[gagirl]

I've posted a few times on here before and have gotten wonderful advise so I'm back for more!

A little background....Bandit is 7 1/2 months, we got her when she was almost 5 months (she had no socialization up to that point, but we didn't know enough at that point to be concerned). She's our first GSD so we're learning as we go. Bandit attached herself to me after the first couple of days, she's good with my 3 year old daughter but really didn't care for my husband. We tried all sorts of things to get Bandit to accept my husband and she has gotten better.

So now the problem....My daughter and I left to visit family and were gone for a week and a half. My husband wasn't able to go so we decided that Bandit was doing good enough with him to leave her here with him. We thought it'd be too much on me to travel so far with Bandit and my daughter plus we thought it'd be good bonding time for Bandit and my husband. Bandit did great with my husband while I was gone, she didn't growl and bark at him, would go up to him to be petted and to play. She mostly just laid around and was lazy. Some friends came and knocked on the door and Bandit never growled, barked or even got up from laying down. I get back and it took a few minutes for Bandit to realize who I was...at first she backed away from me like she didn't know me. Once she realized who I was, she went spastic! :laugh: But now that I'm home, she won't let my husband pet her anymore, she growls and barks at him again, when anyone comes to the door, she barks like a nut and she's hyper again. What's going on??? I thought since she did so good with him while I was gone that she'd still be OK with him once I got back. I can't have a dog that's not ever going to accept my husband!

Sorry it's such a long post, I wanted to make sure you had all the info.

 

[Stosh]

I'm certainly no expert, but it sounds as though she considers you her 'job'- to protect and defend. Now that you're back she needs to get to work fighting off any and all possible threats, even your husband. It doesn't sound as though she has anything against him, just that he's near you. If would suggest practicing NILF so that she catches on you're the one deciding what's appropriate behavior for her.

 

[ahazra]

Well I'm not an expert either...but it looks like Bandit needs to understand the hierarchy in your household. I've read (somewhere on this forum) on how to deal with this behavior with dogs and how to re-establish the pack hierarchy, etc. This works great with dogs that are acting aggressive with kids..but I see no reason why it wouldn't work with your husband as well. Do a few searches on this topic and you will find loads of info.

One thing I would recommend in the interim is that let your husband control Bandit's food source for the next few weeks. Make sure that bandit sees that it's your husband who is giving the food, your husband should use the same commands that you do (eg: to sit and stay while he sets up the bowl, etc) and to use the right command to eat only after it's served, etc. Be consistent with this for the next few days and see if it changes anything. Try to have your husband feed a few kibbles/treat by hand.