My Miniature Australian Shepherd barks and growls at who ever walks into the door , unless it is a family member. What should I do?? He is 4 months old. If he doesn't bark I praise and treat him. But he just keeps barking, even if I say No. Please help!! Is he going to be aggressive? He has to say with a sitter soon how will he do that if he wont stope barking and growling?? We just got him 4 days ago and he's real gentle with the family!!!
2006-09-12 11:34:30 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
What you need to do is get your puppy to trust that meeting new people is a POSITIVE and FUN experience! Heres what worked great for my dog: Firstly give the guest a treat and have them hold it in their closed hand, let them enter the room without looking, touching, or talking to the puppy ( I know this is hard but you should not bring any excitement into the room because it will make your puppy more anxious). Next have them put their hand near the floor but make sure they are NOTpaying attention to the puppy. Your dog will smell the treat and will feel safe if the person shows no interest in them. They should have their hand with the treat near to the ground but they should not be hunched over in a threatening pose. When your puppy comes over to make contact and touches the visitors hand then release the treat. Repeat this a few times before the person has even payed any attention to the puppy. They will learn they are rewarded by going up to new people and will pick up on the calmness of the situation...I hope that helps!!
oh yeah, the sitting position is best for this because it might take a while and is less intimidating. You may also have to do this for a few weeks until your dog gets the point but trust me your dog will really be looking foward to meeting new people because in means TREATS TREATS TREATS!!!!
Also good job on the positive training, that is the way to go. I dont think your dog will be aggressive its just a high stress time for him and he will mello out with time if you make sure his environment is as calm as possible, especially when bringing in new faces.
He is at the right age for basic training as well which will boost his confidence because dogs love to please their owners. Try teaching him the look command because it is a very important way to get a dog to calm down and even help keep them out of trouble. To start, hold a treat between your eyes and say "LOOK" and when he looks at the treat say "GOOD LOOK!" if you practice this its a great way to start training any other behavior because it says to the dog "I need your attention right now." With practice you will soon be able to say the command with no treat and still get the dog looking right where he should be. If you get into a dangerous situation, say where a larger dog is staring down your dog you need to break their eye contact, say "LOOK" and your dog will shirf his attention to you and a dangerous dog will be much less likely to attack. You can also do this when people are at your door because that eye contact with your dog will help break their cycle of feeling panic about the situation.
2006-09-12 15:28:35 · answer #1 · answered by K C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This puppy just doesn't know who's safe and is too new to your family to be sure who belongs. I wouldn't worry about him turning out aggressive, just keep working with him. You're on the right track by praising and treating when he doesn't bark and telling him no.
The other thing you might want to try for a while is have him on a leash when someone comes to the door. (You'll need the person's cooperation now.) When they come in, they need to stand still and let the puppy sniff them - they can't talk to him, pet him or make eye contact with him until he's done sniffing. You should talk to them in a friendly voice the whole time. When the puppy's done sniffing, invite them in to sit down. Let the puppy take his time and when he decides, he'll go over to sniff them again. Now's the time they should reach out a hand, let him sniff, talk to him and if he seems agreeable, pet him. You, in the meantime, praise him quietly and calmly (you don't want him getting excited) for every bit of correct behaviour.
I don't think it'll take him long to learn to accept new people - he just has to realize that when you invite someone in, they're ok.
2006-09-12 11:50:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is likely just insecure and he can't yet read your body language to know who is safe, or a threat..the most positive way is to teach him basic obedience command for "Sit"..then drill and drill..as during every TV commercial or such..when he shows any aggression, just give the command to sit, and make certain that he does it...this serves to continually show him that you are in charge, and all is well..He will actually appreciate it..
SIT
Holding a treat in your left hand just above the pup's nose, gently rest your right hand on pup's rump.
Slowly move the treat in an upward motion while applying gentle pressure to the rump. ( you don't want to push hard because if you do the dog will sit every time someone touches him and this is not good for competitive obedience)
as soon as pup sits say in a very happy excited tone "GOOD SIT" and give the treat.
Repeat exercise 7x. then take a play break and move on to something else.
very young pups should not train for more than a half hour each day
every time you put food bowl down or give a treat give the sit command, and wait for the sit. then once pup sits give treat or food down.
DO NOT move on to something new until pup has the new command down pat.
2006-09-12 11:43:55 · answer #3 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I truly wish I had the right answer for you--my puppy does the same--I think she feels she has to show her boundaries but I have never been able to get her to stop==I have a german shephard and no problems with her--she just is too friendly=good luck I will be checking for other responses because my little puppy has a complex and does the same
2006-09-12 11:41:15 · answer #4 · answered by THTH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2017-02-17 10:29:55 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your reality that the adult men "leap at him" says all of it.....on the grounds that he develop right into a guard canines you received't recognize if adult men abused him contained in the previous. once you bypass to that surroundings, prepare the adult men to brush aside him and be calm. No loud noises or surprising movements. close all the doorways. and set a bowl of water and nutrition out for him contained in the kitchen. he will associate that abode which includes his straightforward needs. Have each and every guy take him for a comfortable walk, provide a take care of even as they initiate and end. do not toddler him if he shows indications of worry. which will re-inforce his habit. get rid of trash, or be responsible for education him even as he approaches the can. in basic terms say a pointy AHHHH. even as he again's faraway from the trash, praise. do not enable any of the adult men play with him yet. in basic terms bypass there in the experience that they are prepared to artwork with you and your canines. under no circumstances enable each person to play extra or less at the same time with your animal. I easily have a feeling that he's petrified of this crew of adult men because they are rowdy at circumstances. sturdy success.....enable us recognize.....Angel Wolf 13
2016-11-26 20:20:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's young and new, he'll mellow. He's just trying to protect his family, but keep praising him when he doesn't bark.
2006-09-12 11:36:55 · answer #7 · answered by Snickle Beast 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him some time. He's brand new at this and is learning to assert himself.
2006-09-12 11:44:59 · answer #8 · answered by beez 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well u need to do with your puddy what we do with our "x" take him/her out side in the yard and give them training and everytime it does something rite give it a treat c if this helps
2006-09-12 11:39:42 · answer #9 · answered by Chanta N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋