Hi all, I've just joined this forum!
I need some suggestions because I am stuck here. Sorry this is going to be long!
I've had dogs my whole life but never come across such a cocky and dominate pup before.
Quick background. Saved the little fella from being drowned as he was really sick. As he was so sick he couldn't be socialised until now. And he is now almost six months old.
Male, Jack Russell x Shitzu. His mother is very aggressive and has bitten people. He was taken from her at 8 weeks old.
I always thought the mother was aggressive as she wasn't socialised. My parents looked after her for three months and she became a very happy dog and stopped attacking people. So I am hoping it is not bred into him to be aggressive.
I've been walking him almost daily the last two weeks and have seen a slight improvement in him.
His problem is strange dogs and strange humans. The ones he knows (three dogs and several humans) he loves to death but cannot cope with strangers. His little heart goes one hundred miles an hour and I cannot get him to stop barking!
This constant barking at people - he does wag his tail at the same time but I am worried about letting anyone pat him while he is barking in case he nips out of fear. He doesn't show his teeth but he quivers like a leaf.
He also got off the lead one night when I was walking him and he was having a go at a mans heels - very serious stuff - I do not want to deal with an aggresive older dog - obviously would like to nip it in the bud now. He never bit the man but sounded pretty aggressive.
I don't know if he is doing it because he is protective of me or my other dog or because he's just I'll be taking him on some walks without the other dog this weekend to see.
I can't take him to dog obedience classes or puppy school yet as he hasn't been vacinated as we are weaning him off his tablets. And the vet said he cannot be vaccinated while on these tablets.
When walking he has gotten used to walking past women or kids as long as they ignore him - it's just men that he is frightened of and other dogs.
When introducing him to other dogs (these dogs are family dogs and healthy and vaccinated!) Should I have him off lead and the strange dog on a lead so he can approach them in his own time? Or both off leads and let them work it out? Or both on leads. I know these other dogs will not hurt him at all.
Thanks for any suggestions!!!
Looking forward to reading through this forum.
