He is 2 years old. I adopted him after he was abandoned. I do not know about his background. I've had him almost a year. Super Sweet dog, behavior has changed over the past three months. Neutered. Incredibly trained and obedient....except his "territorialism" is becoming increasingly worse!!!!
2007-11-12 00:49:29 · 10 answers · asked by joline 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
On rare occasions, neutering has the opposite effect on dogs. Usually neutering calms and focuses the dog on you and not sex. I would recommend crate training him and perhaps taking him to some obedience classes. Also, I recommend taking him on a walk or run before your guests arrive. If your dog is tired, he will not want to "fight" with your friends.
The reason I recommend the crate training is because he may be getting the impression that he is the alpha dog in the house. Crate training reminds the dog that this is your house and you are allowing him to share it. I also recommend hand feeding him for a while, keeping him off the furniture and walking him on a short leash, just for a while, until he realizes that you own the territory, not him.
This may be enough to calm him to a reasonable state when people arrive. Keep him in the crate for at least a few minutes after your guests have arrived. Let them settle in and make sure that they ignore the dog completely, no matter if he barks, growls, or makes other offending noises. This sends a clear message that you are the boss. It may take a few times of doing this, but eventually your dog will understand that in order to be included in your events, he must behave. If your dog is being quiet while he is crated, praise him and give him a treat. If he remains calm, bring him out with a leash on and have him sit by you and calmly greet your guests. If he misbehaves, back in the crate until he understands.
I hope this helped. Good luck with your boy!
2007-11-12 01:08:06 · answer #1 · answered by lexxus_gs_400 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to work on changing how your dog feels about people coming over. The dog is likely afraid. Learn about triggers, thresholds, desensitizing and counter conditioning. Do not punish your dog, keep people away from it and feed your dog great treats when people come over, but do not let them handle him. Also, do not let him practice the bad behavior, so if you need to, make him stay in another room with a bone or something until he is able to sit and eat treats when people come over. This will be a slow process. You can get friends to help by having them come over while you work with the dog. Then have them leave and repeat the process until the dog thinks that having people come over means he gets great treats and they leave him alone. When he's ready he can approach them, but don't lure him to them or have them give him treats until you're sure he's not scared anymore.
Visit www.fearfuldogs.com
The book The Cautious Canine is worth reading as well.
2007-11-12 12:10:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The territoliarism you are talking about sounds like lack of training/spoiling on someone's part in the house. Has this dog been taught proper obedience and what his order in the pack is? If not, that is a god place to start!!
The other problem is that you have no idea where he he came from and that is a huge issue. He may have problems genetically that you do not know about. You are taking a big chance with this dog since you are not willing to get rid of him if it became necessary. Good luck to you!!
2007-11-12 09:03:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
Good for you for adopting. I strongly suggest that you either contact the rescue/shelter that you got him from, or any local shelter, for a training class for reactive dogs. A professional, *positive* trainer will show you different techniques for changing your dog's behavior without punishment. A "balanced" trainer will only teach you how to punish your dog. When you use positive reinforcement properly, you help the dog to learn that it's not his job to defend your home. Learning how to work your way through this problem will benefit you both!
Here's a website that will help you to find a trainer:
http://www.ccpdt.org/
2007-11-12 09:37:47 · answer #4 · answered by Misa M 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Kudos on the "won't get rid of him".
I would suggest that you take him to the door with you on a lead to greet each visitor no matter how well he knows them.
Tell your visitor to ignore him as though he wasn't even there. No eye contact,no greeting of any kind.
If he starts to react to them give him a sharp "no" and a "down" or "sit" command in a very stern voice.
These are the most sensitive to their owners vibes of any dog I've ever been around and the most willing to please.
If he knows his behavior is VERY displeasing to you he should stop.
Good luck and again thanks for being willing to work with your boy instead of just dumping him.
2007-11-12 09:16:30 · answer #5 · answered by my best guess 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Pits are by nature very territorial. Pit owners tend to downplay their animals are aggressive, but it's a fact.
Just know, that legally, if you live in the US, you are responsible for for damages from your pit. To put it in simpler terms, if your pit bytes someone, you can wind up with a law suit. In the justice system you'll have a strike against you, because statistically pits are aggressive.
2007-11-12 09:06:36 · answer #6 · answered by Tony d:-) 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't know except maybe a trainer could give you some guidance or you could go on a pit bull forum and ask the question.
www.spbr.org
2007-11-12 09:04:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a disorder known as K=9 rage. It can be treated now go to your vet.
2007-11-12 14:49:40 · answer #8 · answered by raven blackwing 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A SNACK CAN WILL DISTRACT HIM. BUT I WOULD KEEP HIM SEPERATED FROM STRANGERS FOR THE TIME BEING. TRY AND SPEND ONE ON ONE TIME WITH HIM- HE MAY BE INSECURE WHEN STRANGERS ARE AROUND.
2007-11-12 09:12:21 · answer #9 · answered by karen w 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
well if you dont want to get rid of the dog
looks like you get rid of your friends
dont think that will be a problem , i know i wouldnt want to be going to someones house with a crazy pit waiting to take my throat out
and please please please dont let it near any children
2007-11-12 08:57:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 8⤋