Expert: Have4Paws - 11/6/2011

Question
My dog is about 11months and when we go to put him in his kennel he growls and attempts to attack us. He also growls at any one who he thinks is either going to hurt him or hurt someone else. I have tried working with him and still is but no results. What should I do. He is not fixed yet so I am wondering if that has anything to do with it. Please help I need help. I don't want to get rid of him. I have kids to think about to. So please reply asap. thanks.

Answer
Hi Melissa, this was the quickest I could get back to you. Sounds like your pup is in charge and feels he is the Alpha. It also sounds like there is some fear bsed aggression mixed in. You may not have intended for this to happen but somehow inadvertently did teach him this. A suboordinate pup would never display this behavior with the Alpha. As well, he definately needs to be fixed, this should have ideally occurred when he was 10 - 16 weeks. It is never too late though but I don't think this is the reason for his behavior, just that the hormones do contribute to aggression if aggression is allowed to build.

You need to get a trainer to come to your house asap because as you say the kids may be next. There is really no such thing as a bad dog, all dogs can be rehabilitated. I think you need some one on one guidance in how to do this so no one gets bit and he deoesnt end up in a shelter. He is not capable of rehabilitating himself. He is only reacting to what he has learned (or not learned) You can often find someone who will come and only need to a couple times if you practice and follow what they teach you faithfully. Please for his sake, get a trainer asap. This is not something I can teach you in emails.