strange aggression behaviour

Question
We have a two year old German sheared mix. He is a rescue dog and was badly treated by children and has been neutered.
We have had for seven months now and he has fitted in to the family well. We have done all the usual routines such as last through the door, not allowed onto furniture, fed after we have eaten, not allowed near table while eating,plus all the usual pecking order things. He obeys with no question and will sit, stay, lay down, wait for food until Command given with no problem.
Now the question: Recently he has gone to my daughter (14yrs) for a stroke or affection as he has done many times in the past, but now for now apparent reason he will suddenly snarl at her. We have watched her and she is doing nothing that would harm or upset him. I will tell the dog no! and my daughter will give the command down. He obeys with no problem and stays until we release him.
Have you any idea why he has become like this?

Answer

Hi Nick,

Two things come to mind. First, check your dog in the area where your daughter has tried to stroke. Make sure there isn't a skin sore, something stuck in his fur (such as a burr), or another problem that might be causing some some discomfort.

Second, even though at 14 years old, your daughter isn't such a "child", many dogs don't see children as their superiors or above her in "pack rank," and try to establish dominance over them.  

If your dog has furniture priveleges right now, I would stop allowing him on the furniture immediately, and until he is no longer viewing your daughter as being below him. If he gets up on the furniture, simply push him back off. You may have to do this several times before he stops trying to jump back up. Don't say anything to him - just push him off.

I would also recommend allowing your daughter to work with your dog in his known obedience commands, and feeding him so that he realizes that she is on the same level as you as far as pack ranking is concerned. He should be on a leash, and YOU should be holding the end of the leash. Have your daughter give her a command, such as "sit", and if he does not sit, then YOU should then tell him "No. Sit," correct him with the leash, and make him sit if he does not do it after you correct him. Then you should praise him and let your daughter give him a treat on her open palm (so he can lick it off and not accidentally get her fingers with his teeth). All your daughter has to do is tell him to sit and give him a treat for sitting. You do all the rest.
The same goes for feeding time. She should tell your dog to sit, you should reinforce it if he does not obey, she should set his bowl down, you should correct him if he gets up, tries to eat, or shows any kind of aggressive behaviors (growling, lip curling, hair raising, etc.), and then your daughter should release him by saying "You're through" or "Free" or "Okay" and walk away, and he should then be allowed to get up and eat.

Let your dog's wear his leash when he's in the house and your your daughter is around. It should be attached to his regular collar - not a chain collar, harness, or head halter. You will want to take the loop out of the end of the leash so it doesn't get caught on anything. The moment he shows any kind of aggression towards your daughter, you should immediately tell him with a "NO" in a low, growly tone of voice, and give the leash a sharp tug once. Your daughter should then immediately command him to lie down, and you should enforce it by telling him "No" and correcting him with the leash if he does not obey. When he lies down, tell him "Good boy" in a regular tone of voice and then ignore him. He should remain in that spot for at least 2-3 minutes total. He should not get up until your daughter goes and gets a small treat, comes back, tells her "good boy," hands it to him on her open palm, and then gives him the release command that you have decided she will use. When she gives your dog the treat and releases him, she should always walk away immediately so your dog does not think she is going to try and take her treat or food away. If he tries to get up before he gives her the release command, YOU should correct him by saying "No. Down," popping the leash downward, and placing him back in the correct position. An easier way to enforce the down is by simply standing on the leash so that it is slack when he's lying there, but if he tries to get up, it becomes taut and prevents him from standing up. The reason for commanding him to lie down is that lying down is a submissive posture for a dog. By having your daughter make him lie down, she is enforcing that he is below him in ranking.

I hope that helps!
Best of luck,

Patti