My 5 year old toy poodle has begun to act out very badly. He is not neuterd All his life he has been a good if demanding dog. My wife recently gave birth to our first child and the dog has started acting very badly. He growls and gets extrememly upset over nothing. Although he has not actually bitten my wife or I he gets into a state where he seems like he is about to. I read about the fact that perhaps he has dominant agressive behavior disorder and that it can be something very difficult to overcome. Does anyone have a suggestion or experience with this?
Thanks for your help.
2006-12-31 04:55:05 · 8 answers · asked by Michael C 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Be very careful with anything by Cesar Milan. The public may love him, but other behaviorists end up cleaning up the aftereffects of his punitive "training" methods.
Your dog is jealous, and needs another outlet for that. I know it's winter now, but put the baby in a stroller, and take a long walk with baby and dog. If you wear your dog out, he won't have so many issues, and now he'll associate the baby with good things, like going for walks.
2006-12-31 05:04:20 · answer #1 · answered by Catspaw 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is absolutely no reason to think that your dog has a disorder or is "unstable". Your dog is experiencing a major change to his entire way of life, just as you and your wife are, however unlike you and your wife, your dog has extremely limited ways to communicate how he feels about it. This is not at all abnormal, but that, of course, doesn't make it acceptable. A good trainer or behaviorist should be able to give you very specific direction for how you can try to get back some stability in your household.
2006-12-31 15:18:33 · answer #2 · answered by FairlyErica 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the fact that you brought a new baby into the "pack" is what is disturbing him. You'll need to try to work with an animal behaviorist or obedience trainer to get the dog used to the baby and not see it as a threat to the "pack". Poodles, in general, especially toy poodles do tend to be a little snappy when they aren't comfortable in situations. But, try speaking to behaviorists and trainers. I think your poodle is just threatened because there is a new memeber of the pack that is taking away your attention, and since your dog probably (since you said he was demanding) sees himself as the alpha dog, all of a sudden this creature comes in and he is no longer alpha dog. He is confused and lashing out out of this confusion.
2006-12-31 05:01:25 · answer #3 · answered by Mouth_of_da_South 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Neutering him will help. Like the first respondent says, Caesar Milan seems to have the handle on little dog problems. People tend to treat their little dogs like children instead of like the dogs they are. By letting them be a dog, you free them from a lot of neurotic behavoir.
The clif notes version:
Make sure he gets a walk every day where YOU are in charge of where you go and how fast, etc. Feed him in his bowl on YOU terms. Do not accept any "warning growls, etc", make him lie down on his side (do this gently) immediately until he submits to the situation.
Caesar explains how to do this in a gentle, matter of fact way that is very soothing and loving to the dog.
Don't worry about "why" the dog is acting out, just address the behavior. As a side note, this also works pretty good with kids.
2006-12-31 06:22:49 · answer #4 · answered by hoodoowoman 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
ne needs to be neutered for one thing..
unless he is a show dog - then neutering is always best - plus it will reduce his chances of getting some cancers...
also Obedience lessons are a MUST - too many times people with small dogs neglect this very important step
this way when he acts agressively you will know what to do to get him to refocus...
2006-12-31 05:10:06 · answer #5 · answered by CF_ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
little poodles are mentally unstable anyway, and now you are directing all the attention he used to recieve to the baby. he's jealous and he's used to being the center of attention. its also obvious that he thinks he's the alpha in your pack. you need to get it through his head that he's the omega before he bites your kid.
2006-12-31 10:10:11 · answer #6 · answered by sgdrkfae 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My answer is to check out the "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Milan as he is a dog behaviorist.(Or human behaviorist). It seems the root of behvior problems in dogs is humans. We have to be their pack leader and the one in charge: not your poodle.
2006-12-31 05:00:54 · answer #7 · answered by tattiehoker54 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I think I would be concerned for the safety of the child
2006-12-31 05:19:47 · answer #8 · answered by Ibredd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋