Reposting- growling behavior

[Hanne]

I need to tell them (nicely) to back off

Absolutely - so really said

It's so important that little Moze gets time to settle down - and get to know you and trust you
Just people sometimes would take care of their own business

 

[JacqueZ]

Well Moses is quite the handsome fellow. I have border/Australian mix and she's got the same worried eyes. (I especially love his little eyebrow dots!)

The most difficult part of the various aspects of Moses's behavior : he has not bonded with my husband Pete.
It has gotten a bit better - meaning he will now go to him for a treat if Pete's arm is stretched out. He will go to him to put on a leash to go for a walk. He won't voluntarily go to him unless coaxed with food or if i go stand behind my husband. Pete fixes his food and he won't go near the bowl unless Pete leaves the room. He won't engage in play with him either. Dogs usually gravitate to and absolutely love my husband. Now there's resentment, disappointment and friction complicating this very important time for training. I've heard of many behavior issues but not bonding with someone is one I have never encountered.

When we first got my sheltie Honey, I went through a smaller degree of what you're seeing. She was with me all day long and didn't want to go to my husband. He resented her noise, and her messes because he didn't get any of the happy parts, and she wouldn't listen to him. Having him train him is going to be a vital step, and the same suggestions given for your mom can help you get there with your husband too. I'm also wondering, you say Moses relaxes a lot around your brothers dogs...it might help if you can get him over there a few times with your husband and have him engage with all the dogs, just running around and having them chase him could help get moses to accept him a little more. You also want to start having your husband be the one to deliver all meals to Moses if he isn't already. This is always a big one.

In terms of the crate training, we tried doing it with our mix Mango, and she would spend the entire time she was in a crate freaking out...just flat out panicking digging, biting, it was painful to watch over the video feed. I talked the vet about it and she told me to just leave her out of the crate, it's not for some dogs. She still displayed some separation anxiety, but it was a lot better when she wasn't confined. You might just need to set aside a bigger space. Is he house trained?

I wish you luck with your training, I hope it starts getting easier as Moses accepts all the changes. And on another note, bless you and your husband for putting all that work into providing a home for that abused Australian Shepard.