EM showing signs of agreession for no reason. PLEASE HELP!

[jmli1973]

My EM has turned 1yearold just last month. I’ve had him since he is 12 weeks old. I immediately hired a trainer because with a big dog comes a big responsibility. That’s my motto! Met with a trainer he did puppy kindergarten with him and told me to meet up again when he is 6 months to start hardcore obedience training. Since day one he has been around a lot of people and children. I take him to work 3x a week since he was a baby. I can put my hands in his food take a bone from his mouth he’s been the best dog.... until this last week while at work he hangs out underneath my desk, which mind you is a very long desk in a small office. One day one my assistants came in and he lunged at her he didn’t bite her but dig bark and almost air snap I couldn’t believe it. He does know her since he was a young pup she’s taken him for walks and all. She came back in the office after the incident and again he tried to jump on her and growl and bark. The following week he did it again to another girl. She was rubbing his belling and he was wagging his tail then all of a sudden snap and bark he didn’t get her but scared the crap out of me. Called my trainer he came out to see the situation at work and he said my office was too small for him ad that people were coming in and he was in-between me and the people and wasn’t a good situation and to set up the crate right outside my office and while at home keep him on leash take away his freedom because he was being very dominant. He said it doesn’t help that he’s not neutered because of his hormones, but that not being neutered wasn’t the main problem but just didn’t help. Well bigger problem now while at home on the leash my girlfriend came over and he growled immediately so I told her to be careful and she was sitting he was sniffing her and wagging his tail then all of a sudden lunged at her luckily I had him on leash and was able to pull him. Called trainer and he recommended doing boot camp with him for a week to break his dominance he says EM thinks I’m in his pack and he the leader... here I thought I was doing everything right by socializing him taking him everywhere and now this aggressive behavior is freaking me out!! PS I did let him sleep in the bed with my and my husband. Which my trainer has said no more. This trainer / animal behaviorist has been with him since he is twelve weeks old.

Any advice would be great I have read this can be the terrible twos but I can’t be like this.
can i fix this ??ray:ray:ray:

 

[Geisthexe]

Is the office door closed?
He he sleeping when they come in?
What do you do when he does this type of reaction?

 

[jmli1973]

Hi Deb the door is mostly closed when im in there and when i leave sometimes i forget to close it. He is not sleeping when the incidence happens but playing with his ball.on the two times this happened tell him no and he rolled right over for me the second time i had him the leash and gave him a leash tugand told him no. he has been in my office and use 2 - 3 people in there it is small about 10x5
I did set up his crate outside my office door for him. Why do you think this is happening is it a dominance thing? it did happen at home as well

---------- Post added at 01:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:44 PM ----------

Hi Deb the door is mostly closed when im in there and when i leave sometimes i forget to close it. He is not sleeping when the incidence happens but playing with his ball.on the two times this happened tell him no and he rolled right over for me the second time i had him the leash and gave him a leash tugand told him no.
my office is small about10x5 but ive had 2-3 people in there and hes been there since hes 4 months old. I did set up his crate outside my office door for him. Why do you think this is happening is it a dominance thing? it did happen at home as well

 

[jmli1973]

Hi Deb the door is mostly closed when im in there and when i leave sometimes i forget to close it. He is not sleeping when the incidence happens but playing with his ball.on the two times this happened tell him no and he rolled right over for me the second time i had him the leash and gave him a leash tugand told him no.
my office is small about10x5 but ive had 2-3 people in there and hes been there since hes 4 months old. I did set up his crate outside my office door for him. Why do you think this is happening is it a dominance thing? it did happen at home as well

 

[Geisthexe]

Hi Deb the door is mostly closed when im in there and when i leave sometimes i forget to close it. He is not sleeping when the incidence happens but playing with his ball.on the two times this happened tell him no and he rolled right over for me the second time i had him the leash and gave him a leash tugand told him no.
I did set up his crate outside my office door for him. Why do you think this is happening is it a dominance thing? it did happen at home as well

Most of the times young dogs really react to new things or new things that can make them spook

Closing the door or even part will can surprise the dog.
May I suggest you get a baby gate to out there. So the dog can here the noise, hear people, and you have time to react if something does happen again

Also please describe the noise factor at work. Meaning is it quite when you are in your office closed door & open?

 

[jmli1973]

Most of the times young dogs really react to new things or new things that can make them spook

Closing the door or even part will can surprise the dog.
May I suggest you get a baby gate to out there. So the dog can here the noise, hear people, and you have time to react if something does happen again



Also please describe the noise factor at work. Meaning is it quite when you are in your office closed door & open?

hes been coming to work with me for the last 8months and the noise level is loud since its a retail store , this kind of mannerism has happend at home when he was smelling a friend and turned on her. this is not new for him at all. im hoping this can be fixed he is going to the animal behaviorist/trainer for a week hope it helps

 

[jmli1973]

what do you thnk of the trainer taking him he says its the em being dominant

 

[Geisthexe]

Personally I wouldnt send the dog to the trainer. I dont know the trainer you are taking him to as you never said a name but I personally would not send the dog b/c one you need to know what this person is going to do. Two he/she needs to see the dog in his own environment.

If I was your trainer, just like when you read about the guy who wanted to train his dog in PP work. I would want to see the dog where he is doing this behavior. WHY b/c the dog is NOT going to DO this behavior in a different environment or without YOU.

Who is the trainer you are looking at?

 

[musicdeb]

Totally agree with Deb. I would want to be there for the training and I personally do not think sending a dog to a trainer is a good idea.

Deb is well qualified to answer your questions.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Agree with Deb....I wouldnt send him away. You dont know what they will do or how they will do it. The first obedience classes I attended with my Akita was run by a guy who also did book camp work. In the open class there was this Rottie, it was high strung, toy agressive and badly abused from its past owner, the new owner was trying his best to help the dog. Anyway, the guy who was running it grabbed the Rottie by its leash, the dog was wearing a choke, and the trainer lifted the dog up off the ground nearly choking the poor thing! Needless to say I never returned to that class again and even more so wouldnt send my dog or any dog for that matter to one of his boot camps, God only knows what you'll get back.

 

[Geisthexe]

Just on a note ..

I do boot camp classes all the time. There are many reasons for folks to send a dog to a qualified trainer.
- do not have time to do the training they want the training done, folks like this will get mad at the dog to much causing there own problems in the end like a fear dog, submissive dog etc.
- owners are looking for certain things to be taught to there dog and they do not know how to obtain it.
- damage from another trainer, many trainers like you all pointed out will cause issue by beating, yelling etc and then the dog is fearful, aggressive, submissive etc.
- or if the dog has been seen in there own environment and it is something that needs to be trained and nipped in the butt before the dogs has more issues

Now that being said:

I have a GSD here now.. the dog has 3 more weeks, the owner was going to another trainer who stated the dog was dog aggressive, when I tested the dog it is NOT but the fact that the 1st trainer put on a prong & a e-collar w/ a muzzle (she would not get bit) she would abuse the dog with this type of training.
I have now brought the dog out of his fear, submission and defensive aggression. He runs my yard and tail is back up and happy boy. The owner is required to come out once a week but can come out more to come see there dog and learn what I have taught the dog. Once the dog goes home I require 3 more sessions to make sure the dog is understanding the owner in there own environment

So now telling you this... Many trainers to do Boot Camp do not have you come out do not show you what they have taught the dog and you are left still in the dark to have the problems continue

 

[jmli1973]

my trainers name isMichael DiMarco from ny he has to my home and to my job. several times he has trained oscar since he was 12 weeks old in puppy kindergarden and then again at 7 months for obedience . He is saying that he is being very dominant and want to be in charge the reason he is taking him is because when people come to my home and while i have him on the leash he lunges and my friends and family. I have had oscar on the leash and have taken away his freedom but that seems not to be doing much. I do trust my trainer and he suggested i bring him to him to work on his dominance. i dont want him to bite anyone because then we know what will happen then . im scared and worried but my trainer keeps telling me it will be alright that he is going through his terrible twos. I can walk into his facility at anytime and when bootcamp is done iof course i want him to show me what he has done with my dog. My dog is my baby.
What i am trying to understand is why his behavior has changed all of a sudden and how to fiz it

---------- Post added at 11:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 AM ----------

Just on a note ..

I do boot camp classes all the time. There are many reasons for folks to send a dog to a qualified trainer.
- do not have time to do the training they want the training done, folks like this will get mad at the dog to much causing there own problems in the end like a fear dog, submissive dog etc.
- owners are looking for certain things to be taught to there dog and they do not know how to obtain it.
- damage from another trainer, many trainers like you all pointed out will cause issue by beating, yelling etc and then the dog is fearful, aggressive, submissive etc.
- or if the dog has been seen in there own environment and it is something that needs to be trained and nipped in the butt before the dogs has more issues

Now that being said:

I have a GSD here now.. the dog has 3 more weeks, the owner was going to another trainer who stated the dog was dog aggressive, when I tested the dog it is NOT but the fact that the 1st trainer put on a prong & a e-collar w/ a muzzle (she would not get bit) she would abuse the dog with this type of training.
I have now brought the dog out of his fear, submission and defensive aggression. He runs my yard and tail is back up and happy boy. The owner is required to come out once a week but can come out more to come see there dog and learn what I have taught the dog. Once the dog goes home I require 3 more sessions to make sure the dog is understanding the owner in there own environment

So now telling you this... Many trainers to do Boot Camp do not have you come out do not show you what they have taught the dog and you are left still in the dark to have the problems continue

deb where are you based out of? do you deal with all breeds or mostly mastiffs?

 

[jmli1973]

Just on a note ..

I do boot camp classes all the time. There are many reasons for folks to send a dog to a qualified trainer.
- do not have time to do the training they want the training done, folks like this will get mad at the dog to much causing there own problems in the end like a fear dog, submissive dog etc.
- owners are looking for certain things to be taught to there dog and they do not know how to obtain it.
- damage from another trainer, many trainers like you all pointed out will cause issue by beating, yelling etc and then the dog is fearful, aggressive, submissive etc.
- or if the dog has been seen in there own environment and it is something that needs to be trained and nipped in the butt before the dogs has more issues

Now that being said:

I have a GSD here now.. the dog has 3 more weeks, the owner was going to another trainer who stated the dog was dog aggressive, when I tested the dog it is NOT but the fact that the 1st trainer put on a prong & a e-collar w/ a muzzle (she would not get bit) she would abuse the dog with this type of training.
I have now brought the dog out of his fear, submission and defensive aggression. He runs my yard and tail is back up and happy boy. The owner is required to come out once a week but can come out more to come see there dog and learn what I have taught the dog. Once the dog goes home I require 3 more sessions to make sure the dog is understanding the owner in there own environment

So now telling you this... Many trainers to do Boot Camp do not have you come out do not show you what they have taught the dog and you are left still in the dark to have the problems continue

deb where are you based out of? do you deal with all breeds or mostly mastiffs?

 

[Geisthexe]

deb where are you based out of? do you deal with all breeds or mostly mastiffs?

I am out of Moriarty New Mexico
I personally own Presa's, Malinois, Terriers
I have had many dogs in my past as well have trained all the breeds on this board and beyond. I am currently working with a husky, Pit bull, Rat Terrier, Yorkie, GSDs, CCs, ABDs, Presas & Beorbel puppy. These are some of the students I have at the moment
I started training with Pit bulls and was the behaviorist for the Fresno & Clovis Animals shelters in California
I have been in the dog world for 20+ yrs and have gone to school for animal husbandry, am a vet tech, behaviorist, trained with 7 of the best trainers in the USA and am a certified Decoy.

I went to your trainers website and I am sorry I would not trust that person. I would not put my name behind him to recommend him. He is another glorified ABC dog trainer. He is no Behaviorist. Calling himself a Master Trainer is a crock and any good trainer will tell you this. I am sorry but it is a FACT. What I do not like is he does not list where he went to school. I guarantee he would not know how to deal with a serious aggressive dog. I maybe wrong and I will state I am if he can prove it. But with a dominate dog by taking them he is defeating the purpose of what he needs to fix. By taking him to his home he is REMOVING the dog from the situation and not fixing the problem where it lies.

By him coming to your home/work and no problems have been resolved tells me he truly does not know how to fix it.
By you taking away things ie: (your words) I have had oscar on the leash and have taken away his freedom but that seems not to be doing much
Sorry the dog is NOT a child and by taking freedom, toys, leaving in crate etc (what trainers tell folks to do) is completely teaching the dog NOTHING. If it was a child and you took freedom to play, watch tv etc, take toys away, or make sit in time out the child can rationalize what the problem was b/c YOU can explain it to them and why they are in trouble. CAN NOT DO THIS WITH A DOG.

I really dont mean to sound harsh if you are taking it that way but if you were my student I would be doing the same to your face.... I dont beat around the bush specially with a dog that can turn into trouble.

I would love to actually speak to you b/c what gets written on a board doesnt always come out like it should and maybe I can give you some advice by hearing the situation. I can also help you find a trainer in your area that is qualified to assist you if that is what you would like me to do....

Let me know

 

[jmli1973]

deb that would be great i would love to speak with you!. If you can recommend a trainer in my area that would be great too. How do i get in touch with you?

 

[Geisthexe]

Calling you now .. my number area code 505

 

[jmli1973]

Calling you now .. my number area code 505

Deb thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. thanks again speak to you soon1

 

[Geisthexe]

Deb thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. thanks again speak to you soon1

You are so welcome. I hope I helped you and gave you some advice that can help with the situation. Please again feel free to contract if you need more advice till we get you a awesome trainer

 

[DennasMom]

I'm glad you talked with Deb!

Your story has a few things that don't add up for me.

1. The trainer helped your dog with puppy kindergarten, then didn't want to see the dog between 3 and 6 months. What did he tell you do to during that time??

2. Can you point to any event at work that may have cause your puppy some trauma? It could be that he woke up when you weren't there and someone else came to tell him to be queit, or give him a pet when he wasn't sure about the person and you weren't there to say it was ok... or it could be something else entirely.

3. It doesn't sound like dominance to me - it sounds like a lack of confidence and potentially some fear, and maybe a little uncertainty that you are there to be his leader and take care of things for him.

4. A trainer that suggests boot camp to "break" a dog's "Dominance" is not one that I would trust my dog with. That doesn't help YOU deal with any situation that may come up, either, which I think is what you want if you want to keep taking your dog to work with you - which is GREAT, by the way, that you can do that!

Are you getting to the point where you're anticipating his bad behavior? If so... you need to decide what you want him to do instead - and teach him some good commands, then get a firm picture in your head of him following your commands in those situations. Then practice, practice, practice.

1 year-old is still puppy, so he's still learning where limits are and what's expected. Could be hormones and another 'testing' period are coming on, so you just have to reinforce your rules so he knows what's expected.

Let us know what you end up dong and how it goes!

 

[musicdeb]

Deb, you are awesome!