and consider the DVD. If you have any questions, ask away.

I'm basically saying the same thing as what Betty said she did, maybe worded a little different. To me, it sounds like the growling in the crate escalated to growling then barking at other times because there was some confusion for him. What comes after barking?

Just a little bit of making everything an obedience so that he understands his place, but not by trying to force things. Its fine not petting him in his crate, but make it clear you control his access to it. Its his place to relax, but not tell you to go away. If he growls when you first put him in, get him right back out and make him lay down outside the crate. You direct everything he does. Does that make sense?

If I had picked up my previously well mannered dog in that kind of condition I'd be hopping mad.
I'd be someones face about it, I'd be contacting other dog owners to see if they have had similar problems, I'd start documenting every bill and minute I have to spend 'trying to correct' what has been obvious abuse of one sort or another.
Then I'd have their asses in court if they didn't take care of the offending parties and bills before the summons arrived on the door step.

I'd make their life miserable if they didn't come clean and if possible destroy their business.

Good luck in finding your normal lovable dog Barbara.

 Quote: steve strom

I'm basically saying the same thing as what Betty said she did, maybe worded a little different. To me, it sounds like the growling in the crate escalated to growling then barking at other times because there was some confusion for him. What comes after barking?

Just a little bit of making everything an obedience so that he understands his place, but not by trying to force things. Its fine not petting him in his crate, but make it clear you control his access to it. Its his place to relax, but not tell you to go away. If he growls when you first put him in, get him right back out and make him lay down outside the crate. You direct everything he does. Does that make sense?

I agree...

I'm going to play devil's advocate here...
What the OP has described is almost all resource guarding and pack structure confusion. Crate growling, bone growling, and growling when being petted, even when he initiates. Possible T-ing over the owner's shoulder when she got on the floor with him, etc.

I am wondering if the onset of growling was coincidental with the kennel stay. And even if it's not, the management of it is still the same; ideally the resolution of the growling will occur with better management and the dog learning it's place in the family 'pack.' The growling has likely been unwittingly reinforced over the past 3 months by the OP. (unintentionally, of course)

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

What the OP has described is almost all resource guarding and pack structure confusion. Crate growling, bone growling, and growling when being petted, even when he initiates. Possible T-ing over the owner's shoulder when she got on the floor with him, etc.

I am wondering if the onset of growling was coincidental with the kennel stay. And even if it's not, the management of it is still the same; ideally the resolution of the growling will occur with better management and the dog learning it's place in the family 'pack.' The growling has likely been unwittingly reinforced over the past 3 months by the OP. (unintentionally, of course)

That's what I'm thinking, Lynne.

After my last reply on this thread I went and searched that old thread I started back when my dog was this age. Its funny, but you were one of the first people on that thread to pop in with help!

(Thanks for that, btw :grin

Anyway, there was a lot of stuff in that thread that I had forgotten about. Rescource guarding, growling after attention seeking..

A fair amount in common with this thread.

I'm not anywhere near as experienced as Steve, but IMHO, it think a tight pack structure program like Aaron described can't be beat for an inexperienced owner facing these types of problems. It gives you more time to figure out specific situations as you go through it, and some problems clear up on their own within days of starting.

I have a lot of love for the groundwork program. Without it I would never have been able to live with my dog.