Aggression towards guys

It's not usually hard to countercondition this type of behavior.  The person obviously approached Zeke in a way that is never recommended when greeting any dog.  He entered Zeke's personal space and leaned down and reached out a hand.  To Zeke all these actions were scary in themselves and added together they were enough to make him bite to remove the scary person. 

Teach everyone the proper way to approach your dog in every situation whether it's at home or out in public.   No one should approach a dog who looks fearful or is over aroused.  Not every wagging tail is a sign of a happy dog.  Learning dog body language is an important skill and especially if you own a dog who has bitten, as your's has.  The person should not invade the dog's personal space.  Don't lean over the dog and extend a hand toward it. Though many dogs tolerate this behavior even the friendliest dog can have a bad day and this can be enough to make them snap to back the person away from them.

The person should allow the dog to approach them. Don't assume that once the dog has approached within touching distance everything is ok.  Moving toward the dog at this point can cause the dog to be move away out of fear or bite.

Counterconditiong involves teaching the dog that people are good and not scary.  Do this using yummy treats with a hungry dog.  Work below the dog's threshold of fear, in other words, before he is showing any signs of discomfort or fear.  Here are a few videos that might help you and Zeke.  Good luck and let us know how the training goes.

http://drsophiayin.com/resources/video_full/bandit_bites

http://drsophiayin.com/resources/video_full/counter-conditioning_a_dog_to_blowing_in_face

Next week is dog bite prevention week.  Here's a blog post by someone very respected in the dog training world. 

http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/preventing-dog-bites

 Tootsie is this way, also, but it goes for everyone not just men. I constantly have to tell people how to approach and pet her. You get down to her level, scratch her under the chin, but most important let her approach.

So, after a week, we have definitely learned a few things.  It appears that Zeke is only uncomfortable with men who are in our house.  He is totally fine letting guys pet him when we are away from the house or outside.  Also, there doesn't seem to be any one thing that triggers him.  Yesterday a male friend was just walking in the living room, not paying attention to Zeke at all, and Zeke lunged at him.  For now, we are thinking that the best approach is to have male visitors throw a couple of treats at him when they arrive, and then completely ignore him until Zeke decides to approach them.  Even then, I am going to tell them to leave him alonst unless he looks totally calm and happy.  (It's pretty easy to spot when he's nervous or anxious). 

 Here's my question, though -- how do I deal with it when Zeke does lunge and/or snap at someone?  I've been using a very firm "NO," but I don't really know what else to do.  Suggestions?

MalOwner

how do I deal with it when Zeke does lunge and/or snap at someone?  I've been using a very firm "NO," but I don't really know what else to do.  Suggestions?

I wouldn't put Zeke in the situation that causes him to react until you've done the counterconditioning to the point you are confident he's changed his emotional reaction toward men in your home.  If you know a male is coming over, put him in another room before they arrive and if they come over with no notice, put him elsewhere before the person comes in the house.  Telling him NO isn't going to make him less fearful and that's what's causing him to aggress towards these people.  It doesn't matter if you think he has any reason to be afraid, he is and his reaction is the proof.  He lunged to prevent the person from approaching, so even though the person was ignoring Zeke, Zeke was making sure they didn't approach.