Looking for advice from dog trainers/ behaviorists pretty please

[aubreynoramarie]

***okay, i am editing this post to make it clear exactly what my question is**** (though i have already gotten a few really good suggestions)

I have a three year old english bull terrier. He has shown fear based aggression since he was a puppy. HOWEVER< this aggression is not so severe that it runs our lives, he is a good dog who gets freaked out and growls sometimes.

We have him on a strict regiment as far as letting him know who the alphas in the house are.
this regiment has worked EXTREMELY WELL. he used to growl at us a few times a week, and now it will happen once every few months. We formed this training model based on the trainers, behaviorists, and veterinarian's advice. I do not need advice on this matter.

my question is:
If the dog were growling at you (keeping in mind that it is not dominance based- but fear based), what would YOU do in the situation.

i am not looking for things to prevent this behavior as we are already working with him everyday and it is working very well. i am just asking what YOU WOULD DO at the exact point the dog was growling.

 

[jerseygirl1]

I don't know, but I'm sure someone will chime in, but I wanted to say I love that picture of you and him!

 

[aubreynoramarie]

thank you! hes a total trooper when it comes to photoes, lol, he hates the camera!

 

[FireTigeris]

You might want to PM 'Jamie Dog Trainer' if Jamie doesn't find the thread w/o.

I never had a growly dog so I can not help.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

thanks for the advice

like i said i have seen a few behaviorists and gone to many dog forums but not one person can just answer my one question on what the best thing for me to do when he gets growly is. yarg!

 

[FireTigeris]

*sigh*

Depends on what you want...

Do you want him not to growl?

Or do you want to fix WHY he growls...

I can help with the 'wrong' answer- the way to correct for noise is to say 'No noise' and do a muzzle correction...

but why anyone would not want a dog to growl first is beyond me- I just know that's how its done for both whining and growling... (I would not do this)

 

[aubreynoramarie]

i do not believe grabbing his muzzle will help with this situation, like i said he is an insecure dog and i am positive that would highten the problem and make it worse

i just want to know what the best thing to do when he growls at us is. Do we repremand him so he doesnt think he has upperhand? do we ignore it so he doesnt get too frightend? we have greatly reduced his growling with training and a change of food, it would be nice to fix why he growls but after spending hundreds of dollars on trainers and behaviorists, im pretty sure its not gonna get fixed. I just need to know what i am supposed to do when he growls. thus far we just ignore him and keep doing what we do until he walks away

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
Well I -told- you it was the 'wrong' answer...

I went from a stubborn sharp dog who was always happy (Lab) to a very very soft greyhound and I'm having trouble adjusting to the training for this dog.

I (look up Jamie Dog Trainer all of those post)

 

[GalloFino]

I know you've been down this road before and haven't had good results, but I'd really recommend you try to find a good behaviorist to help you with this in person. I don't think it would be very responsible for anyone to give you advice on this type of issue without seeing the behavior first hand for themselves.

 

[redhen]

I had a great Dane (adult rescue) that i took in, that did this to us. Only his was more a dominance type thing.. Hed jump on the bed/couch and i'd tell him "off!"..and he'd growl at me...
Or if he was sleeping and didnt want to move..he'd growl...
But the rest of the time a TOTAL sweet heart.. gental and kind and GOOD as can be...
I took him to a behaviorist..she said to ALWAYS have a 2ft lead on him... and if he jumps on the couch and you tell him to get down and he growls at you....just walk up to him and grab the lead and MAKE him get down off the couch...same for making him move...etc...
Hes not the boss... period.

But anyways.. you said your boy is insecure growling... so thats different. And from what i understand fearful dogs ARE more prone to biting..
I'd get in another GOOD dog trainer..
But in the mean time what i would try to do is... keep the dog attached to you almost 24/7.. with a leash..just hook the leash in your belt loop or around your waist..
Have him do EVERYTHING with you... let him see that he is safe with you ...and that growling wont work with you guys. And i'm not sure what i would do when the growls again if hes attached to you.... i'd probably just ignore it..because its an insecure growl.... not a dominant growl. You dont want to give him attention for his growling..
Pretty soon he will learn that growls get no response or action from you... (which it sounds like you are doing already)...uumm.. confusing!

I dont know... i'd get a hold of Jamie the dog trainer..shes a smart cookie. I'm sure my advice is all wrong!

ETA..it also sounds like you are LETTING him be fearful of things.(.i.e. baby gates/pictures..etc.).. thats not good IMO..and its not teaching him to be a normal/happy dog...