molliesmaster
WKR
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2016
- Messages
- 525
I train dogs as a side gig, mostly retrievers, some bird dogs, and, unfortunately, some doodle type ridiculous types for obedience. I have been around dogs my entire life. I currently own 1 GSP(female), 1 GWP(female), and 1 Chesapeake bay retreiver(male) all living in my house with my 3 young children, ages 5, 2, and 9 months old.
99% of the time a dog that is aggressive, in this situation, has a false sense of his/her place in the house. More than likely, they have been coddled too much by their owners and given too much run of the place.
Steps I would take immediately:
1- Dog goes in a crate while you are at work. It's not cruel, he won't die. Put him in there, no more free range of an area.
2- No more treats or human food. He doesn't need them and obviously they are becoming an issue. I wouldn't even let him be in the kitchen while food is being prepared or around the table while I am eating. Again, put him in the crate.
3- The 24/7 feeding ends. Its not good for them anyway. You feed once a day, morning or evening, you decide. But here's the kicker, you are going to feed him by hand, literally holding out some of his food in the palm of your hand for him to eat it. Repeat until he has eaten his allotment for the day. IF the dog acts like an idiot, he sits and waits longer for his food. Acts aggressive, you pull your hand back and he waits some more. YOU are in control. This won't be a forever thing but it is a way to shift the dogs line of thinking. This tactic is used by a lot of trainers for multiple reasons.
From a mindset standpoint, that dog would not so much as take a leak in the yard without my permission. He would not be allowed to walk out of the door in front of me or my wife or anyone else. I would do my level best to make sure that dog knew he was the lowest rung in that house, lower than any other.
For your grandchildren's best interest, the dog should be crated when they are around. At least until you have addressed this aggressive behavior. IT is not worth the risk just because you like having Fido out and around.
Have zero tolerance for this behavior. He is a dog, treat him as such. I'm not saying you can't love him. I love my dogs more than most. But we can't allow them to think they are anymore than a dog. They are in service to us, not the other way around.
99% of the time a dog that is aggressive, in this situation, has a false sense of his/her place in the house. More than likely, they have been coddled too much by their owners and given too much run of the place.
Steps I would take immediately:
1- Dog goes in a crate while you are at work. It's not cruel, he won't die. Put him in there, no more free range of an area.
2- No more treats or human food. He doesn't need them and obviously they are becoming an issue. I wouldn't even let him be in the kitchen while food is being prepared or around the table while I am eating. Again, put him in the crate.
3- The 24/7 feeding ends. Its not good for them anyway. You feed once a day, morning or evening, you decide. But here's the kicker, you are going to feed him by hand, literally holding out some of his food in the palm of your hand for him to eat it. Repeat until he has eaten his allotment for the day. IF the dog acts like an idiot, he sits and waits longer for his food. Acts aggressive, you pull your hand back and he waits some more. YOU are in control. This won't be a forever thing but it is a way to shift the dogs line of thinking. This tactic is used by a lot of trainers for multiple reasons.
From a mindset standpoint, that dog would not so much as take a leak in the yard without my permission. He would not be allowed to walk out of the door in front of me or my wife or anyone else. I would do my level best to make sure that dog knew he was the lowest rung in that house, lower than any other.
For your grandchildren's best interest, the dog should be crated when they are around. At least until you have addressed this aggressive behavior. IT is not worth the risk just because you like having Fido out and around.
Have zero tolerance for this behavior. He is a dog, treat him as such. I'm not saying you can't love him. I love my dogs more than most. But we can't allow them to think they are anymore than a dog. They are in service to us, not the other way around.