Maybe the previous owner followed the pack-leader school of thought made popular by the Dog Whisperer.
I followed Cesar Milan’s advice when raising my black lab, and am very happy with the results.
Only complaint - the damn dog follows me everywhere - and I mean everywhere all the time, with expectant eyes! I feel so bad when I’m just going to take a piss!
LOL. She’s the best dog ever!
And she was great with my cat, before he died. :(
I’ve always followed the pack leader school of thought, since it is the most prudent if you have large dogs that are on that bad dog list-you had better be the Alpha, or things can go bad really fast-it works-I’ve had 2 German Shepherds, a Chow and a Siberian Husky-never been bitten nor has any family member.
My Husky girl was especially devoted to protecting me by following me around everywhere the minute I walked in the door-her heart gave out in her sleep almost 2 years ago, but she was 17-that is old even for a Husky-she was one of a kind-I still miss her following me around when I get home from work-I think the cats do, too...