Did I create a Monster? Showing aggression at 1.5 yrs old.

[Crystal about Murphy Bach]

Murphy our 45lbs, Golden Doodle, 1.5yrs old, has an old brother Tucker 9lbs, Chihuahua Poodle, 7 yrs old. 

Tucker has always been pretty stern with Murphy over his space, because frankly Murphy is a clumsy fella, and would step on Tucker and almost run him over, so Tucker would show whose boss, and growl and bite Murphy's Legs to show him the boundaries. I felt like this was ok, up tell now, HAVE I CREATED A MONSTER ?  

Now there is a problem I am noticing and I need some advice:

We were over at a friends house, and they just got a new Puppy 10 wks old, very innocent and playful, this was all about a month ago. Murphy became very dominate in his stance and was growling aggressively, I was very aware of this situation and was watching him like a hawk, until I turned away for a second and Murphy lunged and bite the puppy very aggressively and drew blood to his ear. This is the second time this has happen with a dog. The first time, I thought it was my others friends dogs problem- she has a Jack Russel who is a jerk most times, but I am beginning to think it just Murphy and that he is turning into a monster. 

I am not sure how to handle this situation, these are my concerns.

Anyone have any advice?

His Personality(to give a little background):

• People with dogs he approaches with restraint, but more comfortable.
• He is definitely a nervous dog and hate men around our house.
• Very cautious of all sounds and noises.
• Confortable aroudn most women who are my friends when they coem over to our house.
• He grew up with a 7 yr odl at our house for the first year of his life, he seems good with little girls.
• He scared of all young boys, and barks.
• He barks at men in general who aren't my husband. 

His Actions:

• Tucker has taught him some bad behaviors, maybe? 
  • It could be that Murphy is becoming more dominate as he ages though.
• Possibly Murphy cannot be around small dogs, but I thought it would be ok because of Tuckers size and 99% of the time they play nice together.
• I am worried Murphy cannot be around children and we are thinking about having kids soon.
  • though Murphy grew up for the first year of his life with a 7yr old girl at our house, and did fine with her, Playful and fun.
• We went to the dog park the other day, and a group of dogs surrounded him and he lunged at the biggest dog and attempted to aggressively bite him, I yelled really loud, and Murphy ran towards me. 

My Worries:

• We can't take him to the dog park anymore.
• He needs to wear a bite guard
  • especially when we do have kids and an infant around the house. 

I want to be able to make him not get aggressive, Any advice? 

I appreciate any information and advice on this. I do not know what to do. :( 

Thanks. 

[Bonnie & Bodhi]

Hi Crystal,

I got Bodhi from Smeraglia's in Alabama, I live in CA for goodness sake. I paid a lot to have him stay with them until he was 3 months because they were suppose to have had him potty trained and know to leave a cat alone. Oh my, Bodhi was not house trained until he was about 9 months old. He's only 1 1/2 year now. I do live in an upstairs condo/apt but still, he never let me know he had to go until he was practically an old man. Everybody said don't get mad at him but fudge, I finally got really mad at him and then he got the idea that he needed to let me know in some way that he needed to go outside to do his business.

I believe that he lived the extra 4 weeks of his life at Smeraglia's in a kennel. However, he has never been afraid of anything. He is a go, go getter, the world is his oyster. Yes, I was upset that he couldn't get house trained and upset that my cat would not come home but now all is well in those departments. The cat and Bodhi are not best friends but she likes him enough to trust him to be on her back while he walks by and she comes home much more like she did before he was brought home.

I just came home from the vet. The vet said Bodhi seems very healthy (and happy). He is just being a very picky boy as he is so spoiled when he doesn't eat his kibble I give him raw duck and now he doesn't want his raw duck...When he's hungry I will give him his Acana kibble and that's going to be that. So anyway, she gave me the name of Dr. Brennan who works out of the local emergency vet hospital here in Santa Cruz who is a retired vet now only working on behavioral issues. I made an appointment to see her Wed evening to talk about Bodhi's dog park aggression. I will let you know what I learn from her then. I want to ask her about him attending the hiking group before I let him go with them again.

It has also been suggested to me to make sure Bodhi comes when he calls, no if and or buts. I need to work on this. I've been lazy working on most of the commands except sit, stay, down, here, leave it too but he's getting lazy with the latter. I can not imagine having 2 dogs as you have. One cat, one dog for me.

Sorry your dog is acting like a pit bull, I know it is stressful and disappointing. It's good to know someone else is going through this. I will tell you too that I ran into a woman at the park, a few months back, who got a gdoodle from Smeraglia's who was returning hers the next day. I also ran into a woman who was in my puppy class who had just returned her labrador-doodle and got a poodle. Perhaps there is something going on with in-breeding? It does seem that everyone else on this website hasn't these kinds of problems or perhaps people who do, return them. Oh, someone I met at a dog park just a bit back said she knew a woman who worked at Smeraglia's and that they do get a lot of returns. I almost returned Bodhi when he was around 6 months old but there was no way I could, it would have been too heartbreaking. I feel bad for the little feller, being born in a mill. He's turned out to be a really good boy and I'm sure both of our boys will be Great by the time they are 2 (?)   :)  Stay in touch.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sorry I haven't responded sooner....busy week here.  So getting them to listen as you release them one at a time for fetch takes time and lots of practice.  I will try to get my husband to video tomorrow and I'll do it with my guys to show you what I mean.  The fact that Murphy was on leash for the dog park incident makes so much sense.  My trainer taught me to never have one dog leashed in an environment of unleashed dogs.  The leashed dog feels terrible threatened and the unleashed dogs feel like they have the "upper hand".  I really wouldn't ever recommend having him leashed in this situation...it will make his fear/reactiveness escalate.  As far as finding the right trainer, I really think it's going to involve more than just a class because there's a dynamic that involves your "pack"....Murphy, You, and Tucker.  I would ask your Vet if he/she has anyone who might come to your home for a few sessions to work with you.  Often Vets are well versed on trainers in the area and get lots of feedback.  It's fine to interview trainers and be sure you're comfortable with their experience and track record before spending any money.  Please keep us posted...and I'll do my best to get the "fetch video" tomorrow.

[Crystal about Murphy Bach]

Jane, I would love a video of your training words, and advice, this could be very useful..

We are finding now after even four days of trying this new tactic, and call and release, that our older dog, Tucker will not listen. Murphy seems to love this new tactic.

I say "Murphy, Stay." "Tucker Stay", "Murphy Came" and I point, and as soon as I say "Come" Tucker comes running, everytime. Then I shout, "Tucker, No Stay" and now he is just super scared, and worried that no matter what he does he is in the wrong. Poor guy.  

Then when I do the opposite "I say "Tucker Stay",  "Murphy, Stay."Tucker Came" and I point, Murphy stays and Tucker comes. Which doesn't help Tucker learn his name. 

The other day we were out in the yard, and someone walked by our house and both dogs went running after him, proceeding to circle the man, not being aggressive or anything, just barkign at him, which is embarrasing, and I try and call them to come and they just ignore me- we live on a very quiet street. I yelled to get them to stop and they kept running, and then circling. This is something I wish I could control with my voice, If I hear them start barking and start to run toward a person let's say, I could say "Murphy Stay, Tucker Stay." and they woudl both sit nicely and stare back at me and stop running.

Or if they run and circle the person, I could saying come, and they'd both come, but that isn't the case. I hope this call and release training I am slowly perusing will help this? Am I living in dream land? 

Jane,

Also, I will ask my vet for trainer suggestions. Thanks again for your time and help through this frustrating time. 

-Crystal

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sorry I couldn't get a video today.....snowing again here, so again outside won't work.  I'll try inside over the weekend.  As far as what happened when they were out in the yard and circled the passing man.....I would not have them off-leash.  I would have them on a long line in order to correct if they didn't obey my recall.  You may eventually get to a point where they would respond to your "stay" command with a passing stranger, but you would need lots of practice with a long line first.  Same goes for calling them...they will get there after lots of practice, but they are not yet trained for this.  I would absolutely not let them "practice" blowing you off....don't give a command unless you can follow through and make them do what you asked.