My Australian Shepherd Is So Aggressive

by Jade Christensen
(Kent, WA)

I got my Australian Shepherd at two months old, I think (or ten weeks? I can't remember). He is almost 8 months old now and neutered only a week ago, but ever since I got him, he has been randomly aggressive.

When he was very young I had so many scars on my arms that you could barely find skin that wasn't destroyed. But it isn't constant, at night he really likes cuddling (though he is crated overnight) and he can be the sweetest thing. When we take him to the park he is extremely friendly, we heavily socialized him and he never treats strangers or friends badly. Just us at home, and only at home.

We were told he might be trying to dominate us, and our obedience trainer and the breeder told us we need to grab him by the scruff and tell him no when he bites. This made him bite less but it has gotten worse recently with the new addition to the home.

We have the new house member feed him by making him sit and wait until we allow him to eat, we have him exit doors first with the dog following... we've read all this stuff and we have been told what to do but nothing works. We tried saying "ow" when he bites but that just led him to get excited and bite more.

Often times it is playful, but it's frightening. His tail will wag but he darts in and out until he draws blood.

If you have any tips, I would be so thankful...

-Jade

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