Understanding and correcting my dog's behavior?

Question

I have an 8 m/o American Cocker
My brother has a 1 y/o Brittany Spaniel

We have a family diner every Sunday and I'm the one that goes to their house. My dog is well socialized with other dogs and people, I take him to the dog park every day but when I go to my brother, my dog is too dominant toward my brother's dog. My dog keeps biting the other dog's ears, none stop. ...the other dog gets really aggravated by it.

I tried correcting him with times out, the spray bottle and we even put that bitter stuff on the other dog's ears ....everything failed. What's next?

Answer 1

First you need to stop or prevent the unwanted behavior, since dogs only get better at behaviors they get to practice. It's not fair to the other dog to have this going on and ultimately can lead to behavior problems (not wanting ANY dog near him). Your 8 mos old dog is young, but it doesn't mean it has permission to be an annoying brat.

If the behavior starts, stop it (you don't have to be mean or hit or yell at your dog, it's likely just trying to play) and ask your dog to sit or do something else. Reward it with lots of great tiny treats for doing something other than picking on the other dog. You may have to keep interrupting the behavior and redirecting the dog, but that's how training works, you just keep rewarding for another behavior until that's what you get.

If the pup can't control himself yet he gets a time out, for a minute or so (this is punishment to a dog), in another room or outside or behind a gate. You might have to do this 20 (50??) times in a row before the dog clues in on what he is doing that is causing this isolation.

The important thing is to give the dog something else to do that is ok with you. You might want to bring along a marrow bone or something for the dog to chew on so it can be entertained by something other than the other dog's ears. Or work on commands and use good rewards. Be more interesting than the other dog.

Usually dogs will correct each other, and teach younger dogs where the lines are, but some dogs will be so non-confrontational that they just get picked on. I don't let other dogs do this to my dog that is very tolerant. He doesn't want to fight, and I want to keep it that way.

www.fearfuldogs.com

Answer 2

Think how difficult it is for your dog to make you understand, and how often we misunderstand their every need.

Here are a few examples of how a dog shows various emotions.

happy dogWhen a dog is happy he will have his ears pricked forward a relaxed mouth and wagging tail, it may also jump up and down circle around, there may be some barking.






tickle my tummyA submissive dog will roll over on its back and show its tummy, most people mistake this and think the dog wants its tummy tickling to make things a little more complicated a contented dog in its own home may well just want to be tickled, nobody said it was easy!


If the dog bows down with their front lowered and the bottom in the air and their tail wagging they are inviting other dogs to play.

dominant dogThe dominant dog will hold its ears up and will stare with eyes wide open, it will try make itself as tall as possible with hackles raised the tale is normally held as high as possible.





Aggressive dogs will give a challenging stare with the ears laid-back close to the head and the eyes narrow, the mouth may be open exposing the teeth and the dog may snap its jaws this is usually accompanied by growling or loud barking, the body's tense and the head is usually lowered.

Misunderstood Dog Behaviors.
Growling is not always a sign of aggression, it is usually a warning telling the other dog that's far enough or else, it is much better for a dog to growl than to bite. If a dog is growling inappropriately it may be necessary to do some work on socializing the growling dog.

Dogs enjoyed chasing each other this is perfectly normal and perhaps the most common form of play, they normally take turns they may bark and get excited this is perfectly normal and should not be interfered with.

Sometimes during chasing dogs will nip or bite at the collar area on the other dog, they are not trying to hurt, this is the only way they can show that they have caught the other animal, dogs use their mouths rather like our hands, it should be noted that sometimes a slight injury may occur but this is rare and not usually intended.

Some dogs bark more than others while playing it can be a bit of a nuisance but it's no different than noisy children and should be treated in the same way.

Occasionally you will come across a dog that yelps every time another dog even looks as it, this is caused by lack of socialization which results in the dog being afraid of other dogs, the owner should take steps to remedy this, it is not the fault of the other dogs or their owners.

Basically the key to understanding your dogs behavior is to try to see life from a dog's point of view.

Daniel Stevens book SitStayFetch is a mass of information on all aspects of dog behavior and well worth reading to give you a greater ability to communicate with your dig.

Answer 3

Cocker Spaniels are often dominant over other spaniel breeds.
I probably would leave the Cocker at home, and not subject the Brittany to this behavior every Sunday. It's not fair for your brothers dog to have to endure this dominating behavior.

You should really be able to control the dominance of any dog you own. Good Luck!!

Tanya

Answer 4

I know that it can be annoying to have an aggressive dog, especially when there are other dogs around it.

Your dog probably has some obedience problems. These can be solved easily with th right kind of training.

A website that offers information on dog house and obedience training can be found at:

http://www.TeachThatDog.com

They offer a dog training email newsletter also.

Hope the site helps!

Answer 5

Cockers are often more dominant.
teh best thing is to let ehm set up the dominance themselves.
Until that happens you will never get anywhere.

Answer 6

Look up Ceazer Millian (dog whisper) for any dog question