I just ran across the article linked below describing a social isolation technique to modify the behaviour of dogs aggressing due to confusion about their pack status and leadership issues.

I wondered if anyone had used this or similar methods with success.

Thanks for any comments.

Social Isolation Article

I've read a number of articles on the same topic. One actual real-life example dealt specifically with a GSD, who took to guarding items belonging to the male of the house (eg: slippers) & also started to guard him against members of the family.

The whole family were advised to ignore the dog for a number of days etc, etc & then follow NILIF.

By all accounts, it appeared to do the trick (I've tried to find the article & link it here - but I can't find it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> )

I would not have guessed that withdrawing attention would have such an impact. However, I am wondering if it all depends on the dog involved? (breeding, temperament, history, level of agression etc, etc).

This is the case history I was referring to:-

http://www.webtrail.com/petbehavior/nov96.html

(Not quite the story as I remembered it, but the treatment referred to uses the Isolation technique)

This is an interesting point of view and I agree.
Insert from article...One of the things I like about the study of canine behavior is that no one really knows much of anything! It's all theory and conjecture based on our observations of how dogs react to stimuli, how they interact with each other and the nature of their inter-species interactions.

But I think that the article talks a lot about giving the dog choices and how to handle an doiminate dog, after the fact. I feel if you train the dog properly from a puppy you won't have these issues.

Like it was mentioned its ok for dog to sleep in your room but not or your bed. And that the dog should be leashed to stop it from making it to your bed so you won't have to risk a confrontation.

Its a treat for my dogs to sleep in/near my bed room they usually sleep one at the foot of the bed the other between the threshold. Sometimes thershold and hall way, something they assigned.

If you take in a adolesant/adult dog from a shelter, maybe I can see that. But a dog raised from a pup should already know the rules of the house. And if he ever breaks these rules he is banned from entering the bed room for as long as you decided.

If a dog jumps on the bed he is ordered "off", if he does not comply, I'd grab him by the collar and throw him off. I'm well over 6' and 30 plus pounds over 200 and I'm Alpha. Usually the command "off' is enough. But less dominate or 2nd Alpha I'd suggest getting his leash and pulling him off taking him to his crate or outside. Its sorta like ignoring him, but the intent is punishment rather then ignoring.

This article seems to be correcting after the fact problems. Or situations that if you know how to train/read your dog, they should never happen.