forums: Training

aggression

6 posts, 6 voices

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Participants in this thread:	fpmcevoy ThunderPaws NIKOLE Tailspin Athena ritchellei
fpmcevoy Vancouver B.C. 1 post	we have a 16 month old yorkie/chi, he is very, friendly to everyone, even other dogs. Altho is quite submissive, lays on his back..but with us he is a terrot, he is very possessive of me when my hubby comes into the room if i’m in bed and even if pup is on the floor he runs, snarles, snaps, goes ballistic..until he leaves the room. often hubby will stand there and then the pup Howie jumps up on his legs with his tail wagging..He loves my hubby..Today i was busy, basically ignoring his requests to come on my lap, and he went into his carrier and io was also eating a candy with noisy paper..all of a sudden he dove out of the carrier(house) and jumped, snarled, snapped, viciously to me..I was so startled i flinched away.Then got control of myself and got really angry and he went back into his carrier and i shut the door and covered it..but how long do i make him stay there? an hour or so later the door was opened and he still stayed and was testing me looking at me , until i finally starting speaking to him..how long do they remember? this has happened before and seems to be getting worse. Do you think there is something wrong mentally with him? my vet says he’s healthy altho has not done any blood work on him..any suggestions..We love him and would hate to lose him..my brother thinks we just got a ’’cross’’ little dog. thanks susan
ThunderPaws Herts, UK 4 posts	I don’t think there is anything mentally wrong with him, but maybe he has placed himself a little bit higher in your household “pack” then he should be. Guarding you when your husband comes in the room, requesting attention from you (ie asking to come on your lap) and wanting first refusal on food you are eating are all signs of dominance. You are already doing some things right like ignoring him when he asks to come on your lap. Make sure that any attention you give him is on your teams not his. Never touch or acknowledge him when he is asking for attention, wait until he moves away and then call him to you and give attention then. This is very difficult as we enjoy giveing the attention as much as they like receiving it! Using the create is good to. Try to use it more as a time out, not a punishment though as it should be a place your dog feels safe in not a place he gets shouted at in. To be honest if he does something wrong and you put him in the create for it he probably doesn’t see the link between the behaviour and punishment. To stop a behaviour you don’t want use a short sharp NO. (Imagine you are shouting NO to a child about to run into traffic!) Also how is he fed and where is he when your family eat?
NIKOLE 122 posts	hi. Separation anxiety is very different from misbehavior. It’s a misconception that when your dog digs up your prized orchids or urinates on your favorite rug, he’s seeking revenge for having been left home alone. The best-case explanation for such behavior is that he’s bored, and the worst is that he’s in a state of serious panic. But the good news is that, with effort, separation anxiety is treatable. http://dogtime.com/behavior.html
Tailspin Toronto 105 posts	HI. This sounds like resource guarding to me. He sees you as his resource. Are you the one who feeds, walks, etc? If so, dad has to get in on it as well. Resource guarding is more about fear than dominance but the behaviour is dangerous and needs to be stopped. I would institute a NILIF (nothing in life is free)program with your pup. It is a non violent, non confrontational way to help your dog understand that everything he gets is to be earned. Make him sit before you put his dish down. Make him sit before affection. Make him sit before he is allowed to do what he wants (whatever that may be). If he is aggressively guarding the bed, do not allow him on the bed until he understands that he is to be invited, that it is NOT his to be guarded. Does he allow you or your hubby to take food or toys from him? More info is helpful. I also agree, the crate can be used for timeouts but this must be done calmly and not as punishment. Be firm and set up rules for your pup. THis doesn’t mean you can’t cuddle or kiss or pet him, just that for his own good he needs to ask for this politely and you only give it to him if he earns it. Sounds simple right? The hardest part is not falling for the little guys sounds of protest. Good luck.
Athena 81 posts	Physically punishing, scolding, or taking away the food or toy does not work—these techniques only reinforce the idea that your dog needs to be aggressive in order to protect his resource. The key is to start when your dog is a puppy, so he learns early on that you control the resources. Teach the commands “off” and “leave it” and always reward with something more valuable than what you’re asking him to relinquish. In addition, spay or neuter your dog—it makes for an all-around mellower pet, and it helps reduce aggressive guarding behavior. http://dogtime.com/guarding.html
ritchellei 156 posts	Signs that precede aggressive behavior: * Raised hackles * Exposed teeth and/or curled lip * Growling * Maintaining eye contact * Snapping * Stiffening of the body There are basic steps that will greatly decrease the chances of developing aggressive behavior. Check this link for more information. http://dogtime.com/aggression-toward-people.html
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