When to draw the line?

Question

Hello folks, here's my question. How aggressive is too aggressive? My three or four year old rescue dog is what I would call “borderline aggressive.” He’s been with us for almost two years now. About a year ago, (when I brought home my second dog) he began growling at anyone who came up to his food dish while he was eating. We nipped this in the butt by making him work for his food. Every bite he gets to eat is earned with a “sit” “stay” “down” etc… needless to say he’s learned quite a few tricks in an effort for us to keep this interesting for both him and the person feeding him. This has worked well. He never gets aggressive around his food anymore… but he will growl if someone other than myself or my husband tries to take a bone or toy away. He has also started one dog fight… which only led to him getting hurt… the other dog was a pit bull that out weighed him by nearly 40 pounds. To date, I’ve been able to manage him … we no longer let him interact with dogs other than our own

he gets along with her) and we keep him away from children… because I just don’t trust him completely. He respects me and my husband and we can both handle him safely. He is never let outside with out a leash, but I still worry a bit. Where do you draw the line between taking care of the animal you brought into your home and promise to care for and keeping society safe from a “dangerous” dog. Mind you, I’m keeping my dog (he’s a small dog and thus not as scary and he would be if he were large) but how do owners and dog lovers know where to draw the line? My dog is a great friend and companion, but in a different home, he’d very likely turn “mean.” What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

I've trained quite a few dogs like this. I've owned one.

It sounds like you've done a lot of work with him. Personally, where I draw the line is when a dog becomes human aggressive or when there is danger to someone in the house (in the case of children usually).

I placed an outstanding dog who was male dog aggressive in a home that understood his issues. They did very well with him and came to me for another dog after he was gone. The only reason I placed him rather than working out the issues was because I was concerned my kids (very young at that time) might end up in the midst of a dog fight.

It really becomes a matter of balance. You have to ask yourself "Do I have the ability to keep the people and other animals this dog will come in contact with, safe?"

The answer is often different depending on the size of the animal... a toy poodle will do a lot less damage than a large breed dog.

Answer 2

The line is drawn this side of public safety plus some margin of exposure. Its what you do to get, then maintain, that margin that becomes the conversation.

Breed set aside ... I have clients that safely keep some very protective dogs and others that safely keep some very aggressive dogs. These clients have been taught the proper keep for their two distinctly different types of dogs.

I also have some clients that can not, in no way, be trusted with the care, custody and control of either the protective or the aggressive dog.

The difference between the two owners? Their temperament, disposition and constitution ... some have what it takes to deal with hard dogs, and some don't.

Ergo - where to draw the line is a question that can be best answered by this question: Am I willing to take and keep control over this [aggressive or protective] dog?

If the answer is yes - then you seek out the help you need to accomplish that margin of safety between the dog and the community. If the answer is no - then you seek to either place the dog into more capable hands, or you build a barrier of safety between the dog and the community (kennels, muzzels, a variety of restraint devices, special fencing, etc., etc.).

It appears from your writing that you have chosen the later for your dog. Should you ever decide to explore the former, track me down and maybe I can refer you to the help you need to build a dependable margin of safety.

Tony Ancheta

Answer 3

The fact that he used to growl around his food bowl and now growls around toys or bones means that he is showing protective aggression. He is trying to guard the things he values most highly.

To overcome this you need to teach him that you are not a threat, and he does not need to guard.
First, find a treat that he really likes - like his favourite treat in the world. (just a tiny tidbit). Dried liver, cheese and hot dog sausage are usually popular.
When you dog has his food, bone or toy aproach him quietly - but don't get near enough for him to start growling - and throw him the treat. (It has to be something that is even better than what he has at the time).
Do this every time he has a bone or toy. After a few sessions, move a tiny bit closer when you approach - but still not near enough to cause a growl. Very slowly and gradually, over a number of sessions, get nearer and nearer.
Gradually your dog will learn that only good things happens when someone approaches him while eating, and he has nothing to worry about. You could also do what you did about food, and always make him work for his bones and toys.

Although.... Nobody else should be trying to take a bone or toy away from your dog - I'm not really surprised he growls.

As for the aggression towards other dogs, that is more worrying. You need to teach him that other dogs are not scary (most dog aggression is a form of fear aggression). You also need to teach him how to behave around other dogs.

Get a friend with a nice natured, calm dog to help you. Get them to walk their dog some distance away from you, while you have a fun training session with your dog. The other dog should be far enough away that your dog does not react. Make it a really fun, positive experience. Gradually, over a number of sessions, get your friend to walk their dog slightly nearer, so as to reduce the distance at which your dog reacts.

If you dog is still entire, it may be that he is aggressive towards other males as a form of competition. Neutering may help.

Do not try to use punishment to cure aggression as it can make the problem much worse. If your dog begins to associate other dogs with unplaesent things happening to him, he will become more aggressive towards them.

If you keep having problems, please find a good behaviourist to help you. It should be someone fully qualified and registered who uses only humane techniques. If you are worried about him getting into fights while out, you could always muzzle him as an extra precaution.

Answer 4

Practice this: Get one of his favorite kinds of bones, the kind that takes him about a half an hour to eat. Make sure he's not hungry and take him to a room where you can be alone. Give him affection while you give him the bone. Wait a minute or two, then say his name and give him the command that you use to tell him to drop things (hereafter I will use 'drop it'). If he drops it, take the bone, give him affection, and put the bone up high somewhere that he can't see it, then walk out of the room. Return five minutes later and give him the bone with affection. Repeat until the bone is finished. If he doesn't drop it, walk out of the room. Return in five minutes, say his name, and say 'drop it.' If he drops it, give affection; if he doesn't, leave the room. Repeat this process until the bone is finished. The next time you feed him, use the same process with his food bowl. Teach your family to use this training technique so that he knows that he must accept the command from all family members. When the dog has learned to let his food be taken away by humans, you can begin to train him like this: Bring both dogs and two family members to the place where you normally feed the dogs. Feed both dogs (from separate dishes) at the same time. Have each family member give affection to one particular dog while it is eating. Stop giving affection to a dog if it growls. Do this every feeding time, making sure to switch the family member with each dog every time. When the dogs can eat in the same room without needing family members to pet them, repeat the process with one difference: feed the dogs one after the other, with one watching the other eat, and then being the one watched while eating. Switch up the order.

The two most important things with your dog are:

Don't use negative reinforcement.
Don't use food as a positive reinforcement.

Answer 5

I think that what you describe is pretty normal for most dogs, maybe a degree over. Most dogs don't like to have their food messed with, and some tend to guard their favorite people (I could not have my wonderful coonhound Sid, if my children were little because he becomes angry when anyone comes near me)

And a lot of dogs are agressive when it comes to other dogs (is your dog neutered? That might be a problem.) THis may be fear related. It's the nature of dogs to fight because they have to establish a pecking order--they are pack animals and outsiders are not welcome to their pack.

It sounds like you are doing a good job with him, though, I don't know why you are worried unless you really really think that he will bite someone. As long as he is leashed at all times when you are on a walk, and gets PLENTY of EXCERCISE, he should be alright.

Answer 6

Let start by saying that I choose dogs especially for their aggression as I train and need dogs like that. All of my dogs have what I call active aggression and they all have stable nerves and excellent temperament, for my needs!!
Having said that, my line is drawn when I have a dog that I cannot manage effectively, one that shows unwarranted aggression in my house towards me or family members, one that is so dominant that no amount of training will fix and one that is not stable in the head. That dog gets send back to the breeder in Europe or is put down, no questions asked!!
I was recently approached by a friend of mine about a malinois that was sold 3 times in Europe before he turned 2 years old due to his HUGE aggression level and his extreme dominance. The dog was offered for sale, again, and I refused because I know the line and I know that this particular dog will be nothing but a liability here.
If you have a dog that you cannot handle, one that is dangerous to children and other animals and that is NOT stable, put it down, without remorse without guilt. Hope I helped!!

Answer 7

Well, his problem probably stemmed from a lack of socialization as a puppy. You should definitely consult a dog behaviorist. They can do wonders! I think if you were able to overcome food aggression, you should be able to work with him on many other things. I think that you should not put him down unless he hurts someone and is beyond repair, but he doesnt sound that far yet. Two words: DOG BEHAVIORIST!

Answer 8

I have had rescues that have come in and have aggression issues. To me, the ones who are unpredictable and have no obvious 'trigger' that can be worked on are the ones I am most likely going to have to put down instead of adopting out. Food aggression I can work around. Guarding of possessions I can work around. I had one that would let you pet him, in fact sought you out for attention, but would attack you if you tried to walk away from him. I couldn't fix him, and it broke my heart to hold him as he was euthanized. I had another that attacked for a minor correction. He was urinating on the wall when I sternly said "No" and picked up the leash I have all dogs with questionable temperaments drag around the house. As soon as I bent down to pick up the leash, he launched himself at me. He was also euthanized. Both of these dogs were tied outdoors in poor conditions before they came to me, and I suspect the deprivation of socialization is what triggered their unstability.

If you are willing to keep this dog, and it is stable in your care, then I wouldn't euthanize him. But if for any reason you couldn't care for him any longer, I don't know that it would be ethical to place him in any other home. It sounds to me like you already know this, and are being very responsible. So the short answer in my opinion to your question is you draw the line where your sense of responsibility tells you to.

Answer 9

I understand your situation. I think as responsible owners, we learn to understand our individual dogs's personality and learn when he is over stressed or not comfortable. I think dogs are perfectly content as long as give them human affection, exercise, training and health care. For me, I have recognized that all dogs are different and some are more social than others. My dog is just NOT a dog park dog. So i only allow him to interact with trusted dogs. Just up to Us to protect our dog and society. As long as I feel safe with the dog in my Home then that is okay. You can also consult a behavorist.

Answer 10

the big flag i see is that this began when another dog was introduced if i read that correctly than he is clearly having dominance issues, he thought he was the leader of the pack and as such needed to put that other dog in his place. when he was punished for that he feels he needs to be on guard and protective of himself and his place in your home. just read up on the little things you can do to show him that you are the leader and he will calm down and take his place behind your family.