I think I have a big problem-Agression

[StarFox]

Just a little while ago I was petting zebra on the back of the neck while my mom was opening a can of tuna. For some reason he started to growel at me and I gave a stern "NO" and said "Don't you do that!" and he growled again and ran under the table. So I walked right up to him and said "NO! Wrong!" and he snarled at me, lips curled, ears back. I realy thought he was going to bite me.

Zebra has always has a certain amout of agression/Alpha problems that we had to deal with. But for some reason they are comming to head again. I'll try to take someting away from him (a kleenex, napkin) and he will growl. If things keep going on like this I KNOW he will end up bitting me.

The agression seems to be Alpha based like a "don't tell me what to do!" or "don't take that away from ME!" but then when I start to correct him it turns into a fear agression, ears back, licking lips, cowering. I wouldn't hit him ever so I don't know where this fear part is comming from. I do yell allot not at him but just in general could that be part of the problem?

I know to do the NILF policy for the Alpha behaviour and try to keep doing it but no one else in the house does it, no matter how many times I try to talk to them about it. I always hear from my parents and brother "It's your dog you train him". :x He has shown agression to everyone in the house but mostly me because I act like "alpha" 99% of the time. I know he is testing me to see what he can get away with but this is just getting to the point of being dangerous. Someone is going to get bit and I'm 100% sure it's going to be me. :-?

[kendalyn]

Maybe instead of giving him a stern verbal correction when he does this, you could put him in a down stay instead. It sounds like you are trying to combat aggression with aggression and I doubt that will work. He growls at you, you growl back, and his only choice is to either back down or up the ante. Apparently he's not going to back down.

Next time he growls at you, try giving him a command (I would choose down but you could try another one). But don't use that tone of voice like you are reprimanding him. Don't sound really upbeat either. Just give him the command very matter of factly. Have him stay there for a little while and then praise him like crazy when you let him up.

StarFox napisał(a):

I do yell allot not at him but just in general could that be part of the problem?

It might be putting him on edge. I would try and decrease yelling in general just in case it's bothering him.

You also might want to make sure he's not in any pain for some reason.

[imported_Cassie]

This is a behavior demonstrated by many submissive/bottom of the totem pole dogs as well as dominant dogs....its not really a status issue...its a "trust issue".

As kendalyn already mentioned confrontation does not work. Most people have the same response towards their dogs when they want the dog to drop some thing. The owner uses a negetive tone and some people even try to chase the dog down to get the object back etc. The only lesson the dog is learning is not to trust a person, they become defensive and will act out. The lesson we hoped the dog would learn is lost on the dog and the dog becomes more defensive and guarding.

What you need to do first is teach Zebra to drop items on command. Make the training fun. I taught my Rottie the command "off" which works great for me. I taught her by holding a treat in the palm of my hand, holding my hand out palm up with treat exposed. Every time Athena went to grab the treat I closed my palm and said "off". When she gave up and looked away I then held out my hand and told her "take it". It takes a few lessons. For the first few months to remove an object that Athena was guarding I would tell her "off", remove the object then give her a treat for being such a wonderful good girl. The teaches the dog to trust its owner, remove one object the dog gets some thing better...then I gave her bone of what ever back to her. After awhile you can stop giving a treat to make your dog drop some thing...I use the command alot when playing to reinforce the command...a game of fetch is always bring the toy back to me, "off" and I will throw it for you again. The dog learns that you are not trying to steal items and that you are great at sharing. Think about it this way, our dogs evolved to be scavengers...they had to learn to steal food and garbage to survive.

As soon as you see Zebra with an object you want to take away, approach in a non confrontational way. So basically approach with your body in a low position, almost stooped or crouched down. Make sure your side is to Zebras front...try not to face Zebra face on (confrontational approach). This will help Zebra understand that you are not a threat. Speak in a calm manner, take the item in your hand and say "off" or "drop it". Try to ease it out of your dogs mouth. Take a good look at the item and then...give it back. This can be done many times...of course make sure the object is safe for Zebra, but, it should also be some thing Zebra would normally guard. Giving the item back will help Zebra understand that you are not there to confront him. Dogs usually will feel less stressed over a situation and will soon learn that you are a caring/sharing care giver.
Try to build Zebra's trust in you, some times by offering a treat in place of the item you want is a great way to start. If you keep taking items away it teaches a dog to be more protective of objects. By learning trust your dog learns respect. Zebra has to learn to let you remove thngs, sometimes he will get them back, some times he won't.
When you want to be a good leader you do not have to show force of any sort. Positive approaches/methods work better as you gain the dogs trust. My Rottie demonstrated alot of the aggression issues Zebra is demonstrating except she was much worse (she did attack me when I first rescued her tearing apart the arm of my leather jacket). I used only positive training, I earned her trust...I didn't force her to do any thing...I asked. Athena now the sweetest most trusting dog you could ask for...any one can take any thing from her including a raw meaty bone. She has even on occassion shared a bone with one of my other dogs. Building a dogs trust and confidence is the first step to having a wonderful dog. :wink:

Good luck, and have you made an appointment with an animal behaviorist...it might be a good idea if you havent already. :wink: