Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 12/27/2007

Question
I have a 3 year old male Doberman that I have had since he was 8 weeks.  When he was 4 mos old he was hit by a car. Both his back legs were broken as well as a shattered pelvis.  He was put back together with plates and screws.  To date he has had no problems from this surgery. When he was about one year old he was chewing on something he shouldn't have and my husband yelled at him and went to take it away from him.  He growled and snapped at him.  I then attempted to take things away with no problem. I figured since my husband was yelling he felt threatened.  He has been socialized properly and loves people. He is good with other dogs. We have a 2 year old female dobie and a new puppy. However, when the new puppy went to eat out of his bowl while he was eating he snapped at him. He doesn't mind eating in the same room as them but doesn't want them eating out of his bowl. He loves to be hugged and kissed.  We have an 8 year old and a 14 year old and he has been great with them. He did very well in obedience school.  Problem:  about 3 weeks ago my husband yelled at him and went to take something away from him and he tried to bite my husband.  Last week a 3 year old boy was with the dog and I had my back to them.  The dog was lying on the couch with a toy.  The next thing I knew the dog bit the child in the face requiring 20 stitches.  I feel awful!!  Tonight I decided to do a little testing.  I fed him and while he was eating I was petting him.  He stopped eating and just waited with his head down.  I stopped petting him and he began eating. I again began petting him, again he stopped and looked back at me.  I stopped and then began again.  This time I received a low growl. I am getting a lot of push back from various people wanting me to have the dog put down.  I can not bring myself to do that.  What do you think could be causing this aggression?

Answer
Dear Sue,

Thanks for writing. It sounds like a communication problem first, and an aggression problem. Some of it can be solved by training, some by managing the situation better, some by teaching him to relax around food.

As to him growling at the puppy, that may or may not be out of context. Sometimes, adult dogs teach puppies by snarling and growling. Sometimes it's a sign of a bigger problem. It depends on how he interacts with the puppy in other situations.

Training: Teach him to leave-it, trade, or drop-it. Then you can tell him in a kind, non-threatening way to relinquish an object.

In the meantime, pick up the items he is not supposed to have or keep him out of the area or keep a leash on him so he can't get to the items.

Feed him in a closed area, take up all the chew toys. I'm guessing he had a rawhide or similar toy when he bit the child.

I know this is too late and I know you realize -but it must be said for other readers- :) Never leave a young child alone with any dog -not even for one second. Kids and dogs don't make good choices when it comes to interacting with each other.

Recognize that people don't compete with dogs for food, territory or reproduction rights. Dogs compete with dogs and other animals. Dogs shouldn't compete with people. When they do, there is a sort of imbalance in the environment.

Ask yourself -  Why does the dog react to me as if I was another dog? Again, here is a sort of miscommunication due to an imbalance. The cause can be summarized by a faulty communication system and a lack of structure.

Besides euthanasia, here are your choices:
Manage the environment (food and toys are the resources)- you'll need to eliminate food and toys from any environment that contains dogs and kids -  or keep the dog away from the kids when he has food or toys.

You could address the problems by hiring a knowledgeable trainer that can come into the house and help you. Ask your vet for the name of a good trainer or visit http://apdt.com and search for one near you.

OR buy a few books and learn and train on your own- Mine by Jean Donaldson is a great book about treating resource guarding - How to Be the Leader of the Pack and Family Friendly Dog Training (both by by Patricia McConnell) would be helpful.

Thanks for writing. Happy Holidays!

Alan J Turner
http://howsbentley.com