Aggressive Dog
Anybody have to deal with being an owner of an agressive dog? We have a small terrier and he is very snippy! Today my neighbor came over and when she walked over towards my kids in the kiddie pool my terrier nipped her hard on her calf! Not sure what to do or how to handle this?
We have had this dog since he was a small puppy and we took him to obedience classes. He is now 4 and not usually aggressive but not really sure where to go from here!
We have had this dog since he was a small puppy and we took him to obedience classes. He is now 4 and not usually aggressive but not really sure where to go from here!
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Replies
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Uh oh need to nip this in the bud ASAP! Who is the alpha in your home? Is he allowed on furniture and the bed? If you can enlist that neighbor again, if she's not scared, start working with him and teaching him that barring his teeth, growling, and biting is not acceptable. The minute he shows any signs of aggression shake a can filled with rocks and tell him, "NO!" Get him to back down this is your space and you want the neighbor in your space.0
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shock collars work well.0
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you need to lay the smack down. I find when my dog doesn't get as much attn she thinks she has free reign. Cage him at night, take his food away when he is done eating, don't allow him on the furniture unless invited, etc etc. Treat him like he is a puppy all over again.
My girl can get *****y too, but I find after a few days of being really attentive and disciplining her, and not letting her get away with anything, she cools her jets.0 -
shock collars work well.
Yup.
If he doesn't listen to a loud and firm "NO" then you may have to go this route. It's an excellent training device. Say NO, make the collar beep. Sometimes that will get them to behave. If not say NO again, beep the collar again. Again, if it fails to get their attention you say NO and then give them the shock. After a few times (like two or three) of being shocked they will know what the beep means and that's all you will have to use after you say NO.
I have a 75lb German Shepherd and when we walk him we put the collar on him because he likes to run off into the woods and it has worked wonders at keeping him in line.0 -
Yeah, you need to stop that right away. You could find yourself in legal trouble if you don't. I agree with any method that works, including everything already suggested.
You are the root of this. Only you can stop it.
It's going to take 100% attention on your part to stop any signs of Alpha behavior from your dog. Pay attention to every move it makes and control it.
Make sure it is getting lots of walks on a leash - at least twice a day for 20 minutes each. Terriers are super high energy and need lots of exercise.0 -
Yes, I would like to get ahead of this before any other issues arise! He is the smallest of our 3 dogs and he is alpha over them, even our 70lb boxer! The 3 dogs are kenneled together each night and every time we tell them to go to the kennel the terrier goes first and barks at the other 2 dogs when they get to the kennel! Of course they just ignore him but he does this each time to make a point. We have a large yard and an invisible fence so the dogs have plenty of space and outdoor time. On a leash the terrier is wonderful! I have even walked with this neighbor with this dog on the leash with no issues. If he starts to bark/growl a quick tug on the leash and he is back in line!
We might have to go the shock collar route! He doesn't listen when a stranger is around. The barking is continous until we put him in the house or the person leaves.0 -
I do like animals.
But to me they are still animals. That is why I do not own them. ONE hard bite from an animal I owned and it would be put down.0 -
Ok, if this is not typical behavior for your dog, I would take him (her?) to the vet to make sure there are no underlying medical issues that is causing the dog to be more aggressive... Then, I would look towards other ways to help keep this behavior at bay.0
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Yes, I would like to get ahead of this before any other issues arise! He is the smallest of our 3 dogs and he is alpha over them, even our 70lb boxer!
This very common because the way owners treat small dogs (picking up, coddling, sitting on lap, carrying) sends the message to the other dogs that the little dog is the alpha.
Another common mistake is when they do something wrong dont yell their name just yell the command for example the owners yell Spike stop barking Spike get back here Spike don't jump. They hear Spike bla bla bla Spike bla bla bla. All they know is that they are hearing there name over and over they must be doing something good. I just say quiet and inside and my dogs know what those two commands mean.
I have had dogs for 25 years and not one incident. My dogs are obedient and well adjusted because I treat them like a dog not human.0 -
I believe this mainly happened because my kids where involved. Not that I think it excuses the problem.
The neighbor walked into my driveway and was greeted by the barking. She stopped and tried to allow the terrier to approach her. He kept about a 6 foot radius from her. When I walked over to yell at the dog he stopped barking and I sent him to the deck. He listens very well if you can get his attention. Then we walked past the deck towards the pool. When she approached the pool the dog came off the deck and bit her!0 -
He is not treated special because he is little, we were actually warned of this when we took him to obedience lass. None of the dogs have special privileges, not allowed in bed, on furniture. If anything our boxer gets singled out and goes on walks/runs individually because I feel more comfortable during early mornings with an intimidating dog at my side!0
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you got a problem. one of my dogs, a bit bigger than yours, bit a kid and my insurance had to pay out big time. interestingly, the kid was outside my yard poking my dog with a stick when my dog decided to stand his ground. the 'Castle Doctrine' doesn't apply to dogs in California at least. I forget the name of the law but it was passed by the plaintiff's bar in Sacramento and basically creates absolute liability for the dog owner regardless of how deserving the victim may have been to received the dog's attention.
so consider a muzzle. the dog cannot be allowed to bite anyone. legally, you're on safer ground shooting someone than letting your dog bite someone. it's that silly believe me. took an attorney and an insurance agent to educate me and I couldn't believe it worked that way. check the law in your state there are websites to help you.0 -
He is not treated special because he is little, we were actually warned of this when we took him to obedience lass. None of the dogs have special privileges, not allowed in bed, on furniture. If anything our boxer gets singled out and goes on walks/runs individually because I feel more comfortable during early mornings with an intimidating dog at my side!
Walk all of them together, every time. Enforce the "heel" - make them all walk right next to you. I would give the terrier stern consequences for aggression of any type. If you can't trust him to not bite, you need to keep him on leash any time there is anyone around. I don't think you really have any option here, other than separation, once your dog has bitten someone. That is over the top dangerous behavior. What if he bites a child next?0 -
Some really good advice here, thank you!
Hadn't thought of a muzzle, that might be a decent option!
I have contracted a trainer in our area and she is going to see if she has some space coming up to take him for a week or two to observe and work with his behavior. She said it is tough though and sometimes you never know what might be a trigger for dog displaying these types of behaviors. She also mentioned much of what was said here, being stern, being quick to correct and she recommended keeping him on a leash at all times so that we can grab him quickly if need be.
Hopefully we can turn this around!0 -
Some really good advice here, thank you!
Hadn't thought of a muzzle, that might be a decent option!
I have contracted a trainer in our area and she is going to see if she has some space coming up to take him for a week or two to observe and work with his behavior. She said it is tough though and sometimes you never know what might be a trigger for dog displaying these types of behaviors. She also mentioned much of what was said here, being stern, being quick to correct and she recommended keeping him on a leash at all times so that we can grab him quickly if need be.
Hopefully we can turn this around!
Best wishes for your pooch0 -
I don't know why I read this topic as Aggressive Dong0
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shock collars work well.
for the owner or pet?0 -
shock collars work well.
Yup.
If he doesn't listen to a loud and firm "NO" then you may have to go this route. It's an excellent training device. Say NO, make the collar beep. Sometimes that will get them to behave. If not say NO again, beep the collar again. Again, if it fails to get their attention you say NO and then give them the shock. After a few times (like two or three) of being shocked they will know what the beep means and that's all you will have to use after you say NO.
I have a 75lb German Shepherd and when we walk him we put the collar on him because he likes to run off into the woods and it has worked wonders at keeping him in line.
No, no and triple no!!!
Would you treat your child this way because they did not behave?0 -
Next time he shows any sign of aggression, flip him on his back and hold him there until he lets out the deep breath he's holding. It worked well for my nippy Sibe puppy, as well as pinching her ear firmly the one time she bit me properly. She has never nipped at anyone or anything since the pinch.0
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I do like animals.
But to me they are still animals. That is why I do not own them. ONE hard bite from an animal I owned and it would be put down.
oh wow and would you put down your child because it decided to bite someone? SMDH
My dog bites but only if you reach down to pet her, your in her territory and you better not even attempt to touch me or her. My neighbors dog bit my kid (it took 60 stitches to sew her back together) and he killed the dog, within minutes of it happening. They were fined $1000 from the city because of it. The dog got scared of her roller blades and attacked her although it had never bit anyone before. My heart breaks because they killed the dog, it should not have happened that way. My dogs are my FAMILY and I would never ever just put one down because it was protecting it's territory. You just have to be pro active and see if you can break the habit..if not put up warning signs that you have a dog that bites and cage the dog when anyone comes over.0 -
Your dog is an extension of your family and as such you need to teach it boundaries and rewards, the same as you would do with a child in your family.
Your dog will try to protect you, your children will expect you to protect them.
You have to work out the boundaries and rewards to go with the behavior.
Shock collars are for people that can not control the behavior of their animals. This is simply due to the fact that they are not in control or the `alpha` of the pack.
Let me give you an example ...if your child bit another child would you apply a shock collar or would you apply some sort of consequence appropriate with behavior0 -
Come on people... the dog does not have a problem that needs to be "nipped in the bud"! Electric shock collars are cruel and they are not the solution for the problem.
This behavior is genetic to terriers, and one should not jump into adopting a breed of dog if they don't know what they are welcoming into the family. That said, yes, he needs to teach his terrier "who is boss" and get better control of the situation.
I owned two Cairn Terriers (Toto from the Wizard of OZ) and that breed is very protective and "snippy". We found the best way to prevent situations was not to introduce our pets to the situation. When visitors came to the house, especially small children, we would secure our terriers outside in the yard, away from our guests. We loved our Cairn's for 14 years... they knew we were the boss but we knew our pets and secured them from strangers with love.
There are some breeds that by their nature will be protective of their family and in turn will be snippy. Terriers are one of those breeds.0 -
Come on people... the dog does not have a problem that needs to be "nipped in the bud"! Electric shock collars are cruel and they are not the solution for the problem.
This behavior is genetic to terriers, and one should not jump into adopting a breed of dog if they don't know what they are welcoming into the family. That said, yes, he needs to teach his terrier "who is boss" and get better control of the situation.
I owned two Cairn Terriers (Toto from the Wizard of OZ) and that breed is very protective and "snippy". We found the best way to prevent situations was not to introduce our pets to the situation. When visitors came to the house, especially small children, we would secure our terriers outside in the yard, away from our guests. We loved our Cairn's for 14 years... they knew we were the boss but we knew our pets and secured them from strangers with love.
There are some breeds that by their nature will be protective of their family and in turn will be snippy. Terriers are one of those breeds.
So by your rationale the breed is responsible for the dog's behavior?0 -
I do like animals.
But to me they are still animals. That is why I do not own them. ONE hard bite from an animal I owned and it would be put down.
oh wow and would you put down your child because it decided to bite someone? SMDH
My dog bites but only if you reach down to pet her, your in her territory and you better not even attempt to touch me or her. My neighbors dog bit my kid (it took 60 stitches to sew her back together) and he killed the dog, within minutes of it happening. They were fined $1000 from the city because of it. The dog got scared of her roller blades and attacked her although it had never bit anyone before. My heart breaks because they killed the dog, it should not have happened that way. My dogs are my FAMILY and I would never ever just put one down because it was protecting it's territory. You just have to be pro active and see if you can break the habit..if not put up warning signs that you have a dog that bites and cage the dog when anyone comes over.
I'm struggling to even respond to you in a way that won't get me banned but suffice to say I find your comparison of a child and a dog to be the least intelligent and most ridiculous thing I have ever read on MFP.
If my dog injured a child like that I would kill it. If your dog injured a child like that I would kill it.0 -
A better question is how many of us ARE aggressive dogs.0
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He listens very well if you can get his attention.
I suggest more training so it's not an *if* you get his attention.0 -
I do like animals.
But to me they are still animals. That is why I do not own them. ONE hard bite from an animal I owned and it would be put down.
oh wow and would you put down your child because it decided to bite someone? SMDH
My dog bites but only if you reach down to pet her, your in her territory and you better not even attempt to touch me or her. My neighbors dog bit my kid (it took 60 stitches to sew her back together) and he killed the dog, within minutes of it happening. They were fined $1000 from the city because of it. The dog got scared of her roller blades and attacked her although it had never bit anyone before. My heart breaks because they killed the dog, it should not have happened that way. My dogs are my FAMILY and I would never ever just put one down because it was protecting it's territory. You just have to be pro active and see if you can break the habit..if not put up warning signs that you have a dog that bites and cage the dog when anyone comes over.
I'm struggling to even respond to you in a way that won't get me banned but suffice to say I find your comparison of a child and a dog to be the least intelligent and most ridiculous thing I have ever read on MFP.
If my dog injured a child like that I would kill it. If your dog injured a child like that I would kill it.
I agree with him. If I'm attacked by an animal, I will defend myself in whatever way necessary; if that includes using lethal force, so be it. If you want to compare animals and children, sure. If your (or anyone else's) teenager attacks me with something sharp that would pierce skin, I will defend myself in whatever way necessary. Cruel? Maybe. I call it self-defense and putting my own life over anyone or anything else.0 -
I do like animals.
But to me they are still animals. That is why I do not own them. ONE hard bite from an animal I owned and it would be put down.
oh wow and would you put down your child because it decided to bite someone? SMDH
My dog bites but only if you reach down to pet her, your in her territory and you better not even attempt to touch me or her. My neighbors dog bit my kid (it took 60 stitches to sew her back together) and he killed the dog, within minutes of it happening. They were fined $1000 from the city because of it. The dog got scared of her roller blades and attacked her although it had never bit anyone before. My heart breaks because they killed the dog, it should not have happened that way. My dogs are my FAMILY and I would never ever just put one down because it was protecting it's territory. You just have to be pro active and see if you can break the habit..if not put up warning signs that you have a dog that bites and cage the dog when anyone comes over.
I'm struggling to even respond to you in a way that won't get me banned but suffice to say I find your comparison of a child and a dog to be the least intelligent and most ridiculous thing I have ever read on MFP.
If my dog injured a child like that I would kill it. If your dog injured a child like that I would kill it.
I agree with him. If I'm attacked by an animal, I will defend myself in whatever way necessary; if that includes using lethal force, so be it. If you want to compare animals and children, sure. If your (or anyone else's) teenager attacks me with something sharp that would pierce skin, I will defend myself in whatever way necessary. Cruel? Maybe. I call it self-defense and putting my own life over anyone or anything else.
As much as my dog is my fur baby, if she did ANYTHING to harm my child, I'd beat her myself. No way can you compare a child to a dog, I call my dog an idiot when she digs up the garden, I don't call my child names EVER. I say "come here sh!thead" and she comes with her tag wagging, I call my child sh!thead and I'll be visited by child welfare. see the difference? your dog is not your child! treat it as the animal it is!0 -
You can get a basket muzzle (Baskerville makes a good one that's sold at Petco) or if you have the dough, you can send your dog to do a board and train at a canine behavior center.0
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