DANGER, WILL ROBINSON --
IF your daughter did not come down on this dog like a ton of bricks when
he shows this activity, she's asking for trouble. With no way to know
how he was socialized before she got him, AND his still figuring out
where he fits in this new pack, he absolutely, positively CANNOT (and I
mean to shout and emphasize CANNOT) be allowed to get away with growling
and showing agression. ESPECIALLY growling at any of the family or even
general public. Because of the horrid weather we had when Cooper was
born, he didn't come to me until he was 6 months old. Sherry had
socialized him beautifully -- but he knew his position in HER pack and
when he moved into MY pack he was feeling around. The first time he
growled at me for trying to take something from him, I literally picked
him up and laid him down and held him down for a few secons. This is NOT
something I do lightly but it IS what the leader will do in a pack. We
were fine for a couple of weeks and he tried once more. This time, I
picked him up, laid him down, put a hand on this body and his neck, told
him we did NOT do that here in a growly voice and stared at him. He
stayed there until he showed complete surrender but looking away from me
and relaxing. Meghan was pretty easy going with him, but he pushed her
once to often and Meg -- who was 5 years older and shorter -- jumped him
and shoved him down. Guess who realized he ranked 3rd in a pack of 3?
When out "in public" and aggression is shown, a quick correction (a pull
back on the lead) and a shhht sound (like breathing out through your
teeth ending with a sharp T) and even a grabbing of the muzzle with a
little shake -- you're not trying to break his neck, just get his
attention and break his attention from the other animal. I put my thumb
in the Stop (that spot where their eyes and snout come together) and
hook my fingers in their jaw bone. Done with that Shhht sound gets their
attention, points out they did wrong (again, this grabbing of the muzzle
is something their mother/pack leader would have done to teach him
manners) -- and they learn the shhht means they did wrong. You keep
telling them they are wrong until they stop growling, raising their
hackles or going after the other animal.
Do not let her wait. She HAS to stop this immediately. The longer she
waits, the bigger fight she'll have, making him yield to the humans as
higher pack rank than he is.
LisaW
Nana Charlton wrote:
> He was, when my daughter walked him the first time, aggressive other
> dogs. Once he growled at my 14 year old granddaughter.
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