Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 4/30/2008

Question
Hi I have a 3 year old shepard/husky mutt named Odin who is extremely well behaved and well tempered. He does however display aggressive growls and sometimes attacks visiting dogs regardless of age or sex, not all of them though. I do not really know how to handle this as my girlfriend and I have removed all toys, food, etc. which could make Odin jealous when the other dogs are over. When he does attack and I yell NO! and pull him away by his collar he immediately knows he has done something wrong. There is also no confusion about who is master between either my girlfriend or myself over Odin. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated as he really is a gentle dog.

Answer
Removing your dogs trophies is A HUGE PROBLEM.  This is HIS territory!  You are giving him signals that other dogs in HIS territory have more rights than he has!  Not good.  You are also confusing him regarding your ability to manage this "pack."

There are many dogs who are intolerant of other dogs, some randomly.  This usually involves the body language of the other dog or high pheromones (testosterone) levels in the other dog.  Visiting dogs have NO RIGHTS in the 'pack' of the indigenous dog...NONE.  Your yelling "NO" does nothing but confuse Odin, as he is behaving normally and you are not.  (The dog is reacting to your anger and has no idea why you are angry.)  You may very well think you are the "alpha" in this pack, but your dog obviously doesn't see it that way.  This does NOT mean you use neanderthal methods to attempt to obtain rank.  This means you give Odin the skills he needs to succeed in your relationship.  Learn about positive reinforcement training and teach Odin one behavior at a time (using made up words, not "sit", "Down", etc.)  ONE behavior at a time, taught over short intervals daily for several weeks each.  Once Odin gets the idea that his successful performance will earn him reward and praise, he will begin to see you as true "alpha".  This does not necessarily mean he will accept all other dogs you introduce into his space; however, he will more greatly respect your status and may more easily (although not happily) allow such visitors for short intervals.  It will also eliminate the very possible contribution of your anger toward Odin when other dogs are present.  He may (actually, SHOULD) generalize that the presence of other dogs makes YOU angry at HIM.  By giving him behaviors which will please you and for which he can be rewarded, and by asking him for those behaviors when dogs he likes are present, you may rehabilitate his generalization that other dogs in HIS SPACE cause HIM problems.

If you MUST bring other dogs as visitors into your home, the best approach is to introduce visitors OUTSIDE your property, with both dogs on leash.  Walk parallel with the dogs for a few minutes then allow them to greet and mix; observe Odin's response and also watch the body language of the visitor.  Odin may very well be responding to subtle (to you) signals of dominance from visitors; or he may be responding to fear from them; or he may be responding to pheromones or even the visitor's owners' reactions (or your own.)  No way for me to know this without being able to see it, but I do know that you have a terrific dog whose reactions are normal and you are confusing him and harming the trust relationship between you.  There's really no reason whatever to allow any visitor's dog into your home.  I've never done it.  Any dog that comes into my home does so as a resident (either permanent or temporary, as in rescue dog.)  My dogs have always deferred to MY choice regarding the appearance of another "pack" member.  I have never raised my voice or even had to redirect any aggression, because I am clear psychological leader.  Spare your dog the unnecessary stress of these interactions.