I need help with my dog, he is a 5year old jack Russell / Alsation cross.When he pinches something you can't

Question

get it off him. You call him over he growls at you. When you get him he locks his jaws around whatever he has pinched. He snaps and growls when he has something he shouldn't have and try getting it off him, no way!!!!. I am at my wits end with Monty, do you think it could be an attention problem? If you ignore him he plays up, if you play with him he justs gets out of hand. He can't seem to play like other dog's without growling and snapping. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

I'm really curious - how the heck did you get a Jack Russell to mate with an Alsatian? There are some very strange mental images being conjured up here, I can tell you!

Answer 2

Training a pup to give something up is something you start when they're 8 weeks old and esy to bribe. I offer to swap for a piece of cheese, they drop whatever it is in a flash. I hold the toy while they eat, then give them the toy back. And I stay calm and quiet. That way they learn that the pack leader isn't in competition with them and they'll cheerfully hand over stuff.
My last dog was a jack russesll and would give me his chewsticks to guard for him if he needed to go off for a drink.
The problem here is your dog is older and has already learned a bad habit. Theres a trick to getting something out of a dogs mouth; you hold their bottom jaw and gently push their lips into their mouth, they let go and you take the object. At the same time you give a command and straight away give a reward.
Its better demonstrated than explained.
At least he comes to you when you call him! So he's not a total delinquent. He just needs to learn to hand stuff over to you.
To start with get him his own toys and tidy up the house. You have to put everything out of his reach.
And start doing some training with him because this sounds like he's bored, looking for something to do and getting into mischief.

Answer 3

Hi there! I had the same problem and it hasnt completely gone yet!. I have a jackrussell X Staffie 16 months old! ! Before I used to get a treat so every time he took something I would show the treat and he would leave, but then he was getting rewarded for doing something wrong. It is an attention thing definetly, you you need to takehim for long walks to get rid of some of that excess energy! To get him to learn to drop things play alot of games at home , get his favourite toy/ ball! and when he brings it to you say drop and treat every time you are then rewarding for good behaviour , if it gets out of hand , take him into the hallway or another room make him get on his bed ,just leave him out there on his own for about 5-10 mins let him back in but ignore him for another 5 mins! He will soon learn bad behaviour gets him put out of the room! He will noy be getting the attention he wants.
Remember every time he does do something right praise him loads , he needs to know when he has done good!!!!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Has Monty been Neutered? This may help to calm things down.

I think what you need to do is go back to basics, give Monty loads of attention and praise when he is being good and try your best to ignore him when he's being naughty. Make him sit and give paw before you give him his favourite toy - this will show him who's boss!!!

Providing that the things he picks up aren't harmful to him just ignore it when he lifts something, he will soon get bored!!

Your vet will be able to give you more detailed advice and perhaps point you in the direction of a dog trainer.

Answer 5

When you train a dog, you have to be consistent.

Whn your dog has something in it's mouth, say, "drop it". There's no need to shout or continually repeat the command. If the dog does not drop whatever is in it's mouth totally ignore it. Whenever the dog has something in it's mouth, tell it to "drop it". When it does, praise it lavishly so that the dog knows it did something wonderful. Keep doing this until the dog puts together the words "drop it" with letting go of whatever is in it's mouth.

It may take time, but it can be done and it is totally up to you.

Remember, you are the lead dog in your dog's pack and it wants to obey you, but it has to understand what you want of it. If you aren't consistent, all you do is confuse your dog. Then, whose fault it that? Certainly not your dog.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Have you tried offering him something better? You don't say what sort of things he pinches, but if he's food orientated, teach him to drop by getting him to hold something, tell him to drop it & as soon as he lets go, give him a small treat of his favourite food. There is an excellent book about this subject by Jean Donaldson called "Mine!" Try & get hold of a copy. Also take him to a good obedience class if you can where they can show you how to get his attention so that he wants to listen to you.

Answer 7

Hi, I had the same problem with my dog. All cured now. I turned him over on his back and held him there til he dropped what he had. I did not give up. Now when i say "drop it" he drops it or he knows he is going on his back again and staying there til he gives it up. This a way of you showing him that you are the one in control not him! He is now learning that he has to submit to you because you are the person who calls the shots. When he gives it up, tell him how good he was and give him lots of kisses and maybe a treat. He will love you for this. Good Luck

Answer 8

I would take the toy away when he doesn't have it and try to give it back to him and if he growls say NO sternly and then flick him on the butt or nose whichever one you feel comfy with and pull on it as hard as you can, make sure you show him you are the dominant one! Good Luck!

Answer 9

5 yr old, my dog grow out of all that by time she was 2, shes 3. your problem you need to disaplan him, if he pinching things he not allowed to touch tell him no dont touch, or get a empty bottle put some pebbles in and shake it everytime he touches something he shouldnt, all dogs growl wen u trying to get something off them they just projecting there stuff, train him and be paitient and he soon learn not to touch things he shouldnt. wen my dog growls at me i tell her no and she soon lets go of the item, show him whos boss a dog nos wen your scared of them come across as scared wen trying to take something off him he will sence it and you dont stand chance in hell, try it ok

Answer 10

have you ever watched the dog whisperer.it's on the national geographic channel. he also has books that he has written. his name is Cezer Marano i know i spelled his first name wrong probably his last name also. he says you have to be a pack leader. he may have an email address but i'm not sure. hope i helped you a little bit.
good luck and GOD BLESS