Any Dog Trainers/Handlers here?

[zelstin]

Yes, he is nuetered. He won't be aggressive unless the wife is around. Those are the only times he will try to attack and its just this past week that he went berserk. I did come back from a year deployment in late September, but the behavior did not manifest itself until this past week. Just odd, cause I can't figure what changed in the last week.

How old is the dog? Is it your wife's time of the month?

[Patryn's Girl]

He is four. And no it's not my time of the month. But even if it were, he's been around me for "that time of the month" for four years with no issue what-so-ever. He and my husband have always had a great relationship where Corey is very much the leader. They always played well together, he submited when he was supposed to, etc. When Corey was deployed I had a really rough time for the first couple of months until I was able to establish myself as the boss. I'm not as naturally assertive as my husband is, so it was difficult for me. It took me having to create very strict routines which have changed since my husband got home... But, if it were the change in routine causing the issue don't you think that would have happened the first month he was home? It's literally been everything is fine, no issues at all and then BAM. And I am totally the catalyst. If I am within a few feet of Corey the dog's fur is up, he's growling and every muscle is super tensed. He's not even playing with the other two dogs like he normally does. Obviously we're trying everything we can think of, and looking every where for ideas. He's been our baby since he was six weeks old. There's no history that we don't know about. I am at such a loss. If we can't figure out what the trigger is, I don't know how we can prevent his behavior.

[zelstin]

He is four. And no it's not my time of the month. But even if it were, he's been around me for "that time of the month" for four years with no issue what-so-ever. He and my husband have always had a great relationship where Corey is very much the leader. They always played well together, he submited when he was supposed to, etc. When Corey was deployed I had a really rough time for the first couple of months until I was able to establish myself as the boss. I'm not as naturally assertive as my husband is, so it was difficult for me. It took me having to create very strict routines which have changed since my husband got home... But, if it were the change in routine causing the issue don't you think that would have happened the first month he was home? It's literally been everything is fine, no issues at all and then BAM. And I am totally the catalyst. If I am within a few feet of Corey the dog's fur is up, he's growling and every muscle is super tensed. He's not even playing with the other two dogs like he normally does. Obviously we're trying everything we can think of, and looking every where for ideas. He's been our baby since he was six weeks old. There's no history that we don't know about. I am at such a loss. If we can't figure out what the trigger is, I don't know how we can prevent his behavior.

I was just thinking he might of sexually matured while your husband was away, and became the alpha male.

You sound like you're much more experienced with stubborn/hard to train breeds than me, but I'll try to help. Similar to beepbeep's advice, I would sit in the middle of a couch and grab the dog around the neck and chest, ready for a bear hug. Have the wife come and sit to your left. When the dog shows aggression, step over his hips and put him belly up. Have your wife show you affection while you are in the dominant position. Hopefully the dog will realize he's not the baddest mf'er in the house.

How did the red wolf and hybrid take to training? I really want a hybrid but I've read that they're not very loyal and hard to train.

[beepbeep]

Ok. I spoke to someone today who has considerable more experience with animals, including wolf/hybrids, than I do. She recommended that when feeding the dog, for you to 'eat' from his bowl first. She said you could do this with crackers that you hold in your palm and mimic getting it from his bowl--in front of him. Also, she recommended running your hands through his food to 'mark it'.
Controlling animals by food is the primary mark of an alpha. She said based on what you have shared here, that the dog has bonded with the wife as a bitch and now feels the need to re-assert his stance as alpha, now that you are home. It doesn't matter that you've been home a while and there have been no issues. To a dog, time is unimportant. Basically, you will re-establish your role as alpha and pack leader by eating FIRST and then ALLOWING him to eat afterward. Doing what I wrote above as well as perhaps giving him a little kibble (on the floor is fine so you don't risk fingers if he's is angry) AFTER mimicking the eating out of HIS bowl, will begin to rewire how he looks at the situation.
She said it could take a little time to reset the situation...more than just a day or two. What I mentioned earlier about sitting with the wife on the couch with him crated, watching you, will help as well. He just sees the wife as 'his' and needs to learn otherwise.
I hope this helps. Please keep us posted.

[Patryn's Girl]

Thanks guys! We appreciate the feedback. He's been better, still more growly than usual (he's always been very vocal, he's like a mouthy teenager constantly talking back.) but obeying most of his commands without too much effort. He's playing with the other dogs again, and seems to be doing ok... I just want to make sure he continues to get back in his place in the "pack".

BeepBeep: We've been having him lay down in the living room (Not allowed to enter the kitchen) while we eat, and making him stay there until Corey is finished. When Corey is done, he gets up, gives him a treat and then feeds Cas. "Marking" his food isn't something we thought of - what an excellent idea! I'm going to have Corey do that at lunch today, and from here on out! Thank you!!

Zelstin: Hybrids are VERY difficult to train. But each one is completely different, it depends on how wolfy vs doggy they are. Our red/timber wolf (the one in my avatar) is the sweetest, most gentle baby. And I mean baby. He cuddles, thinks he's a lap dog and looks to us to protect him. He doesn't follow commands like the other two do. He'll sit or lay down if you have a treat, and he'll come when you call, if he feels like it. He is an escape artist, and even though he's blind he has managed to find the only hole in the fence and will slip through it daily if we're not watching him. He is destructive, as all wolfdogs are, but was easily crate trained. Mainly because of his blindness, he feels safer sleeping with his back to a wall. (Very soldier like, haha.)


Our problem child (and has been since he was six weeks old) is Cas. He's half Canadian Grey and Half Siberian Husky. He has inherited the WORST traits from both breeds. He has completely destroyed four metal crates in four years. And he's only crated when we're at work, because he has completely destroyed our house. We're talking ransacking each and every room. I came home and burst into tears at the mess he had caused at six months old when he broke out of his crate. His crate is ziptied, metal fastened and padlocked at each and every seam. And he will still occasionally break out. He knows all kinds of commands and passed obedience school with flying covers. At 7 weeks old he knew sit and gentle. Now, if he chooses to follow any of your commands is completely and totally his call. And it usually depends on how good the treat is. He's very treat motivated. If I had it to do all over again, as much as I love Cas, and as ready as I was to handle a difficult dog, I wouldn't do it again. (Him on Halloween - I joked he didn't dress up - because he's a demon)


Then we have an Alaskan Malamute. BEST DOG EVER. I grew up with a mal that was AMAZING and desperately wanted another one. Corey brought me home a used puppy (6 months old that needed to be rehomed) and she is perfect. She's sweet, and gentle with people, rough and tumble with the dogs. She's a great watch dog (as in alerts that someone is here) but a terrible guard dog (she'll lick them to death.) She follows all of her commands, all the time. She's a bit of a doofus, but so wonderful.


We'll keep working with Cas, and if you have any other ideas as well, we'll gladly try them out too. We want our loving demon back!

[FeaRpb]

Beautiful dog.