[Emmelina]

Don't know if this will help you but it worked for me with Megan. It took me about 15 minutes and I only had to do it twice before she got the idea.

When she got to the stage where she growled and wanted to snatch treats out of my hand, I took some cheese (yes i know it's not for any dog you choose something that your pup loves) then I put it in my hand and closed my fingers around it tightly. she could smell the treat but not get at it. you have to be prepared to hang in there even if you get nipped a little with this one.

Then I waited. she tried every trick she knew to get under my fingers and open my hand but I was having none of it. eventually she backed away and gave up. Right away I called her a good dog, opened my hand and she received her treat. Then we did it over. the second time she gave up much more quickly and once she had backed away again she got the hand opened and was told 'gentle' as she took the treat. after five tries at this she had realised that the only way she could get a treat was not only to back away from me but to sit quietly until I was ready.

By saying 'gentle' when she took the the treat gently without snatching she learned the word and it can now be applied to other situations, like playing with cats.

By her taking the food from my hand and only when I was read she learned that food was from me and something to be grateful for not get aggressive about.

I think that this is a tip I picked up in a puppy book before I even got Megan and certainly I was lucky to go through this stage before her teeth came in fully. But think that if you try it yourself and get sammie used to taking food from you and only when he is gentle letting him try it with the children it might work out.

Getting a trainers help though is the best idea if you are really worried about it. certainly this is behaviour to be nipped in the bud!

Best of luck. x

 

[2ndhandgal]

Sorry - going off topic slightly - but I have to totally disagree about Cesar Milan - to see the effect of kicking or any of the other aversives her uses you only have to watch the behaviour of the dogs he is around - what he calls a calm submissive state is usually shut down learned helplessness where the dog stops reacting to whatever it is they are concerned about due to fear of his reactions - that is not training it is bullying.

For those who like him - try watching the programs with the sound down and watching the dogs rather than watching and listening to him - you will see a series of unhappy dogs giving a whole catalogue of calming signals and trying desperately to get away before finally giving in - his methods have no place in modern dog training and have been quite rightly condemmed by most of the major animal welfare organisations in the UK.

 

[Jaclyn]

No, my kids don't tease him at all, all have been taught to respect the dogs just like we do with each other and that to be extra aware around the dogs. Also, all our visiting kids I know extremely well and they are all very gentle and are always supervised.

His behavior actually started when we were petsitting our friends dog and he stole a treat from Sammie. Sammie went after him and it was the first time I had ever seen Sammie act that way.

It's been a couple weeks since we changed things up around here and he is doing much better already. In fact we haven't had an incident in over a week now. I'm going to continue doing what our trainer suggested which is really to show him that I'm the leader around here. No more going to get him to go out to do his business, he comes when I call him, I do obedience with him everyday etc.

He really is a lovely guy so I'm glad he seems to have made progress

I have to ask this, sorry if it sounds rude. If you have other kids coming over, could they be teasing or harassing your dog or even your kids playing with him and teasing him? This can be a cause of your dog getting aggressive. I think you also need to make sure "any" kids that are in your house knows how to play and handle a dog. I know when I have my step-grandkids in our house I always watch them around our cat. Just until they get older and know how to read her "language".

Also with what others said, is to work with a trainer, which you are already doing. I know there are so many resourses out there now-a-days.

 

[Cat 53]

That sounds great. So glad for you.

 

[Marzi]

Well done to you - it takes guts to face up to a situation, seek advice and then stick to it.
Your dog will be much happier knowing that you are his leader!
I hope you continue to see improvement.