Why is my dog's behavior changing?

Question

I bought my Chocolate Lab at the age of 10 months in May 2006. He's now 1yr and 2 months old. I never had any problems with him until recently. Whenever he does something bad, I give him the traditional tap on the head. Nothing mean or violent just a good tap, with a firm 'NO', to let him know that its wrong. It's always been ok until for about a week or two he's started growling at me when I tap him and even tried to take a nip at me. Again nothing too agressive, just to tell me basically to back off. People tell me that it's because he sees himself as the master of the household but I don't understand how that can be seeing how I haven't changed any habits with him since I got him and never had this problem before. He's not yet fixed and I'm wondering if he may just be becoming territorial. Has this happened to anyone else and their dog? What can I do about this? Will getting him operated on fix the problem? I love him to pieces and don't want to get rid of him.

Thank you all very much for your insite. I will stop tapping him and use only verbal discipline. I will consider taking him to obedience courses if this gets any worse and I will have him neutered asap. (I have no choice either way seeing how I got him from the SPCA). He IS a smart dog and I'm sure will understand with time and effort. After hearing what you've all said I agree that it's his getting older and deciding to challenge me to the "master" position. The taps on the head aren't the way to go and he's let me know that very well. For those who think that I said "get rid of him" because I gave up already...I MEANT that I don't want to get rid of him by this getting any worse and him biting me...I will not keep an agressive dog that bites no matter how much I love him...sorry. Thanks again everyone!

Answer 1

watch some of the Dog Whisperer shows on National Geographic Channel, he will show you how to assert your-
self and remind your dog that you are in charge

Answer 2

A few things go through my mind.
First, we had a lab mix that started doing that even though we never "tapped" him. Just scolding him, he would growl and eventually went after my hudband and bit him. We took him to the vet to see what the problem might be because the dog had never displayed violent tendancies EVER- The vet said that the most likely cause was a brain tumor. We had to put him down.

My second thought and most likely the culprit would be that he does see himself as the Alpha dog. He thinks that he is the master. It doesn't matter that you haven't changed your behavior or habits- he is becoming a full grown dog and with that comes dominance.
I don't know if you allow him on furniture or on your bed, but stop it now. That is one of the first things that clues a dog in that they run the show. With our animals, they are only allowed on the furniture or bed if they have been invited, simply so that they understand that we call the shots and that we are the Alpha. Also, if/when you wrestle with him, don't let him get on top of you. That shows dominance and any time he is able to "win" then he thinks that he dominates you.
If you do not plan on using the dog for breeding purposes, I would most certainly get him nuetered as soon as possible. He is still young enough that many of the hormones he is feeling right now will subside.

Answer 3

First of all, this dog is letting you know that your method of discipline is all wrong. You're right - he is telling you to back off. You need to get to know your dog, he's giving you a warning that you're not doing this right and your response is getting rid of him! Who told you that a tap on the head is traditional???

If you want to keep this dog, you need to change your thinking. You don't need to be physical with a dog to be the pack leader. He's a lab, he'll respond best (like any other dog) to positive reinforcement, lots and lots of praise, and he'll respond negatively to taps on the head.

Try some basic obedience training with him, using lots of praise. If you find yourself getting frustrated or if he's having a bad day, quit. Always end sessions on a positive. Keep them fun and short. Do fun things with your dog - throw a ball or frisbee, take him running, something to try and win back his trust and respect.

Getting him neutered will definitely be healthier for him but it's not going to do a thing for the underlying problem. There's an excellent book out there for people who want a deeper relationship with their dogs. It's by Suzanne Clothier, called "Bones Would Rain From the Sky".

Answer 4

He is challenging you for thee alpha positions. My opinion though it is only because of the taps on the head. To him its showing aggression and he is retaliating. It confused him and he cannot relate it to what he has done wrong.
The tap on the head is a terribly bad idea. A stern "no" or "bad boy" will do. You should never hit your dog. You have to make him obey your commands, but hitting him is not the way. I am not an expert. Only an avid dog owner.
There are many books (Kalmbach publishing) that can help you. Start with dog training on the Internet. It would be best if you took off heading in the right direction. Also I hardily recommend going to "The Dog Whisperer's" Web site.

There are many things to consider...including your dog's heritage. Off hand I would say that you problem is a normal one. It will take time and patients and you will have to be consistent. With professional(book) help you can achieve very good results.

Answer 5

First of all the dog is responding to physical "tapping" by "voicing" his mean side . stop using your hands to train him..Newspaper rolled up and tapping lightly on the buttocks and a verbal "no' as well. If he responds in the same way then I would suggest you talk with a trainer, or even if your financially able, put him through a training course. Dogs are obviuosly very smart and remember pain,but they also remeber affection as well, so training and discipline and affection, all are categories that need to be done in a proper way.

Answer 6

'Tapping' is an aggressive move to him..when he was a puppy, he accepted this aggression. However, as an adult, he won't tolerate the abuse..Yes, any kind of hitting is abuse, and he knows it..the head is the very worst place to 'tap'.

Violence begets violence.. You have taught him that 'might makes right'..Now he is feeling pretty mighty himself, as most young men do...and asking for respect... just as young men do..

dogs that are dominated by force, even if it is a 'tap' are the same dogs that turn on their masters, at about 4 years old, when they reach full maturity....

there is never a reason to strike any dog..they learn perfectly well, through love and respect..which foster a willingness to please.

Please take a hint from your dog, and back off the 'tapping'...

I live with several huge dogs, of a breed that is considered the most difficult to train...they are stubborn and known for aggression...However, I have not found reason to 'tap'...and the dogs are obedient because they respect me..

Answer 7

He's getting it in his head that he's the Alpha dog. Neutering might help. My mom's dogs(all females) have done that with each other. When the 2 felt the 1 was too old, they had a power struggle/fight to take over as boss dog. It's the pack mentality.

Answer 8

"If your dog perceives his own ranking in the hierarchy to be higher than yours, it's likely that he'll challenge you in certain situations. Because people don't always understand canine communication, you may inadvertently challenge your dog's social position. A dominantly aggressive dog may growl if he is disturbed when resting or sleeping, or if he is asked to give up a favorite spot, such as the couch or the bed. Physical restraint, even when done in a friendly manner, like hugging, may also cause your dog to respond aggressively. Reaching for your dog's collar, or reaching out over his head to pet him, could also be interpreted by him as a challenge for dominance. Dominantly aggressive dogs are often described as "Jekyll and Hydes" because they can be very friendly when not challenged. Dominance aggression may be directed at people or at other animals. The most common reason for dogs in the same family to fight with each other is instability in the dominance hierarchy (see our handout: "Canine Rivalry")." http://www.sspca.org/Dogs/AggressiveBehavior.html

Answer 9

i hate how at the first sign of trouble people mention "getting rid of"..

1) you shouldn't hit your dog. not even a "tap." this is aggressive behavior towards the dog and he may very well respond back aggressively with this continued use.
1a) if you have to scold your dog, use your voice. it is a much more powerful tool. use a deeper voice that comes from the middle of you, look angry at your dog. when he does good, use a softer and lighter voice. not squeaky. like you would talk to a new baby. soft and gentle.
1b) for other nuisance behavior, use a can filled with pennies and shake it at him when he does bad. when he stops, praise him and tell him you love him so he just doesn't see you angry all of the time. some people use squirt bottles, but since labs love water, they really dont tend to see this as a punishment.

2) yes. much of it is probably hormones coming from not being fixed. you probably want to do that ASAP. it will calm him down a good bit. labs can be pretty big and powerful. the last thing you want is an aggressive one that hasn't been fixed.

3) you might also want to look into taking him to training classes. i've taken some of mine to my local petsmart. it was about $100 for the classes and it really helps. you'll end up bonding with your dog, he'll get to socialize with others, and you'll learn valuable training that will help you better establish the master/dog role and the bond between you too. i highly recommend it.


i have a black lab that's around the same age. the only kind of aggression problems we have with him is with toys around our other two dogs. he started to growl at me with food, but i took it away, stared him down until he laid down and was submissive, and then gave it back to him. after 2 or three times of making him submit and realize that *i* am the dominant one, we have had no more problems. i've also used this for his aggressive toy play. giving the toy to one of the other dogs and giving him a different toy to play with. it seems to have helped as well. we have a very harmonious doggy home.

**edit / added**

this isnt a sex-sex thing as some suggest. female dogs go into heat. if he wanted sex, he would be humping you, the couch, the bedsheets, anything; not growling at you. male dogs are like male men. they can go at the drop of a hat. which is even more of a reason to get your dog fixed. do you really want him eyeing your visiting mom/girlfriend/friend's leg and thinking "va-va-va-voom!" ?

Answer 10

I would get him fixed asap. also enroll in some obedience classes. also start doing obedience daily with him at home. this will show him that you are alpha in the household. you can also practice NILF training. this will really help if it is a dominance issue.
http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-dog_nilf.htm

Answer 11

If you ask me I think he thinks he is the owner. Because you haven't been firm with him he has been spoilt. If he wants to nip at you, Hold him down by the neck and take a loo roll to smack him, it doesn't hurt but teaches him, I do that with my dog too.
Come on, finish the loo paper and show it who's boss!