What can I do with my Aggressive Husky?

I am *very* intolerant of human-directed aggression in this breed. It is defies the nature and function of the breed, and this dog's breeders should be shot for breeding two known aggressive animals.

I'm also alarmed by the idea that she is aggressive with small children. I don't know your day-to-day life, or if she has much contact (or could have contact) with children in your home, neighborhood, etc. but that is, IMO, a liability and a tragedy waiting to happen.

You have a couple of options if you want to keep this dog (and making her someone else's problem is not an option, as I'm sure you know). First, you need to immediately begin using the "Nothing In Life Is Free" (NILIF or NILF) method of dog training. This means that she must work for *everything* she gets. Praise. Treats. Her meals. Access to her favorite room. Access to the yard. Access to *anything* she wants. You can google the terms above and find articles on NILIF training, but the bottom line is that it reminds her that she lives in YOUR home, and YOU are the owner of all resources. Growling at YOU, the God of Everything, is unacceptable. This goes for *everyone* in your home (spouse, children, etc.) and you must all be consistent with the method.

I would also recommend that you find a trainer in your area that specializes in aggression. Since I haven't dealt with this problem extensively in my breed - and the aggressive Siberians I have dealt with and had control over were euthanized - I can't give you any reliable information here. I wouldn't feel comfortable saying anything more unless I saw the dog in person, which is why a trainer who knows how to deal with the problem and can observe your dog is your best bet.

Yes, temperament is genetic, and you may never completely rid your girl of her behavior problems. But if you are willing to invest the time, work, and money, you can probably learn to manage them.

Hope this helps.

ADD: A couple of good starter articles on NILIF...

http://chien-noir.com/NILIF.html

http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm

Well i was going to post an answer suggesting behavioral training and obedience training as well....but Loki pretty much summed it all up. Huskies are not suppose to be aggressive by nature, esp towards humans. this would concern me a great deal! as i am the mother of 4 children (and have 4 dogs of my own). i also foster dogs for the SPCA. I can tell you that if this dog had been in a shelter situation instead of being pawned off by an owner that was "moving overseas" (we are a military family, and have taken our 4 dogs all over the place w/us) this dog would have gone through temperament testing before being placed in ANY home environment be it a foster home or permanent home. Aggression of any kind is not tolerated in potential adoptees. it sounds cruel, and i do feel sorry for the dogs that have to be euthanized for it, but these are dogs that show severe temperament issues and no training would help, and even if the behavior could be modified they would still NEVER be placed in a home w/children under the age of 12 or 13. a dog w/these issues needs a very strong leader who is willing to devote enormous amounts of time training to redirect his behavior to stable state. I would suggest you stop allowing the dog on your bed. he sees it as HIS not yours, and WILL protect it (guard it) from even YOU eventually. Is the dog food aggressive as well? these are serious indications that the dog came from a terrible environment, had no training at all, and was NEVER scocialized properly with other people. you need to seek out an animal behaviorists professional opinion of this dog's behavior ASAP before something tragic happens. NEVER leave the dog unattended w/the 7 y/o. Look for signs in the dog when he's around the child. his stance when aggressive would be head slightly downward, ears back and standing very still, erect tail (or slight wagging while erect). a dog has a very stiff posture before attack. which is where some ppl say "it came out of nowhere". don't let the child corner the dog either as this will trigger the dog's flight or fight response, and based on what you decribe he'd be fighting not running away. I think this dog may be too much for you to handle, it's obvious he was poorly bred.

That aggressive behavior is rare for a Husky. Usually Huskies I've come across with are always docile except I have seen Huskies be territorial with their belongings. The simple solution to your problem at this point is to put her through training again or it will only get worse. I know it's costly sometimes to go through a trainer, but honestly you want the best for your dog's life and a happy life for your dog. Your dog is not going to have a happy life if she is not trained and you also need training too. Start looking for trainers in your area. It's the only advice I can give and your vet would probably tell you the same thing. Please go through training again. I say a professional trainer because this is what trainers are good at and it's not always something we as owners can overcome ourselves. I hope you find success. Hope I helped.

Take her back to training. That will get her socialized with dogs as well as help you curb her aggression. The fact she will guard off rooms from you and growl at you, her care giver, shows she does not respect you as a pack leader. That needs to be worked on before she bites. She needs to respect. A squirt in the face wont teach her that.

I had a pit bull like that, he would growl and be disrespectful, despite being well trained on a lead or to vocal commands. He spent most of his days tied round my waist being dragged where ever I went in the house, he got fed once a day at 5pm and only after I ate (cutting off the food supply is pretty huge in establishing dominance) and no treats, and if he growled or snapped at me, hed be thrown on his back and growled back at. I refuse to have aggressive dogs. Especially pits or other bully breeds. These dogs have a bad enough reputation and mine (no matter what the breed) are picture perfect companions who turn into teddy bears once you go near them. There is also a huge difference between going through the motions but not having the attitude to be a pack leader, you will end up getting bitten. If you can not train her yourself, you need to march right back to that trainer you were with before and explain the situation. Maybe look for a behaviorist. The last thing you want is to get sued and have your dog destroyed because you accepted an aggression problem.

Well, you obviously know that her horrible temperament is a genetic problem. With dogs like that, you're limited as to how much you can rehabilitate them, but it can be done. I don't understand why you'd allow this totally unacceptable behaviour to go on for 2 years and not do anything about it. You can't handle her problems yourself, you need to hire a behaviorist and hopefully before she bites someone.

Spraying her with apple cider vinegar may stop the growling. The problem with that is you'll end up with a dog who bites with no warning first.

Every dog needs some type of training. The first class I ever took a dog to was https://tr.im/EEBcJ

It's a very basic kind of class. They will help you with your dog, and show you how to work with your dog at home.

They'll also answer any questions you have about your dog's particular problems and how to handle them. The most important thing in dog training is to be consistent and work with your dog at home on the lessons. The PetSmart class teaches sit, down, come, and the very basics every dog needs to know. They will also help socialize your dog. You are unhappy with an untrained dog, and believe it or not, the dog is actually unhappy to. You need to take your dog now, as the older he gets, the harder it will be to correct your dog's bad habits. Plus the classes are fun for you and your dog. My dog went from that first PetSmart class on to advanced obedience classes. You might also contact your local humane society. The one in my area offers obedience classes with a very good trainer at a reduced price.

Hi,

The best online resource that teaches how to stop any unwanted dog behavior is: http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=572

You can find thousands of videos and interesting materials. Their methods are effective, gentle and simple.

Hope it helps.

Ehm..

If you want to train your dog in the best way, you have to follow this online course http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=315

I strongly recommend it.

Have a nice day

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Wow, Thankss! I was asking myself the same question the other day