any suggestions for training a dominant aggressive puppy?

Question

he is a 12 wks old chihuahua/rat terrier mix/ He can be so sweet, until he does not get his way. Today he broke the skin on my hand because I would not let him go down thru the yard to neighbors house. He can be vicious when he cannot do what he wants at the moment. Any help would be appreciated.

I watch dog whisperer religiously! I tried putting him down on ground and "biting" him with my hand. He does NOT lay there peacably like you see on the show! I know he should be walked a long time every day, but he attacks my leg!! I might have to get him a muzzle. I am looking for a good dog training class now.First thing I found out is he should not be sleeping on my bed. Hope we get some sleep tonight!!!

thanks everybody for your help. I took his toys away from him, his food, and he is now sleeping on the floor and not allowed on the couch. I make him sit/stay to get a toy or food. He looks so sad, but I will stick to this so he can become a well behaved member of the family. I am calling Tuesday to get into a class that will help with aggression. You have been a big help to me. I never had a dominant aggressive dog before, and I have had a few dogs in my lifetime! This is a first.

a rat terrier is very close to a fox terrier and a jack russell. my puppy is rat terrier/chihuahua. I was given him for a birthday present. He was being sold at a flea market by the amish. do not know his background. He is still pretty sad, but I just took him for a walk and he was very good! I will keep this up and keep a positive attitude!!

Answer 1

Enroll your dog into obedience classes.

Answer 2

You need to show your pup that you are the dominant one not him. When he begins to act this way (always be consistent) grab him by the scruff of the neck and put him on his back. This is when they are submissive. Tell him no. They only know what is natural in the dog world. The mother dog will correct her pup by a nip on the neck or by picking it up and carrying it . You should use a choke collar (they don't really choke) (make sure you learn the correct way to put it on or it can choke) and always correct him with a no when he acts in a way that is not acceptable. Consistency is a must. You can't let him be dominant one time and think it is cute and then correct him when you don't want to be bothered. Any time he shows and aggression you must do this. Also, I learned this from my vet, dogs will stare down a dog and the most dominant dog will not move it eyes or break the stare. Stare down your dog. Make him look away first. Do this often. Eventually he will get the message. Do not be abusive to try and hit him when he acts this way. Just keep correcting him and he will come around. Also watch the dog whisperer.

Answer 3

lightly pluck his nose not on the top but directly on the front. If that doesn't work put him on the ground on his side like they do on the dog whisperer but while biting him with your hand get close to his face (not in biting range) look him in the eye, bare your teeth and growl back at him. In a way act like a dog. Make him look you in the eye, if he turns you move so that you can look him in the eye, do this a few times and he'll look at you as the dominant dog.

I work for a delivery/Repossession company and I've been charged by all sorts of dogs and attacked. I've bared my teeth and growled back and most of the time the dog's back down. If they keep charging I'll charge back. I don't recommend it unless you know how to protect yourself in a dog attack. The guys I work with say I'm crazy but I haven't been bit, they have. Also I don't believe in using the dog mace the company gave us, I'd rather take my chances and get bit than to potentially blind a dog(even though the bottle says it won't do that).

Answer 4

First off, forget the notion that your dog is mad because of "not getting his way" or that he's being viscious because he can't do what he wants right then and there. Dogs do not have the cognitive thinking skills to feel vengence. They do not get mad at you for not allowing them to do things, and they do not do things to get back at you. Revenge doesn't exist in a dog's world.

While I am a fan of the Dog Whisperer, keep in mind that many of his methods are controversial. In fact, a lot of it is considered "old school" training, where archaic methods of proving dominance is used. Choke chains, alpha rolling, group intimidation, and "flooding" are not positive reinforcement methods. The ideology (dog psychology) behind the methods, however, are still sound.

The first thing I would suggest is to get your pup neutered. Removing the testes--and thus, a large portion of his testosterone--before he reaches adolescence will be beneficial in the long run, especially if he's showing aggressive tendencies already while this young.

As a trainer, the next thing I'd suggest is to definately enroll in a local puppy kindergarten. Small dogs--chihuahuas in particular--need to be socialized as early as possible. Some professionals believe that a smaller dogs stature can contribute to their need to be more aggressive towards other dogs and/or humans that are bigger than them. It's a "look how tough I am--I'm not small!" attitude. Socializing them early on is going to teach them that this attitude is unnecessary.

Be sure to ask your potential trainers the following questions:
What training methods do you use?
Do you believe in positive reinforcement?
Do you allow choke chains or pinch collars in your class?
What is your experience with small dogs?
What is your experience with aggressive dogs?
How long have you been a trainer?
What are your credentials?
Do you have any references from previous trainees and/or vets?

While waiting for your classes to begin, you can do several things at home to help keep the situation in check. First off, manipulate the environment so that your dog doesn't have the chance to get uppity in the first place. For example, if you know your dog wants to go through the yard to the neighbor's house, patch the fence (or install a fence in the first place). If this isn't feasable, simply don't allow the dog outside unless he's on a leash or without supervision.

Secondly, don't give into your dog's demands. If he's barking at you for the treat that's on the counter, don't give it to him even if you want him to be quiet. Lead him into the other room until he's calm, and then reward him for being quiet by offering him a different treat.

Third, prove your dominance through your stance and through your deeds. Do not allow the dog on the couch or the bed. Do not step over him if he's laying in the hall--make him move. Do not allow him through doorways first. Do not carry him everywhere--let him walk on a leash. Each of these things prove that you are the one in charge and not your pup.

Last, be sure you really praise your pup when he IS doing something right, especially after you correct him. Remember, we do not punish our dog for misbehavior: we correct them, then celebrate when the correct behavior is reached.

Hopefully these tips will help you a bit until you can get into some classes.

Answer 5

You need to get him into a puppy kindergarten class. I would NOT go to a positive only school (including Petsmart and Petco), positive only methods do not work well for dogs with dominance issues. Go to a serious training club where the trainers use methods geared to the individual.

You will only make matters worse by attempting to bribe your puppy with treats. The pack leader would not use treats to beg for respect, it doesn't work that way.

Answer 6

i would go to a professional dog trainer. make sure they are accredited, reputable and have references, try getting a referal from your vet. the issue is your dog thinks he is the boss, "alpha rolling" him might work. i think it is what you are describing. you hold him down on his back by the neck (dont squeeze too hard but firm enough to hold him there, hold his back legs if you have to and just hold him there on his back and look him in the eyes, until he gives up it may take several minutes. but just keep doing it everyday, multiple times if necessary until he gets the point that you are the boss. you dont want to hurt him because you want him to trust you but this is how dogs show eachother they are boss, you may want to buy a leather glove or something so he cant bite you. i would definately get it under control before he gets bigger. you have to be consistent and not give up

Answer 7

I have that same problem. If you can put him into training in like the pet stores or something but make sure he has all of her shots and try to train her with treats and teach her to sit and come and down and of those are the main things you need to teach him!

Answer 8

Watch the Dog Whisperer. He is really good at helping you understand how a dog thinks, why it does what it does and what to do about it.

Answer 9

just out of curiosity what type of dog is a rat terrier mix? we just got our first puppy a week ago she is 8 weeks old part pitbull(staffordshire terrior) part lab. once in a while she gets very aggressive and i am very worried. this puppy stole my heart i wasnt planning on this type of breed

Answer 10

why not try different tactics on how to make him like you? give him food, play with him, or stroll out with him at the mall or park. i have 3 dogs, which were used to have attitudes as that of maimed animals, but now, thay are the best dogs ever....