Question
ZACK OUT AND ABOUT
IVE HAD ZACK SINCE HE WAS 6 WEEKS OLD, HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FEARFUL OF ANYONE THAT APPROACHES, I TOOK HIM TO CLASSES AT 8 WEEKS BUT THEY BROKE FOR THE SUMMER HOLS AND SO HE HAD 6 WEEKS OFF, FOUND ANOTHER CLASS WHICH DOESNT BREAK FOR HOLS, BEEN GOING NOW FOR 15MONTHS, ZACK NOW 1YR 9M. HE IS STILL WAREY OF ANYONE, HE SHOWED SIGNS OF AGGRESSION TOWARDS MY 8 YEAR OLD SON BY GROWLING. HE IS HAPPY TO PLAY FOOTBALL WITH HIM IN THE GARDEN AND WITH HIS TOYS BUT SOMETIMES INDOORS MY SON COULD JUST GO UP TO STROKE HIM AND ZACKS EARS WILL GO BACK AND HE GROWLS AT HIM. I DONT GET IT. HE ALSO SHOWS THIS WHEN HE IS BEING FED, ANYONE ELSE CAN WALK PAST HIM INCLUDING MY 10YR OLD BUT JUST NOT MY SON. RECENTLY I GAVE HIM A BONE AND MY HUSBAND JUST GOT UP TO WALK PAST HIM AND HE GROWLED AT HIM FULL ON WITH LIFTED LIPS AND EVERYTHING, IT QUITE FRIGHTENED ME. WE EVENTUALLY GOT HIM OUT THE BACK AND LEFT HIM THERE FOR A WHILE. WE WERE SO SHOCKED. HE HAS HAD A BEHAVIOURIST COME IN TO SEE HIM AND HE TOLD US TO PRACTICE PASSIVE DOMANANCE. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS WILL BE GRATEFULLY RECIEVED, THANKS
AnswerIs the behaviorist still working with you? Has s/he given you a training plan to follow? This sort of thing is really too dangerous to handle based on advice from someone over the internet who cannot see what is going on. I'd be doing daily training, nothing in life is free, and I would NOT punish the growls. Growling and lifting lips at family members is a clear sign that something needs to change. But they are communication. Punish them away and your dog still feels uncomfortable in the situation, but has no way to express that discomfort until he feels that he has to bite. If you do not feel that the behaviorist has given you enough information, either press for more or find someone else who can help you in person. Aggression around the children is nothing to fool around with. It sounds like he is also starting to resource guard. A good book to read, in addition to getting more in-person help is "Mine" by Jean Donaldson.
Sandy Case BFA MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com
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