Well, this is the first time.

[Lisa Carroll]

We always try and take Dunkin (9 mth GD) with us where ever we go.  But, there are times we can't. So, yesterday I open the van doors for my girls to get in (3-6) and someone let Dunkin out. He always get's into the van.

 

Well, when I went to get him out he growled and showed teeth at me.  I was SHOCKED! OMG.  So, my husband did the same thing and he growled and showed teech at him too!  I know he was pissed he wasn't going (we were heading out to dinner); but should I be worried??

 

Thank you in advance for all your feedback.  

[L.M.]

Our Seamus did something like this once, where he tried to show his dominance...it was actually right around the same age as Dunkin.  We were confident that when Seamus did it, he would not come at us, so we were forceful with him.  (I have no idea if this is the "correct" way to deal with the situation...I'm just sharing my own personal experience.)  We both got loud with him...used as deep a voice as we could...and told him "no" and gave the command...in our case it was sit.  We didn't grab at him or do anything physical, but we were loud and deep voiced to let him know we meant business.  I think sometimes dogs this age try to see if and how far they can command us and it's important to let him know that you and your husband are the boss.  We also went through a period of time where we always kept Seamus on a training collar...even in the house.  So if he ever tried to show his dominance over us again, we could easily correct him.  (In our case, his dominant behavior was jumping (and sometimes humping lol), so it is a little different than your situation.)  Now, our big guy is as gentle as can be and knows that me and my husband are boss.  I think it's like a teenage rebellion stage, but it does have to be corrected or it can continue.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Are you fairly confident that Duncan won't bite you?  If so, you need to 'make' him do what you want.  If not, you probably need to get busy with a training program.  If you weren't confident that you could safely get him out of the car at that time, I would have gotten you and the kids out and shut him in and walked away - like a time out - for a few minutes. I would then have come back opened the door and called him to come to you and praised him when he did - I would bet that he would naturally join you outside the car to be part of the action outside.  Then you could have taken him back into the house before resuming your leaving.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Has Dunkin started any sort of obedience training program yet and does he wear a training collar?

[Lisa Carroll]

We have done the basic obedience class (8 wks). He's done so well.   He listens normally but this time he just really wanted to go with the girls........I haven't been using the training collar lately - back to work with it.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think that's what he's going to need.  He's not respecting you if he would growl and show teeth like that....for any reason.  I'd start making him "earn" everything if you aren't already and I'd get that training collar back on and start working him....hard.  If this happens again I would consult with a trainer...you want to stop this behavior before it actually turns into a bite.

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

Can I ask what a "training collar" is? Thanks!

 

[L.M.]

Training collar is a "choke" chain collar.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Or lots of people use prong collars or slip leads.  It really depends on what type of collar you've been using for training.

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

Thanks!