Recently, I was going downstairs to work, so I gave my small, white, (usually) harmless maltipoo (maltese and poodle mix) a Greenie (a type of bone) to chew on. As I was leaving, I reached down to pet her, and she growled. Stupidly on my part, I kept going, thinking she wasn't serious. In return, she jumped up and began basically attacking me. I have several bruised bites on my arms and legs. Is this something to be worried about? She's never done anything like this before. Has this happened to anyone else? What should I do to discipline her after this (I can't put her in her crate because of fear of more attacking, can I?) And a spray of water won't be harsh enough. I know this sounds mean, but she needs to know she can't get away with attacking me (and by discipline, I don't want anyone to think that I'm like, hitting her or anything. Just so you know.)
Help!!!
2006-09-02 05:21:01 · 10 answers · asked by Girl With Kaleidescope Eyes 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Your dog is possession guarding. Sometimes first exibited with a highly prized item. You can teach her without being harsh in terms of painful infliction. It is not in a dogs nature to share, most of the time a shared 'prize' results in no prize at all for them. I wouldnt share if I thought my stuff was going to be stolen either. I would contact a Certified Pet Dog Trainer at http://ccpdt.org/rstr/index.html. Make sure that the person uses a reward based training approach. This is proven to be the most reliable with the least amount of painful punishment many so called 'trainers' chose to use before opting for a kinder way. My favorite behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar is excellent with aggression issues and has many books available that can help you with all aspects of her training in a way that is not only easy for you to do but also really easy for her to understand. Many punishment methods can backfire by making the dog feel even more 'harassed' and in turn make the behavior worse. If you would like any further help please free to contact.
2006-09-02 05:43:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just because she is little and cute doesn't mean you should ever tolerate this kind of disrespectful behavior from your dog! Leave a leash on her all the time. If she growls at you or goes after you for any reason, use the leash to control her while you remain very calm and firm. Hitting doesn't work anyway - it just makes the dog meaner or fearful. Maltese are very fragile, so you have to be careful that you don't injure her, but you have to get your point across VERY clearly. You can pick her up by the scruff of the neck and wait for her tantrum to pass. Or you can wear thick leather work gloves and pin her down on her back until she stops trying to bite you and gives in.
You should be doing some obedience training twice a day every day to teach her in a pleasant way who is boss. Don't do anything for her until she does something for you. If she wants a treat or her dinner or to get petted, she has to sit and stay FIRST. Don't carry her around or let her up on the couch or the bed - it gives her the impression that she is your equal.
These are the books that I recommend to my students; you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/
2006-09-02 18:35:00 · answer #2 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are two things you should do. to tell her no use the words ah ah(quick and with authority). Also is she is small which I would asume she is, she could be scared of you hurting her if you go to pet her on her head, and if you look in her eyes. Instead you should hold your hand palm up and pet her under her neck. I had problems with my jack russel, until I started peting him this way. He's much better now.
on a regular basis make sure the dog will let you put your hands in her food while she's eating it. If she does she trusts you not to take it. If she doesn't you will have to work at reasuring her.
2006-09-02 12:43:28 · answer #3 · answered by Animal lover 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
this is due to food guarding which usually happens when a dog has something they prize very highly. The best way to avoid this is by not give the item to the dog. The worst thing you can do is not correct the behavior as every time you do it reinforces the behavior in the dog and usually increases with other things. I would not give Greene's to dogs as they have been in the news lately about dogs chocking on them. Plus they are very high in calories and can cause over weightiness
2006-09-02 12:30:17 · answer #4 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I once had a Dalmatian and he was very protective of his toys and stuff like that so one time when i was near him when he was playing with one of his toys he jumped on my and left quite a few marks i just gave a hard slap on the tush (im not abusive or N E thing but sometimes u just have to do these things cause they work) and he learned his lesson after that.
2006-09-02 12:32:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
don't feed, pet or give your dog water without it being calm and submissive to you. take your dog on daily walks of at least 30 min. and show it that you are in control by making it walk next to you and not letting it wonder w/o your permission. If it growls around food, take it away and don't pet it until after you have walked and fed it and it is acting agreeable.
2006-09-02 15:58:13 · answer #6 · answered by Clark 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your dog is possession aggreive. this is quite common.
when it has food never alow any one to go near it untill this problem is fixed.
try feding it treats by hand so it learns that your hand means getting treats not treats being taken.
your dog thinks you are going to take its treats and it doesnt want you to. if it only does it with the greenies stop feeding it these and other food treats.
if it is stll bad after hand feding call a behaveralist and trainer
at meal times leave it to eat alown in peace.
2006-09-02 12:30:56 · answer #7 · answered by Joanne 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have the same problem.But don't go to the vet because they say that they'll have to put her to sleep.When she does something wrong say no!no ________{name}.If she continues say bad girl or boy and leave.If you seem frightened she or he will attack you your the boss not he or her.
2006-09-02 12:29:18 · answer #8 · answered by Angelica 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are you like...oh ,4 years old???
NAIL her NASTY AS*!!!
IMMEADIATELY!!! INSTANTLY !!!! SCRUFF IT & SHAKE IT & SCREAM RIGHT IN HER FACE!!!
HOW *DARE* any dog threaten ANY human for ANY reason???
GROW A *SPINE*!!
"Mean-schmean"-Do NOT put up w/this CRAP!
2006-09-02 12:31:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
try this.. http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/
good luck ..get a news paper and spank him with it when ever he does something you dont like...
2006-09-02 12:29:46 · answer #10 · answered by bllnickie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋