[hmilkshake]

My husband and I just recently got a corgi, he just turned 2. We also currently own an 8 year old american-staffordshire terrier. Our corgi took really quickly to my husband and gets along with our current dog just fine. He is fine when my husband puts his leash on or off him, he goes straight to him to get petted and mainly follows him around the house.
The issue that we are having is that he is particularly aggressive towards me. I try to put my hand down so he can sniff and be okay, but then he just growls at me. So, when that happens i pull away as to not push him. If i try to put the leash on him he growls.
I have had a few instances where he has bitten me because i took his leash off or have tried to put it on. So now, im afraid to even touch him. Any advice on what i can do to make him less afraid of me?

 

[3GSD4IPO]

We often hear this in training, "Don't act Creepy!"

All that sneaking around, moving slow, putting your hand out to sniff and backing way is making you appear suspicious. If you back off when he growls you have verified both your ill will and a weak character (to the dog.. not calling you as a person out).

What do you think would happen if you simply walked up to the dog and put the leash on without any nonsense and without looking the dog in the eye? Try getting a slip leash (goes over the head and tightens like a noose). Walk up to the dog and drop it over his head and tighten it and walk away and take him out. No sneaking up on him, offering your hand or talking or any of that. Just put it on and go.

I bet you see a different dog.

You have offered this dog no clarity. You need to be black and white with dogs. They thrive on it. The more uncertain you are the more defensive the dog will be. Use a tool (slip leash) so you don't get bitten and be crisp and certain in your movements around this dog.

 

[hmilkshake]

I'll definitely do my best to try that. I also forgot to note that his previous owner (a woman) passed away so we're are thinking he is less trusting of women than men.

 

[Kathyy]

Slip lead is an excellent idea. I handled Bucky for several days using just that. He was in the shelter because of biting and clearly was going to bite if I tried to handle him. Cookie in one hand, noose in other and feed him as head passes inside noose. If you don't have a slip lead make one by putting leash through the loop of a regular fabric or leather leash.

Disagree about the growling. If he growls do back away. Come at the problem another way such as using the slip lead. Neither of my dogs are fond of messing around at their shoulders. Use treats to get him used to touching him all over then then working on clipping the leash on. Ignoring growling will create a snappy dog. That biting dog was covered with long standing mats when he arrived, he'd been growling and connecting with those snaps for quite a while. Inside a few weeks I was able to gain trust, touch him all over, brush him, cut out the mats and after the ingrown dewclaws were dealt with by the vet handle his feet and trim nails.

 

[WesselGordon]

I personally doubt the dog is less trusting of females than males. It seems like your husband is more ''business-like'' towards the dog and therefor the dog is more inclined to follow his lead. Try and observe how your husband behaves or interact with the dog and try and copy it; with a bit of guidance and time hopefully the issue will sort itself out. If needed taking the dog to classes on your own might work wonders since it will help you and the dog learn to work as a team and create mutual respect. If you do take the dog to classes don't worry if he's slow to learn commands: the whole point is to get the two of you to relax in each other's company and in that way work on building some trust.

The way you approach the dog at the moment sends the dog the message that you're a weaker ''energy'' than it and in a stable pack weaker energies need to be kept in line, not followed.

 

[3GSD4IPO]

WesselGordon nailed it. Got nuthin' to do with women vs. men. Has all to do with being confident and clear.