English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

He has never liked people outside the family, but has only barked at them--then, three months ago he bit one person, drawing blood, and the last three nights he has growled and snapped, trying to bite me when I put him down for bed. I am very concerned, as he has never done anything like this, and has always been treated very well. Will we be able to work through this with him, or will we need to find another home for him? We do not have children in the home, but I no longer trust him. We have always had such a loving relationship with him. What do we do?

2007-01-23 17:59:04 · 6 answers · asked by aljera 1 in Pets Dogs

6 answers

I, like the other answerers am assuming that the dog has not been neutered. This is the first thing that you need to do. It will, however, take a few months for all of his built up testosterone to get out of his system. I agree that obedience classes may work. My mother adopted a shelter dog who tried to bite everybody and succeeded alot of the time. By the end of the 6 week class, he was a totally different dog. Make sure he knows that you are boss. Don't beat him or anything, but be stern. If you have to get a muzzle get a muzzle. Whenever he snaps or bites, automatically put the muzzle on him. This repititous and embarrasing action will make him think twice about snapping at his master. I have heard from my vet, my obedience trainer and my dog groomer that dogs can go through "the terrible twos" just like toddlers. So maybe this is all just temporary, but be sure to show him that you are dominant, not him.

If all else fails, take him to the vet, he might have an underlying illness. Alot of animals don't like to show that they are ill. They feel that this is a sign of weakness. Please, try to do everything you can so that you don't have to "get rid of him". There are so many dogs in shelters who are there because instead of taking the time to work with the dog, they didn't want to be bothered. All my dogs have been abandoned shelter dogs, and I tell you what, all they needed was a little discipline, consistency, and obedience training...and of course love and patience.

2007-01-23 18:13:22 · answer #1 · answered by Bexx 3 · 2 1

Something like this, you really need to see a behavioral specialist and get one-on-one counseling. You need specific professional advice about what your dog's triggers are and how to avoid them, and how you go about becoming the dominant one. Dog psychology is different than ours, and if you are not clearly in charge, then he will challenge your authority. If you cannot commit to rehabilitating him in this way, contact a dachshund breed rescue. They will be able to find him a home with an experienced dog owner who can handle him. www.petfinder.com is a good place to start if you decide you can't keep him. Aggressive behavior needs immediate professional help before someone gets seriously hurt, and a dachshund CAN do serious damage....this is beyond the scope of Yahoo answers. Someone in a previous post mentioned lawsuits, that IS something you need to be aware could happen if he bites someone. Keep his rabies shots up to date, if they are not up to date and he bites someone, you could be ordered to have him euthanized and his remains tested for rabies. Also if he is not neutered, you should neuter him ASAP. Testosterone fuels sex drive AND aggression, and he's at full maturity now. Getting him neutered is not an instant cure, but it's one less thing you'll be fighting against-it takes some of the fuel off of the fire.

2007-01-24 02:36:34 · answer #2 · answered by lizzy 6 · 1 0

Im afraid the problem was there for you to see 3months ago,barking at people outside the home was the warning signs of his aggresion.Was he well socilised as a pup?A dog who normally bites strangers visiting the home is suffering from fear related aggresion.You will be able to work through this but it will take alot of patience.With any aggresive behaviour its always wise to seek advice from a good behaviourist as aggresion is such a unpretictable behaviour,dont rehome him because if you the owners cant cope what makes you think someone else will have him?Some sudden behaviour changes can be related to health reasons aswell,is your dog in any pain?Maybe have him checked him out by the vets to see whether he is ok health wise.Good luck.

2007-01-24 02:08:32 · answer #3 · answered by Heavenly20 4 · 0 0

He is becoming territorial as he becomes older. Some males do not become agressive until they become older. Is he neutered yet? Sometimes that helps in the agression. As for giving him to someone else, why would you want to give someone a dog that will bite? I would be furious if someone gave me a dog that I found out that he would bite me or others. That would be a liability that you might have to answer to.

2007-01-24 02:04:21 · answer #4 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 0 0

I'd talk to the vet and see if he is sick. but if i didn't trust a dog i hate to say this but i would put him down for my safety or someone else just think what he could do if he got out. LAWSUIT

2007-01-24 02:11:55 · answer #5 · answered by lady_jane_az 3 · 0 0

he probably needs neutering, and a course of obedience classes wouldn't go amiss either

2007-01-24 02:01:38 · answer #6 · answered by rose_merrick 7 · 0 0

fedest.com, questions and answers