Help. Weird behavior

[Burns1916]

Hello I have a male not neutered 14 month old presa he has always been very very food protective. just recently he started hanging his head, walking very slow, hair sticking up on his back, tail between the legs, and if anyone other then myself gets near him he growls... All at once. This occurs at what seems to be random times for about 30 mins. Is this fear? If so should I try what the person suggested with the treat? I feel like that's rewarding the behavior. It happens when he's in the house with us... The last two time it happened when I was playing with our new female pitbull could it be jealousy? Any input will help thanks

 

[Max's mom]

This sounds like resource guarding. Hair up, growling, slow walking, tail tucked...not signs of a happy dog. He may be guarding you! If you are the one feeding him and he views you as his...the new dog is a threat to his human. I'd be very cautious that a tiff doesn't happen. I'd call a trainer or work with your current trainer. Research resource guarding!

 

[Hector]

It sounds like he is resource guarding you. Learn the signs before he gets to the posturing, growling. Some signs could be staring, circling, running very fast to you when he sees you giving attention to the other dog. What I do is send my dog to his crate for a time out. Don't let him escalate to the growls and posturing because the next step can very well be a bite. I would suggest working the dog on a place command while you are giving attention to the other dog. Make sure not to let the dog crowd your space or the other dog's place. His behavior might seem random, but notice it probably always happens when you and the other dog are in the same picture. Without one or the other, the dog is probably fine. You also need to work on his food possessiveness.

 

[DennasMom]

... if this is completely out of the blue, I would get a vet checkup... there's a neurological condition known as 'springer rage syndrome' (because springer spaniels seem to be the ones most afflicted)... it's a nasty thing, so I certainly hope is "only" resource guarding, which can be managed if not fixed completely with training.

As for giving treats, no, don't treat the bad behavior... you can try bribing him with it... but don't give it to him until he snaps out of it, and can offer you a sit, down, or hand-shake (or other trick of your choice) - then you can give the reward for him doing as you asked (and forgetting about whatever it was he was growling about). Don't feed the growl... use the treat to shift his thought to something more positive. If you don't know that you can time the treat correctly - don't use it. Find a trainer to work with. Resource guarding can be very serious.

 

[karennj]

Is it always occurring around food? I also would do a full checkup. Could be something medical occurring that is making him feel out of control and off.

 

[Esand]

Could easily be jealousy/resource guarding. How do the dogs interact when you're not involved?

 

[chauncey]

To not neuter, not take care of the food possessiveness at a young age, and to not crate train these dominant dogs is careless if you want a family pet. if you want a guard dog you're doing a great job.

 

[chauncey]

also socializing at a young age.

 

[EverythingEnglishMastiff]

To not neuter, not take care of the food possessiveness at a young age, and to not crate train these dominant dogs is careless if you want a family pet. if you want a guard dog you're doing a great job.

Are you suggesting that neutering at a young age will change this behavior? IMO I highly doubt it.

 

[chauncey]

there was no mention of age on that one. should be done when weight starts to balance out and behavior problems arise.

 

[Hiraeth]

there was no mention of age on that one. should be done when weight starts to balance out and behavior problems arise.

Neutering is not a cure-all for behavioral issues. Good and solid fundamental training is. Anyone who neuters a dog and expects the neuter to fix mounting, marking, or other behavioral issues without training is setting themselves up for a large disappointment.

Also, OP did state the dog is 14 months old, which is too young to neuter a large or giant breed (in my opinion).

 

[Hiraeth]

To add, I'm planning on keeping my 180+ lb (when full grown) Great Dane intact. And I expect him to be a perfect family dog. Because I plan on training him to be such.

 

[maryl]

Altering a dog will effect sexual behavior, it will not change temperament. They are who they are.

 

[EverythingEnglishMastiff]

It will stop a female from menstruating. That's the only change in behavior I've ever noticed...

 

[chauncey]

the breeds spoken of do not have the drive this breed has. you can say what you want.

 

[Joao M]

Altering a dog will effect sexual behavior, it will not change temperament. They are who they are.

And what we make of them, I would add