Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 5/21/2007

Question
Hi Alan.  I have a 1yr old Male Japanese Spitz - Georgie. I have had him for 2 months now and he is a very loving dog and we adore each other, however he barks aggressively every time my husband enters any room of the house he is in at the time.  We have tried telling him off, ignoring him, putting him outside and my husband has tried feeding him treats - all to no avail.  I have viewed your website too but didn't see anything on this.  Do you have any suggestions at all?  I have booked him in to get desexed next week.  We have purchased a male JS 12 week old too recently and people are telling me 2 male dogs will end up fighting??? Have I done the wrong thing? ps Georgie is tolerating the pup and was aggressive towards my husband even before we got him.  

Answer
Dear Karen,
Thanks for the questions and thanks for visiting my site. In all probability Georgie is fearful of your husband. Treating this requires that you change Georgie's perception of your husband via classical conditioning.

The process is not difficult to understand but too lengthy to describe here.

Two male dogs can get along fine or become worse enemies!

Buy these two books by Patricia B McConnell for specific instructions about Georgie's fear and about living with two male dogs.

The Cautious Canine

Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy a Multi-Dog household