Help With Aggression Towards Certain People:(

[jessiezara90]

So it's been a while since I've been here soooo hey everyone!!

Well my boy Meeko is just over 2 now and have had him from a pup, and I love him to pieces!

As a few days of the week I'm out all day so he goes to work with my partner. Which has worked great till recently... He is kept on the top floor in a crate of my partners cafe. And goes out for a few walk during the day. But for some reason he growls at all the staff who come upstairs to get whatever they need. I'm not there but my partner tom said he was absolutely fine when he is downstairs with customers etc. so he put it down to being a bit territorial of his crate, however he would never growl at me or tom in his crate ( we can get in it with and is fine). But today on the way to a walk coming downstairs he went to bite one of staff, and jumped at her face!!! But then was completely fine with a customer who has fussed him before It only appears to be the staff,

I'm really scared this is going to escalate into something worse. I was really lucky that he didn't actually bite the girl and she was ok but might not be so lucky again.

I know it's not his fault and it is ours but I just can't workout what the problem is and what I have done wrong...

Please any advice would be so helpful I know I need to sort this now!!

Thanks in advance. this is my baby

[mydiamond]

Aw, hi Meeko glad to see you growing unfortunately in situations like this all we can do to "diagnose" is by making a series of wild guesses. Unfortunately, right now, I don't have a good-enough guess about why would Meeko be aggressive towards certain people. The only thing that popped up to my mind is maybe he's been mistreated, or scared, in some ways by those certain people. Dogs don't attack without a cause, so... yeah. Would that be a legit guess? 

[Jase]

The only thing I can think of is to arm the staff with treats in a small bag that they can carry when they go upstairs and give him one or two each time they approach. I would think that this will make Meeko very happy to see them and even the sound of them approaching should make him think - oh boy oh boy oh boy - treats are coming. 

 

It would probably be a good idea if your partner goes with them on the first couple of times.

[robke]

I agree with Jason...and I would use treats that he does not get anywhere else and after that only use them there and nowhere else...

[Jase]

I agree with Jason...and I would use treats that he does not get anywhere else and after that only use them there and nowhere else...

 

High value treats are definitely the best (good call Rob) - It should be pretty easy to chop up some cabana sausage, ham, bacon or chicken in small pieces especially as you are in a cafe.

[Sarah]

Agree on the treats for sure. Was it just a jump up exciyed hello or was it actually nasty?

The stafff have been nice to jim haven't they? They haven't been taunting him or anything when your hubby isnt looking? x

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[mydiamond]

Agree on the treats for sure. Was it just a jump up exciyed hello or was it actually nasty?

The stafff have been nice to jim haven't they? They haven't been taunting him or anything when your hubby isnt looking? x

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Who's Jim? 

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

Agree with the treat thing too, hope you manage to work it out

[Sarah]

Argh silly phone... meant him lol

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[jessiezara90]

Thank u all for your replies:). Well my problem now is none of the staff want to go near him.. as for the staff maybe mistreating him, this is what I thought to begin with, but there are a few new staff And he instantly hates them! I'm not sure if he thinks he owns that floor of the shop. And as there is food involved with staff coming to collect, it might have something to do with that as he is completely food orientated! (Very smart husky if u have a treat, otherwise forget it!)

Also when he jumped at her it was definately agressive. But I do watch him and it did really seem out of nowhere no growling just straight for her face!

As soon as he did it thought he knew he'd done wrong and was very guilty.

I know he's would never ever do that to me or tom or people he knows well, I can get In his crate, take anything off him toys and food, I can do anything with him,

As a pup as socialised as much as possible and he used to go to the shop regularly and meet people and dogs all the time. So I'm super baffled and feeling extremely guilty as I know I most of done something wrong:(

[mydiamond]

I don't think you did something wrong. My neighbor has a Rottweiler called Troy. He's a sweet, playful, obedient baby. With Dime, he's extra tolerant. With me, he's full of smiles. With my dad, he's a monster. He has never met my dad before, but the moment he sees him, he jumps up aggressively like Meeko did. I do know some dogs just don't get along with each other (Diamond and a neighbor's Pom experiences hate at first sight), could it be that some dogs just don't get along with some humans? I'd still go with the treats strategy btw. Tell the staffs that if they tried this method they'd see Meeko's sweet side

[Jase]

The staff don't have to hand feed the treats. just drop a few at his feet. Further down the track a bit of food on an open palm may work. If he is food orientated as you say then definitely use food to encourage the behaviour you want. 

 

Your only other choice is get a behaviourist in (who I will bet will say use treats) or organise some way for the staff to never have to cross paths with your dog.

 

It will probably be best if he is on a short lead whenever the staff are around.

[jessiezara90]

Hopefully staff will agree and will try with the treats.

As he hadn't done it before and now a little nervous as I don't know why he doesn't like them. So can t really trust fully with other people till I know what the problem is. We thought of moving him another floor as no one will pass him then. But would also like to solve the issue..... My brain is hurting!! Maybe Meeko knows something I don't!

[Removed #5]

From your comments, I'm going to offer some thought - most of which will reinforce your own thoughts.

 

You've said that he's food driven and as the staff is coming into the store room, I presume much of what is taken out is his (in his mind) food.

Since he's there in a crate, the staff aren't interacting with him ( correctly, they're going in to pick up supplies, not play with the dog ) he may be feeling "left out" - dogs are social animals, remember.

They wouldn't have to tease him, he may feel that this "in and out" is teasing him.

 

Questions:

1. I presume Tom puts him in his crate, does he go into it willingly or does Tom have to coërce him top go in?
2. What do the staff say about his actions when they go into the supply room; is he acting out then and if so how? You say he growls, so he's issuing a warning about something - what?
3. I'm a bit confused at the order of the attack, you say that he was fine with a customer before and then say that he attacked her on the stairs.  I presume his interaction with the customer was a bit earlier - on an earlier walk?  How did he act after he attacked her as they went through the public?
4. You've said that it's "all the staff" but never a customer - I'm guessing that Tom has regular customers, how is Meeko identifying the staff from the customers in the common area? Are they uniformed and if so in what?

You say, and then reiterate, that the attack on the girl came without warning.  I find that very unusual and suspect.  If you've taught him not to growl (corrected him when he does growl) then for him to attack without warning is dangerous, to say the least.  (( Even Sasha warned me before she bit me - I was stupid! ))

 

My first approach would be to talk to the staff, probably individually, to find out what happens - specifically what they're doing and what he's doing - in that storage area.  Does he really growl at everyone? Is anyone actually mistreating him (rather than just ignoring him)? If he growls and they toss something at / toward him, that's only going to reënforce his feeling of being unable to defend himself.  (flight or fight reaction)

 

Is he around the staff after hours; I presume Tom brings him down when he's leaving, how does he react then?  If staff are present in the dining area when Tom is walking him out, how does he act then?  Do they get a chance to interact on a familiar basis (common ground) in an area where he's not locked away.

 

If you have a member of staff who you really trust and who is reasonably confident I'd suggest a meeting off site; find out if it's personal or situational. 

 

I obviously have some thoughts in mind, but I'd be interested in your answers first ...

Edited May 8, 2014 by Al Jones

[jessiezara90]

Thanks for your response.

Yes tom puts him in his crate and always no problem him going in by himself. I work in the area one day and take him out on my lunch. He is good with me to going in and out of crate.

The staff have Said to us that he growls at them when they go up. But they don't know why, but I thought he was being territorial as he might of felt threatened as he doesn't know them well.

I most of written wrong. I'd taken him for a quick walk and when I got back I went to the counter to get water to take up with him. A newish staff member had come round to say hi, he was right next to me and she went to stroke him but put her face down to him which I know is a bad idea but really didn't think he would go to bite anyone... Ever. I pulled him back and he instantly when all guilty. I quickly took him to go upstairs and passed a customer who knows him and he was fine with him.

I'm not sure how he knows the difference because there is no uniform all I can say is that it's because all the staff use the storeroom.

However we have another member of staff who tom picks up for work and Meeko will growl at him in the car. The guy has tried to give him treats but Meeko didn't respond well and now he's quite scared of him:(

This guy also came round to out house once and Meeko again growled and tried to get to him, but we have had friends over and he's completely fine with them. It's seems to be really personal, I hope I'm not missing something though. But we haven't had people round for a while so maybe he wouldn't be ok with them now,

Sorry if all that was a bit confusing...

[Removed #5]

Oh, you enjoyed that, didn't you!  Saw here I was going and just cut me off at the pass.    << teasing >>

 

I was pretty certain that what you were going to see was entirely situational and you took care of that option with the gent in the car and at your house. 

 

I'm real reluctant to follow the suggestion that's been made so far - having them bring treats with them - as that sounds way too much like rewarding behaviour that is unacceptable.  While it may give a semblance of ease, what happens when they don't have time... or just get tired of catering to the 'owners' dog??

 

If you have an employee who's not scared to death of him, I'd use him (her) to do as much of the fetch and carry as possible.  I'd also ask him to make sure that he talks to Meeko when he's in the storage area. "Hi Meeko, how's it going boy?" - that type of chatter ... I know that the employees need some reassurance, but I think Meeko needs some as well since it's obvious that he's upset / nervous.  If this one person can come and go without Meeko warning him then I'd consider the treats.

 

I'd also like to suggest that if you can, follow one of them up stairs, to the point that you can hear what's happening but without Meeko seeing you.  You should be able to tell whether that's a warning growl or a nervous growl ... can you??

 

You've said that you can put him 'on another floor' <?> In the long run, my thoughts are that this would not be a good solution (it doesn't even attempt to solve the problem, just removes it).  It also puts him in the position of being able to hear people move around and not be able to see them.  Potentially that would compound the issue

 

While I don't think you've come out and said it, I'd be very concerned that this is an escalating behaviour (something that's going to get worse over time) and it's one you need to nip as quickly (and safely) as possible.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Al Jones

[jessiezara90]

I won't move him up again, I know that's avoiding the problem and not solving. Tom says he has heard the growl and it's not a friendly one. Tom also takes his nephew to school sometimes with Meeko in the car and he completely fine with him and plays with him but it's the the guy who works for him he's NOt happy, but tom took him to work today and as long as the guy doesn't look or speak to Meeko he is fine and went to sleep on the way today?

My god I wish I could get in his head!

I know this could get worse and really scared it will but going to try my best to sort it!!!

[Jase]

I don't think anyone would suggest that you give treats (rewarding) when he is growling. You need to be proactive in your treatment not reactive. So he learns that the staff are people that bring good things. I presume that he doesn't growl at the staff if you are there (except for the face lunge incident) or at least you can control the situation?

 

Get the staff to meet and approach from the side rather than front on, don't do the old put the back of your hand in front of the dogs face for him to sniff - this was the old way we were all taught to meet dogs... modern teaching indicated that being side-on with your hands at your side so the dog can greet you rather than having a hand shoved in front of the face is a better way. Then with the other hand, drop a couple of treats between his paws. 

 

What I think would be good is if you can have a 5-10 minute staff meeting at a park and then your or your partner brings Meeko along. All the staff have small treat bags in their pockets ( small freezer bags) and you do some small game. It doesn't matter what it is really. A good easy one is "find it" you just drop a treat near him and say "find it" he will find it in a second (or split second LOL) then say gooood boy. Meeko is going to think, great this is an easy game with lots of rewards. This simple game is very useful for distraction and then getting focus.

 

Have small treats around 5mm square so lots can be given and just reduce his meal by how much was fed.

 

To be proactive, you and the staff really need to be on their game in rewarding super quick, before a growl or bad behaviour happens. Reward all of the good behaviour often, sitting calmly = reward, not growling = reward etc etc.

 

Keep it real simple as it is unfair to expect the staff to be dog trainers, if they have to throw a handful of treats to feel safe or keep Meeko away or distract, then so be it. It shouldn't take long for him to associate the staff as bearers of good things. 

 

Don't over analyse and keep it simple and realistic for the staff. They are not going to care about rewarding bad behaviour nor should they have to. You need to do something and do it fast - I firmly believe treats are your best option given the circumstances.

 

Good luck with it