My dachshund snapped at my son?

Question

I just got this dog yesterday and he is great with my son until today when he was messing with one of my son's toys and my son went for it and he snapped at his face! What should I do? I just got this pup and he's been good in all other ways. I'd hate to give him away after one close call. He was well punished for it. What do you think?

He came from a family that had two kids and he never ever snapped once at them and he is very loving with my 9 mo. old son. It's just when he gets a hold of a toy that he gets a little snippy. I

By punishment I mean that a stern no was given and a tap on the nose. I didn't smack him with a rolled up newspaper or anything.

Answer 1

Watch the dog make sure the dog doesnt get near your sons face. If you keep having problems go to a dog trainer and see if you can fix it. My adivice if he/she does it again pin the dog on its back and say a firm NO do this for about a minute keep doing this until the behavoir stops (if your dog whines and crys to be let go just ignore he/she). This has worked for both of my female dogs that were trying to more dominant over me. This may sound a little mean but your just simply showing who is boss. Dont hit or kick or ABUSE in anyway your dog will just end up more aggresive and scared of you and your family.

Answer 2

Ok so the pup is new to the house and getting the territory thing down, your son needs to know that to the dog he is the lower ranking dog, with this said the dog needs to learn that he ranks lower than your son in this pack. You may want to work with the pup and take toys away and then give them back to him this will reinforce good behavior, you then can have your son try with your supervision

Never let the dog and child alone without supervision for now, don't know how old your son is but I can tell you that I do leave the 4 yr old grand daughter with the beagle but not the lab, he is 14 and is getting old and haves pain issues so for both their sakes we keep an eye on them, the 2 yr old grand daughter is watched at all times, even when we are all in the same room, we keep an ever watchful eye on what she is up to, though the dogs do not snap at the kids, they could if they were to feel threatened Hope I helped

Answer 3

I'm not sure what you meant by punishing the pup, but in general swatting, hitting, yelling, or any physical means of punishment are not good methods of training a dog. It will make either a very submissive, fearful adult dog or a crazy dog down the road.

I don't know how old your son is. But you have to teach your son that HE is in control of the situation by his actions. The pup probably felt threatened because your son did something very quick that the dog misunderstood. If your son is too young to understand, you will need to raise the pup and child together. If your son is old enough, teach him to understand and issue authoritative commands to the dog and to behave consistently and positively with the pup.

I'd suggest you take the dog with you and your son to a dog obedience class, perhaps one geared to small dogs/doxies.

Doxies can be good family pets. Had a doxie/spaniel mix. Dogs ARE pack animals that will seek to be the leader. Your pup may have sensed your son is another "pup" and probably sees you as the "lead dog." You have to use this psychology with your dog.

Also read up on basic dog behavior and training techniques. I'm certain that there are training places in your vicinity. Many non-profit animal shelters also offer them for little or no cost. Don't give up on this animal over one incident. Learn about the animal and train accordingly.

Answer 4

You may want to look up "resource guarding." Your dog may have developed this potentially threatening little habit in it's previous home. My dog was disciplined before I got her by taking her food away and now she guards her food anytime me or my husband get near it. She has become violent a few times in the past when someone got too near the food she was guarding. If this is the case with your pup and toys, a pet trainer would be a good idea. Also, dachsunds are very loyal dogs, but to only one person generally speaking. A lot of people with children don't have doxies for that reason.

Answer 5

There are several issues here. First, I'm getting the feeling that you should not have 'well punished' the dog. Especially if that meant hitting him, yelling at him, smacking him, grabbing his snout, or any other abusive behaviour. If this is acceptable to you, then please, rehome the dog. Dachshund rescue is a great organization and they can find him a home with someone who fits with him more. However, they are going to want you to try and work through the behavioural issues with the help of a professional (see below).

Secondly, your son needs to be trained not to 'go after' things that the dog has. Biting is not acceptable, but some dogs are just like this. Doxies can be quite nasty, so if your son is small or not animal smart, this could lead to a problem. You son, depending on his age, should probably not be left alone with the dog. This is for his safety and the dog's.

If you want to keep the dog, then both of you need to go to a training class. A good training class that will address the issues that both of you have. A good trainer can help get rid of 'toy aggression' by *GENTLY* teaching them it's inappropriate. They will also teach you how to reprimand the dog appropriately and how to reward him when he's doing something correctly.

Remember, if your dog is already showing aggression, inappropriate punishment (like what I listed above) is just going to make it worse. Right now, your only two humane options are to get the dog into rescue and give more supervision when he's in the same room as your son, or to sign him up for training ASAP, and give more supervision when he's in the same room as your son. Good luck to you both. : )

Answer 6

I would suggest that you train him or take him to be trained that he has his toys and your 9 mnt old has his. I have had that breed before and they can become very possessive of their, or in your case, what they percieve to be their toys. You did the right thing to say a stern no and tap him on the nose and the only way that you are going to correct it without having to invest in training classes for your puppy, is every single time that you see him playing with one of your son's toys do the samething, tell him no and tap him on the nose, he will get to jest.

Answer 7

Since you haven't had the dog long enough to become attached to it, you should find another home for it. My brother had a dachshund who was just like your dog. The dog attacked his wife when she went to pick up her purse and attacked his in-laws for talking too loud (or something weird like that). They had a lot of other problems with the dog, but the dog died of cancer several years ago and I don't remember his list of crimes anymore. When I was a kid, I remember a dachsund across the street was put to sleep because he bit the family's baby. The owner was a vet, and obviously an animal lover.

The risk to your baby is too great. Also, you're going to be sued if the dog attacks the mailman or anyone else outside of your family. If you're going to keep it, get the dog some obedience training. Please keep the dog and the baby apart, for both of their sakes.

Answer 8

You didn't say how old your son is but I think that you don't know this dog yet or how your son will behave around a new dog so they shouldn't be left alone unattended. Small children and puppies or new dogs require about the same amount of time and attention. A huge commitment.

Answer 9

This is a no brainer as far as I can tell. Dog is agressive towards a child, dog goes bye bye. End of story. Your first responsibility is to that child. Find that dog a home with no children. or a home with people who know how to modify the dog's behavior. Contact your vet and see if they can refer you to a trainer who can help you work with the dog. Even after that, I would never leave my child alone with that dog.

Answer 10

if hes a pup he doesn't know any better remember he's lil so jus be patient with him and he and ur son r sure to get along... pups dont wanna be mean but if they feel threatened its in there nature...good luck