my dog is a 3 yr old deaf aussie that is normally sweet and loving towards everyone in my family, as well as my friends, but lately he's been lunging at my mother and growling at my little brother who's 8. i'm 19 and live at home so i can save money since i'm in college. he used to do things like this when he was a puppy before we had him neutered, which was almost 2 years ago. i've tried to walk him to keep him from having too much exercise and he is trained to sit, come, and lie down with sign language. does anyone have any ideas? if i can't get him under control, i'm going to have to put him down, and i really don't want to do that.
2007-06-06 15:18:30 · 5 answers · asked by morwen_re 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
there could be many reasons for this behavior and it is important to try to figure out why he is acting this way before an approach to curb the behavior can be determined. Does he act like this with you or anybody else? Is you mother or brother scared of the dog? I have an aussie kelpie and she will sometimes act aggressive if she can tell that a person is afraid of her. Dogs are constantly testing their boundaries and trying to find their place in the 'pack', acting 'alpha' as someone else stated. This is usually more common towards youngsters but less likely if he is reacting this way towards your mother. It is an unpleasant thought but is it possible that your mother or brother have acted badly towards the dog such as striking it? Dogs often get aggressive when food is involved as well. Have any of these episodes occurred when the dog is eating or when the dog has a bone or the like? Depending on the answers to these questions there are different approaches necessary to stop the behaivior. As another person stated I don't think it is an acceptable solution to put the dog down. There are people who would be willing to adopt the dog and deal with the behavior. All too often people unnecessarily destroy animals for very selfish reasons. Please explore other options before even thinking of estrying the dog. I hope this helps and gives you some ideas as to a place to start with your dog problem
2007-06-06 15:56:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
aussies are extremely intelligent, energetic dogs. They need tons of exercise & a lot of mental stimulation to keep them happy.
If they are not provided with enough of either, or are left alone for more than a few hours, they go nutz.
Before he bites someone contact an aussie rescue & see if they can help you. find rescues on petfinder.com
2007-06-06 22:24:04 · answer #2 · answered by sadiejane 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great you made me cry. When he does this tell them to trun around and walk away if all fails you can put him outside alone for some time. If you can't get him under control give him to a another faimly insted of putting him down.
2007-06-06 22:32:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's playing Alpha. You need to show him that's not his role, and what I describe below, when you are done, needs to be done by everyone in your household.
Please take the time and read these how-to articles, they are very informative, and I doubt you'll have a problem after implementing these steps:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/topdog.htm
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/alpha1.html
http://www.husky-petlove.com/husky_alpha_training.html
http://www.pethints.com/hints/hints.php?print=true&cat_name=Dogs%20-%20Dominance%20and%20the%20Alpha%20Leader&category_id=31
2007-06-06 22:26:26 · answer #4 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep a spray bottle filled with clear water handy and give him a squirt when he misbehaves.
2007-06-06 22:29:07 · answer #5 · answered by kingsley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋