training question. - Page 2

Moose,
I'm thinking my idea of a correction and yours may be different.  The dog needs a whole lot more than to just be "put in his place." 

Ladyfrost, did I miss something?  Where is the response that shows it is now under control?  Because, I seriously doubt this is over or under control.  You had an opportunity to address this behavior, gain some respect from the dog and insure that it doesn't happen ever again.  If your correction was anything less than that you will have some serious issues.  Because the dog complied doesn't mean it is over in his mind or that you are the boss.  I would strongly recommend a professional trainer. 

You state this dog's attitude worked on the previous owner, that makes it even more serious and even more potentially dangerous.  This dog has learned to win through aggression and a show of force.  Growling comes first then biting.  You are lucky you didn't get bit, either because you let him get away with it or he wasn't that determined at that moment.  I wonder how many times his previous owner was bit?  The previous owner may not be completely honest with you.  Is the aggression why he sold / gave him to you?


 I am thinking I may be one of those that think the dog is alpha or bossing you around right now.  If you don't want my comments, I won't be insulted.

Jim

So much for "happy go lucky".  You tell us you train "positively", which is an often misused term as basically ALL training is positive unless you have absolutely never gotten the response that you wanted.  Then you say you are no pushover, and your version of a correction is to point to the ground and ask him again.  Is your dog very confused and not understand where the ground is?  Why did you point at it?  And lastly, you say he "let it be" after you corrected him, did he "let it be" because you stopped correcting him and therefore stopped challenging him?  Or, did he let it be because you got your point across?  I'm guessing, if you would have given him 1 more correction, he would have gotten you.  What was the "correction" you gave him?  Was it physical, or was it just verbal repetition and reminders? 

Hi Moose88,

If i were you,this is what i will do if i am bringing in an adult dog. I will control his access to everything initially , food, freedom,toys. I will bring him out for his daily walks and confine him to an area in my house. I want him to look up to to me as the only source.
Play tug and ball games with him everyday for at least 30mins and build the bond.I would sign him up for an obedience class and work with him.
Determine is he is fear aggressive or dominance aggressive? Was his ears pinned back when he came growling at you?
Since your dog has displayed aggression , you need to be very careful especially if you lack the experience and training to correct this behaviour.

Sonya,
That is good advice.  I have a question, what difference does it make if the dogs ears were pinned back? 

Jim

Hi Slam dunc,

If the ears are pinned back, then that dog is acting out of fear.
another indication is when the dog "freezes" all the time when you correct him

Hmmmm, I may have to disagree with you on the ears.  Ears are just one signal of body language and intent.  That is equivalent to saying that a dog with a wagging tail is "happy."  A wagging tail means excited, that can be happy or aggressive.  A dog will pin it's ears back just before it bites to protect it's ears from being ripped or torn.  Ears alone are not a good indication of fear or submission.  You have to read the entire dog, not just one or two signals.  Body posture, hackles, tail, ears, mouth, demeanor, the dogs stance all must be read at once.   

Don't be fooled by the ears or the tail.

Jim

double post

thank you slamdunc, ladyfrost, and sonya for your opinions...I will pm you, as I have forgotten just how many would lend their opinion when they are not helpful :)

Hi slamdunc,

Thanks for the reply.This is what i know. A very dangerous and unpredictable dog is the fear biter.
I absolutely agree with you that all of the other components(body parts) have to be taken into consideration however, the indication that he is a fear biter is the position of his ears, they would be held back against his neck. They would be pulled back flat against the head" i am scared" or "i am protecting myself against a possible attack". They would not be forward as they would be in a confident police or protection dog, i believe.

Here is my dog on a drive / bite when we did SchH, before he was my Police K-9.  Notice his ears are pinned back.  I can assure you that a strong, confident dog will have it's ears back just before it bites.  My only point is that the ears alone are not enough to read a dog.  Yes, a fear biter will have it's ears back but it's body posture and tail will also show it's insecurity.  I don't think Moose's dog is a fear biter.  It seems this dog has learned that this behavior gets his way and has gotten away with it with his previous owner. 

Jim