Why is my dog suddenly barking, growling, and lunging at strangers?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Draco. Changing homes can be stressful to a dog, but his behavior towards your father is worrisome. I would make an appointment for a consultation with your veterinarian. You will what to discuss neutering him and any other factors in the home that can be contributing to his aggression. In the meantime, keep him on a leash so that you can grab it if he starts to bark or lunge. Never leave him unsupervised with your younger siblings. Practice positive reinforcement by giving him treats and praise for good behavior. Never physically punish a dog for bad behavior as this only leads to anxiety and further aggression. I hope this information helps.

Poor pup! Lots of dogs have this problem, and it's definitely something that can be improved. The basic treatment plan for this issue involves teaching your dog to associate good things (usually treats!) with seeing people and other dogs. You need to start at a distance where he is able to notice them without immediately reacting - so depending on how severe his problem is, you may need a lot of distance at first! Every time he looks at a person or another dog, praise and reward with a treat. If he's barking or not interested in the treats, this means you're too close - back up a bit to where he's comfortable, and try again. It can be hard to do this on your own at first, so I would strongly recommend making an appointment with a veterinary behaviorist or a good reward-based trainer to work with you in person. He/she can help you set up controlled training situations at first to practice, until you and your dog are both comfortable with how things are going. Punishment of any kind is not recommended for this behavior, as it only makes the dog more anxious and worsens the problem over time - steer clear of any trainer who recommends corrections for this behavior. You can search for a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in your area here (www.dacvb.org) or a qualified trainer here (www.ccpdt.org).

I certainly sympathize with your situation. Since Digby is 7 years old and this is a new behavior, I would start by having your veterinarian examine Digby to make sure there isn't a medical condition that is contributing to the change in his behavior. Your veterinarian may recommend trying medication depending on Digby's situation and behavior. If everything is normal on examination, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation for a behaviorist or trainer. You will need to commit to a training regimen to change Digby's behavior when he sees another dog. This can be a long process, but will be worth it. Good luck! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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.

Aggression is a complicated behavior because it can be due to dominance, possessive behavior, fear or anxiety. The treatment for each is different. I recommend to work with a trainer if possible as they will know why it is occurring and will teach you how to react to modify the behavior. You can also read about dog behavior and learn how to recognize the body language. Many training books are published which can give guidance on how to react. You can also try to train Freddie to look and pay attention to you instead of strangers. You need a high value treat. Every time Freddie looks at you when you approach a stranger, he gets a treat. Keep giving him treats until the situation passes. You must do this consistently. Make sure to praise him a lot when he makes a good decision. Most dogs will learn that strangers mean treats. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hello, Duke may be hearing or sensing something that could be causing him to be alarmed. If nothing, then make sure Duke did not get into any medications at home that could alter his mentation. If this does not change and he continue to show this behavior then have Duke evaluated by a veterinarian soon. I would have Duke evaluated tonight if his behavioral changes worsen or if you note any other signs including weakness, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or worsening aggression. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Yes, an illness or physical problem can certainly worsen existing aggression or reactivity issues, or could be a trigger for having them pop up again when they were previously well-controlled. You may need to do a bit of remedial training to remind Hank of what to do in these situations (i.e., back to more careful management and frequent rewards for making the "right" choice) for a while, along with treating the colitis.