Increasingly Aggressive German Shepherd/Lab Mix

We've had the best dog in the whole world in every way possible . . . until recently. We brought home a Lab/Golden Retriever mix about 7 months ago, when the puppy was about 2 months old. Wonderful dog in every way! However, in the last few months the older dog (just turned 13 this month) is becoming increasingly aggressive toward the puppy, who is now just a whisker bigger than her. They do a lot together: go to the Dog Run, swim in the local river, play in the plastic pool, run in the forest, etc. But the older dog is barking more and more at the younger, sometimes incessantly. The barking may start for nothing more than the puppy walking into her field of visions. Now and then she snaps at her, and on a few occasions seemed to lunge at her. She's never been that way to anyone or any dog; she' always been very friendly.

Thaw's causing such aggressive behavior? I suppose the puppy can be a little annoying at times ("Let's play!") but never aggressive. We trained her to realized that the older dog is the lead dog and we attempt to give equal time and attention to both. Also, the older dog is still very active and in very good shape. Could the cause be her bread, part German Shepherd? Her age (onset of dementia, painful arthritis)?

You help is greatly appreciated.

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Sep 16, 2014
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Nothing In Life Is Free
by: Adam G. Katz

Your problem is that your dog didn't get a motivational correction for exhibiting the aggressive behavior.

You need to:

1. Establish yourself as the pack leader.

2. Put both dogs on a "Nothing In Life Is Free" program.

3. Do not leave these dogs together unsupervised.

Employ the "Nothing In Life Is Free" approach, so that your dog starts to view you as the "pack leader." If your dog doesn't see you as the leader, then your corrections will be meaningless. So, if you're doing subtle things (inadvertently) to undermine your leadership role around the house-- it will be counter-productive.



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All the best,
Adam

Adam G. Katz is the author of, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!" -- which you can find at DogProblems.com.

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