Indoor aggresion

Question
QUESTION: We have a 17month old Chessie who has occasionally been a growler towards my wife when I was home but not towards me. Now he is growling at both of us and getting really nasty towards us. He is pretty nasty towards our lod dog sometimes over toys,food,ect. Last night he nipped my hand while I was trying to show him who was boss. This behaviour only happens inside the house. Outside he is pretty good.We are trying to train him to hunt. We do use a training collar on him but only outside when he is training. the Chessie is complete and the old dog is neutered.

ANSWER: Honestly, in situations where people are getting bit, I think internet advice is too little, too late. You need good in-person help. Some thoughts I will give you. I've known of other Chessies who were "growlers" so it may be a bit of a breed characterist. Rottweilers are another breed that will sometimes grump and talk when asked to do something. It's not always aggression. Sometimes it's just muttering under their breath. But if you push it, it can become aggression.
When you punish a dog for growling, two things happen - one is that you may be getting into a fight with a dog who is already pretty over-stimulated, and so more apt to bite. Getting bitten hurts, and when the dog gets you to stop doing something by biting you, he's learned a valuable - and dangerous - lesson. Another is that growling is how a dog communicates what he is feeling. Many of the dogs who "bite without warning" are dogs who have had the growl punished out of them.
This honestly sounds like a dog with some pretty serious issues, who is out-of-control in your household. No doubt the behavior has been building for a while. He's in the throes of adolescence, full of testosterone and approaching social maturity. He's testing his options, and it sounds like he's not getting any clear structure or answers right now.
I'd get him neutered, and then I'd find a good trainer or behaviorist who can evaluate him in person and give you a step by step program to give him consistent and understandable rules, and help him respect you. Avoid a trainer who tells you to punish his growls and show him "who's boss". There are smarter and subtler (and more effective) ways to take back control of your household. It's a situation for brains, not brawn. Sandy Case MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com

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QUESTION: I think the problem our Chessie is having sounded worse than it really is, the growling only happens occassionally, the times when we have "diciplined" are the same methods as used on "the dog whisperer" nothing brutal just enough to let him know we are the rulers in this house. Do you think one can have too much eye contact and they can feel challenged? He is wonderful on the leash and very obedient during his retrieving training, he isn't out of control, yet! If the behavoir doesn't improve then yes we will seek out a trainer, my wife has had a lot of experience with dogs and was a vet tech, she is a little upset that this usually very affectionate teenager has this other side.
I understand the logic of a dog biting and learning a bad lesson, we love our dogs and will do the best to make Ben a happy balanced Chessie. Thank you

ANSWER: Sigh. I've had to re-hab quite a few dogs whose owners were using Cesar Millan's philosophy/methods. It's really pretty dangerous stuff to be "tried at home" (which, I suppose is why the show has disclaimers flashing on the screen). If a dog has been having his way in little things that haven't been that noticeable, and feels like he's making the rules, and you do the direct eye contact, rolling, etc., of course he's going to feel challenged, and fight to maintain control. Just as he would if an upstart puppy challenged him. That's what gets people bitten. It mostly works for Millan (though he gets bitten way more than most professionals)because he has really good timing and a lot of presence - which, if the owners had those things, they wouldn't need him. I know it all sounds good, but there are much safer and more effective ways to gain back the leadership position. It takes a bit longer, but the dogs understand it, and in the end it enhances a trusting relationship. I understand that you are doing your best with Ben, and love him. But growling can be a sign that there is an issue that needs to be addressed. Biting you is DEFINITELY a sign that there is an issue that needs to be addressed. And the best time to address such an issue is before he is totally out of control. Sandy Case MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com

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QUESTION: Thank you for your advise, yes we need to address this issue, after your kind response I realise this maybe the start of something serious even though Ben is basicly a well behaved dog but how do we find a trainer who can help and advise with the "right" method? Do you have any kind of list of reputable trainers? We live in Evanston Wyoming
Hope I'm not pushing my luck with yet another question.It is important to us to do this right.
Thank you once again.


Answer
Not a problem. I agree that its a great idea to work on these behaviors before they get worse. I don't know what's in Wyoming, but here are some places to start:
http://apdt.com/po/ts/default.aspx
http://www.ccpdt.org/rstr/WY.html
http://www.nadoi.org/instructors.htm
http://www.iaabc.org/