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mychip1

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    Signs of aggression

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    On 3/18/2022 at 12:46 PM, greysmom said:

    Couple things

    First of all, true aggression in dogs is really pretty rare.  Usually what humans interpret as "aggression" is just the dog trying to communicate in one of the only ways they have available to them.  YOU did something he was very uncomfortable with, so he growled to let you know.  YOU persisted in doing the thing he was uncomfortable with, so he escalated his response to make sure YOU got the message.  Then you forced him off where he was laying and yelled at him.  I'd be grumpy too.

    It's not a good idea to punish a dog for growling.  Ever.  As I said above, it's one of the only behaviors a dog has to let humans know how their feeling.  If you continue to punish him for it, he will learn to just skip the growling and go right for the snapping/biting.  You've probably missed the more subtle body language dogs use to indicate they don't like something, so he growled.   He's beginning to settle into his new home and adopted life, so he's feeling more comfortable letting you know how he feels - he's trusting you, but you're not listening.  Plus, you yelled at him, and by your own body language and actions, continue to punish him for something he forgot as soon as it happened, so he's acting cautious and giving you lots of appeasement signs, wondering what he's done wrong.

    Dogs in general don't like anyone standing over over them or being touched on the top of their head.  Particularly when they are laying down on a favorite sleeping spot.  There *may* be some resource guarding going on, so having him get down/stay down off the furniture is a good thing.  Now you know he doesn't like to be touched or approached when he's laying down (a really really common feeling among dogs), so  - don't.  Call him over to you so he's standing up, and awake, for attention and pets, or wait until he's up and moving around on his own.  And make it a "house rule" to let the sleeping dog lie - for yourselves and any visitors who come to the house, most especially for any children who visit.  If he's on the couch, don't grab his collar to move him, either teach him a command (go to your bed, scoot, whatever) or use a treat to lure him off.  

    Once you have rebuilt a level of trust between you he *may* become comfortable enough to be approached and petted when he's laying down.  Some dogs end up liking it and some don't ever.  The important thing is you and your dog learn to communicate better and build your level of trust.  

    Agree with all of the above.  My Sammy is a bit moody and uses the growl to warn us....and it has only happened when he is lying down.  He resource guards the bed a little - and if he does it when on the bed, we give him a stern "no" and have taught him to go to his own bed at that point. As Chris said, don't try to grab him at that point.  They will listen if you firmly tell him without yelling, to scoot.

    Going down stairs!

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted

    Having another dog come over and show them is a good idea.  I have done this.  Also - a harness with a back lift is good.  In a pinch you can put a towel under his belly like a sling and a leash on his collar to steady him and lift his back legs a little.  A second person below you is good for safety so he doesn't stumble forward if you have someone.

    Welcome to this wonderful world of Greyhounds.

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