My dog is acting very strange?

Question

My wife and I adopted a dog in june of 06 he was a year old...he was such a good dog, we walked him all the time played with him and all that good stuff. in the past 3 months he has been growling at me when i call him or when he is in the bed room or on the couch he shows his teeth and barks at me like he wants to bite me. a few days ago when my wife walked near me he ran and jumped and bit me. I don't know whats going on with him and its bothering me cause he was such a good dog. What causes a dog to be so aggressive? It's gettin to the point to where we are thinkin about giving him up :( is there anything that can be done?

Answer 1

It sounds as if he has become territorial, probably as a result of being allowed on your couch (do you also allow him on the bed?). If I'm right, here is what's going on: because he has been physically permitted on your level, he now believes that he is your peer, is trying to dominate you, and is reacting to perceived threats to his territory and dominance.

Here's what can be done: your dog needs to be re-taught that YOU are the boss, the leader of the pack, not him. With emphatic OFF and NO commands, he should be forbidden, forever, from being on your furniture. Only when he is always physically lower than you will the message crystallize that you are in charge.

The teeth-baring, biting, etc. may very well stop almost right away. If it does not, I would seek help from a professional trainer, who will be able to gauge whether or not the behavior can be corrected.

Hope this helps. I am the adoptive human of an intelligent, affectionate Rhodesian Ridgeback whom we rescued when she was two. We doted on her and allowed her everywhere with us -- until she became territorial. Nine years later, there has not been a single new incident.

Good luck!

Answer 2

it could be that the dog no longer respects you or it could have a physical cause. check the dog for thyroid issues as that has been documented to cause behavior changes. If that points to nothing then i'd suspect that the problem is that you are not being a leader and your dog is telling you to behave yourself. In this case you'll need a good dog behaviorist to train you to be a better owner. In that case, there's nothing wrong with the dog at all, it's how the owner handles the dog that's the problem.

Answer 3

I have a dog who's the same way. He's a borzoi, better known as a Russian wolf hound. These are usually very gentle dogs, but mine became attached to me, and snapped and growled at my father whenever he came near me.

Try taking your dog to the vet and asking for a distemper shot. This is a simple, safe way of effectively calming your dog and making him less aggresive. The vet will inform you of any possible side effects and such.

Hope this helps! Good luck with your dog! =3

Answer 4

Before you give him up, first, have him examined thoroughly, including blood work. Sometimes, agressive behavior can actually be a "symptom" of certain illnesses.

Secondly, if a good vet tells you he is not ill, find a good dog trainer who understands dog behavior and dog behavior modification and consult with him/her.

I would do this right away before the behavior becomes further ingrained in him and/or actually hurts you or becomes a liability to you should he bite someone else.

I strongly suggest you don't leave him anywhere for "training" - always train WITH your dog!

Answer 5

It seems to be a territorial behavior. If you have adopted a small dog, chances are this is a close guess to what's going on. He may see you as the alpha and he is challenging you. You have to be alpha. Study pack (wolf/dog) relationships and you will get a better understanding of dog behavior.

Or...you could call "The Dog Whisperer".

Answer 6

You're not really elaborating on the changes that have taken place since then. Have you stopped walking him-maybe not as often? Does your wife baby him? Is he left alone all day with time to get bored?

By what you've written, it sounds like ya'll got tired of the dog and he's taking it out on you. Heck, I don't know-call Ceasar Milan!

Answer 7

Take him to the vet. If there is nothing in his history that would lead him to agression, he could just be in pain and is warning you to leave him alone (you see this with older dogs when they get on death's door). Even if you can't see anything going on, the vet might have an idea. The vet would also be able to advise if he is going crazy from something neurological.

Answer 8

First, take the dog to the vet to eliminate an organic reason for his aggression.
If he's healthy:
Your dog is claiming Alpha Dog. If you reacted to his aggression with fear, he KNOWS he's Alpha Dog.
ALL THREE of you (you, the wife, and the dog) need training: You humans to assert yourselves and the dog to understand he's way beneath the humans in the game of domination.
.

Answer 9

An animal psychologist will sort that out for sure.
Seems like the dog being protective of your wife, possibly she is the one who feeds him. Anyway get some help from a professional and good luck mate.

Answer 10

well, it is an unfortunate fact that some dogs just aren't quite right mentally, which could explain this change in behavior. it could also be a medical thing, has he been to a vet lately? sudden changes in behavior can often be cause by an illness. before you think about giving him up, i would start by a full vet check up. if they give you the all clear, then you might want to contact a professional behaviorist to evaluate him. best of luck.