What do I do, my dog growled at my moms husband!?

Question

I have a German Shepherd, and he is a very sweet dog. Total strangers come up and pet him when I'm walking him and he's got no problem with it. Well my mom watches him for me on days that I have to be away from the house for more then a few hours, because he barks if he's left alone. So today when her and I left her house, the dog was looking outside the window waiting for me to come back (like he always does) and he got upset that I had to leave him alone, so he went upstairs and chewed my moms husbands shoes up. Then when he went upstairs to check where the dog was, Caliber started to growl at him. This is really strange because my dog is a very good dog, in fact the main reason I adopted him was because of how friendly he was. What can I do to make the dog like her husband? Because thats where he's going to be staying when I have to go into the city, since I'll be gone for 7-10 hours each time I go into the city. I just dont want them to feel afraid in their own homes, ya know?

Answer 1

i think that you'll be just fine but most of all train your dog!

Answer 2

I have a lab/shepherd who was badly abused, and was always afraid of men. When he growled at the contractor at my house I immediatly scolded him. But, I have learned you have to do it fast and right away. He stopped quickly. Also, try a spray bottle. when he growls spray him.

Answer 3

Well, the dog obviously doesn't like your mom's husband and it has given warning.  You can't 'do' anything about it now - it is after the fact and the dog got away with it and with learning a bad behavior (chewing up shoes) - obviously the dog isn't terribly well trained at all - having been through a class or so does not make a dog trained.  Do YOU take him to obedience classes?  If so then you need to discuss this with your instructor and learn how to handle it immediately.   I work but I don't have to leave my dogs with anyone and I don't leave them for extended periods of time - I selected my job with them in mind just as I would (and did) when I had a small child.  They CAN be left for long periods as they know how to behave and will not bark themselves crazy or chew up things or growl at my family if they come over to care for them in my rare absences.  I wouldn't leave my dog in a situation like you describe and he is learning all sorts of bad behaviors and obviously your mom and her husband don't know how to properly deal with it either.  Maybe see about finding a doggie day care with experienced people in it that won't continue to train the dog to misbehave?  

Regardless of what you wish to believe, the dog is not trained to do anything but bark, chew up stuff, growl at people and get away with whatever it wants to...  basically your problem starts long before you take him to your mom's house...

btw, the growl was a warning to the guy -- you don't want a dog that won't warn.  Also it is borne of FEAR not 'protectiveness' or anything else - simply fear of the dog for the likely defensive stance the guy took -- it is human nature to have a defensive stance when finding some dog chewing your belongings and it brings out fear in a dog that might not have the strongest sense of self and can end with the dog going into 'fight' mode.  A growl is a warning from that dog that it is afraid and will either go into flight or if unable to, go into fight.  Likely the dog felt cornered and didn't feel comfortable in the entire situation anyway.   Doggie day care and crate or the problem will escelate.

Answer 4

does he have toys at the house? normally dogs chew stuff up when they are bored. growling doesn't mean much, it doesn't mean he doesn't like them. he was just frustrated. if he does it again, then maybe be worried, but as of now, just tell your parents to pay a little more attention to it. Also, why would you buy a dog if you can't give it attention? just wondering because dogs get stressed out if the owner isn't with them enough. that also may be it. My german shepard mix once didn't eat the whole weekend we were out of town.  

Answer 5

This could be because your mom's husband gets scared or nervous around the dog, maybe because he had a bad experience with dogs, or he is intimidated by bigger dogs. Dogs live in packs, so when there is an insecure member, the dog tries to dominate it, by growling, biting, or attacking. If that's not the case, the dog could have gotten scared and thought your moms husband was an intruder to the home, and dogs growl to back off strangers.

Answer 6

I would say that your mom's husband is afraid of the dog.  The dog probably senses that.  He needs to spend some time with Caliber, maybe he could be the one to take him out on walks.  

My sister's neighbors also have a German Shepard named Ivan.  He is a massive dog, and not finished growing yet.  He never has a problem with any female, but he does not like for men to be in her yard if they are not escorted by her.  My husband has never had a problem with Ivan.  He got out of the car the very first time they met and Ivan came running over to investigate.  I intercepted him first and pet him and loved on him and then my husband joined me in the affection giving.  However I have two nephews who Ivan will not let out of their cars if they come over.  LoL.  Once when I was standing outside with my sister and two of her boys and a few of my younger nieces and nephews Ivan ran over to me and took me by the arm and pulled me out of the middle of everyone.  So even though he had no problem with everyone that day, he thought I would be better off with a little space.

Answer 7

Dogs that usually have such a cheerful and friendly disposition, and go to growling at someone, usually stems from someone that has been mean to them.  Talk with your mother and her husband and see if they've had to discipline the animal.  If so, its possible he might be reacting to the type of discipline that was given.  Dogs have good judges of character when they have good dispositions.  If he doesn't like your mother's husband, there's bound to be a good reason.

Answer 8

HE DOESN'T LIKE YOUR MOMS B/F  = (

I WOULD TRUST HIS INSTINCT .. LOL

LEAVING HIM ALONE ISN'T A BAD IDEA ... AND IF HE IS IN TRAINING .. YOU NEED TO ASK THE TRAINER ... THEY CAN TELL YOU HOW TO TAKE CARE OF IT ..... I bet you have a great dog ... but till you find out how to solve this problem .. he needs to stay home by himself .... just get a crate ( go to pets smart , even wall mart ) and spend 50-100 , then some toys so he can play while your gone ??? Do you not have a backyard ......

Let him bark ... because he will soon learn that barking will not get him what he wants and will stop !!!!  I PROMISE !!!!

Answer 9

This may not be the case, but...animals can sense things about people. And if your dog is friendly to every one but this guy, there may be good reason. It's hard to fathom the idea of it, but maybe he is mean to or has hit your dof. Or maybe he has a bad vibe from this guy. Animals have keener senses than us. My cat literally attacked my 1st husband when he came home from boot camp. And I couldn't figure out why he scare my husband out of our bed when he crawled into the bed with me. Later I found out he was cheating on me and was routinely lying to me. Animals don't like bad people, they just sense that some people are bad. They are trying to protect someone from this person by making them want to go away or stay away from them. But it could be some wierd personality tick your dog has. I know it sounds outlandish to suggest it, but it's happened so many times. Once my husky lunged at this guy who walked by us and bared her teeth at him. It was odd, coz she is so friendly. But this guy jumped back, and then took off. But before he did, I saw a hidden pistol in his pants when his jacket flew open as he avoided my dog biting him. So, there you go. How would she know that? Maybe they smell peoples fear and feel the good or bad energy that radiates around people. Just consider this. If your dog can act out of the ordinary  so could your mom's husband. People are not beyond being evil, you know. Man's best friend is born to protect and guard us, don't assume there isn't a good reason for his strange behavior. Talk to your vet, too about it.

Answer 10

maybe your dog is being protective for u

Answer 11

They are just mean dogs by nature.  Thats why they use them as police dogs.  They are very unpredictable.  Mostly because they are like 1/32 wolf which is why they look them most likely.  

Answer 12

Find a doggie day care you can take him to this way he has more interaction with other dogs and people. Wasn't right for your dog to chew on your mom's husband shoe.

Answer 13

I don't know anything about dogs, but I'll try to answer ...

I think you need to plan an outing in which Caliber and the husband interact.  Caliber's inferiority should be established in a way that Caliber is comfortable with it.  The outing should end with Caliber being happy seeing the husband as its master.

My guess is Caliber sees you as the only master right now.  The husband is essentially an affront to your masculine authority over the family.  Caliber is protecting your position while defending his/her own place in the hierarchy.

Answer 14

Is your mother just coming over to let the dog out? Or is she staying with the dog every moment you are gone? First thing is first, get a crate and start with crate training. The dog should be left alone sometimes. If you or someone is ALWAYS with the dog you are only supporting his separation anxiety. Are you in an apartment or condo where you will get in trouble if the dog barks. Talk to your trainer about crate training.

Did the dog growl when he tried to take the shoe? Maybe after training class, when you get home, do a little practice work with your mother's husband and the dog. Show him how to do the things you learned at class. Or have him feed the dog a few of his meals. Make sure he is not afraid of the dog because the dog will try to dominate him if he sees any fear.

In my opinion, if you are going to be gone up to 10 hours, give you family the option of crating him and just letting him out a few times to go to the bathroom. Then when you get home have a good play time or training session to expend some energy. Most pet owners are away from the house all day and crate their dog. Sometimes is it the best, safest, and most humane thing to do. Especially if the dog is eating things he should not.   http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining....