Aggressive behavior from formerly docile dog

[Canis-Lupess]

If the only two things your vet could suggest is castration or being pts, I think you need to find another one.

Castration isn't likely to resolve anything anyway. This behaviour is learnt, NOT hormonal.

[Freedom]

I think you need to address this sooner rather than later.

Do get him neutered, it can't hurt.

Here is the link to the American Pet Dog Trainers site, APDT. This is one group which trains dog trainers, and they use positive reinforcement techniques. All the classes I've taken my flock to are certified by APDT.

http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx


See if you can find a trainer near you.

One MAJOR reason you need to move quickly: many of these trainers are certified to work with aggressive dogs. NONE will work with a dog which has bitten or nipped a person. So you need to control the situation at home until you can find and start the dog in a training class.

Good luck!

[Lancre]

This is entirely new behavior. In the 7 months hes been here he has never growled or snapped at a person or dog until this last week.
We don't discipline our dogs by hurting them. Usually just saying BAD DOG in an angry tone will do the trick. If not then they go in the kennel. the very plain empty boring bad dog kennel with only food and water, no toys. Most times it is a 10-20 min time out.
When they are good they are rewarded with treats, pats, hugs and playtime. All of them including Mack are spoiled. Everyone has their own nap pad in the office. Mack often sleeps in the other office chair pulled up beside me.

You can tell he has been abused because of the way he reacts to certain things. He is terrified of shoes and belts. Just pick up a belt and yelps and runs to his crate. The shoe thing i found by accident when throwing all the kids shows into the front hall from my living room. He was across the room and cried out and ran. He was so scared he peed.

[mrsmagoo]

could this be his way of trying to be top dog of the house , i had similar with my 1 female mastiff she would bite over food treats toys and then started trying it with me , shes been put in her place sinse and the behaviours vanished but i know how scarey it is when you have little ones around , its always best to have 1 person top of the house in the dogs eyes as i think it can confuse them .
hope your able to fix things x

[bckrazy]

How old is Mack?

Please follow Canis-Lupess's advice (and please not Mrspamgoo) and find a reputable, positive reinforcement behaviorist! Just one session with a certified, educated behaviorist will open your eyes to so much. Honestly, we cannot see what is going on, so we can't give you sound advice.

My only advice until finding a behaviorist is to control the situation COMPLETELY, stop the yelling and punishing, destress and make every experience that Mack has around the Bostons (safely seperated/leashed) extremely positive. Give him high value treats every time the Bostons are around and Mack is not reacting poorly to them. Make him see them in a positive light. It could definitely be that Mack isn't feeling well, or something happened that you didn't see, or he's simply coming into maturity and going through a phase. A good behaviorist (after the Vet check up) will tell you for sure.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

If this is new behaviour then you should definitely get him checked over by a vet to make sure there isn't some underlying pain or illness causing it

[Animalhouse26]

a behavior like this that is So out of the norm.. would call for a vet visit Good luck, I hope all is well!