I need help with a dalmation that has an agressive tendency. Would a trainer please chime in and assist?

Question

He is 11 years old, and a very sweet loving dog. Until food gets involved and others are around that he feels threatened by. Including myself just tonight. I need to put him in his place and change his behavior.

Answer 1

I am not a professional animal behaviorist, but I have done rescue and worked with behaviorists on aggressive behavior.

You did not say whether this dog has been with you for 11 years. It is a little hard to judge exactly what you should do.

Your comment "I need to put him in his place and change his behavior" was a good one. With aggressive dogs, you do not want a confrontation (you do not want anything to escalate). At the same time, you have to demonstrate that you are "pack leader".

You also didn't say what type of behavior exactly. Does he nip at others when food is around? Does he bite (nips are just that, a warning to let others know to "go away". More serious behavior is first bites at hands and feet... if the dog bites at the torso or neck, then you know he means to do real damage).

Is it possible for you to describe more what the problem is? I started by saying you have to demonstrate that you are pack leader, and at the same time avoid confrontations. You can separate him from others and allow him to eat alone (to avoid a confrontation). You can demonstrate that you are pack leader by insisting that he sit and stay before you put the bowl down. Do that on a consistant basis and the dog will learn very quickly that it will not eat if it does not submit to you. You don't have to be mean, just stern and consistent.

Answer 2

I'm a trainer and behavior counselor (and future vet). What I recommend to clients in this situation is first to have the dog work for its food - i.e.- have the dog do a down stay for a certain length of time building up to say 2 to 5 minutes before it is allowed to eat. So basically, put the dog in a down stay, scoop out the food, put the bowl in the back of its crate, and release the dog when you are satisfied. Then have it eat in its crate with the door closed in a quiet room with a leash attached for easy access. Give it 10-15 minutes to eat, open the crate and let the dog out, and pick up the food bowl until the next meal. This teaches the dog several things:

1) that food is no longer a buffet, but it is a reward for good behavior

2) it is not being threatened because it has a safe spot to eat (inside the crate)

You can also try feeding by hand. That sometimes will also help and then only give it food when it does something for you, like a sit or a down.