Agression in doodles

[Jill Holder]

I have a 2 yr old golden doodle who occasionally shows agression toward other dogs (tail is up and he lunges or snaps at them).  He also has occasionally bit my kids or growl at them if they jump on him.  I cannot have a dog who shows any type of aggression whatsoever.  I will work with a trainer but if I cannot get this remedied then I will have to - sadly - get rid of him.  Anyone else had this problem and what their solution was???  Most of the time, Max is a friendly dog.  He just needs some training.   Thanks!

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I have found that with Ollie, he gets a little "aggressive" around other dogs if he is on a leash in stressful situations.  If we are in line at the vet's office, I need to be 100% aware of what is going on around us and use my body to get between him and any other dog and try to keep his attention focused on me (while trying to keep myself calm the entire time so he doesn't get even more stressed!).  If we are walking through a crowded park and another dog approaches, I step off the path and put both of my dogs down into a sit/stay and use treats to keep the focus on me. 

We adopted Ollie last summer and he came from a family where there were some "issues" with the children there (I don't have any details on this) so I ALWAYS ALWAYS supervise him when he is around kids.  He is a dog you never know what might happen.  If we keep greetings with children low-key then there are no problems and he will even off up some of his (sometimes excessive) Ollie kisses.  If things get too crazy and loud (like when our friends bring over their 4 small children), Ollie will eventually hide under the table and then we have a "hands off" rule where NO ONE is allowed to touch him or try to crawl under the table with him. 

Dogs have limits and there is only so much they can handle.  Just like people need their personal space, so do dogs.  I'm sure that there are days when your kids are hounding you and hanging on you were you want to simply say "mommy needs a time out".  Imagine how your dog might feel if the little ones are trying to love on him all the time.  The kids may have the best intentions, but he might not be a hug-me-squeeze-me type of dog. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know that it seems that a child hugging a dog, or laying on a dog to cuddle, is very sweet, but it is not seen that way by a dog. I strongly suggest that as of today, you not allow your children to lay on Max or hug him, especially around the neck.

Teach them to let him come to them for pets if he wants them, and then, to pet him on his sides or chest, never on the head or face and no hugging. They should never approach him when he is lying down, eating, or amusing himself with a bone or toy. A dog will bring the toy to a person if he wants to play with them, and he will come to people he feels safe with when he wants affection.

Eventually, with consistency and a lot of hard work, you may end up with a dog who will tolerate any reasonable behavior from anyone, but not now.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I just got this email from my old dog trainer and actually signed up for her Body Language Seminar.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week:  
May 20-26th.

Dogs don't hug each other.  Hugs are not understood to mean affection by your average dog. Almost every one of the viral videos depicting dogs and kids displaying their love and affection for one another shows dogs that are sending all kinds of stress signals. They’re subtle, and most people who don't know what to look for will miss them (which is why you need to come to our free Body Language Seminars!). If those signals go unheeded, the situation could escalate with devastating consequences. Kids need to be taught to not hug dogs. Kids need to be taught to not approach any dog, but instead to allow the dog to approach and invite physical touching. Kids need to be taught hands-off, non-threatening ways to interact with dogs (tricks, training games, puzzle toys). Adults need to understand that dogs don’t think like we do, don't communicate like we do, and they don't love like we do. Their love is deep and unconditional, but it doesn't need to be physical. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am going to look for this seminar in our area. Jill, if I find one, I will let you know. Thanks, F!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think this says it all.  Thanks for sharing it F.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

what is this seminar called?  I would love to look for one in my area =)

I give Zoe hugs all the time =X She does not seem to mind it 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I give JD hugs sometimes too, and he tolerates them like he tolerates everything else. He's an extremely mature, calm, easy-going, tolerant, stoic dog. But I know he doesn't really like being hugged. He loves and trusts me, so he puts up with it.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

You know, I thought I knew everything...LOL...but I guess I don't because I honestly did not know this about hugs. I do know Vern does not like you to come over top of his head and pat him on the top of the head. I am thinking back to Christmas when my great niece and nephew came and they can be wild and Vern is a nervous wreck and I am a nervous wreck. I let them hug Vern and I knew he was uncomfortable and now I feel like an idiot. I guard Vern like a hawk when they are there and Fudge is fine with them, but of course, they want the "white dog" and not the "brown dog" (their names) just to be ornery :) I did finally put both dogs in our bedroom and I think the dogs were relieved. I am glad to know this, because they will not be hugging them in the future.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Gee. I thought you knew everyting too, what a disappointment : )

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I was shocked, too :)

[BG and Gavin]

I understand JD's plight!  I have been there myself lol.

[F, Calla & Luca]

It's just something my old trainer is giving called Body Language. There might be other trainers or schools doing this.