Alpha female

[Angel]

I have a 2 1/2 yr old female. She had been a alpha since I got her. I have 3 kids. . My dog has been in training. I have had trainers come to my house. this dog has bit everyone in the house. you cant touch her when she is sleeping she will bit you. She is aggressive around other dogs with food. You cant ever touch her collar she will bit you. Im not sure what I should do. I have people telling me put her down. What do u think ?

[Tracey Bodington]

Hi Angel, that is a very tough decision that you have to make. You obviously don't want to put your kids at risk or any visitors, but I am sure that you probably don't want to put the dog down either. I am not a trainer or have any authority on dog behaviour but perhaps these few suggestions may help.

1) identify the triggers that cause aggressive behaviour (food, toys, sleeping bed) once you have identified them try to never put her in a position where she feels she has to defend her territory/property - this is a lifestyle change!

2) It may be necessary to separate your female periodically from the other dogs and family members, a kind of time out if you will (according to dog behaviourists this can have a de-stressing affect on a dog, depending on how you do it) - you decide whether time outs during the day (when the household is busy) or time outs at night would suit your dog best.

3) Feed your female separately from all other dogs and people (and nobody is to disturb her until dinner time is over)

4) Despite the training that you say your dog has gone through she perhaps she never learned to respect you as her leader? that could be the root of the problem, she has decided that she has to make the decisions in the household?

5) I found some very good dog training and behaviour information on the Leerburg Dog training website, try them out or if you are in the area get advise from them, I believe that they are very good.

Good Luck!