BehavioRx Case of the Month
for September 2004

Toys & play, bridges to friendliness

The owners of an oversized 2 year-old neutered male Labrador Retriever/Rottweiler mix contacted us regarding his increasing growling and barking at guests, including hildren, who visited their home. He had progressed from simply barking at people when they knocked or rang the doorbell to rushing at the door while growling/barking when he heard steps approaching the door. To control the behavior the owners starting scolding "Marty," and had progressed to putting a pinch collar on him in the morning, then leashing him while answering the door. However, his aggression worsened to the point that they put him in a bedroom when guests arrived. Marty was in excellent health and was not aggressive during visits to the veterinarian or when away from the house during walks, etc.

Marty's relationship with his owners, Jim and Norma and their two teenage sons, was becoming strained, since Dad and the boys wanted to punish Marty physically and Norma had absolutely forbidden it. Further, Dad refused to take part in a consultation about the problem... he had no time for "dog shrinks," as he put it.

Norma grasped our explanation of the dog's need for leadership and a functional role to play in the family group and quickly tied together Marty's increasing aggression with a lack of family leadership and a need to undertake his pack/territorial-protection role. However, without a full family commitment to apply
the remedial steps, another third party influence would be required. Norma mentioned that Jim had mentioned getting some kind of book for guidance, so she asked which of our books might help her bring Jim and the boys around to a positive program to solve the problem. We suggested Behavior Problems in Dogs, since it has the most in-depth background to canine behavior, which might lend some credence to "dog shrinks" for Jim.

Her follow up call from Norma several weeks later revealed great news. Not only had Jim read the book, but immediately and enthusiastically started getting the boys involved, especially in the Learn-to-Earn pets and praise and the Jolly Routine, using Marty's first love... his ball, as a bridge to happy interactions with guests,
including children.

Speaking of which, here's an email report from the owner of a deaf Great Dane with Marty's problem-profile. It is presented with the owner's name and her permission:

"Cindy Hurley wrote:
>
> Hi Mr. Campbell
> I wrote to you and received a response regarding my deaf great Dane Willie.
> I wanted to let you know that since using your suggestions and rereading
> your book Willie is much better. He still takes some time barking at a
> guest in the house and wants to make sure everything is OK but he is not acting
> aggressive or growling. He loves playing with balls and guest to our home
> just have to play ball for a bit and he's great. Your book and suggestions
> were wonderful and I have referred you to many Dane owners who are having
> behavior problems.

Thank you.
Cynthia Hurley"

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