Agression towards Men!

**borzoimom** · 02-12-2007, 06:19 AM

Knowing that your FIL doesnt live with you, first time over, and he didnt actually bite him at all, I think either he thought it might have been his "dad" for a second, etc. Aggression is one of those things- you do not just look at the situation, you also look at when it doesnt. There is a common thread in there- and it could be he was suddenly surpised and confused for a second, not given enough to figure this out for himself- then put in a situation where he had to make a decission. With Rockys' size- he easily could have hurt him- Rocky choose not too- and told him to back up a minute while he decided it was okay. Either meet outside of where he thinks is his- ie on the walk way for a short walk with you, the man, and rocky, or just give Rocky more time to adjust and do not let someone pet him until Rocky is ready.

**gwen** · 02-13-2007, 04:18 PM

Sorry to add one problem with another, my dog has just lately taken a dislike to my 5 yr old son, he has absolutely no problem with other children, I have another 3 and of course their friends are round often, he doesnt do it all the time but he often growls if Israel(my son) just walks past him and some times if he strokes him. He doesnt move he justs growls. I was thinking maybe cos he is my youngest and I show him the most attention maybe he is jealous - do dogs get jealous? He has made no attempt to bite him or been in no way aggressive apart from the growling? I have only had him for a few months and he is only 1yr. Should I be worried?

**Freedom** · 02-13-2007, 09:00 PM

Gwen, dogs DO get jealous.

I would watch to be certain the youngest is not teasing the dog somehow, someway. Or unintentionally hurting the dog. Like if the dog sleeps in the child's room and the child fell out of bed onto the dog? Something like that.

And start them to build a better relationship. Do you permit any treats for the dog? Work out times when the youngest greets the dog and gives a treat, to reinforce the positive. Maybe when the older children are at school or out of the house so they don't want to be involved too. You want just the 3 of you - you are in the background really, just to make sure things go OK. The youngest needs to adapt to talking to the dog in soft tones (what I've heard some parents call "in door voice,") and pet the dog and give a treat. A SMALL nibble, even a piece of kibble, so maybe work up to 2 or 3 pieces over time. Child should offer the treat on the palm of the open hand so as not to be bitten. Is your dog grabby about treats? Then use a glob of peanut butter rather than a treat. You don't want to have to step in to correct the dog, if possible.

Hope that helps. My other suggestions is that you post this as a new thread to get more viewers.

Best
Sandra

**gwen** · 02-14-2007, 07:16 AM

Thank you I will give your ideas a try.

**critter crazy** · 02-14-2007, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by borzoimom

Knowing that your FIL doesnt live with you, first time over, and he didnt actually bite him at all, I think either he thought it might have been his "dad" for a second, etc. Aggression is one of those things- you do not just look at the situation, you also look at when it doesnt. There is a common thread in there- and it could be he was suddenly surpised and confused for a second, not given enough to figure this out for himself- then put in a situation where he had to make a decission. With Rockys' size- he easily could have hurt him- Rocky choose not too- and told him to back up a minute while he decided it was okay. Either meet outside of where he thinks is his- ie on the walk way for a short walk with you, the man, and rocky, or just give Rocky more time to adjust and do not let someone pet him until Rocky is ready.

I appreciate your insight. we are just going to be very careful about male strangers coming to the home. Knowing someone is coming is the easier part, as we can do the walk thing to make things asier. He has met males outside of the home, and done very well. The problem is Unexpected visitors< not that we get many of those, but they are bound to show up! Hopefully nothing mroe than a door to door salseman!

**borzoimom** · 02-14-2007, 09:01 AM

well- salesmen are good treats.. lol.. Just until Rocky understands his dad is gone and people have entered by your permission. As I said- if he meant to hurt your FIL, that would have been very easy to do... very easy..

**borzoimom** · 02-14-2007, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by critter crazy

I appreciate your insight. we are just going to be very careful about male strangers coming to the home. Knowing someone is coming is the easier part, as we can do the walk thing to make things asier. He has met males outside of the home, and done very well. The problem is Unexpected visitors< not that we get many of those, but they are bound to show up! Hopefully nothing mroe than a door to door salseman!

If Rocky were actually " man aggressive"- it would show up alllll the time.. It could even be that like Hottie, who defends "his van" and mom is not there- but if I open the door he is fine- if its defending the house without introduction could be the trigger. I really do not see that case either really. You said you were coming up behind him as he entered- Rocky put himself between you and him not knowing,.
A saint is a huge dog- and not prone to aggression normally- .. I am glad you are going to try the walks- then he has no question you allowed this person to enter the house..

**Laura's Babies** · 02-14-2007, 05:30 PM

When my daughter Rie got adopted by her dog Sparkey, he was scared to death of men and cowarded everytime once came around him. She was sure some male has abused him so he was afraid of all men.

Try to have those first time meetings with them men, TREAT time! Have the MEN give the dog several treats while talking to him.. It's worth a try!

**K9soul** · 02-14-2007, 07:34 PM

Fear/suspicion towards men is not really an uncommon thing, and it isn't always due to abuse. Tasha is very fearful and suspicious of any man she's not really familiar with and she has never been abused by a man. When I got Raven, she was a bit more shy and backed away from bigger men at first, but I socialized the heck out of her and she's fine now with all people. As my vet stated when we talked about it, men are often bigger, deeper voiced, and just a more "threatening" presence to a dog than women often are. Women are just usually not as threatening, they often have a smaller stature, softer voices, and body language that is more reassuring and inviting to a dog when meeting a stranger. Tasha warms up to women much, MUCH faster than to men. I'd have FIL ignore him totally when he comes over for now. No eye contact, no talking to him, not even offering his hand. When he sits down to relax and if Rocky approaches him then, he can probably nonchalantly greet him then after that, while he's in that less threatening/relaxed position. Of course none of us are there to actually witness the behavior so a consultation with a behaviorist if you find this concerning would be a good idea. Just my 2 cents.

**critter crazy** · 03-02-2007, 03:10 PM

Well Rocky is doing great! Since the incident he has met many men, outside and has done just fine, he does seem a little leary at first, but does warm up quite quickly. Unfortunately my FIL has yet to come back over to see how Rocky reacts to him, I think he is a little scared!(cant realy blame him) But things are going good, and I feel so much better!