Hello i just got a dog about a week ago. Hes a mutt and i rescued him from the humane society. Hes 8 months old and a medium sized dog. The problem with him is that he is completley okay with me putting my hand in his food bowl and hugging him around the neck. But its a different story with my girlfriend who lives with me. He was sick when we first got him and we took him to the vet and got him meds. And it seems as soon as he started feeling better he started not to like my girlfriend...She was literally standing in the kitchen and she looked at him and he growled...And last night she hugged him around the neck and he bit her. He is okay with her petting and brushing and walking him but when it comes to his food or his neck his dominance kicks in and he gets mad at her. Please help me n tell me what to do...I really dont want to get rid of him ive already become pretty attached to him!!!!!

IMO no one should be hugging ANY dog around the neck. most don't like it & will bite. this is a large cause of children getting bitten in the face.

why are you putting your hand in his food dish. that is his & should be respected as such. I never agreed with that theory that you should be able to take a dog's food away 3 or 4 times. bullfeathers

keep in mind, you've only had him for a week, he hasn't relaxed yet, but he is warning her & she didn't listen

yes, you & your gf should be the alpha, but those are not reasonable ways of accomplishing that.

google NILIF Nothing In Life Is Free for help in getting this all under control.

[lil mutt]

tell your girl friend not to do it again... since you only had him for couple of days... have you already updated the dog's shots? i agree with suebgone... maybe the dog is still testing his dominance against your girl friend...

lilmutt - he wouldn't be due for shots most likely, at least not for 3 - 4 weeks from when the shelter gave them. however it is always a good idea to take any new dog to the vet for a well check within a few days of getting it