Fredo my golden retriever

Question
Hello,please can you help me my husband and I got our dog Fredo from a local rescue home for dogs we have had him for approx 8 weeks ago he is an 18 month old golden retriever normally good natured but for the last week or so he has been snarling and growling in an aggressive manner he does it to all of us but more so towards our 10 year old son.We didn't get any real information as to why he was in the rescue home as I say since we got him he used to growl if we went near him whilst he was eating and we have managed to get him out of that but now this please can you give us any advice as to what we can do. Many thanks K Holden

Answer
The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/ For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

This is a severe problem at his age.  It may even take a private trainer or behaviorist to help you work it out.