Roommates dog is aggressive?

Question

I just moved into a house that I'm sharing. The roommates have a dog (half rot, half lab) that they got from the pound one month ago. He's showing me some odd behavior and I need some suggestions on how to stop this.

He's very unsure about me, he will walk cautiously toward me, but mostly keeps his distance. He'll let me pet him if he gets close, but he clearly doesn't feel comfortable with me. If I encounter him in the hallway, sometimes he will growl and/or show me his teeth. When he does this I tell him no and he backs down and walks away.

I am concerned that he has the potential to bite, so I think some action is needed. Can anyone give me advice?

Answer 1

First, showing teeth and growling is not aggressive behaviour. It is a warning of possible aggressive behaviour. There is a big difference.

The dog was probably abused by someone, and he is unsure of you. Don't force attention on him. Let him come to you. Giving him treats is a good thing, but again, encourage him to come to you.

You are doin the right thing when you tell the dog no and he backs off. It appears he knows what that means.

Growling is not a bad thing. That is the dogs way of telling you that he is uncomfortable with something. It is a warning that he may bite. This is a good thing, because you know the dog is uncomfortable, and you can take steps to avoid doing whatever makes him growl. (being alone with you in the hallway, rough play, touching a paw...(just examples of some things that can make dogs uncomfortable.).

Growling is very misunderstood, which is sad. It is the one tool a dog has to warn you he doesn't like something...... think of a dogs growl as a chance to *prevent* a dog bite.

I hate when a dog growls, and I hear people get offended and tell the dog not to growl. How else are they supposed to warn you that that they are scared, upset, uncomfortable?

Don't be upsest when he growls, just take notice of what the situation is, and you will learn what to avoid with this dog.

All dogs are much more aggressive(than they would otherwise be) when they are confined or in small spaces. (examples, on a leash, in a crate, behind a fence, and *in the hallway* as you mentioned. This is because they can feel trapped. There is little chance for them to escape the situation.

Take it slowly with this dog. It is most likely that he is leary because of a bad experience with one or more humans. This can be common with alot of shelter dogs.

The situation is one that can easily change, with the dog getting used to you..if you show you are not a threat, and are kind to the dog. (did I mention treats)?....

I would avoid playing with the dog, until he shows less fear of you, however.

Also, please do not listen to the shaking the can suggestion. This dog is already nervous/afraid...doing so would only make him more so. It would be a mistake and a step backwards.....and could make the dog bite out of fear.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It sounds like the Rott in him is dominant. A Lab won't generally be this mistrusting. (Besides, being adopted , you do not know what experience he has had in the past.) Mistrust is one of the attributes that make Rottweilers better watch dogs. I suggest two things that I have used successfully. First, make friends with his belly. He will trust you more if you bribe him with favored treats. Real meat is generally a good choice. Give some to him once in a while, rather than every time you see him. Otherwise he will come to expect it too often and hold it against you when he doesn't get "his treat". Secondly, once you and he are comfortable enough, get close to his face, look in his eyes and breathe strongly into his face/nostrils. Make sure your breath is fairly "natural", not laced with foreign odors such as beer or garlic. Do not blow hard as this may upset him. I know this sounds funny but dogs often will recognize you as the alpha male when this is done. Usually he will respect you heavily thereafter.

Answer 3

You're new. And dogs don't have this roommate concept down. You live in the same house, so he's thinking, what does that mean for me? If you like dogs, you are good news to the dog. Because if your roommate can't come home on time, you won't let the dog go hungry. Give him time, if you're home a lot, the dog might bond with you.

Answer 4

So far you are doing well with him. He's nervous, not too aggressive though. You are right not to let him growl.
Give him small food treats; that always wins a dog's heart.
Put him on the leash sometimes and lead him around or just keep him near you, pet him and give him treats. He'll soon be your friend.
If he were your dog, I would advise you to take him to obedience training. I would also advise you to take him for walks so he gets used to seeing other people and dogs. And have people visit so you can get him used to visitors. If you're not sure how he will act, put him on a leash.

Answer 5

The dog just got out of the pound a month ago... he was probably abused. As someone pointed out, the dog isn't showing aggressive behaviour... In fact, if anything, he seems to be more scared than aggressive (cautiously walking up to you and backing down when you simply say "no" isn't particularly aggressive... more defensive). Anyway, dogs, just like people, need time to adapt to new surroundings before they feel comfortable, especially those who were (probably) abused then locked in a cage for god knows how long. So... don't worry. It doesn't seem like he has any desire to attack you - if anything, it seems he's afraid you're going to attack him. So give it time... saying "no" when he growls is good... it enforces that that's NOT acceptable behaviour (and since he responds to just that, you don't need to do anything more)... But keep in mind that growling ISN'T always aggressive... it's just their way of communicating (my dog growls at me all the time both out of annoyance and playfulness, but I can pick him up, take things out of his mouth, and do absolutely anything and he's never bitten me in the 12 years I've had him)... and giving him treats/letting him know that you won't hurt him and that he can trust you is good, too. With time, he'll get used to you and, if you're nice to him, like you. And yeah... don't show that you're afraid. But don't make him afraid, either (so DON'T act loud and aggressive... frankly, for a dog that IS aggressive, that's begging to be bitten... for a dog that isn't aggressive, that's just gonna scare them and make them more afraid)... And don't be afraid to look him in the eyes, either... I don't know who started that, but its not true. Actually, I find the best thing to do with truely aggressive dogs is to actively stare them down and scowl... if they come closer, then stomp your foot and take a step closer yourself. They back down.

But that's irrelevant, because this dog sounds scared, NOT aggressive.

Answer 6

its the same problem i had,when i use to go and meet my friend even his dog use to show me its teeth.i was really scared one day and stopped going to his house for 10 days.and later after a very long time i went top my friends house to return his notebook.and i was shocked the dog just came running to me and started jumping at me and started playing with me.and now today we are good friends.but as u have said that u live in the same house.just ignore it,even it barks at u just walk away from there.and don't even look at it even at yoUr free time.do this for just a week.and see the result.it will be much close to u ,then to ur friend.it really works.After all out of al animals dog is the best friend of man.

Answer 7

Never let a dog know that you are afraid, especially a big dog be loud and aggressive when it acts this way. Then make a big deal to praise the dog when it doesn't. learn the treat system. Dogs are extremely shaken up by a pop can with rocks or ball bearings in it, shake it at the dog whenever it acts aggressive while you are standing your ground and telling it no... reward the dog next time you see it with a milkbone or such.Good Luck.

Answer 8

Give the dog some space if he came from a kennel he's probalbly really shaken up around humans, give him some time to get to know you and don't rush him then he'll bite. just give the dog some space.

Answer 9

Don't know if this will work, but have you thought about giving him treats? Maybe if he associates seeing you with getting snacks, he'll warm up to you. They sell little packs of training snacks at pet stores. Just an idea.

Answer 10

never make eye contact with him , try to play ball with him or have snackes in your pocket ,when he does a good deed or obeys your comands give him a snack , u will be friends in no time