Problem with my Dog

Seems like youre really, really concerned youre going to wake up with a dead cocker spaniel.

So, the decision is done.

Do you know of someone who would want a White German Sheppard? Shes a beautiful dog, but you can't live in fear like that. Youll go crazy.

CowboyDan said:

Well I feel terrible now............I just went to this website to get his contact info for you and his site is no longer up! I'm really sorry. I don't know if he moved or what?

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That's ok, CowboyDan. I appreciate the help.

I am going to keep her and try these techniques before I make a decision. I talked to dog trainer and got some great tips along with some research I did on my own. She is not spayed, but soon will be. I was told that can contribute to behavior problems. She is maturing and her personality is changing a little bit. I was told to let her outside last. Feed her last. Let her back in the house last. Everything last to let her know she isn't top dog.

Also found this really good article on how to nip "Object Guarding" behavior in the bud.

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/is...e-Guarding-Behavior-Modification_20368-1.html

Few things. Dogs are like people with different personalities as well as different places in the pack. Some of what the GS is doing is just stay away from MY stuff. Some is dominance issues most likely but I'm not there to see which dog is dominant. Sounds like the GS is the alpha. She also appears to be putting the dogs in their place when it comes to affection.

If the GS dislikes being sprayed with water than a spray water bottle works well to discourage behaviors. If that doesn't work then a very small amount of ammonia works. To test it take a whiff of the ammonia and water. If it's annoying then that's probably not too much. If it's noxious then that's too much ammonia. Adversion not punishment.

While away make the GS wear a muzzle while you work with her. Or you can kennel her to keep them separate.

Put the GS on one side and another dog on the other. Be affectionate with each and if one exhibits dominance then scold and ignore for a short time. Also take the GS's stuff and give it to the other dog and guard it. You can't just take the GS's stuff yourself but must give it to the other dog(s). Give the GS one toy and let her have that for herself but use aversion if she becomes aggressive about it and remove the toy. After awhile give he that single toy back. She'll learn its hers but she cannot be aggressive.

Be the only dominant pack member of the home. If she is aggressive then dominate her right then and there gently though. Don't create fear. Use your hand on her throat gently simulating a bite submission hold. You don't have to do it long. I don't like rolling the dog on its back and holding it there but it has its place on occasion. You can also straddle the aggressor. If they tuck their tails, want to lick afterwards, and lower their heads and avert their eyes then its working.

Finally, take those two dogs on long enough walks to create moderate panting and fatigue one on one side of you and the other on the other side. This reinforces your dominance and their equality as being submissive. Exercise will take away most aggression as does play.

Try those first and see what happens. I prefer the muzzle to the kennel but whichever the dog dislikes the least is the way to go. And the muzzle lets the dogs interact without the possibility of biting and injury. It takes a day or so for most to get use to the muzzle.

Good luck and don't give up.

I think dog aggression over their possessions is fairly common but I'm no expert. My dogs have days when they get a little carried away in not wanting to share toys (two boxers and pit bull).

It's possible the GS is stressed or his possessions are a trigger to being agressive towards your other dog. Maybe you could identify the trigger and attempt to manage the situation to minimize the aggression.

Best of luck and I'm sure it's an extremely difficult decision.

Don't confuse your GS's behavior of showing dominance as aggression. It is not aggressive to bare teeth with snarling/growling while staring at another animal in the household that they normally get along with although it certainly looks like aggression if you don't know dog social behavior. This is one way wolves show dominance along with humping, staring, and straddling. They may also grab the throat or back of the neck as well as nip. These are normal behaviors for a wolf/dog and are not normally signs of aggression. They do not mean the dog is about to fight. The problem here is if the other animal who is subordinate does not submit then they could answer a perceived challenge by fighting. Normally even this is non-lethal but a small dog can be killed esp if it triggers a prey response or gets shaken.

Maybe adding another female to the mix might solve it? Maybe one of similar size? I have 4 dogs (3 females) and one of them (GS mix) is only sometimes aggressive towards the smallest husky (that husky is at the bottom of the totem pole), but I'm the pack leader and she knows better than to go "Too far". Plus she's blind so the husky can easily hide from her.