My Dog Has An attitude problem.?

Question

The attitude really started to surface last Sunday afternoon. Ive got a 2.5 yr old husky, pure breed. had her for almost 3 months now. she has been really good up till last Sunday. lately she has been doing things that she knows not to do. going through the sink or draining board, taking dishes, pots, pans,silverware. going threw trash (inside) dumping it on the floor. jumping on things -table chair . she really only does this when im out. but i have caught her on the table. she also doesn't respond/listen to commands as well as she used to. just looks at me with one of those "i don't think so" looks or just runs the other way. being extremely snotty to other dogs. ive been trying to discipline her by changing feeding or just taking food away all together. putting her in the cage. pretty much everything shy of hitting her (there is some grabbing though. i think she knows better, she just rather not do it or don't do it. ya know what i mean? today was the last straw. i was so angry.

I left to go grocery shopping, about 2 hours gone. Before I left I gave her, her ½ day ration of food (feed her twice a day) when I came back she had gotten up on the chair then table. Destroyed a set of window blinds. Dumped over the inside trash and went threw it. Grabbed some clean pots and pans sitting in the draining board, and grabbed the only dirty thing in the sink -a spoon, took them in the closet. I was so angry and frustrated I grabbed her by the collar and “dragged” (didn’t really drag) her to the cage. She freaked out along the way, spun around and twisted herself and my fingers in her collar. It was so bad my fingers were turning purple and she couldn’t breathe, I think. She started biting me (drew lots of blood), I assume she felt I was attacking her, but I was being aggressive to try get us loose from the collar, quickly. I had to break out my knife and cut the collar. Now I muzzle her. Not so much for biting but as an act to stop the “attitude” any suggestions?

If anyone happens to review this question she only goes in the crate when im gone for long hours (work) other wise if im gone for 1-2 hours she stays in the house. she gets plenty of walks, and is outside for most of daylight. she really is a good dog she just started this a week ago. i could walk with her without a leash no trouble. no im not so sure!!

Answer 1

She is testing you and you are letting her get away with it. First, don't let her stay out when you are gone. Lock her in her kennel. Second, when she starts to do something she's not supposed to do, hook her up to a leash and choke chain and give her a quick sharp pull on the chain and say "no" in a loud firm voice. This lets her know you won't accept that behavior and she will associate her actions with the corrections. You have to do it every time. I know it's tough love but you have to think of her safety. She could get into something that could hurt her or even kill her and you don't want that to happen.

Answer 2

Your dog is bored and is acting out in frustration that you're not taking care of all her needs.
You have the ability to go where-ever you want whenever you want.Your dog is stuck inside 4 walls that no matter how comfortable it is has become a prison.
Before you go anywhere you need to take her for a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes.An off-leash run daily at the park is also in order.And another walk before bed or a 1/2 hour brisk play session in the yard before bedtime and she'll calm down.
She's a dog after all and you need to remember that she needs to do doggie things to keep her mentally stimulated.She does'nt care how cold it is or how windy or wet.She needs to run off all her pent up energy while she smmells all the spots other dogs have gone potty in and along the way if she finds other dogs to make friends with then her little world has really turned into a party.
If you often take her for walks or to the park that's great but you need to get her on a daily schedule so she's exercised more than once a day.
If she's tired she'll sleep not tear up the house.

Answer 3

Take your dog to a vet first to see if there isn't an underlying medical problem that can explain this change in behavior (which seems very drastic and sudden!). Dogs really don't think like humans and so it's unlikely that this is all being done out of 'spite'.

If it's only happening while you are away it could be separation anxiety, but it sounds like it is happening all the time.

If the vet rules out a medical problem, then use the NILF (nothing in life is free) program. It has worked well for many people I know and it won't cost you anything. Your dog needs to respect you as her Alpha and this will facilitate that. And if you are not giving your dog a good hour of walking per day, you probably need to work up to that.

Answer 4

Did you research huskies at all before you got her?!?!!? This is a breed that needs an extreme amount of exercise. What you so very obviously have is a totally bored dog!

First, she needs a lot of exercise. These dogs can and do run 8 hours a day.

Secondly, you are seriously disciplining her by taking her food away? How did you get this dog? I can't believe anyone let you have a dog. Also, anyone who knows even a tiny bit about dogs knows that you never punish a dog by crating them. The crate is supposed to be their den, their safe place and you never "discipline" them by putting them in a crate.

This dog needs a lot of exercise, some obedience to exercise her mind - but you'd do well to take her to classes so someone can teach you how to train your dog.

If you have a crate, why isn't she in it when you're not home? Isn't that what it's for? Another example of the dog suffering for it's owner's ignorance!

Answer 5

First of all withholding food does not teach an animal anything! It sounds like this dog needs a yard to stay in, not a house. If a yard is out of the question you may need to rethink having a dog this large in your house. It also sounds like this dog needs to have a whole lot more exercise than she is getting.

I can understand your anger, but you'd better get a handle on it quickly. If you don't have a good trainer to work with immediately, you'd had best do something to let this girl get her energy out. Also, it sounds like there is a dominance issue going on, and she's winning. Never, ever, let her tell you what to do! You make sure you are the boss in that house or this dog will spiral out of control on you.

Consult with a trainer right away!

Answer 6

Do you ever watch Cesar Milan on National Geographic Television? I would recommend that program to you. Your dog doesn't have enough to do that's why she is getting into trouble when you are not home. She needs to be walked..long and often until you tire her out, before you leave her. Two long, long walks each day would not be too much. I would always leave her crated if you have no yard space for her. The breed you have is used to working hard every day, so being indoors is not the best environment for them unfortunately.

Answer 7

Try a soda can trick. Really any type of can I just like to use a coke can that is empty and drop about 5 pennies in it and then tape over to opening of the can. When you catch her messing up throw the can on the floor in her area or shake it really hard and loud. They hate this noise and will soon put 2 and 2 together, that bad behavior= scary noise.
I got this idea from a friend of mine who had a problem dog and she had to hire a doggie therapist to visit her home and this trick really works.

Answer 8

I raise Hounds .Wife bought a Min Dauchsand He was abou two years old,We would go out for 1 Hr or so,dog had pulled flowers out of vase,scatter paper everywhere,I had a suggestion,but wife didn"t think it funny.I started studing this dog,ever time we were out,come home same thing,He was pushing the limit.

The next time we started to leave I turned on T.V.set volume normal,we didn"t get Home untill couple of hrs had passed,came in the house,nothing out of place,dog met us at door and went back to couch where He had been,Never had problem after that,
I used radio in barn when I got Wild Horse,He was still hard to ride. The problem you have I would put traing chain on Her tell her Bad take Her outside put Her in cage 1 hr.Same thing every time.Bad Dog,trng.collar take her out side into crate 1hr and 15 min.

Answer 9

dogs are brighter than we give them credit; someone is really trying to get your attention and is saying you are not doing your job so I will be the leader; go back to basics, exercise her, give some different activities and treats ; she only has one way to get you to listen and this is it; food is not reward/punishment; necessity; you get more result with honey than vinegar the old saying goes for a reason; you love her now show her training (with kindness ) patience , some attention , some exercise; she is reaching out in the only way she can. Abuse isn't training; regain ground , one day at a time; training from basics takes time , remember?? be patient , loving consistent etc ; no hitting , no punishment; can't correct for past problems only try to prevent future ones

The dog whisperer is great at solving these problems, national geographic channel ; also can find him online

Answer 10

You might wanna watch the Dog whisperer and read some training books.