Dog growls--is it talking, or aggression?

Another thing, you really made me understand a lot about the walking by putting it in that perspective. Yes, I guess I would get grumpy if I never ever had a chance to get out :-)

Can't help you there, gives me trouble too.
Alty will know.
I would have hubby to not play rough with him in the future.
It sounds like Henry (love the name, I once had a Henry J) has been a wonderful addition.

Put the photo on your hard drive. Go to the answer box at the end of this thread (like you are going to respond) and click the button below it that's called "Go Advanced," then click the little paper clip at the top of the frame. Use "Browse" to find the photo on your hard drive and just follow through from there. Alty had typed up good directions recently, but I can't find them.

Henry is the wiry haired one I was asking about.
Skyler is the very sweet tempered and calm chihauhau (I didn't know they came like that until our daughter got him).
Coco is our brand new kitten of 3 months old.

And you guys are awesome! Thanks for all the help :-D

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Cute crowd!! Love the one with Henry and the kitten playing on the couch.

Nice job figuring out how to post pictures! Your pups are darn cute. (As a cat lover, I already know the kitten will be in charge.)

I'm so very sorry for everything you've gone through, but I completely understand the joy a dog can bring. Our family has had a tough year as well. Not nearly what you've gone through, but we lost two of our dogs within 5 months of each other. One was 16 years old, Indy, could no longer function, so we made the toughest decision in the world, and had him put to sleep. Five month later our 10 year old border collie, Jasper, suddenly became ill. Within a week he went from a very healthy happy dog to a dog that couldn't even lift his own head, and had lost 20 pounds. The vet told us there was no hope, so once again we found ourselves making that tough decision to let him go. A few days later we realized that we couldn't be a one dog home (we still had our little trouble maker Chewy, the beagle), and that Chewy also needed a friend. So we brought a new puppy into our lives. He is now 3 months old, has been with us for a month, and he has brought a smile back on our faces, the faces of our kids, and Chewy's as well. They're best buds.

I wouldn't call it a personality change. I'd call it a change in demeanor. He will always be your spunky fun pup. Of course with age he'll be less spunky, but his personality is who he is, and it won't change because of a neuter.

I'll put it to you this way. My husband had a vasectomy a few years ago. We have 2 kids, had one horrific miscarriage where I almost died, and decided that we couldn't risk another, so off to the doctor he went. No, they didn't cut the entire "package" (talk about TMI! ) off, but it was still a surgery, and much like what your pup will go through. My husband is still the flippant, funny, caring man that I fell in love with.

The main change a neuter will have on your dog is that he will be more calm, less aggressive, and actually easier to handle. The first week or two he will be down in the dumps. It's a surgery, and I won't lie, it will bother him. But he'll be given pain meds, and with rest, he'll be himself again in no time, just a better version of himself.

I also have to mention that from a health standpoint, a neutered dog will live longer, so you'll have that little bundle of fur in your life for longer than you would if you choose not to neuter.

Your husband is Henry's person. I am curious. When you approach your husband and Henry is with him, and Henry growls, how does your husband react?

Henry has to learn that he isn't the leader of the pack. He does feel that he's the dominant dog. Your family are his pack mates. In a dog pack, the dominant dog bosses around the less dominant dogs. So, growling at them, even pinning them down and nipping them, is acceptable in a pack. You really have to elevate yourself in the pack where Henry is concerned.

I do have one suggestion that may also work, but it's a lot of work, and has to be done right, also, it would only work if you can be at home with Henry, so this can be done all day. Umbilical training. This is where you put a leash on Henry, tie the leash around your waist, and you two are literally joined at the hip (well, it's at your hip, not really his). Carry about your day to day activities, washing dishes, cleaning, doing laundry. Wherever you go, Henry goes.

The reason umbilical works (sometimes), is that the dog will have to follow you. In wild packs, only the leader is followed. The rest do the following. I would do this for a few weeks, until Henry follows you without the leash.

Something to consider. I won't lie, it's a lot of work, and unless you can completely commit yourself to it, which many people can't because they have to work, etc., it won't work.

Your husband should definitely stop playing rough with Henry. Men tend to think that they can play rough with a dog, and then when they say no, the dog understands that it's time to stop. That's not the case. Dogs are trained how to act in a home. They don't know how to live with humans, and they don't know what humans want. They have to learn. Once you allow a behavior, the dog thinks that behavior is acceptable. They don't have an on off switch. They don't understand that biting is only okay when you're playing. If biting, nipping, or growling is okay during play, then it's okay all the time. It's really all or nothing.

I would really urge you to make the appointment. You're doing the best thing for Henry, and for your family as well. Keep in mind that Henry won't calm down, or be less aggressive, immediately. It will take a few weeks, even months, for all the hormones to be out of his body. So you won't see an immediate change.

Adorable pictures! I can see his personality in his eyes. I know it will still be there once he's fixed. You are a very lucky family to have that little fur baby in your lives, and he's so very lucky to have a family that cares about him so very much.

Alty,
I wanted to thank you for your help when I had asked this question. We got our dog neutered. He has the most wonderful personality now. He has maintained his sweet and fun behavior, but the agression has subsided dramatically. We are so happy and I wanted to thank you for the advice as you helped us so much. I have a cat question that I posted today. Not sure if you know about cats. But we have a new dilemma cause we spayed the cat also. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for your help. We very much appreciate it :-)

You just made my day! Thank you so much for coming back and letting us know how Henry is doing. I'm so happy that you not only took the advice given, but that it worked for you. Henry is a very lucky dog.

I'm not a cat expert. I have had cats in my life, but don't really have a lot to offer advice wise. I will look at your question though, there may be something I have to offer. But, we do have wonderful cat experts on this site. I'm sure you'll get great advice from them.

Again, thank you so much for coming back. You've shown me why I do this, and I have to say, it's not always easy, most people don't take the advice offered, or get mad because the advice isn't what they want to hear. You not only listened, but you took the advice, and you've done far more for Henry than you'll ever know by doing that.

I hope you stick around. This site isn't only about asking questions, it's about answering them as well, and all the experts that answer started by coming here to ask a question, then they stuck around, found the questions they had knowledge in, and showed their expertise. Why not look at some of the questions, see if there's someone you can help. I hope you do. If not, I hope you at least keep us posted on how Henry is doing, and your entire family as well.

Alty, the post right before this I had somehow missed. The information about umbilical training and all the other good information. Actually, I couldn't find this site again and spent like 30 minutes this morning trying to figure out which one it was because I wanted to tell you how thrilled we are. Henry has even started being very affectionate. We also knew something was up when my 15 yo son said Henry walked into his room, looked at him, and wagged his tail. My son's jaw dropped. Mainly because Henry used to have the audacity to walk in my son's room and look at him and growl, LOL :-), I know it isn't really funny, but we were amazed at how much he thought HE was the boss sometimes. Anyway, he has drastically changed in 2 1/2 weeks so I am sure it will continue to improve. We are trying to be consistent with walking, still working on that.
AND I have bookmarked the site so I can come back regularly. I hope someone knows something about the cat :-). Anyway, you're awesome and we took all of your advice and followed it AND you knew what you were talking about :-) thanks again :-)