Originally Posted by yoda12 (Post 3648722)

Are you supposed to take the dog to the doctor everytime he/she shows teeth???

cmon people... wake up. :)

Originally Posted by Chrisann (Post 3656038)

Hi...My Dustie..who is 2 and a half years old..has always been very feisty...he still has his moments..when he doesn't want to be corrected or he doesn't want to do something etc. Sometimes he will turn and snap at me...if I have hold of him I just keep hold and wait...saying "Don't you Dare" he usually backs down now..so he is a lot better...He still thinks he is top dog though I reckon...it is taking a lot of patience with him..but it is just his nature..he won't win folks...we all just have to keep letting them know who's Boss..x

Originally Posted by yoda12 (Post 3648722)

Are you supposed to take the dog to the doctor everytime he/she shows teeth???

cmon people... wake up. :)

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985 (Post 3656155)

So, if my normally cuddly, happy, go lucky 3 year old, who doesn't even bark, suddenly growls at me when I reach for him, I should hit him with the newspaper? What if all I have is a fly swatter, will that work? You just saved me $50! :p

Sorry, but I think when a dog exhibits uncommon behavior for them, something must be wrong. If a dog is normally testy, and aggressive, the human should reach for the newspaper to look for a trainer.

Originally Posted by YorkieMother (Post 3656176)

It depends on what you as an owner are ok with. I personally am ok with my testy aggressive girl but 9 years in and I understand what sets her off so we manage. This new baby i have is strange to me she send me no info at all about her likes or dislikes and it a massive learning curve... my old girl you totally know where you stand all the time. aggression is nothing at all to be afraid of it is just info and ised right nothing bad needs to happen.

Love the newpaper comment of yours or if you do not reach for it to call a trainer at least use it on onesself for not getting a trainer ..

JL

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985 (Post 3656179)

You're right. It is all about what we're willing to live with. Kaji is my first dog, and I don't know/understand why a dog would show teeth and growl at it's owners. Hence, my trainer comment. If it can't be "fixed" at least it can be understood.

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly (Post 3648183)

Have the vet check him thoroughly as you have no idea what may be going on causing this - he could be ill and this is the only sign so far. Please don't assume he is okay.

Once the vet check is complete and totally clean bill of health, I would try this. Stop the growling and teeth showing at once. If you must and he won't respect you any other way, say "No"(please no anger/frustration), place your hand in the dog's back neck skin, gather it up and hold - just like another dog will do when disciplining a fellow dog. Don't choke or hang the dog - just grab and hold, being careful not to pull on the trachea from too much tension. If he hasn't enough skin there to hold it without causing throat tightness, just gather up the hair w/out pulling it. Say "No" first and then just sit there calmly and hold until the dog gives in and looks away or relaxes. Allow him to move away from you if he wants after that so collect and calm himself. Keep eye contact with the dog at all times until he looks away while you are holding him by the neck skin or hair and don't hurry the session. He must back down and not you. You are not hurting him just teaching him you have ultimate sway in any situation and it is a good thing for him to quietly learn. Once he has given in, break the eye contact, get up and matter of factly go about your business. This let's the dog know that once he gives up, all is okay and the scene is over and no continuing tension - live just flows on nicely. He will learn that once your hand touches his neck, a look away or give up and all will go back to normal. Eventually, he will learn not to growl/show teeth in the first place as he knows it will lead to a moment of correction and he will strive to avoid that.

That technique is for emergency situations only but a better way is to engage in a good behavior modification training program there at home(you can ready about it on the net and here in our Library) and get the dog used to looking to you, and not itself, as leader. Plus, this type training forges a close bond with you and your dog, is fun and rewarding for both and teaches the dog to automatically respond to your command so a simply "no" or "uh oh" will stop any aggression.

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985 (Post 3656155)

So, if my normally cuddly, happy, go lucky 3 year old, who doesn't even bark, suddenly growls at me when I reach for him, I should hit him with the newspaper? What if all I have is a fly swatter, will that work? You just saved me $50! :p

Sorry, but I think when a dog exhibits uncommon behavior for them, something must be wrong. If a dog is normally testy, and aggressive, the human should reach for the newspaper to look for a trainer.

Originally Posted by gracielove (Post 4261445)

This is an adult dog that has not exhibited this type of behavior before this? Sounds like there is something wrong with your dog. I would have him checked out very carefully by a good vet. Dogs don't just suddenly change personalities. Could he have hurt himself without your knowledge? Has he been around someone who may have treated him in a way that challenged him. He could very possibly be having some sort of pain, especially if he does this when you touch him.

The fact that this is a new behavior is troubling and not likely a behavior issue. I'd get him to a vet ASAP.