Aggressive service dog

by Jeff
(South Carolina)

HI,
I am a 100% disabled veteran that has a service dog. I got him when he was 7 wks old and he is 3 yrs old now. He is part Black Lab and part Newfie and weighs in at 100 lbs. He and I went through all the training together,(20months),and he goes where I go, he is never left alone at home.
I also have a couple cats, one is 5 years old, the other is 11 years old. Two weekends ago the dog attacked the 5 year old cat and almost killed her. His possession aggression of his food, treats, water, toys seems to be growing. He also snapped at the wife's hand recently when she went to pick up a piece of food he had taken out of the kitchen. I on the other hand can take his food bowl away while he eats, take a toy away, take a treat away, put my hand in his mouth without problems.
I am at my wits end on this issue. I need this dog for my military injuries to function daily, but I can't have the dog attacking other animals, or God forbid a child while out in a store. Is there any hope for this dog?

Thanks,
Jeff

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Apr 26, 2021
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Pack mentality disproven
by: Harrison

Please be careful when listening to things like this. The pack mentality has been scientifically disproven. This is easy to find out if you do a little search. If people tell you otherwise they are ignorant or are trying to sell you something.

Jul 19, 2018
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Become The Pack Leader
by: Online Dog Trainer

Become The Pack Leader

Of all the questions that people ask "how to become the pack leader" is the big one! This is by far the most important question how to convince your dog that you are the person in charge. Think of the pack leader as the decision maker - where you should go on the walk, how to behave in different situations and how to respond to all the strange things that are out there.

When you understand how dogs packs work you soon realize the importance, that pack leader makes all the decisions. If you leave it up to your dog then there a big chance that your dog is going to get something’s very wrong and make a mistake!

In order to understand how to become the pack leader you must first recognize that the following means nothing to a dog….

What car you drive, the size of your house, the money you earn or the fact that you speak languages! Your dog would happily swap all of that for a nice snack!

Asking your dog to sit before her dinner falls a long way short of what you need to be achieving to become the pack leader and walking through doorways is only necessary when your dog is on the lead.

Lastly - dominating your dog is certainly not the way to become the pack leader in fact this can back fire badly on you later on if you teach your dog that physical strength is what it is all about. Whilst you may force your dog into submission it will not be convincing your dogs mind that you are worthy of the position and that you should become the pack leader only that you are a bit of a bully.

So how do you become the pack leader? All dogs worldwide, regardless of breed use the same ways to check to establish the pack leader. The best way to learn about how to put it into practice is to watch it being done on video as I have done through one of the video based web sites. The important areas to take control in are the following:

The pack leader will be in total calm control when your dog barks and alerts you to danger. This includes anything that your dog may perceive as dangerous and barks at in and around the property
On the walk your dog should not pull you at a single stage, even the beginning! Learning to walk your dog properly can only really be learnt through video as I have found out!

If you are the pack leader then your dog should be able to relax and switch off completely inside the house. If your dog is always switched on most of the time and can’t relax then that is your dog on pack leader duty!

Getting your dog to switch off is directly connected to how you meet and greet your dog after your return home. You need to watch it on video it is so subtle but it is the difference between being the pack leader or the follower.

Lastly, feeding your dog correctly will establish who is the pack leader and there is much more to it than asking your dog to sit! Also if you have a dog that is "not food motivated" then you may be in for a surprise!

There is one site that shows you – using video – exactly how to become the pack leader and how crucial it is to changing any behavioral issue.

If you want to understand more about this topic or see the videos that explain everything then simply take a look at:

The Online Dog Trainer here.

Nothing In Life Is Free

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.

All the best,
Adam

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