How can I make my small dog STOP GROWLING & snipping at me?He's a great dog otherwise, just growlsPLEASE HELP?

Question

I have a 4 year old,12 pound,Maltese/poodle mix breed that I've had since he was 10 weeks old.He is a very affectionate lap dog & loves to be cuddled.About a year ago he started growing at me & my husband for no reason apparent to us.We then forbid him to sleep on our bed, & that helped a bit.But now he has biten each of us once before (well me twice).If we go to pet him when he's laying down, he starts off growling,& he gets louder & shows his teeth, & when we actually go to put our hands on him, he strikes. The other day he was on his bed & I went to lay my head by him & he attacked my skull out of nowhere.He gets very teritorial, but he's also very sweet.We have yelled NO, pinned him down, made him sit before doing anything or going anywhere,he walks either beside us or behind us on walks, but nothing makes him stop growling.I thought I have been doing everything right.Does anyone have any training tips on how to deal with this behaivior? feel free to contact me if you need more..

I forgot to add that when he is being obedient like sitting when told or rolling over he growls at the same time...very weird... he also licks & shakes a paw while growing viciously. At times if we just look at him while he's doing it, he shakes like he nervous or something...

I always make him wait patiently while I prepare his food & he doesnt get to eat until he sit & shakes a paw. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG???? The only thing I can think of is maybe making his toys out of his reach...

Answer 1

Ah the Ceasar Millan "miracle" finally poops out. It's not about dominance. It's about respect.

Your dog doesn't respect you. You are not in control of your dog's resources. Control the resources - control the dog.

Do not free feed your dog. Dogs that are free fed believe the floor provides the food. You are completely out of the equation. Food is one of the most important things in your dog's life, for obvious reasons. If your dog realizes you control the food, he'll be more likely to listen to what you say because suddenly "you matter". Feed your dog, by hand, for the next week. Kibble by kibble, bite by bite. Put your dog's food in its dish, hold the dish and sit on the floor, with the dog off leash. Slowly ask your dog to do any obedience routines he already knows (I think you mentioned "sit") before you hand over a kibble. This wouldn't be the time to teach new behaviours - stick to the ones he already knows. One or two commands will suffice for the first week. Feed your dog twice each day in this manner. If your dog decides to go on strike and will not work for his food then he loses the meal and has to wait for the next one. It won't happen too many times in a row, believe me. No snacks in between. Make your point. He won't die or be sick from missing a meal. This might be a time-consuming ritual but you have to make it crystal clear to him that you matter. You can be firm, consistent and loving. After all, what are his options? After a week has gone by and he's accustomed to this routine, put his whole ration for the meal in the bowl, ask him to sit and wait while you put the bowl down. When YOU"RE ready, release him and let him eat. After 10 minutes if he's left some in the bowl, remove it. No free feeding!

When it comes to guarding his space, he's telling you that YOU"RE out of line. He doesn't feel the need to move for you. And he's willing to back it up with teeth. Restrict his access to his prime sleeping spots. Provide him a comfortable place on the floor near you. If you don't want him on the couch, keep him on a leash. If he gets up onto the couch, take the end of the leash and lead him off (don't jerk him or yell). Just say, "Buster, off" and gently pull him off the couch. Until you can handle him directly, use a leash or you'll be bitten again.

When he wants to cuddle, make him go through an obedience repertoire first. How about sit, wait, down, speak - whatever he knows. If he breaks his position or doesn't wait to be invited, grab the leash and tell him, "Buster, off". You must be 100% consistant for him to believe you. You can't be indulgent. He has to become convinced that you matter and make the rules. He has to believe when he defies you that there will be a consequence. It doesn't have to be harsh but it has to exist.

By all means pet and cuddle your dog. But if he's mobbing you for attention, stop yourself and remember how he's trying to control you. Ask for a quick sit before you pet him. It's all part of getting his attention and respect.

Answer 2

This may seem like a strange question, but does she only react with growling and snapping when she's being held (especially if she's being held by someone who is standing or walking)? If so, she may just be insecure about being held that way. Happens a lot with small dogs as so many people seem to be unable to resist picking them up every 5 seconds. I'm not suggesting that you should ignore the snapping. I'm suggesting that if it only happens in a specific circumstance, the dog may truly be fearful and or greatly stressed. the dog is trapped in someone's arms and your head is moving towards it--very stressful situation for the dog. I'm not big on physical corrections even with large dogs (I don't think I've ever made a secret of that), so I'd treat the problem the same way as I would in a large dog. Strong verbal correction and an ignore. My dog was good about not nipping skin, but she had a hard time realizing that there was skin under clothing as a pup. Once she nipped me hard enough to draw blood through a sweatshirt and I pulled her miserable, rotten face up to mine and yelled at her and then I walked away. She never nipped again. I don't think I'd do that with such a young puppy in most circumstances--I did it with Jess because I was SURE she wasn't going to go for my face. But with the demon pup, you can hold her face and chew her out from a safe distance as she can't lunge that far.

Answer 3

I train dogs...just from what you say...and without seeing what is going on..it is hard to pinpoint.

There is a possiblity that your dog can be mentally ill. Dogs can be mentally ill just like people can.

I don't mean to upset you...but it may be a possiblity...considering that it started late and is escalating.

The other thing...growling is not a bad thing...
that is how your dog tells you something is bothering him.
I'd be more afraid of a dog that bit but didn't growl.

I'd have your dog evalulated by a behaviour specialist. But a good one..not a Cesear Milan type.

Ask your local shelter if they can recommend one. This will help you to know if it is a behaviour/ training problem or an illness...

Best of luck to you. Oh..and that pinning down of the dog not only does not work..it can worsen the problem...

Answer 4

Dog Snipping

Answer 5

This dog needs to know you are in charge of everything good in this world--food, freedom, etc.

Why do I say this? He is sweet and great except when you do something he doesn't like. I hate to break it to you, but everyone is sweet and nice when they are getting their way :)

I would suggest finding a trainer and working with him. The sit and walking on leash stuff is good and it shows he can behave---but it also shows that he has learned to behave when he HAS to...

I would suggest no longer feeding him from a bowl. Feed him by hand and he must sit/down/something for every bite. Do NOT leave any toys out for him or leave them where he can get them on his own---YOU give them to him.

Crate or confine him until YOU choose to let him out.

The goal is not to be mean----it is to convey to the dog that YOU control the resources and all the good stuff in his life. You are the sun, he is a satellite.

A trainer is your best bet, but this should help a bit.
Good luck.

Answer 6

I have a chihuahua and she does the exact same crap. I know this may come off as cruel to some folks, but I started placing her in a box that can close and become dark. I kept her in there for a period of minutes "time out" if you call it. Took her out and observed her. Days after she did not growl at me, but as everyone on here stated-Control the dog. Time out and things like that are great for spoiled dogs.

Answer 7

Well it is something called BEing a "pack leader" any small sine of disobedience requires disoplen he doesnt like..
an not to minsion that the dog is thinking that you have nothung for him so he thinks he can take charge, the alfa male and or the alfa female aways have something planned for there pack; always have something in mind like oop i forgot.(this is where im still learning) the dog looks up to you since you must own evrything befor him.

disciplin doesnt require smacking the dog and yet putting him into submission doesnt meen heel give up. look for any small amount of aggression make a hissing noise or some sound like your getting someones attention to hopefully snap him out of it, look him dead in his Eyes and feel big about it and act like your the boss around here

tip: you must make yourself feel like your the "big honcho" around as well as your spouse and yes there can be 2 pack leaders.

yet ask a dog psycologist to come by because listening to me isnt 100% going to work cause im not there nore in your shoes.

Answer 8

First, see if he has something wrong --- illnesses, thyroid problems, tumors... even brain tumors will cause personality changes... so, i.e., have the vet give him a check-up... then go from there. Since this is getting worse, and not better, do it soon

Answer 9

Have you ever heard of Ceasar Milan? he is perhaps the best dog trainer. he uses simple logic to deal with problems like yours. he has his own tv show and has just come out with a book here are the links for both:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=blended&field-keywords=ceasar's%20way&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_blended_14347593_2&results-process=default?tag2=amd-google-20

Good Luck!!

Answer 10

Get a squirt gun or bottle, fill it with cold water. When he misbehaves, give him a squirt or two in the face. It won't hurt him, but it will be an adversionary device to train him.