my dog bites (not hard) when i try to take her someplace she doesn't want to go?

Question

for instance, if she ducks under the dining room table, and i'm trying to bring her in to the kitchen, she will bite my hand when i reach under to grab her collar. i know she isn't biting full-strength, but nevertheless it can and does hurt. up until now i've been going to "im-in-charge" route, wrapping my hand in a towel and dragging her wherever i want her to go. the same thing happens if i grab her collar to put her in her crate for the night.

the strongarm technique is obviously not working, and shes gotten me good enough to anger me in to holding her mouth shut and shaking her saying "no bite". (it was either that or smack her in the mouth). she really isn't an aggressive dog, and she would never come after me. i guess she just thinks shes defending herself.

do any experts, or hell even any amateurs, have any tips?

shes got a lot of spunk, and even after i say no bite, when i let go of her mouth she goes right back to baring her teeth. (she never snaps at my hand)

Answer 1

This may sound silly, but humans should growl at their dogs. This shows them that, "Hey! I am the alpha being in this household and you will be subserviant to me."


It sounds silly, but it works.

Answer 2

OK, you've figured out the strong arm technique isn't working with this dog. Obviously, crating her is not going to teach her that biting is wrong!! Putting a muzzle on will stop the problem while the muzzle's on, but you're not getting to the cause of the problem and therefore, you can't correct it.

I think your guess is right, she's defending herself (she's afraid). You didn't say what kind of dog she is, but if she's a dog with a "softer" temperament, as opposed to the more bull-headed dogs, she needs a different approach.

I think you should do some obedience with her (at home, no classes at this point). Keep lessons short, fun and use LOTS of praise and treats too if they work. Dogs who succeed at something gain a lot of self confidence. With working together calmly, you can regain a relationship of trust. It sounds to me like at this point, your dog no longer trusts you and you need to get that back. Therefore, corrections won't work, praise for doing something correctly will.

Work a lot on recalls - if your dog learns that coming to you is a positive experience EVERY time, you won't have to drag her out from under the table - she'll want to come to you because she learned that it's a good experience. This dog needs a lot of praise, not corrections, and I'm sure her behaviour will turn around.

Answer 3

Your dog is going to have to understand that YOU are the boss, not her. And she is going to have to understand that biting is not acceptable.

And yes, believe it or not, growling does sometimes work: I used that on a husky that was chasing another little dog around a vehicle while I was more or less pinned up against it. I decided I had enough, jumped out and grabbed that husky by the fur on both sides of her face to make her pay attention, and growled at her. She behaved after that.

Thinking back, my actions might have been a bit foolhardy. But it worked that time, so I won't argue with it.

Otherwise, you might want to watch The Dog Whisperer, if it's in your viewing area.

Answer 4

This isn't all that uncommon, and is a symptom of a deeper issue. Dogs are pack animals, and in any pack, there is only one lead dog. In order to control this situation, YOU have to be the lead dog.

While at this point she is not biting hard, she is using her innate communication skills to tell you that she doesn't want you to do what you are doing. For dogs, this is growling and nipping/snapping. If it is something she is strongly opposed to but it still appears you will force her, she WILL bite you hard.

To have harmony, she needs to view you as the pack leader, and this respect doesn't come easy. You have to be firm at times, but the real key is consistency. Scolding often works, but there are times when a swat is needed. Again, this depends greatly upon the dog and your personality, but in order to correct this behavior, you first have to get her to respect you as her authority.

Keep in mind, though, that her behavior isn't necessarily a sign of aggression... dogs can only communicate the way they know how to.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

Dogs "bite" for several reasons. A fear biter is the most difficult to handle, but I don't think that's what is happening with your spunky gal. Sounds to me like she is testing the Alpha waters to see who will have the upper hand. When she gets a hold of your hand in her mouth, let your hand go totally limp and "YELP" like a pup would. That should cause her to immediately release you.

When you see her opening her mouth before the bite, you want your hand to come down under her muzzle and use your thumb and middle finger to SNAP (hard) right under her jaw. The idea is for her to not see your hand (that's why you don't hit the top of her muzzle) and to associate her "bite" response with OUCH!

Answer 6

This is not a thing you want to let continue. Check out the dog whisperer on national geographic TV. He can show ways to make YOU able to make her stop with NONE of the things she is doing now. You might also invest in his book. He is awesome and knows how to train owners to handle the problems they are having by becoming the pack leader without any hitting, shaking of yelling at the dog.
Good luck.

Answer 7

My opinion is that your dog is afraid. She doesn't want to go where you want her to go, so she is cowering and feels cornered when you grab her.

When you want her to go somewhere and she tries to hide, get her out by giving her confidence NOT reaching for her. Get a treat and lure her out. You need to convince her that you are not trying to hurt her.

I am fostering a Dalmatian/Pit Bull mix that I just got a week ago and she DOES not like to go into her crate. She cowers by the door and I can tell that she is afraid when I go to get her, although she does not growl or snap at me. She LOVES to go on walks so I use her leash (a positive thing) to get her to come to me. You have to make it HER idea.

If she were acting aggressive just to be aggressive, discipline would be right on track but I think you are right in thinking that in HER mind she is defending herself. You have to convince her to trust you more and constant discipline when she is scared may only make the situation worse.

I am no professional dog trainer I am just sharing what I think from the information given and from what I have experienced with the many, many dogs that I have had contact with over the years.

Check out this website article regarding how anxiety can cause "fear biting" in dogs.

http://stason.org/TULARC/recreation/dogs/behavior-faq/014-Fear-biting.html

Good luck!

Answer 8

Maybe she was abused in a past life or something. I would get in the habit of calling for her in a real friendly tone. It might take some time but she will begin to trust you. I used to get so mad if my dog would wander outside of the yard. I would call her back and once I would see her I would get real mad and be like, "Get over here!" Now I call her like she is a good dog like, "Katie, come on Katie," and she always comes back. When trying to put your dog in the crate, just be like, "Come on girl, come on." Also, put a treat in there or something. Consistency is important too. Also when my dog is bad for whatever reasoin like if she chews up some garbage I just show her the mess and say, "Bad Katie." And I send her right outside. To her that means I am too mad to deal with you now.

Answer 9

Your dog is the pack leader.

If the dog really saw you as it's leader, it wouldn't even think to do that.

Holding her mouth shut and shaking her will do nothing but piss her off.


You need to hire a trainer.

Answer 10

Maybe put her in a muzzle for a couple of weeks (taking it off at night when she is in her crate and eating/drinking), she'll soon learn not to bite or get agressive when at or around you.

Answer 11

Sounds like she figures she's the pack leader here. You would probably benefit best from a trainer, maybe one who specializes in behavioral issues. You will need to work on asserting yourself as the dominant in your home.