Help with husband aggression

amcgough · 10-26-2011, 01:08 PM

My German Shepherd is almost 2 years old, unaltered male. He is a great dog...a big baby. However, he sees my husband as a threat and frequently takes an aggressive stance with him. It seems the dog is only aggressive with my husband when my husband comes near me though, not the kids. It has escalated to the point that my dog bit him, drawing blood. I don't know what to do. This is the first time he has ever bit anyone. Any suggestions?

DanielleOttoMom · 10-26-2011, 01:15 PM

I would immediately hire a trainer that is a "behaviorist" and familiar with the breed. I also talk to your vet and have him check out. Keep the dog and your husband apart until you can gain a little more control over the situation.

**gsdraven** · 10-26-2011, 01:16 PM

Where in PA are you located? You can PM me if you want. I may be able to recommend someone to help if you are in or near the Philadelphia area.

You need to get a trainer in to see what's going on. It's likely that your dog is possessive of you and he needs to learn that you can interact with your husband when and how you want.

How much exercise and training does he receive? Start on NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) with everyone in the family.

**Cassidy's Mom** · 10-26-2011, 01:18 PM

How long have you had him? How long has this been going on?

rumhelka · 10-26-2011, 01:25 PM

Please, take his aggression seriously or you might loose your dog if he decides to bite somebody else. First of all, I would neuter him. Second, put him on NILIF (nothing in life is free). Your husband should feed him expecting each time something in return: sit, down, stay, etc. Put your husband in charge of food, toys and other resources. It would be good if he also could walk him and take him to training to further establish his leadership with this dog. Your dog is not a "Baby", he considers himself a "Leader" and will "reprimend" whoever doesn't "behave".

amcgough · 10-26-2011, 01:33 PM

thank you all so much for your replies and recommendations. I have had the dog for about a year and a half and this behavior just started after my husband and I seperated. My husband comes over to see the kids. I'm thinking the dog feels he is the alpha in the house and has to guard me.

As for trainers, I am in the Pittsburgh area. Any referrals for this area?

PaddyD · 10-26-2011, 01:39 PM

Are you correcting the dog when he does this? The dog takes his cues from you. If you don't let him know that it is not OK to do that then he will continue.
I agree with the suggestions above but in the meantime you can help by taking charge.

GSKnight · 10-26-2011, 01:45 PM

amcgough: I am in the Pittsburgh area as well. There are others here with more experience than I, but I was given Barb Levenson's name in Oakmont to work with me & Viktor. Barb Levenson Dog Training Center Dog Training - Pittsburgh, PA - Barb Levenson Dog Training Centers

I have not met her, but we have exchanged a few emails. If you are east of the city, you might check her out.

amcgough · 10-26-2011, 01:45 PM

I do correct him when he misbehaves. I have put him in time out, cage, etc. This is a very new behavior and I just don't understand why it is only aimed at one person. The dog is fine with my parents, my sister and her fiance, etc

amcgough · 10-26-2011, 01:46 PM

Thank you for the referral. I will look into her

10-26-2011, 01:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
amcgough New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 5	Help with husband aggression My German Shepherd is almost 2 years old, unaltered male. He is a great dog...a big baby. However, he sees my husband as a threat and frequently takes an aggressive stance with him. It seems the dog is only aggressive with my husband when my husband comes near me though, not the kids. It has escalated to the point that my dog bit him, drawing blood. I don't know what to do. This is the first time he has ever bit anyone. Any suggestions?

10-26-2011, 01:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
DanielleOttoMom Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,951	I would immediately hire a trainer that is a "behaviorist" and familiar with the breed. I also talk to your vet and have him check out. Keep the dog and your husband apart until you can gain a little more control over the situation. __________________ Otto Blk GSD 02/23/10 Circe Blk Sable GSD 06/22/08 My fur babies!! Last edited by DanielleOttoMom; 10-26-2011 at 01:19 PM.

10-26-2011, 01:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
gsdraven Moderator Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mont Co, PA Posts: 4,624	Where in PA are you located? You can PM me if you want. I may be able to recommend someone to help if you are in or near the Philadelphia area. You need to get a trainer in to see what's going on. It's likely that your dog is possessive of you and he needs to learn that you can interact with your husband when and how you want. How much exercise and training does he receive? Start on NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) with everyone in the family. __________________ Jamie Raven (GSD) - December 8, 2007 Kaiser (GSD) - November 2009 Lead The Way Life's Abundance

10-26-2011, 01:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cassidy's Mom No Stinkin' Leashes Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 24,942	How long have you had him? How long has this been going on? __________________ -Debbie- Dena 9/12/04-10/4/08 Forever would have been too short Keefer 8/25/05 Halo 11/9/08 Cassidy 6/8/00-10/4/04

10-26-2011, 01:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
amcgough New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 5	thanks thank you all so much for your replies and recommendations. I have had the dog for about a year and a half and this behavior just started after my husband and I seperated. My husband comes over to see the kids. I'm thinking the dog feels he is the alpha in the house and has to guard me. As for trainers, I am in the Pittsburgh area. Any referrals for this area?

10-26-2011, 01:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
rumhelka Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 25	Please, take his aggression seriously or you might loose your dog if he decides to bite somebody else. First of all, I would neuter him. Second, put him on NILIF (nothing in life is free). Your husband should feed him expecting each time something in return: sit, down, stay, etc. Put your husband in charge of food, toys and other resources. It would be good if he also could walk him and take him to training to further establish his leadership with this dog. Your dog is not a "Baby", he considers himself a "Leader" and will "reprimend" whoever doesn't "behave".

10-26-2011, 01:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
PaddyD Banned Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MassaCHEWsetts Posts: 5,222	Are you correcting the dog when he does this? The dog takes his cues from you. If you don't let him know that it is not OK to do that then he will continue. I agree with the suggestions above but in the meantime you can help by taking charge.

10-26-2011, 01:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
GSKnight Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Penn Hills, PA (near Pittsburgh) Posts: 445	amcgough: I am in the Pittsburgh area as well. There are others here with more experience than I, but I was given Barb Levenson's name in Oakmont to work with me & Viktor. Barb Levenson Dog Training Center Dog Training - Pittsburgh, PA - Barb Levenson Dog Training Centers I have not met her, but we have exchanged a few emails. If you are east of the city, you might check her out.

10-26-2011, 01:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
amcgough New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 5	answer I do correct him when he misbehaves. I have put him in time out, cage, etc. This is a very new behavior and I just don't understand why it is only aimed at one person. The dog is fine with my parents, my sister and her fiance, etc

10-26-2011, 01:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
amcgough New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 5	Thank you for the referral. I will look into her

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