My golden retriever normally isnt an agressive dog
at all, in fact, she's quite friendly and sweet. However,
the other day she grabed a napkin from the table and
when i tried to take it away from her, she got very angry
and growled and even tried to bite my hand (she missed
though). I corrected her and got mad by yelling, "NO!"
and a jerk on the collar, but this made her growl even more.
What is her problem (or mine) and how can I fix it?
2007-01-12 14:49:10 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
How old is your Golden Retriever? If she is a pup, she is experimenting with behavior, that happens. If she is older, has she ever done anything like this before.
First, there is no "missed". If she intended to bite you, she would have. She was snapping at you. Very inappropriate, but if she had intended to bite you, you wouldn't be fast enough to get away.
Have you ever done any training with her? Training her is the way to effectively teach her who is in charge.
DO NOT TRY ROLLING YOUR DOG ON HER BACK, unless you want to be sure she bites you. This is NOT something dogs do, it is a myth. It is scary and unsettling to a dog when people try to be dogs. Dogs aren't stupid enough to buy into that, they
just think the human has gone nuts.
ALL of the top behaviorists, people who achieved the highest knowledge studying domestic dogs say the same thing:
DO NOT TRY TO ROLL YOUR DOG ON ITS BACK!
You will just be another bully to your dog and teach your dog to bully in turn.
Train your dog. Teach your dog by asking her to sit for everything she gets. She wants her dinner? ask her to sit and stay seated until you put the food down and tell her "okay". If you hold onto the bowl, until she does that, she'll quickly learn you are in charge.
Dominance to dogs is simply being the one who controls the resources. You have the big brain and the opposable thumb.
If she gets things for nothing, she may not realize you are the one in charge.
Sit before going outside. Sit or down before getting pets.
Use your affection. If she is being rude, she gets nothing from you. If she is being polite, she gets loved on.
And excellent book to get is: How to be the Leader of the Pack and Have your Dog Love You For it, By Dr. Patricia McConnell.
http://www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com/books-retail.php
2007-01-12 15:10:22 · answer #1 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
That's weird. Goldens are really sweet. It makes me think of the only one I ever knew that was put down for behavior problems - it was like a psychotic dog, that didn't respond to professional training, and would just fly into sudden rages (over human food) and bite people really severely. It actually bit a coworker who was eating a Mars bar near it, while it was staying in the kennel quarantined, waiting to be put down. I *really* doubt your dog is like that, it's really rare, but if I were you I'd not mess around -- I'd go straight to a good trainer who has lots of references, and come up with a thorough training approach to extinguish this behavior before it gets further out of control. Biting is a big deal, as I am sure you agree.
2007-01-12 14:56:44 · answer #2 · answered by zilmag 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
she may not be normally aggressive, but you should not just let this be by any means. she has shown you the potential that she could become very dangerous and you don't know at what. you didn't say how old she is? i would take her to a trainer, and not the petsmart learn to play with your dog variety. this could become a serious problem and dangerous for you and anyone that comes into contact with her. a dog should not act this way. i can open my dog's mouths and take anything out of it without any fear. you need to find a trainer that will get you to this point of trust with her. she needs to see you as her leader and someone to respect and listen to. and i just have to say, thanks for pointing out she's a golden. any dog can act like this, not just pits.
different training approaches work differently for each dog and human combo. find a trainer that will fit your's and your dog's needs. but find a trainer who will show you a no nonsense approach. i have a bad day, but i'm not allowed to go around causing physical pain to people, and neither should your dog. it wasn't her mood, and you need to get a handle on it before something bad happens. good luck.
2007-01-12 15:22:38 · answer #3 · answered by cagney 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
He would desire to truly like this actual bone and is afraid which you will take it off him. attempt dropping treats close to him any time you stroll previous him while he has his bone and he will quickly affiliate you being close to his bone as a reliable element. as quickly as he's used to you purely walking by you would be able to desire to objective struggling with and probably even touching his bone yet on condition which you're thoroughly particular he would be comfortable with it at that degree! If that doesnt paintings then you rather'll merely would desire to be careful while he has his bone to bypass away him be. If he will become excessively possessive and is conceivable to human beings you will desire to get a professional coach yet that's not likely. it is common for canines to be a sprint possessive over prized products.
2016-10-19 22:05:02 · answer #4 · answered by janovich 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you aren't making the difference between master and pet (hate the word "master") clear enough. Sometimes if you're too lenient Dogs will try and run the show... but i wouldn't know how to go about handling this. Perhaps take her to someone who does.
Also there could posibility be something medical troubling her.
tom4bucs is probably right though. Just offering suggestions.
2007-01-12 14:55:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
This sounds like a fight for domination. You need to remind her that you are alpha. Next time she growl say no sternly and put her on her back. This is a submissive move. And reminds her you are boss. Remain calm and assertive..DO NOT LET HER GET AWAY WITH THIS BEHAVIOR or you wwill end up with a very aggressive dog.
added 11:56
Master or Alpha. It does not make a difference if she thought it was food or not. You should be able to take your dogs food away while they are eating, if not it is time to retrain. In a dog pack the alpha eats first then the rest of the dogs ( I agree with no dogs in dining room or place of eating while you are eating).
2007-01-12 14:53:53 · answer #6 · answered by glamgirl 2 · 3⤊ 5⤋
That's odd behavior for her. That breed usually won't screw with her master. I think she made a mistake.She accidentally thot she was in charge of that ol' napkin
I doubt she will do it again.
Do try messing with her food while she is eating from time to time just to make sure she knows you are the Top Dog lol
2007-01-12 15:08:30 · answer #7 · answered by to tell ya the truth........... 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
She thought that the napkin was food. Dogs have a way with their food. "Get your own." But don't let her get away. Tell her "No!" and point to her food. You have to be the master, don't spoil her. If you cut her some slack, she will cut you some skin! lolz...just make sure u keep her away from ur food so she wont growl or bark for food! And the biting habit is unusual. Maybe she was having a terrible day!
2007-01-12 15:21:08 · answer #8 · answered by GT Star_Gyal 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋
Ashlihale has it right. When a dog in a pack gets aggressive with the alpha dog the alpha dog will hold him down by his throat until he submits. You should watch "The Dog Whisperer" on national Geographic channel. You will see how an expert handles dogs.
2007-01-12 15:21:57 · answer #9 · answered by Raul D 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Please don't get into this whole, misguided alpha-rolling thing. It's a terrible mistake to do this to a dog. Instead, do a Google search for "object exchange" and "resource guarding" - there are positive, non-confrontational ways of handling this!
2007-01-12 15:52:02 · answer #10 · answered by Misa M 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋