For those whose dog has bitten - Where?

[Duke-2009]

Duke is generally great with everybody including other dogs. But when he does not like someone, he really scares us. Whether this is aggression or fear, it does not matter, we want it to stop.

Yesterday a worker (Harry) came by to check on my pool and inquire about when I want to close it. Duke sees this guy twice a year and just hates him. I meet him in the driveway and we walk to the pool together. Duke circles, barks uncontrollably, hair standing straight up on back of neck, and he rushes Harry. Harry is a dog person and tries everything to get Duke to like him. He probably should ignore Duke, but instead he tries to talk nicely and pat him.

Yesterday he lunged at Harry's face/neck with a little bite jaw snap while Harry was walking out of the yard with be. Did not make contact, it was similar to when he jumps up to catch a frisbee. Freaked Harry out.

I surely will have Duke in the house next time.

What do you make of this behavior given your experience with biting, aggression, fear?

[gsdraven]

Why is Duke allowed near this guy? Was he on leash? Harry should do what you tell him to around Duke and should not be allowed to do whatever he wants.

If this is the only person he reacts to like this, there is probably a reason and I would just keep him away the twice a year Harry comes over. Or stop having Harry come over.

The best I would hope for is having Duke ignore him. This is going to take leadership from you and not allowing Duke to make his own decisions.

[Lilie]

I treat every visitor to my house the same. I am proactive and assume that my dog will bite them. He has never bitten anyone. But first, I don't intend on taking the chance, and second, I don't want anyone to think he won't bite.

The moment there is a reaction with your dog, you should move to control it. Even if it's just the first seconds of focus - you should control your dog.

[Duke-2009]

I saw Harry pull in the driveway and went out the front door. The dogs (other is golden doodle who knows how to open the back slider) went out the back door and Duke just went crazy when he saw Harry who shows no fear to Duke and kind of over does it with regard to being cool about it.

I hear both of you loud and clear. Duke will be inside. Our yard is fenced in electronically and it was a beautiful day yesterday, so the dogs are often out a lot. They could have been out when Harry pulled in.

Duke lets us know when he does not like someone, but it is few and far between. But he really hates Harry for some reason.

[Lilie]

How old is Duke? There could be many reasons why he doesn't like your pool guy. Some things are hard to figure out.

You should be keenly aware of Duke's actions when it comes to all of your visitors. If Duke feels he needs to take charge when it comes to Harry, it could be very likely that he'll attempt the same actions with other visitors as well.

[Duke-2009]

Thanks Lilie. Duke is 2.5 years old. We had him trained up until he was 1 and my trainer also noticed this behavior (he did not like him either) and told us we better watch it carefully. So we have for the most part.

Not that I want to find out, but I was wondering if he would actually bite and if the lunging at Harry's head was an indicator.

I know these sound like stupid questions and the obvious is to remove him and control him. Consider that done.

[Lilie]

If a dog makes an attempt to bite, a dog will bite. It's up to you to make sure he doesn't have the opportunity to take that next step.

[PaddyD]

That sounds like fear aggression IMHO. If it were me, I would try to introduce Harry to Duke slowly and carefully, maybe with treats. But that's just me and I don't always take
the safest course of action. The reason I would do it is so that it doesn't become a more general problem when workmen come to the house.
But I have to admit none of my dogs ever had this problem.

[Duke-2009]

Yeah, I am trying to figure out the difference between fear aggression and regular aggression. I would think most all aggression starts with fear. When I say he does not like Harry, it is most likely because he "fears" something about Harry, wants to protect the property, us, himself, etc. I guess we humans run from something out of fear, not attack it. It's semantics to me.

He behaves similarly with other workers or delivery men who enter the property. I wish I could get him assimilated to the situation and not the person. It's impossible to introduce Duke to every worker or delivery person who enters the property.

(edit - I haven't mentioned how goofy, lovable, adorable and naive Duke is. He is not a mean dog)

[Jack's Dad]

Originally Posted by Duke-2009

Yeah, I am trying to figure out the difference between fear aggression and regular aggression. I would think most all aggression starts with fear. When I say he does not like Harry, it is most likely because he "fears" something about Harry, wants to protect the property, us, himself, etc. I guess we humans run from something out of fear, not attack it. It's semantics to me.

He behaves similarly with other workers or delivery men who enter the property. I wish I could get him assimilated to the situation and not the person. It's impossible to introduce Duke to every worker or delivery person who enters the property.

(edit - I haven't mentioned how goofy, lovable, adorable and naive Duke is. He is not a mean dog)

Well, he is aggressive to people who come to your home. I don't know the cause but you need to control it. A worker is invited to your house they have the same right to safetu as someone in public would have. You are liable if he bites and his behavior indicates he probably will at some point.
If you can't fix his behavior he will have to be contained when people come over. if he continues it will not just be workers but could be friends or family he decides he doesn't like.