How do I stop my dog from being aggressive with me?

Question

I have 2 German Shepherds that I care for daily, while my husband is at work. They are purebreds, father and son. They are loved, fed, walked, and both given the same affection from me. During the daytime, I have no problems with either dog, but when my husband comes home, the elder dog becomes very aggressive towards me...teeth showing, hackles up, and barking at me, while crouched on his back haunches, like he's ready to pounce. My husband doesn't seem to bother stopping it, and I've tried everything, but nothing works. It's getting to the point where I am afraid to come down the stairs in the morning, and this daily terror is getting to my health. Anyone have any suggestions? This dog was imported from Australia 2 years ago, and he's always been rather nervous. I'll be glad to hear any comments, as I'm starting to really worry here...thank you...SunnyH

Answer 1

the aggressive dog sees your husband as number 1 and is jealous of your position. the fact your husband does nothing is the problem in more ways than one. he is sending signals to the dog that this is acceptable behaviour. when the dog does this your husband needs to tell him 'NO' and shut him out the room. after a while you can go and 'rescue' him, he'll soon like you. if this fails I suggest you find a new husband, one who wont let a dog frighten his wife.

Answer 2

Your dog is displaying behaviour that shows he is unsure of his place in your family (pack). There is usually an alpha male and alpha female who the other dog defer to in a pack and it sounds like your husbands way of dealing has confused the matter.

Your husband needs to show the dogs that you are next in the pecking order, not the dogs, as he would be considered The Boss. I know someone else who had exactly the same problem with large shepherds and a professional trainer advised her to do a little pee on the dog and his bedding - mark her territory, in conjunction with taking some behavioural classes - which the dog loved too.

I know it's very difficult but showing fear to the dog enforces his feeling of superiority - mostly these behaviours are just for show.

Good luck though

Answer 3

I don't have dog but my mum has raise a german Shepherd from it's birth and started going to dog training. A few things I know you must be firm with the dog. Don't be sentimental, you can love your dog but it's still an animal with insticts. Be firm, order him. Some tips: Don't stroke over his head. BE IN COMMAND and don't feel intimidated by it. Also a dog easliy gets yealous so give him also attention. But please ask some tips from a dog trainer. A dog can be a mate, protector and killer!!! IF YOU FEEL INTIMIDATED YOU HAVE ALREADY LOST. SELL THE DOG TO A FARMER OR GIVE IT AWAY!! If it really gets too dangerous let him be put down. He is probably a victim of bad training by his former owners. If your husband won't want to let him choose between you or the dog as you fear will let the dog never respect you. Sorry but this is the truth!

Answer 4

The way to stop dog aggression is to assert you and your husband as the leader's of the "pack" (aka your family). Dogs will never be aggressive towards leaders. Their are many techniques for this. Training with obedience is a good way, but always reward your dog immedietly after he does something right. if he is aggressive towards you simply turn your back and don't give him any attention until he has calmed down. I hope this helps. (I got these techniques from a programme called It's Me Or The Dog on channel 4) Oh yeah and never ever punish your dog physically, they don't understand what they have done wrong.

Answer 5

If the dog is fine with you during the day when its just you and them, then is sound like the dogs feels it must protect your husband jealousy is possible but not likely from what your saying, you might try attaching him securely to a radiator or something and let it watch you and your husband interact affectionately towards each other depending on the dogs reaction take the following steps if you just watches but doesn't be aggressive then you and your husband interact with him together showing him that just because your there doesn't mean theres anything he needs to fear, if however he bark and growls and is aggressive get your husband to punish him, two finger firming smacked across the nose that will get the point across. be careful though not to hit to hard or you can damage his sense of smell. If he persists put him outside until he calms down just like a child being sent to his room.

I have a springer and she was poorly treated before we got her, she was terrible afard of men and would bark and growl at anyone who would come to the door, she wasn't being mean she was just trying to protect herself think if i bark they won't hurt me, it was terrible for the first few month i had get female vets, groomer everything, anytime someone come to the door she still barks but now its to let me know theres someone there she them waits for me to give them the ok then she come sits by me.

Do you know much about your dogs history it sound like he may have been mistreated at some point it could have been a woman who hurt him and something might of happen like he was protecting a male child from them and now he thinks your husband needs the same protection.

Hope that helps and good luck
.K.

Answer 6

Frankly I find it disturbing that your husband tolerates this quite obvious display of aggression toward you! Is this a recently developed problem or long standing?
It is obvious that there is something going on in the old dogs head about his relationship with you, your husband etc, I would be getting professional help as soon as possible because of the risk of physical harm to yourself and also the possibility of the younger dog copying the bad behaviour of the older dog. A good vet should be able to recommend appropriate people to help you deal with the situation.

Answer 7

I have always loved dogs and have owned dogs all my life but...
In my house, I would never feed a dog that showed it's teeth at me much less own a dog that I feared.

I don't think much of a man who doesn't seem to be concerned about stopping aggression when you are afraid to walk around your own home. Sounds like you are #4 in that house. It's just a matter of time and you are going to get hurt.

Answer 8

really the best way you can fix the problem is to a) contact a behavioral trainer for the dog and b) make sure that your husband is on board because if he doesn't show that he means what the trainer teaches him then it will be a waste of money and it will probably never correct its self.
robert is correct- you aren't the alpha dog. basicly your husband and your dog are switching poistions. when the hubbys there the hubbys alpha but when he's not there your dog takes over alpha. which is probably why he's ok with you then, because he knows he's in alpha poistion. when the hubby come back home the dog feels like you're gonna challenege him for his 2nd ranking position. dog's are funny funny creatures. it's all about packs and rankings!

Answer 9

It seems the dog sees your hubby as the master, and protects him when he comes in for some reason. This is a problem, i would seek some professional advice, from a dog trainer or somebody who can work with behavioural problems in dogs. The dog sees you as a threat, when your husband is around, you need to sort this out, he will sense your fear and anxiety, he needs to be taught that you are his master also, and in no way a threat to anyone. Good luck, this cannot be easy for you.

Answer 10

You and your husband BOTH need to work with a professional regarding this. Was this dog an adult when you got him? What was his background? This issue must be addressed immediately. A dog should never growl, show its teeth or bark at the person who cares for him!