I have a small terrier who will be four in a week. She has developed a bad habit of attacking my other dog and my parents dog. This usually happens while sleeping with either me or my parents and the other dog gets near her or touches her. This just recently began. She has lived with my dog for at least a year and my parents dog for the last 5 months so I dont think it is a dominance thing. The problem increased when she bit me on the face in the middle of the night thinking I was a dog. What should i do to correct this problem before she hurts someone?
2006-12-17 17:36:03 · 6 answers · asked by banana1 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
When a dog becomes suddenly aggressive, the first thing I look for is a medical cause. If the dog is in pain, she may be responding aggressively to protect herself. Have a vet give her a thorough exam.
If she gets a clean bill of health, then I would treat this as a behavioral issue and some training with a professional trainer is in order. See http://www.canineprofessionals.com for a trainer in your area.
Get her health checked first - don't skip that. It could be anything from a mild ear infection to something serious like cancer. All the training in the world won't fix a dog with a medical condition. You'll need a vet for that!
2006-12-17 18:06:42 · answer #1 · answered by keesnbcs 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are incorrect, this is 100% a dominance issue. Re-read what you typed about when the dog does bite and you'll see the answer right there.
Your dog does not see you as the Alpha of your pack, this is a dangerous situation.
You need to put this dog in its' place and pronto because you have a dangerous dog on your hands.
I would suggest the following:
Each time you are seperated by a closed door from your dog you should ignore it on your return for 5 minutes, do not look it or acknowledge it, turn your back on the dog if it jumps at you.
After 5 minutes, call the dog to you, if it does not come straight away then you ignore for the rest of the day and try again tomorrow and you keep doing this until your dog gives up it's leadership role.
In addition, you need to remove the dog from your bed. Dogs on beds aren't normally an issue but for your dog you are placing the dog on the same level as you, you are the Alpha and you have the highest position anywhere, you need to renforce this.
I would also reccomend that you start 'gesture eating'. When preparing your dogs dinner, let it come into the kitchen and let the dog watch you prepare its' food, then grab a biscuit/cracker etc and eat it slowly making it look as though the cracker is coming out of the dogs bowl (do not acknowledge the dog during this process). When you have finished your cracker put the bowl on the floor and walk away.
Also if you dog walks up to you wanting attention - do not give it. Only give attention when you call the dog to you and when you ask the dog to do something for you such as SIT.
Research on the net the NILIF program this will give you a good understanding.
Be strong, you could have this sorted out in a week if you do the above and this are 100% consistent.
If you don't want to admit this is dominance then you'll have an even bigger problem on your hands.
I highly reccomend you go to you book store and head to the pets section for books from Jan Fennell.
2006-12-17 17:43:28 · answer #2 · answered by Sas 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not sure what the context of her biting you was (in the middle of the night? What were you doing?) Her aggression will continue to worsen unless deliberate steps are taken to counteract it! Get your dog a Gentle Leader (ask at your local shop for help with sizing) Separate your dog from the other dogs - get a crate, but do not leave your dog crated in an area where the other dogs are loose - yet. Keep your dog on her GL when she's around other dogs always. You must have control of her head so that she cannot harm other dogs (or people) and use food and treats to countercondition her response to you and to the presence of other dogs. Make this easy for your dog at first by being farther away from the dogs so that she doesn't feel that she has to blow up at them. There are great books available (links below) and I would also seek out the help of a behaviorist. Your job in the meantime is to reward her for *not* blowing up - by hand feeding, doing the NILIF program, and reinforcing calm behavior around other dogs. Good luck!
2006-12-18 03:28:26 · answer #3 · answered by Misa M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SAS's answer above is spot on. I have a fox terrier who did this... being firm and doing exactly what SAS has recommended works a charm. Good Luck.. don't let that cute little angel face suck you in too much. :)
2006-12-17 17:54:47 · answer #4 · answered by CC 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A dog can get aggresive at an old age if it's missing it's teeth aka it's weapons.
2006-12-17 17:41:11 · answer #5 · answered by Khaos 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just a thought ............Have your vet check her for hypothyroid this can cause unexplained aggression. Make sure that a complete thyroid panel is done.
2006-12-17 18:01:43 · answer #6 · answered by OU812 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋