3 Year Old Male Poodle (not neutered)

Question
We just adopted a 3 year old male poodle that was a show dog and we understand he was kenneled for the better part of his life.  He has growled at my grown daughter and then yesterday he growled and bit at my brother-in-law. He did not break the skin but caught his pants. He bit my bother-in-law after he had let him pet him. My brother-in-law was just standing up from the dining room table.  The poodle was near by and just bit him. Sometimes he has no problem with people and other times he growls and is aggressive.  We would like to keep the dog but I can't have a dog that I cannot trust around people.  The poodle has only been with us for 4 days. How do you suggest we handle this issue?


Answer
He should be neutered at once.  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


I do not know if that will be enough.  You need a good private trainer or behaviorist.