I have a chi/terrier mix that is four months old and she growls and bites my four year old son at times. She loves my eleven year old daughter. How should I discpline her and get her stop growling and biting son?
2006-12-30 17:11:49 · 10 answers · asked by asiatek 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Enroll her in Puppy Kindergarten. Petsmart has a good program I have my dog enrolled in it now. The dog will learn basic obedience and socialization with other dogs and with people. This will help her with the growling at your son. As for the biting whenever she tries to bite your son you need to tell her firmly (without yelling) "no bite" and teach your son to do the same thing. I taught my pup at 12 weeks "no bite" and when she was chewing an object that she wasn't supposed to I told her "no bite" and "switch" and gave her a toy or bone to chew instead. She quickly learned not to bite and chew. Her socialization has improved tremendously however since being in the Puppy Kindergarten class. This would be invaluable for your pup.
2006-12-30 17:18:41 · answer #1 · answered by ESPERANZA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
four months old ? get yourself a piece of rolled up newspaper and give her a couple of good whacks on the hind end and tell her in a clear and loud voice a very firm NO!!! and if you keep having this problem then you might want to consider rehoming her where there are no kids . It might be best in the long run. Your son should come first and find out if your son is doing something to aggrivate the dog as well !!! watch them together from a distance your son might be the culprit .good luck and god bless.
2006-12-31 03:55:19 · answer #2 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you punish the growl, she will have no warning system in place and will be forced to go straight to bite. Why is she growling? Did something happen and your son scare her? She is just a baby, way too young for true aggression. But is she is scared or uncomfortable, she may be experimenting with behavior to help herself feel better.
Help your son win her confidence. When it is feeding time, you hold the bowl and have your son put the kibble in his flat hand and hand feed her. She can relearn not to be scared.
2006-12-30 17:17:45 · answer #3 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A four-month-old pup growling is one thing. A four-month-old pup actively biting is another. Growling is bad, very bad, but might simply be fear. Biting is going beyond fear to aggression.
You need professional help, or you need to rehome the dog, for the sake of your son.
Contact your vet, ask friends/family/neighbors, ask at local pet supply stores for names of qualified professional dog trainers in your area. Enroll your dog in a class that will teach YOU how to train the dog.
The trainer should request that you bring both kids to some of the lessons so that the trainer can work with the kids as well as you. All the people who have intimate contact with the dog need to be taught the proper methods of dealing with her.
In the meantime, protect your son!
Also, what is it that your son is doing that has the dog growling and biting at him. Is he too rough with her? Or is he just simply walking by?
If he is holding/touching/playing too roughly and the dog is protecting herself, you need to train your son the proper way to deal with this tiny creature. Let him know that she isn't a stuffed animal, but a living, feeling being.
If your son is simply toddling by and the dog is reacting badly, you need to firmly let the dog know this behavior is unacceptable. Scold her, isolate her, whatever it takes to get her to revise her attitude.
You also need to have your son participate in the feeding of the pup. At least one meal a day, your son should be the one doing the feeding. This elevates him in 'pack' structure to the dog. You, of course, will need to be standing over your son as he does the feeding. The pup should have to 'sit' before the boy puts down the food, preferably upon your son's command rather than yours.
This will take a lot of work on your part to get your son to use the proper tone of voice (low and commanding) and the dog to comply with your son's orders.
Do contact a canine professional for more detailed advice.
2006-12-30 17:24:10 · answer #4 · answered by Lori R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When dogs show their teeth that means that they want their space and want you to back down as well as he could be roughhousing or just plain being dominant . When they growl there are 2 types you should be aware of. If they growl by their throat than that means that it is all for show. However if he growled with his belly, than he is an aggressive dog and you should contact a professional and learn with how to deal with aggressive dogs.
2016-03-29 01:40:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, terriers, and chihuahuas are usually aggressive to other people. One-person-kind-of-dogs. But since you have an older daughter, I think your puppy sees your son as something getting most of your attention. Probaly a dominace thing. Maybe when your son is taking naps, or sleeping, spend some time with her alone. So she feels like she's someone, give her special treats.
2006-12-30 17:21:39 · answer #6 · answered by PageyIsOne 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your dog bites your four year old son???? Get profession help from a dog trainer or GET RID OF HER BEFORE SHE REALLY HURTS HIM.
2006-12-30 17:16:02 · answer #7 · answered by Swirlgirl 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Give the dog to the pound that mix of breed is just begging to bite someone.
2006-12-30 17:22:29 · answer #8 · answered by Kelly M 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Take her to beginner obedience classes. They make a huge change.
2006-12-30 17:15:26 · answer #9 · answered by cloverivy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a new son.
2006-12-30 17:23:02 · answer #10 · answered by el slinko 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋