My dog is very animal aggressive?

Question

I just picked my dog up from the groomers and she said he was very animal aggressive. He's a rat terrier. She also said he wouldn't let her take him out of his crate. He kept growling and trying to bite her. Once she got him out, he was fine and acted like her best friend. I've never seen him act that way! We have another dog at home also and they get along fine. Any ideas on how I could stop this behavior before it gets any worse.

The groomer did say animal aggressive because he can't stand the other dogs there. He's always barking and growling at them. I also think he's cage aggressive. We've tried taking him to Pet Smart several times, but he's just too crazy. It's really embarssing. So we just stopped.

Answer 1

Okay did she say that he was animal aggressive or cage aggressive?
If he is cage aggressive you could set it up so that when she is ready to groom your dog is when you drop him off, that elimates him being in a cage and become cage aggressive. Then you just take him out of the cage when you pick him up.
In the vet clinic I work in if we have a cage aggressive animal we leave a leash on the dog so that we can get him out of the cage without risking a bite.
If your groomer is willing to work with you maybe you could try some conditional training. While your standing near the cage the groom gets the dog out and then treats him when he does the appropriate behavior. Also just bringing the dog in to see the groomer without getting him groomed and giving lots of praise and treats might help.
Also some socialization might help, get him out into the world. Take him to Petsmart or Petco, get him used to people and let him know everyone isnt' the bad guy!! If he is animal aggressive socialization might help also. Please see a professional trainer for help with animal aggression.

Answer 2

I was a dog groomer for many years and I specialized in behavioral problems just like this.

I just grabbed a towel and covered my hand and arms and went into the little kennel after them. Once they learn that their little attitude isn't going to stop being taken out of a kennel they will stop it. Usually once out of the cage with out footing their little attitude changes.

I always put the large dogs in large kennels on the floor and if I was challenged I just sat down in front of the kennel. Opened the door, turned my back to the door of the kennel and started scooting into the cage backwards. They cannot see my eyes, or see any body movements that might show intention, like reaching into the kennel. Soon the dog comes pushing himself out of the kennel. There just wasn't room for the two of us. I make friends at that time. We are eye to eye and he is on my territory and let him know that I was top ***** in this shop. After that I was usually OK.

All of the nasty, biting, mean, little beasties were my favorite. I knew all about aggression and how to handle and change behavior. Owners were grateful cause no other groomer would do them and they got a little training in the process.

Yes, I have been bitten, maybe 2 or 3 hundred times.

Answer 3

have you ever tried hiring an animal behaviorist or a dogs coach? Has a vet ruled out scientific issues that could desire to reason aggressive habit? i might actual attempt those 2 techniques first simply by fact i do no longer think of he'd stand a stable hazard in a seem after. There are in simple terms too many dogs in shelters that are in simple terms victims of condition, yet are otherwise properly-behaved. you additionally can attempt calling interior reach no-kill shelters or animal rescues to work out in the event that they have rehabilitation courses. while hiring a coach, i might advise calling around and asking approximately their reaction to aggression. some running shoes directly turn to ask your self collars, yet there are running shoes accessible who do no longer use them and it would be suited to objective their concepts first. for my section, ask your self collars could be a final hotel approach. upload: there is not any shame in hiring an animal behaviorist in case you do no longer understand what's inflicting your dogs's habit. I truly have effectively rehabilitated a dogs who grow to be very nutrition aggressive and that i owe the success to the instructor. She had the technique and that i utilized it. I no longer could desire to be careful along with his nutrition. Why might there be something incorrect with that?

Answer 4

you will need to get the dog out and hand it to the groomer backwards so the dog can see you giving the groomer the OK to be around the both of you

Answer 5

Animals can become terriotrial when they are in cages like that. So I would use the suggestion above and maybe bring him on a leash

Answer 6

DUH??
If it was *ANIMAL AGRESSIVE*...WHY was it trying to nail HER???
That's bass-ackwards.

It was SCARED of HER!

Uh.....what on earth needs to be done to RAT at a GROOMERS???
They're SMOOTH & SMALL! A bath takes 10 minutes at HOME & nails too!
YOU scared of it?