Why is my dog barking and lunging at my dad after moving home?

It sounds like Luna is very scared. She has had a big change in her life and that can be very frightening for a dog. I would strongly suggest that you consult an animal behaviorist in your area. Be sure to find someone who uses positive reinforcement training methods rather than dominance theory or punishment. Luna does not need someone to be her Alpha. This type of dominance theory creates more fear in dogs and does not promote a safe, comfortable relationship long-term between a dog and their owner. I would not try to force Luna to do anything. It is better to coax her into a kennel if that is where you want her using treats. It is important that Luna feels safe and not threatened. If your dad does not feel that he can interact with Luna safely, I would recommend that her previous owner pick her up and have her boarded somewhere until the trainer can be consulted.

Hi and thank you for your question. I am sorry you are having some behavior issues with Luna. Moving can be stressful for both pets and pet parents! Moving to a new area, new home, and the addition of changing to being an only dog is a lot of new changes all at once. Sometimes it just takes time for dogs to acclimate to their new life and new home. She is likely feeling a little insecure in her new place, but that is not unusual. Keep her busy with exercise. Lots of walks, lots of play time with you and gradually introduce her to new people making the experience positive with rewarding her for good behavior with a treat she really really loves. Lavander oil with an essential oil diffuser in your home can aide in calming the mood. Calming chews with L-Theanine in them can also help as well as a number of Rx medications that can help smooth the transition if you are finding yourself and Luna in a road block with progress. Also, working with a trainer around your area can be a very helpful to keep Luna on track and moving in the right direction. Please consult with Luna's veterinarian regarding all supplements and Rx medications. Best of luck!

Neutering Bruce would be the first step. I would also speak to his vet about getting him into professional behavioral training. I never recommend owners work with aggressive dogs on their own due to safety issues. I would be fearful for you and your children as well, and do not allow him alone with them for now.

If this behavior is new or sudden in Olaf it may indicate an issue such as pain or illness and should be checked out by a vet. It may also be that you need to work on socialization a bit more, having strangers in the home that are visiting toss treats to Olaf so he begins to associate them with positives rather than something potentially scary. Having a place for Olaf to relax where people or other pets aren't bothering him can also help reduce stress and encourage calm socialization. A puppy training class can also help increase socialization skills with other pets and people in a safe and monitored environment.

Poor Draco! He probably is barking more now because it worked to scare away the burglar and so he feels the need to protect you and the house. Barking can be hard to stop because often times the "reward" of someone going away easily reinforces the barking outside of your control, especially if it's a delivery or postman stopping by. You can work on it a few ways, by either having him greet people at the door by sitting nicely and accepting a treat (basically refocusing his behavior on sitting and waiting instead of barking), or by distracting him with something such as a Kong or chew toy when people come by to divert his attention. Working on commands such as quiet or even speak can help him associate barking with those as well instead of what's at the door. If the barking continues, talking with a local trainer is also a good idea as they will better be able to observe the behavior in person and provide a more tailored response.

As an unneutered male, he is starting to feel the effects of male hormones, which can manifest in aggressive behavior. You can try to help him acclimate to other dogs by introducing them in a controlled manner, with both dogs on leashes and through a fence initially until you can see how they will react to one another. Some barking and growling is normal but by reassuring them both without getting too excited can help. The more excited you become, the more he will, and he may feel he needs to be protective of you. Additionally, work with your dog away from other dogs. Play, take him for runs (Huskies are born runners and are very high energy, as I'm sure you are aware.), get him involved in obedience, play fetch, get him involved in dog agility, flyball, anything and everything to keep him well exercised and tied. This will help him be calm and well behaved the rest of the time since a tired dog is a happy dog. And, unless you plan to breed him because he is an exemplary example of his breed, consider getting him neutered. This will remove the primary source of the hormones most responsible for aggression and will also help with other behavioral issues in the future, as well as reducing the urge to roam in search of females. This will keep him safer and less likely to be hit by a car if he does get out on his own.

Bruno is likely expressing his anal glands. Normally, they are expressed during the act of defecation and are part of scenting or marking. Dogs will also express, or release, the contents of the glands during times of stress or excitement. You can try gradually acclimating him to your friend's dog and other pets. Do this on "neutral" ground and under close supervision. Begin with short periods and gradually increase as Bruno accepts the other dog. Praise and reward him as he progresses. Immediately correct any aggressive behaviors. A pheromone product such as the Adaptil collar or DAP plug in diffuser may decrease his anxiety or aggression.