How can you stop a dog from being vicious?

Question

My dog Ben keeps growling and scunching his nose up when we tell him off and we need advice to stop him before he gets worse

Answer 1

He sounds like he's got similar problems to my dog - he thinks he's boss. I'm afraid it's not an easy one to cope with because it means going back to the drawing board with basic training. He needs to be taken down a peg or two and understand that he is not the leader of the pack. It's really silly things like - don't let him go through a door way in front of you; always go first, don't let him ever be physically above you or even on the same level as you (eg sleeping on the bed, sofa etc). The modern ways of training is to use your voice for stern commands, but not to hit. Dog's are only aggressive when they feel threatened and this can happen if they don't understand where they stand in the "scheme of things". I'm told that once we get over our dog's superiority complex he will be a much more relaxed and happy dog - personally I'm taking him to training classes, but I'm also reading a book called "Collins good dog behaviour - by Gwen Bailey" which I got from the library.
There's no quick fix for this one I'm afraid, but I'm determined to crack my boy! Good luck with yours!

Answer 2

You don't mention how old your dog is and this is important as the best time to practice any behavioural training is asap probably at as a pup of 6-8 weeks. On reaching, say 2 yrs, bad habits are very hard, but not impossible, to eliminate.
Although each breed of dog has its own personality profile, ultimately every dog is UNIQUE. Many factors are involved in effecting its ability to be trained and let me tell you no dog is stupid (although I could not say the same of some of the owners!) lol.
Good books are available (try libraries and second hand shops first) and one easy to read with illustrations is 'New Complete DOG TRAINING Manual' by Dr. Bruce Fogle, Pub: DK and ISBN
0-7513-3867-2.
There are also countless videos and dvds available. I also notice more and more 'doggy' training progs on the tv, I think they'll soon be taking over the DIY, gardening and auctioneering ones real soon, lol.
Enrol with a tried and trusted dog trainer (often labelled as 'dog behaviourists'). Ask in your vets or local RSPSA's for recommendations. I have one of the top one's in the UK (he's appeared on tv) and he runs 'Barking Mad' dog training school in Herts. He has a webby which I think is at www.barkingmad.com but this might be wrong but just use Google search to find it, lol.
Hope this leads you in the right direction and the very best of luck.


Ps. One short-term method is to squirt him with cold water the second he threatens you with any form of aggression, saying, simultaneously and very, very firmly, "NO" without bawling it - that is stressing the word like this "Nnn-ooooOOh!" Well, you know what I mean, lol.
Dogs do not respond to well to shouting in their lughole and will probably get even more excited!
After the first couple of squirts with my Lab it was enough just to say the word, "Squirtys!" and he would drop the sock or whatever. Mind you he is a very smart dog, sometimes too smart for any human ............ but that's another story, lol! :-)

Answer 3

you start when the pup is 8 weeks old and socialise it, teach it it's place in the family and take it to training classes. He is challenging you and unless you can do basic training you will lose the battle. I cannot imagine any of my 8 dogs ever challenging me like this. They love and respect me too much and I am a firm but kind owner. Do yourself a favour and enroll in some training classes which will help the problem enormously. If he is challenging you, you must never manhandle huim or hit him as this may lead to him actually biting. Training needs to be calm and firm and a proper trainer will be able to help you. Also have him neutered.
When exactly does he do it? Have you ever walloped him? Are children allowed to maul him? If you have been too harch in punishing him, he may be snarling in fear and telling you that if you hurt him again he will bite.
Email me and I'll try to help further when I have more info.

Answer 4

If the dog is challenger you. That needs to be addressed to today. How you want to handle that is up to u. If he is scared that you need to reasure him that you don't mean him any harm. This is done by talking nice and petting him. But never let your growl at you. He will take as a sign of weakness, and it will just get worse.

Answer 5

So, he growls and pulls back when you yell at him, Huh?

That isn't being vicious, that is being scared! Hire a professional trainer to work with you and the dog to fine a better way of handling him so that you can train him without using fear!

Answer 6

Dip the little tyke's nuts in a mixed bowl of paprika and chilli powder. He'll stop growling but might still scrunch up his nose a bit. One out of two ain't bad!

Answer 7

I would recommend training classes, my dog is on the vicious side when she eats or takes something that shes not supposed to.I wish I had gotten her training but I think she is too old.So keep telling him no and off and Good luck

Answer 8

Take him to a dog training class and learn how to handle him , if you are reacting aggressively towards him and he feels threatened he will go into defence mode hence the growling.

Answer 9

Training. Have you done obedience training with the dog? Sounds like he doesn't respect you at all, he probably thinks of you as the omega of the pack....

ENROLL immediately in obedience training before that dog hurts someone.

Answer 10

Your dog fails to reconize you as the leader and his master. This could prove to be dangerious, especially if you live near or have children in the home. I would suggest taking him to a training class where they will teach him to obey.