Help!!!

[blondbuderfli]

Hi to all! I am new to the site, and am hoping someone can help with a problem concerning an aggressive St. Bernard puppy.
I own a beautiful Irish wolfhound (Oliver), and a beautiful shep/husky/lab cross(Eddy). Both of my boys are extremely gentle, and have never shown any signs of aggression.
Recently my Sister was given a St. Bernard puppy(Harley), and as he was introduced to my two immediately, things seemed to be great, but as of late, the St. Bernard has shown some serious signs of aggression. It started towards Eddy, Harley would just run up to him and physically go at him. It didn't matter what Eddy was doing, he could even be lying there sleeping. When Harley would do this, Eddy would just turn and go the other way, never showing any aggression back. Now, Harley has gotten so bad, that if he attempts to go at Eddy, and we try to stop him (even if he is just heading in the vacinity of Eddy) Harley will turn on whoever is in his way. He has bitten me once, and has bitten My sisters Husband also. He has also started going at my wolfhound now, again unprovoked, and Oliver also just walks away. We have tried reprimanding him, and have even "alpha rolled" him, but that seems to make his aggression even worse.My biggest concern is that Harley is only 6 months old, and not even close to his full size and weight. I am worried that when he is full grown he will hurt someone or another dog severely. Harley is still in tact, but mine are not....
Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this? I have always though that the St. Bernard was also known to be a gentle giant, and everything I have read states this also...We are at a loss as to what to do with him, or how to handle the situation..

[twolynns]

It sounds like this is a dominance thing. Harley is probably trying to prove himself by taking on something bigger than he is. This aggression will keep happening until he is properly trained. Your dogs will probably get enough, put him in his place and all will be well again. I'm not saying you should put your dogs in a situation and let Harley provoke them but eventually Harley will get too close and they will have to defend themselves. Harley should see that gentle as they are, they are not to be messed with.

I had this problem with my 2 male cats. I would guess you don't want to solve the problem the way we did. When we brought the kitten in, the older male was very aggressive so he went to the vet's office for an overnight visit if you know what I mean. He turned very loving then. As soon as the kitten was old enough he went too. Now both are very lovable and get along great.

[siberianhusky101]

Do you know where Harley came from? (pet shop, adoption, breeder). although it is true that males can be very dominant until neutered but you might want to look into a dog behavior book just to be sure. most pet shops and back yard breeders have seriously in-bred dogs and that can result in an aggressive puppy. if neutering and in-breeding isn't the case, check out that dog behavior book, it could be that no one in the household is being dominant enough for Harley and so he has taken over the role as your pack leader. Ceasar Milan, the host of "the Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic Channel, is fantastic when it comes to being a good and stable pack leader. Don't take everything he says for granite but the basics of his methods are reliable.

[blondbuderfli]

Harley came from a breeder, who is also at a loss for this. It is not in the nature of the breed to show agression, let alone at such a young age. Unfortunately, the breeder refuses to let my Sister have him Neutered, as they want to breed and show him. ( if it wasn't for the fact that they love him so much, he is their "child" I would give the breeder a piece of my mind. I believe she is being irrisponsible, and not living up to her "temperment" guarantee)The last incident, when Harley went full boar at Eddy, Eddy actually had to fight back to defend himself. (Ed is 7 years old,half the size of Harley, and did not handle it well, as he has never been in a situation like this before) No matter what was done, Harley refused to back off. Even after we got Eddy out of the house, Harleys agression then turned to his owners.
I have experience with dog obedience, I have not only worked alongside my Father teaching the classes, but also do beginner training out of my home. I have had many dogs come through here, all breeds and sizes and I have never experienced this type of situation. Sadly, Harleys agression has caused the rest of the family to disallow him in our homes for fear of our animals safety, let alone ours when he starts his "rants".

[toni]

Sounds to me like Harley is playing and as your older dogs are not keeping him in his place or teaching him, he is getting more aggressive in his play because he knows no better. Mother dogs keep their litters in control....you need to step in and run the show......a firm no, a shake and a couple of minutes on the leash and he will understand in time. You'll also be teaching your dogs that they do not have to take it from the pup all the time...they can tell him no and they will learn when they see you doing it.

I have 2 Pyrenees/Anatolians 2.5 years old and my son visits with his 5 month malamute...quite large already. At first my dogs were tolerating the pup way too much....they would walk up and down the yard with the pup dangling from their neck or chest as he was holding on with his teeth in an attempt to get them to play.
I defined the boundaries and stepped in when I believed he was getting excessive...I would stand up, point and state 'no' to the pup. If the pup wouldn't listen (and they don't at first as they are wrapped up in the moment), I would grab the puppy by the neck and give him a shake while saying 'no'.....if he still didn't listen, I removed him for a couple of minutes. He now knows I run the show....my dogs know that they can discipline the puppy and other then an occasional reminder (remember puppies get wound up during play and their adrenalin is flowing) everything now is great.
The puppy will now play only as aggressively and as long as the older dogs allow. When they have had their fill, they stand or let out a short growl...the pup stops dead in his tracks and lies down immediately....he may only last a minute or two and then he trys again, but thats his age...he still a puppy.

You stated he will bite you....thats just a puppy still untrained...be firm, it takes constant repetition.
Tip: to create a soft mouth....when giving treats hold the treat firmly for 1-2 seconds each time while the pup is trying to take it.......in a couple of days the pup will learn to not grab quickly which causes bites, and will learn to take gently with their lips or tongue, instead of their teeth. With multiple dogs, I also say their name before giving the treat so they learn to not all try to grab at the same time for the treat.

Good Luck!

[siberianhusky101]

With a temperament like that i would not allow harley to be bred. the general rule of thumb is "puppies grow up to be their parents". chances are that if Harley is bred, he will sire agressive puppies. I would write to the American Kennel Club if the breeders become serious about breeding him, i believe there is a rule against akc registered breeders breeding dogs with ill temperaments.

[blondbuderfli]

Harley will not be bred, as he has also got hip Dysplasia. The breeders still want to wait until he is a year and a half to see if the dysplasia shows. If it doesn't, they want to show him, resulting in not being able to neuter him.
The agression he shows is far from playing! I have had experience with many dogs of many ages, and definately know the difference. When a dog goes into full attack mode, there is no play involved. As far as the older dogs putting him in his place, the one and only time that happened, Harley attacked him. We are talking about a 103 lb, 8 month old.....not something you want attacking a dog half his size unprovoked. As far as him biting, it is also agression. A puppy biting as he is being trained to be gentle or to use a "soft mouth" is far different from a large dog lunging for your body parts with anger!
As I stated before, I have done obedience training, and even teach it out of my home. I have fostered many dogs for our local S.P.C.A., dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds, and have never seen agression like this. Unfortunately, family get togethers with dogs will no longer happen. I only hope that Harley doesn't one day, when he is full grown and 150 or more pounds, decide to go at another dog...would be tragic!