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I have a 2 year old GSD, Jake. Up until now he has been extremely friendly with all people and all other dogs. Recently he has started growling at my OH. He has done it in a few situations. Once while OH and I were messing about and I was laughing he came right over and started to growl at him. I dealt with this by telling him "no" and putting him into a down stay, which he did immediately but continued to growl for a few seconds after lying down. Another time, while OH simply looked over at him, he growled at him. I again corrected the behaviour and sent him to his bed to lie down for a timeout.
I believed this to be dominance aggression as he never displays this behaviour to me (i am sure he sees me as a leader and i know he doesn't see my OH as a leader at all). It also only ever happens inside the house, never when he is outside and stimulated. I have upped his exercise etc but this seems to be reoccurring now (before it had happened once or twice)
This weekend it seemed to escalate. (He was only like this for 1-2 weeks tops now) OH was coming into the room (in my parents house not my place) and Jake jumped up barking and starting to growl charging towards my OH. I immediately got him by the collar and while he did not go for my OH to bite or anything he gave him quite a fright. Of course this is unacceptable behaviour and must be stopped immediately. I sent Jake outside, and locked him in his crate in the garage for a timeout, before letting him out for a good long run to tire him out.
The problem is my OH lives in a different city throughout the week and I live in another (with Jake) (due to my university), though we will be moving back in together full time in about a month's time. Therefore the time OH can give to Jake, NILF, obedience, training etc is so short. He is only here on weekends, 2 days out of 7...
I have wanted to take Jake to obedience classes (I only recently found out there were some good one;s around here) but am worried it'll heighten our bond and make Jake even worse against others such as my OH.
I've been told that getting him neutered would prevent this behaviour but I'd prefer not to, if possible, as he was fine up until now not neutered. I don't know why this behaviour would have suddenly appeared.. Though if neutering would stop it, I would happily get it done.
I have been reading up on the post here about the medical reasons for a dog to become aggressive, but assume surely that he would be displaying the same reaction to me also? He has also growled at my dad this weekend.. I am so confused about why he would show this behaviour.. He is my dog and I love him to death but he cannot get away with this behaviour. Any help tips welcome please..
Thanks
I believed this to be dominance aggression as he never displays this behaviour to me (i am sure he sees me as a leader and i know he doesn't see my OH as a leader at all). It also only ever happens inside the house, never when he is outside and stimulated. I have upped his exercise etc but this seems to be reoccurring now (before it had happened once or twice)
This weekend it seemed to escalate. (He was only like this for 1-2 weeks tops now) OH was coming into the room (in my parents house not my place) and Jake jumped up barking and starting to growl charging towards my OH. I immediately got him by the collar and while he did not go for my OH to bite or anything he gave him quite a fright. Of course this is unacceptable behaviour and must be stopped immediately. I sent Jake outside, and locked him in his crate in the garage for a timeout, before letting him out for a good long run to tire him out.
The problem is my OH lives in a different city throughout the week and I live in another (with Jake) (due to my university), though we will be moving back in together full time in about a month's time. Therefore the time OH can give to Jake, NILF, obedience, training etc is so short. He is only here on weekends, 2 days out of 7...
I have wanted to take Jake to obedience classes (I only recently found out there were some good one;s around here) but am worried it'll heighten our bond and make Jake even worse against others such as my OH.
I've been told that getting him neutered would prevent this behaviour but I'd prefer not to, if possible, as he was fine up until now not neutered. I don't know why this behaviour would have suddenly appeared.. Though if neutering would stop it, I would happily get it done.
I have been reading up on the post here about the medical reasons for a dog to become aggressive, but assume surely that he would be displaying the same reaction to me also? He has also growled at my dad this weekend.. I am so confused about why he would show this behaviour.. He is my dog and I love him to death but he cannot get away with this behaviour. Any help tips welcome please..
Thanks