Hi! New to the site..I have a 95lb, 5yr old rottweiler-beagle mix (don't ask)..have had him since he was 4 wks old (rescued from humane shelter). Has been to obed. school, knows basic hand commands..and otherwise basic, even-tempered house dog. Also have a 55lb, 5yr old border collie/lab mix- Bailey- (also rescue)that has grown up with Guido (the rott mix). Guido is obviously the dominant dog. Because of extensive house training issues with Bailey and the arrival of our infant son when they were about 2 yrs old..their main living area was typically the heated garage w/toys and we also have huge kennel area. They would be let in the house after we got home from work and through the evening (don't know if this all matters but it gives a history). The last year and a half they've been in the house full time..no garage, no kennel, nada. They have loved it, of course.
For the past few months, Guido has been increasingly irritable. No health problems that we've found, nothing! Used to be that he would just OCCASIONALLY growl at Bailey if Bailey tried to nudge in on attention. Bailey is so timid that he rarely defends himself against Guido (but when he does, it's WAR!). Now Guido is growling at us and our son too for every little infraction..but you never know when or why. Sometimes it's for obvious reasons, like he wants to lay on the couch. You say NO firmly and tell him to get down. He just sits. You do this a few more times and finally go to pull him off and he bares teeth and growls, hair standing up on his neck (this is the general reaction i'm referring to throughout this post). Sometimes it's not..for example, our 4 yr old son does NOT play rough with him, in fact, he'll just approach him slowly from the front and will gently pet him on the head and he'll snap at him. Sometimes it's for any little infraction of his space no matter how gentle..like me going to sit two feet away from him on the couch. Other rare times, obviously it's because our son surprises him (and no, our son is never left near him unsupervised), which i can't blame Guido for, but he STILL KNOWS BETTER than to snap. I'm sick of trying to use treats as distractions instead of him simply obeying like he always has for the most part...because in my opinion..he DOES know the rules and we run the house..not him. Why should i use treats to "avoid an aggressive altercation" with my own dog? He's barely caught our son's hand twice with his teeth, nothing big, a red mark..but still scary because he's a massive dog and both times were unprovoked! I'd hate to think he'd turn into one of "those dogs" who turn on you..but i'm just wondering if anyone can help with any advice on how to handle this newly developing problem? I know we probably make a mistake with the garage thing a long time ago..even though it was set up with carpet and toys, heated etc. It's almost like his behavior is now a little unpredictable and almost like he thinks he runs the house, sometimes i swear he is testing us? We love him dearly, and he has never shown any aggressiveness like this at all, even since he was a puppy..except in ONE scenario. That was rawhide bones, etc. Even as a puppy he'd get aggressive if you ever tried to take one away (which we we would). Help! Thanks so much!

Oh..just a note..90% of the time Guido is just a big baby of a dog who THINKS he small enough to be a lap dog..it's the 10% i'm concerned about..especially since it's never just one specific action that sets him off? Makes it hard to pin it down. I'm just worried that since the behavior is continuing that he could hurt someone!

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Originally posted by Amanda Lepera:They would be let in the house after we got home from work and through the evening (don't know if this all matters but it gives a history). The last year and a half they've been in the house full time..no garage, no kennel, nada. They have loved it, of course.
For the past few months, Guido has been increasingly irritable.

JF: Welcome to the board. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It sounds to me that your dog considers himself to be the boss now. Giving him the run of the house may have given him that notion. He must be returned to his kennel. Better safe than sorry. Nipping your son twice is enough. Otherwise it may be only a matter of time before he bites, and then you would be putting him down. I'm sure you do not want your family at risk either.

If Guido means so much to you that you are going to keep him, even though he shows dangerous aggression, keep him away from your son. You may be able to regain Alpha position, but your 4 year old son will never be more than a younger pack member.

It does sound like he has a good kennel and shelter, so thats where he should be. Even better would be finding him a home without children.

ThE DOGS AGGRESION IS UNFORGIVABLE!Espesially toword your children. Supervised or not I cannot believe this dog had a second chance at your son!This dog should be given to a home with no children or put down immediatley!I understand that you have owened this dog for a while and that you are attatched but it only takes one bad face bite to mame or kill your son. No amount of training is going to fix this problem the dog will aways see the child as an underling Because your son is not old enough to establish him self as a pack leader. In short you have a ticking time bomb in your home, will you let it go off or will you save your family?

Very unexceptable <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> -this dog must NEVER be allowed around your son, if it were my dog and child, the dog would be put down! This dog will kill your son, it is just a matter of time. This dog has been allowed to be dominate for WAY to long, he is Alpha and no one is going to tell him different-and if you try to train him diffently he will try to regain statue and it will be an endless battle. Get him outside-all it takes is a second-your back briefly turned and boom he will have your son, I am suprised your son has made it this long, and it is nothing against you, completely the dog. If you don't have the time, or access to a VERY GOOD TRAINER put him down. He is untrustworthy, aggressive, unpredictable and a danger to your friends, family and society.

Amanda - I like John's suggestion he has a nice kennel and garage, its the only safe option until your son gets bigger and taller to be seen as a Alpha pack member.

Other wise like the Dee Dee and the other stated its just a matter of time, that the 4yr old will do something that will set the dog off, like pick up one his toys or the dog toys and the Guido will attack and if its was me I'd inhumanely would put him down, outside 12 gauge shotgun.

Protect your child this will not go away. Do something immeadiately!!!!