Alpha dog mood changes/aggression... towards owner?

@ Dont Litter! Spay and Neuter - Do you watch Dog Whisperer? lol cesar is great!

I agree it is a pure dominance issue. You have to show your dog that he is not your pack leader, but rather that you are his pack leader. And if you unsure of how exactly to do this, maybe consider hiring a professional trainer or something to show you exactly what to do, hands on.

And also, no I don't think your dog will turn on you and/or attack you. Not unless there is physical abuse. I don't see him biting you for yelling at him, regardless of how loud you may be.

Simply put, the dog doesn't respect you. He doesn't respect other dogs, and needs to be trained.

I would definitely look into getting a professional dog trainer to come and evaluate your dog and tell you what to do to solve the problems. Ask at the vet's office or people you know for recommendations on good trainers.

In the meantime. Don't touch the dog, don't talk to the dog.

If it doesn't respect you it won't listen to you. Instead, try having the dog's leash attached to you (umbilical training) when doing stuff (as much as possible, like when cooking etc.), so they have to follow you and look and anticipate your movements. This will teach them to respect you. If they misbehave, give a tug on the leash (not choking them, but letting them know you are the boss) as soon as they do the bad behaviour. Be consistent. You may also use a very strong no or another distinctive word or sound (only one though) at the same time. Make sure to correct him as soon as he does the behaviour.

Your dog may also need socialization training to get over the agression to other dogs.

Is your dog neutered? This may help too.

In all, I would suggest getting a pro in to personally evaluate your dog.

No, I do not think a dog owner can be a good dog owner and not be the pack leader. I'm not a fan of the term "alpha", and I really can't remember Cesar ever using the word except maybe when referring to an "alpha roll". I believe as Cesar does that the vast majority of dogs do not desire to be the pack leader. When the owner does not take the role and the dog steps in to fill the leadership void, it causes great stress to the dog. Afterall, the dog is trying to control humans in a human environment. And yes, I believe it is the key to training dogs. Followers obey and try to please the leader, not the other way around.

Dogs go through different growth stages. Training (house training, ob, etc) is a life long affair. You never "stop" training.

Counter surfing is so self rewarding that you really have to be able to manage the situation. Do not leave him alone in a room with meat/food in reach. Work on your leave it command in your prescence. As he gets older he will start to generalize the command. My dog eats raw, I can leave her in a room with her food walk to another room, come back, then release her to eat. This took training.

Dogs do not soil in the house to "spite" us. He probably needed to go out and you were not home (sounds like you weren't home?), and he eliminated inside. No worries, crate training can be restarted. Crates are not only good for house training, but will also give him his own space, a safe place if you will.

Aggression leads to aggression. Try rewarding him for good behavior.

Sounds like he has hit the teenage years. What are you doing for socialization? You might look into play groups of like sized dogs with similar temperaments. Some trainers will run play groups (the reason I like trainers- they have some knowledge of dog behavior).

Oh my. There is so much going on here.

First off, dogs are not 'spiteful'. You are attributing human emotions to your pet and it is not helpful.

He is reaching physical maturity. In his head, he is no longer a puppy. That means he is going to challenge every rule you've ever set, because he sees himself as having a bit more status than he did as a puppy. You just go back to the basics of training to address this.

However, I think you need a professional to help you. What I think has happened here is that you don't understand how to recognize the early signs of aggression and you have knowingly or unknowingly rewarded those behaviors.

You don't understand training at all if you think that yelling and making the dog fear you is effective.

You need some professional help or you are going to have a dangerous dog on your hands and no means to control him.

First, he does not respect you as Alpha and you have to get that back. Yelling does not help nor does hitting - you must correct with stern voice and a tug. He need to know his boundaries.

Second, unless he is "breeding" potential and this personality stubbornness may not lead kindly to that - make sure he is neutered. My vet recommends neutering a male before he knows he's a male!

Testosterone may be kicking in.

Thirdly: Bored dogs will tear up, potty etc. when we are gone. You may have to go back to crate training ( I did) Make sure he is exercised before and after you leave him. He's a big bog with big exercise needs.

Lastly: Professional training is great if it is in the budget. Also, doggie daycare once a week for socialization could help, but you will need to teach him manners first.

Good Luck

Some dogs do this as you said... 'out of spite' or revenge, like separation anxiety, madder than heck at you for leaving him home alone. Lastly, never yell at a dog with behavioral problems, as I know it is a hard thing to not do, but I am not saying kiss his rear either, but if he is capable of turning on you, he will turn when you are yelling. Before he actually does something bad, like biting you, I would get him to the vet and be sure there is no medical reason for the bad behavior. If there is no medical cause, then start finding obedience training. In the mean time, find a way to leash him, and hook the leash into a stud in the wall somewhere convenient. This will at least keep him contained while you are away and limit the area he can poo. Usually a dog restricted like this will not poo in that area where they are confined. If he continues to act out and leave you leery of his action, get a muzzle for him and seriously consider a vet visit and classes.

Your dog believes he is the dominant one in the household. People seem to think its flattering that their dog is protective of them, but it isn't. Your dog thinks he owns you, and is dominant over you. This dog obviously took the dominant position because, no one else did. That should have been you obviously. To the extent your dog is protecting you, its unacceptable, and should not be encouraged or allowed. Your dog, taking food away from the table further shows how in control he feels over everything and anything. And he truly has no respect for you.

Your dog isn't taking you seriously, when you discipline him. Yelling at him, isn't going to do anything, accept numb the dog to your voice. Its better to discipline a dog, by not saying anything at all. When your dog rebels you have to simply put him on his back to submit him, with your hands on his neck, representing a bite. Also a quick firm touch on the neck will snap your dog out of bad behavior. Submitting a dominant dog is something he needs. You need to show you are in control, not him. And you cannot humanize your dog, that's why issues have started. Your dog is a dog, remember that.

This dog obviously needs to view you as the leader, and the minute you take that role, it will catch your dog by surprise, and you ll start seeing the level of respect your dog gives you.

The way your dog is treating you, shows how you are in life, and how people can easily take advantage of you in life. Your passive personality, shows you are weak, and that's why your dog is taking advantage of you, and humans outside in the real world will do the same to you. the minute you change yourself, and how to handle a situation firmly, and assertively, everything around you will change.

Your dog needs obedience training, which will give him direction, structure and discipline. And of course, your dog needs plenty of exercise to drain that pent up, negative energy.

Good Luck

Sometimes people mistaken dominance for being 'protective'. They let the behavior continue so when the dog is no longer a puppy and comes into his/her own self, the dog may try to take over. .

Your dog does not see you as a leader and feels a need to take over that spot and protect you from other dogs. This is what it really boils down to. You need to establish yourself as a leader.