my dog keeps attacking my husband and i what should i do??

Question

i got my dog about 3months ago from a shleter in l.a.he has all shots and has been neutured,he has been biting my husband and I,continuosly for 3 months and he is begginning to worry me.he causes us to be angry and scared on a daily bases from all the agression.i get him the best food,clothes,collars,walk him etc and this still goes on.he is 3 years old,hes had a seizure once i think cause of chasing the light.he is healthy otherwise,but i don't underatnd why this is happening.is it because he is a scotty,terrier mix???i do not know but my husband and i have both been very patient and stern.this seems to happen at night alot mostly,anyone he will attack that comes through the door,im worried cause what if he gets out somehow one day and he attacks someone then id be liable,i love my baby but its stressing me out,what should i do???

Answer 1

Well... What's usually happening when the dog "attacks?"

Are you just sitting there watching TV and he comes up and bites you or is something going on? Concidering that you got him from a shelter, it's possible that this dog was abused.
But, dont' put up with biting! When the dog bites or snaps at either of you... that person should take a firm (but mostly gentle) grip of the dog's muzzle, folding the lips under his teeth (he won't bite your hand because he'd have to bite himself first and he won't do that) and give it the smallest yet firm shake and say "NO!" VERY sternly.
This tells the dog that you aren't going to put up with his crap.
Whenever someone comes over YOU are the boss.. the Alpha, ok? so if you have company, and he snaps at them do the same thing. If you notice that it's just rough playing... say NO and the get a toy and encourage him to bite the toy.
If this doesn't help, you may want to consider finding a different home for him (and if you do, be sure to tell the prospective new owner why you're getting rid of him.)
You mentioned that he's scotty and some other kind of terrier (the dog being a combination of two kinds of terrier) and yes.. that CAN have something to do with his termperment. Terriers are VERY active and VERY high strung. They're hyper and need a LOT of playing and exercise to wear them out. If no one is home during the day, then that would WAY explain why he's like this more at night than in the morning. He's been WAY too bored and now you're home and it's just too exciting for him. You might consider asking your vet about tranquilizers.

I wish all three of you all the luck you need!

Answer 2

You must contact a legitimate highly recommended dog trainer, one that prides them self on studying "dog Psychology" like the "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan. Buy Cesar's book and study it while you have your dog trained and socialized. If you do not do this. Train the dog and yourselves--He is no different then putting a loaded gun in the hand of a monkey. He will hurt you or someone else. Another dog will cost quite a bit, and you already have invested your heart to this one and you are probably his last stop before euthanasia! Because you will have to inform anyone else of his behavior. So spend a couple hundred if you can and perhaps have a wonderfull companion.You really need an analysis of this dog and either your going to put him down or take an outside chance you can intervene and help him become a loyal loving companion, it's a crap shoot! Good luck.

Answer 3

There sounds like there is a bit of jealousy going on here, new puppy in the new territory and the likes. Remember that touch is more important to dogs than talk. I would suggest getting in a professional to help. But in the meantime, if you can cordon off the puppy, but where the older dog can see him, toddler gates are great for this. Let you son play with the puppy. You (or your husband) with your other dog, make him lie down and calm down in eyesight of the puppy. Do you best not to make eye contact and touch him a little as possible, until his has calmed right down. This usually means, lying down, ears completely flat. If he rolls on his side or back, that would be best. Try not to let him become fixated on the puppy, distract him. Curious is good, fixation is not (let the ears tell you what he's thinking). Once he has done this, give him heaps of praise, pats, cuddles, even a treat. He will eventually get the idea that you will not tolerate his aggressive behaviour with the puppy and start to accept him. Once he does it regularly with the gate, then take the gate away and continue the "calming" training. It will take a little time. But if you work with him for 15mins to 30mins a day, you will start to see a change quite quickly. Good Luck

Answer 4

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://biturl.im/aUNSx

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 5

I love those frisky terriers! I have a Westie and a Wired Fox Terrier. How about calling Cesar Millan of Dog Whisperer fame? I am planning to do that because of the Fox Terrier who is dog and people aggressive. I adopted her last year and she's wonderful with us, but boy . . . around other dogs and people her growl is vicious. I know how nerve wracking and frightening this is for you, and you don't want to give up the dog. I am currently recovering from a hemotoma surgery, so I can't make an appointment. Just look on the Internet for DOG WHISPERER.

Answer 6

He thinks that he is the Alpha dog. Thus he is trying to "Play His Role" and protect you. He as it in his little mind that HE is the boss and that YOU TWO are is followers,
You must show him that you and your husband are the Alphas in the household. How you do this is by taking your index finger any your middle finger and pointing them at the dog. While making a Very Loud PSSST!! noise. this will resemble the Alpha dog growling (don't growl). Have your husband do this too.

I highly recommend that you two watch the "Dog Wisperer"

Answer 7

As he's a small dog, Alpha training would be best.
I had a Daschund with the same problem, came from the SPCA with agression problems. I merely took a muzzle to him, put him firmly but gently onto his back (he tried to bite me but with the muzzle realised he couldn't) and stared him down for about two minutes, stared him right in the eye until HE broke contact with looking away. I had to do this twice and he has never been aggresive towards us again, or other dogs. He knew I was the leader, not him.

Take him to the vet to check on the seizure though, that sounds like a problem.

Answer 8

Well if you put him at a mans best friend place that might cost some Money so it might be something in his nature or the type of mixed dog he is (if he is a mutt). So take him to a vet or animal specialist and you might have something to start on and go from there!!!
Hope I helped,
Kim possible!!!!
PS: If you spend more time with your Husband and ignore the dog when you are with him your poor puppy just wants you to love on him more and feels left out!!!

Answer 9

Your Husband needs to put himself as 'Alpha Dog'.

When the dog is barking and trying to attack..
Your Husband needs to get ABOVE your Dog.. Hopefully hes not to aggressive and your husband can 'PIn' the Dog down on the ground on his side (On the Dogs Side) Untill the dog stops 'Attacking'.. This is called 'Alpha Dog'.

And as always get some tips off Google.

Search "Dog Training instating aplha dog"

Hope this helps!

Answer 10

See if Cesar Millian is available for a session. He might be able to shed some light on the subject. Or just watch his episodes on National Geographic.