My puppy is 5 months old and has been with my family for 3 months. She is great with my kids, who are as young as 2, but takes weeks to warm up to other people, and is fearful and bites if they try to touch her. I am concerned about this because I take her with me when I am visiting friends, but she will try to bite them even in their house. Getting rid of her will only be a very last resort, as she is a part of our family already. How do I stop this behavior before it's too late?
2007-05-01 12:28:05 · 9 answers · asked by ksta72 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The "ignore the dog" technique that was offered is the best way to socialize the dog. The dog is fearful of strangers and needs to learn that there isn't anything to fear. When meeting strangers you need to advise them to "ignore the dog", they cannot make eye contact or acknowledge the dog in any way. I like to do this: have the strangers sit down on the ground and "ignore the dog". Dogs by nature want to explore and will eventually start sniffing the stranger, may even attempt to climb on the person. But still ignore the dog. Once the dog starts to solicit attention such as looking at the persons face and sniffing, you may allow eye contact but no body movement, just look back with the eyes only. Once you can offer a hand for the dog to sniff without any show of aggression by the dog then you are well on your way to solving the behavior problem. Strangers should never attempt to pet the dog until it is socialized. Never allow the dog to encounter any situation with strangers that will cause it fear or that will set the dog back and make socialization a longer process. I rescued a dog that was a fear biter and was headed for euthanization because of the behavior. I worked with the dog and in a year I had this dog completely turned around from biting people to soliciting pets on the head and ear scratches. One day I was at the park and talking to a couple with a 5 year old child and turned around to see the child bonking the dog on the head really hard and the dog just sat there and took it. I knew the dog was 100% turned around at that point.
2007-05-01 13:19:01 · answer #1 · answered by DaveSFV 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could she be deaf? What kind of puppy? Tell your guests to offer her treats when they greet her. Also, ask them to not pay any attention towards her when they first enter the door, don't even look at her. Maybe after an hour or so have them throw her a treat (something she absoulty loves) and let her make the choice to pet. If she does bite- she needs to never be praised (most people talk "sweet" to the dog, like oh its okay, that lady is nice) right after they bite. This would be praising. Another approach is a shock collar- but i wouldn't recomend this on a fearful dog, may only make them more fearful. But if its out of dominance then a shock collar may work. I have a Rat Terrier that doesn't like kids or some men- i've tried all I can but she still takes a LONG time to warm up to them, sometimes it just the personality. My dog has never bitten though. But its important to praise good behavior all the time! Alot of owners don't realize that they are praising for bad behaviors though. You may want to take her to a trainer. I wouldn't recomend giving her up, this may make her more aggressive in the future.
2007-05-01 12:35:24 · answer #2 · answered by Louise 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do with a dog who is fearful like that is have everyone ignore her when they do come over to visit you or even if you take her with you. Let her get comfortable with her surroundings and see that no one is there to hurt her or even cares she is there for that matter. During that time the only time you should address her is if she does growl or snarl at someone since that is never acceptable from any dog of any size. Once she is comfortable she will start to come out of her shell more. You can also try once she is starting to be curious of new people them having treats for her. That way she can associate something positive with new people coming over. If you continuously try to go to her and push her forward you are only going to make her more fearful. Fearful dogs can be some of the hardest ones to work with, but since she is so young you are at an advantage and should be able to stop this quickly. You also want to make sure that she is not becoming aggressive towards strangers in an effort to protect your family, which would also not be a wanted behavior. You might also want to enroll her in an obedience class to get her better socialized.
2007-05-01 12:54:23 · answer #3 · answered by maya 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quick correction! The moment her eyes start to roll back, her ears pin or she gets stiff and defensive, give her a little push or touch. A loud "eh!" or low growly sound should accompany, and the MOMENT she stops that behavior, praise her. Redirect her onto something fun... like playing with toys... have your friends bring treats with them and give them to her AFTER she's settled down.
Otherwise, you can take her away from the situation. She gets stiff, defensive, pulls her lips back.. whatever it is that she does that PRE_EMPTS the bite... a little push or firm touch, the loud EH! or growl and then whisk her away to another room and close the door. Give her about 5 minutes... then bring her back in. The minute she starts to look aggressive, a loud EH! or growl... and away she goes. She'll learn very quickly it is not an acceptable behavior.. and you may find that in a matter of days she'll relax.
2007-05-01 12:35:37 · answer #4 · answered by Siddhartha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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://bitly.im/aMSYT
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.
2016-05-17 00:06:05 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are reacting to her fear and she is getting her way by not letting others pet her. First, show her who is boss. Say firmly not weakly, "no" when she tries to bite someone. Have a friend to constantly pet her one day and keep petting her until she stops biting. Pet her a little bit then when she reacts, say no. Then, have your friend to try to pet her again. Keep doing this until she gives in. It's somewhat like breaking a horse. You repeat it over and over until she has broken.
Good luck!!
2007-05-01 12:36:37 · answer #6 · answered by Kandice F 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope this helps: this may sound harsh but if she tries and nips at a certain person, then you should quickly pinch her neck and firmly say no or something strict. this is not mean. your teaching her who is boss. you should only do this if she nips. besides being firm, you should let your friends pamper her a little with snacks. as they approach her with the snack, you should be perhaps still be pitching her neck not harshly this time though. in the past i would think this is weird and wicked, but ive been around dogs my whole life and ive learned its not. good luck!
2007-05-01 12:41:49 · answer #7 · answered by ABCD1233KIDDO 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since I am not a dog trainer, maybe you can consult one who may know what to do with them?
I'd suggest a muzzle but the dog may become even more scared?
2007-05-01 12:33:17 · answer #8 · answered by Boombox. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try getting her a muzzle and when ever she tries to bit put the muzzle on her. Play with her everyday with the kids so she'll know your not trying to hurt her so sooner or later she'll get used to you
2007-05-01 12:36:31 · answer #9 · answered by Pookie! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋