My rescue dog is protective, nips visitors, and barks at dogs. Help!

Question

Our rescue dog has developed a strong attachment to me. He has been nipping at visitors who try to hug me. He has also become extremely protective of me when I walk him. He growls and barks at other dogs as they approach. What can I do to reassure him and get him to stop nipping at our guests ankles? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 3 years and 2 months old | 25 lbs

Dr. Elizabeth · Accepted Answer

Unfortunately nipping/lashing out/aggression is a very complex topic and one that may be difficult to fix without a trainer. Because it is multifactoral- Bernie’s temperament, your temperament, Bernie’s experiences, your experiences, the environment- your surest, fastest and safest bet is to work with a trainer or behaviorist. Basically, the trainer will watch you and Bernie, paying attention to how you react to each other and the environmental stimulus. The trainer will then work with both of you to modify both of your behaviors to meet a common goal. The humane society can often recommend a trainer/behaviorist. Otherwise go online and read ratings and reviews. There are several different training methods so you will need to find the one that works best for you and your pup. You should also stop by the library and pick up a few books about dog behavior and dog training so that you can learn to recognize Bernie’s body language. By knowing what he is saying, you be better able to react before he nips. You have to step in at level 2, by the time he nips he’s already at level 10. I hope this at least points you in the right direction. Please post again with any further questions.

My rescue dog is protective, nips visitors, and barks at dogs. Help!

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