Agressive Or ?

[APBT]

sometimes my pup will bark and growl at me. and sometimes nip at me.

her tail is waging the whole time and i think she is just playing

the reason im asking is i dont want to correct her if its a normal puppy thing,

[VJB]

How old is your pup?

[APBT]

How old is your pup?

3 and a half months aprox she only does this to me and no one else

Edited April 28, 2009 by APBT

[Erny]

vjb's question about your pup's age is very pertinent. Assuming your pup is very young though, chances are she is playing. However, the problem is that if you don't train her appropriately now to understand that behaviour is not acceptable, it has the likelihood to escalate and to become more serious in intent once maturation hormones begin to kick in.

On the assumption (at this stage) that it is only innocent play, then what you could first start doing is stopping all play and walking away from her. She wants to play and when/if you do it is only reinforcing this behaviour. So stopping the play by walking off and ignoring her instead shows her that her behaviour won't get what she wants.

If she's an older pup (ie young dog) though, I'd be inclined to suggest you get some professional help to have a look at her and then show you some techniques that will work to stop this.

[Erny]

Just saw your post (added in while I was preparing mine). Ok - 3.5 months. I would suggest she is playing, by the sounds of it.

You say she only does this to you? I'm assuming you're suggesting there are others who live in the household with you and who interact with the pup?

Are they older than you are (eg. parents)?

[APBT]

yes i live with perants and brother and sister,

another thing ive noticed lately and i will cross post exactally what im talking about form a nother fourm but l give some back goround on my version

essentialy its my dog, i give it all the attention, feed, bath, walk, play, clean up afterwards, and pay all vet bills food ect.

my dad ignored the dog and never had much to do with it as he didnet want it in the first place but that aside my concern is very much the same as the cross post below,

as soon as the dog does something wrong il say NO and ually she wil stop or jsut contnuie being a pup.

as soon as my dad come ein and says NO she will go stright on her back and be submissive to the "alpha male"

my situaton is exact as teh one below, i jsut dident go into uch detial on my personal situation

KING OF THE CASTLE SYNDROME

I often hear from people that are not experiencing any real behavior problems with their dog, but they want an explanation for a very common phenomenon that I call "King of the Castle Syndrome". The call almost always comes from the woman of the house. Jane wanted a dog and John didn't. They agreed that Jane would get the dog and it would be her dog. Jane gets the dog and she's very happy! She dotes on him, she feeds him, bathes him and brushes him every day. She provides him with everything a dog could ever want -- except leadership. John ignores the dog most of the time, but is not unfriendly to him. When the dog approaches John while he's reading the newspaper John looks at him, then goes back to reading. When the dog approaches Jane she stops what she's doing and plays with him. What has prompted the phone call is that Jane is feeling rejected by the dog. When John comes home from work the dog acts like he's greeting his long lost, beloved grandmother. John gives the dog a pat on the head and a "Hi there dog" and goes about his business. Jane is upset because the dog is never that happy to see her and she always lavishes attention on him when she gets home! During the evening the dog will lay quietly and happily at John's feet. When he wants attention he goes to Jane and bugs her until she gives him what he wants. What has happened, over time, is that John has begun to enjoy having a dog. When John is so inclined, he calls the dog over for petting or ball throwing or to take him for a walk. As much as the dog seems to love Jane, he is completely devoted to John. John has the attitude of an alpha. That's all it takes, attitude. It doesn't take aggression, it doesn't take rolling a dog onto it's back and growling, it doesn't take hitting or yelling -- just attitude.

YOUR NEW ATTITUDE

To develop your new attitude you're going to have to think like a dog! When your dog comes to you for attention think of it as his way of saying "I'm still in charge, right? I want you to confirm that for me". Now, think of all of this from his viewpoint. Way down in his little brain he's thinking "geez... I hate this ... all I want to be is the adored house pet, can't one of you take over?" Compare this attitude to a 13 year old child who says "Get out of my life, I can make all my own decisions, stop telling me what to do". The kid really does feel that way, he's not making it up. Imagine what would happen if you said to the kid "Here ya go honey, here's the address where you send the mortgage payment and here are the utility bills and you do know how to do your own grocery shopping, right?? I'll be in my room, you're on your own!" As sincere as the kid is about wanting to be in charge, he knows he's not equipped to handle all of that. He needs an adult to be in charge of most things; he needs guidance and leadership. One of the differences between dogs and children is that dogs don't grow up and move away and start their own packs. They are our responsibility forever. We have to be their leaders forever.

You need to get your dog's attention and do it quickly and let him know that he's no longer in charge. This will free him of the responsibilities he now feels as pack leader and make him more relaxed and happier and much easier to get along with. He is pleading with you to take charge. His behavior is a way to push you and push you and push you some more and make you take the leadership position.

WHAT DO I DO NOW?

FIRST 48 HOURS:

Ignore your dog for a full 48 hours. If you want you can start this tomorrow morning, or you might want to take a day to think about it or pick a day that's more convenient for your schedule. Just be sure that when you start it you can give the technique a full 48 hours of your time.

Give him nothing at all for those two days. No attention, no petting, nothing. Don't say his name. Pretend that you have an invisible dog that needs to eat and go outside. Put his dinner down, but don't call him or talk to him or anything. If he'll go outside to pee and come back in on his own, without you calling him, you can do that, otherwise put him on a leash (without saying a word) and take him out to go potty and bring him back in, all without interacting with him in any other way. Do not physically isolate him from you by crating him (other than the normal times he'd be crated) or putting him outside or in a garage. The reason this technique works is because it involves social isolation, not physical. The very important part of this technique is the part where you ignore him. If he nudges you for attention, do nothing. Nothing! Don't tell him to go away, don't tell him "no", pretend you don't notice that he's there. He may try harder, at first, to get your attention and this is where you must ignore him. If he's able to get your attention by trying harder then he will be rewarded for that behavior and you'll have a much more difficult time getting him turned back around. If he gets so pushy that you have to do something, you can use physical isolation for a short time. Go into another room and close the door or put him in his crate. If he scratches at the door or does anything that you feel you have to respond to then put him on a leash, tie the leash to your waist or your arm and go about your business without talking to him or interacting with him. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to not let him get your attention -- even negative attention like yelling at him.

By the middle of the second day you may find he's sleeping most of the time. This is the relief period. He's convinced now that you really do intend to be the alpha and so much responsibility has been lifted from his shoulders that he just crashes. That's OK-- let him sleep.

DAY THREE:

Start the day the same as the previous two days. Let him out and feed him or whatever your normal routine is, all without saying a word to him or interacting with him in any way. Then, call him to you. If he comes to you right away, tell him to "Sit", pet him and tell him what a good boy he is, then walk away. If he doesn't come to you when you call, turn your back on him (this is important!) and leave the room. No matter what he does that first time (come to you or not) wait an hour and do it again. Call him to you. When he comes to you and sits spend at least 5 minutes interacting with him -- petting, talking, whatever you want to do. Then, end the attention time. Walk away. For the rest of the day call him to you at various intervals (an hour, 20 minutes, 2 hours, 10 minutes) and give him about five minutes of attention each time.

DAY FOUR:

You can relax things quite a bit today. Give him attention any time you're in the mood, but still ignore any attempts on his part to demand your attention. Because of his history of biting you will probably have to make this a life long rule --- attention on your terms only, not ever on his, but that's not too difficult a rule to live by. He can still get all of the attention a dog would ever want, it's just that you're going to initiate the attention and end it. If, months from now, you feel he's been so good that he can start asking for attention you can give it at try. The way you test it is to let him ask for your attention once or twice and then the next time ignore any attempt at getting your attention. If he accepts your decision (no attention) then he's probably OK. If he gets more pushy, then he's probably on the road back to his old ways. It is quite natural for a dog to try to make his way up the pack ladder as far as he can go. He may test the rules every now and then for the rest of his life. Don't worry about it. Just say no.

DAY FIVE AND FOREVER AFTER:

Now that the issue of leadership has been resolved, it's time to start the Nothing in Life is Free program. NILIF is a useful technique for all sorts of behavior problems, not only for those dogs that have a history of dominance confusion. For that reason, it gets it's own page and is not repeated here.

Edited April 28, 2009 by APBT

[VJB]

If I remember correctly...... but I could be wrong...... did you once suggest slapping your dog across the face when it won't do what you want ??

If you are still doing this sort of thing (which I hope you are not) then your dog may be reacting negatively to the messages you are sending.

This is a very typical time for a lot of mouthing issues with dogs, and while they are happening, I would try what Erny has suggested, and that is to get up, and walk away, turn your back and/or remove yourself from the behaviour you are trying to discourage. This is a much clearer way to send your dog the message,,,,, but they can be persistent at 3.5 months, very cheeky and like to test the boundaries. It takes consistency and persistence on your part to build a healthy relationship where you are respected and where your dog feels guided.

[APBT]

If I remember correctly...... but I could be wrong...... did you once suggest slapping your dog across the face when it won't do what you want ??

If you are still doing this sort of thing (which I hope you are not) then your dog may be reacting negatively to the messages you are sending.

This is a very typical time for a lot of mouthing issues with dogs, and while they are happening, I would try what Erny has suggested, and that is to get up, and walk away, turn your back and/or remove yourself from the behaviour you are trying to discourage. This is a much clearer way to send your dog the message,,,,, but they can be persistent at 3.5 months, very cheeky and like to test the boundaries. It takes consistency and persistence on your part to build a healthy relationship where you are respected and where your dog feels guided.

nope would never suggest slapping a dog,

[poodlefan]

If I remember correctly...... but I could be wrong...... did you once suggest slapping your dog across the face when it won't do what you want ??

If you are still doing this sort of thing (which I hope you are not) then your dog may be reacting negatively to the messages you are sending.

This is a very typical time for a lot of mouthing issues with dogs, and while they are happening, I would try what Erny has suggested, and that is to get up, and walk away, turn your back and/or remove yourself from the behaviour you are trying to discourage. This is a much clearer way to send your dog the message,,,,, but they can be persistent at 3.5 months, very cheeky and like to test the boundaries. It takes consistency and persistence on your part to build a healthy relationship where you are respected and where your dog feels guided.

nope would never suggest slapping a dog,

You have a short memory then. Posted by you on 26 Feb this year:

to be honest, ive had dogs all my life and have had this problem with a few in my times,

you don't need to waste money on a behaviorist and all that crap,

next time your pup is eating a bone or his meal, place your hand hear the food and if he growls at you and becomes aggressive immediately slap him across the face. say what you like but i can guarantee he will never do it agen, he knows who's feeding him and who's boss.

[VJB]

If I remember correctly...... but I could be wrong...... did you once suggest slapping your dog across the face when it won't do what you want ??

If you are still doing this sort of thing (which I hope you are not) then your dog may be reacting negatively to the messages you are sending.

This is a very typical time for a lot of mouthing issues with dogs, and while they are happening, I would try what Erny has suggested, and that is to get up, and walk away, turn your back and/or remove yourself from the behaviour you are trying to discourage. This is a much clearer way to send your dog the message,,,,, but they can be persistent at 3.5 months, very cheeky and like to test the boundaries. It takes consistency and persistence on your part to build a healthy relationship where you are respected and where your dog feels guided.

nope would never suggest slapping a dog,

Um,, sorry, yes you did, and you have just edited your post from that time. I remember it clearly. I'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything. We all have things to learn, and how you deal with your dog from now on and the knowledge you are gaining from this forum is a great thing. Dogs don't speak the same language as us, so it can sometimes take a while for them to pick up what we are trying to teach them.

[Erny]

APBT - referring to your post #6.

Yes - it is about leadership. But I think that what's written there (although I have read it all word for word), whilst quite appropriate and often effective for some dog/owner relationships, would be a bit harsh to apply to your puppy.

Definitely think about things occurring on your terms. Or more particularly, ask yourself with whatever she does as far as interaction with her, is it likely she'll see that as occurring on HER terms? If the answer is yes, simply refuse to interact for that moment, wait a little bit for her to forget about it (puppy brains are easily distracted by other things) and then interact with her. But don't go ignoring her for really long periods. IMO she's too young for that and it is too harsh for such a young pup.

Follow the NILIF program (Nothing In Life Is Free) - don't ask or expect the impossible given she's only been on this earth for 12.5 weeks, but ask for something she is capable of doing.

[poodlefan]

Um,, sorry, yes you did, and you have just edited your post from that time. I remember it clearly. I'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything. We all have things to learn, and how you deal with your dog from now on and the knowledge you are gaining from this forum is a great thing. Dogs don't speak the same language as us, so it can sometimes take a while for them to pick up what we are trying to teach them.

Too late for APBT to cover up the evidence - I've quoted the unedited post in this thread and its quoted in the Feb thread too.

My strong suggestion is to stop viewing what your pup does only in terms of aggression or dominance. Your pup doesn't care about genders or who is the "alpha male" in the house. She knows you're not dogs.

Show her leadership and give her good reasons to trust you. Don't "correct" what you can replace with more acceptable behaviour or deflect if possible.

Mouthing should be stopped now though - she should learn that it is never acceptable to have teeth on you or anyone else. Don't let others play rough mouthy games with her.. ever.

Edited April 28, 2009 by poodlefan

[VJB]

Um,, sorry, yes you did, and you have just edited your post from that time. I remember it clearly. I'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything. We all have things to learn, and how you deal with your dog from now on and the knowledge you are gaining from this forum is a great thing. Dogs don't speak the same language as us, so it can sometimes take a while for them to pick up what we are trying to teach them.

Too late for APBT to cover up the evidence - I've quoted the unedited post in this thread and its quoted in the Feb thread too.

Thanks. I knew I wasn't imagining things.....went to check.....then double checked, and it has been edited.

[Erny]

APBT - as at 31st March, you wrote a post saying your pup was then 18 weeks old.

Have you got a different pup now?

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

i thought that the first step to being a good leader was to acknowledge any mistakes you have made?

editing a post to remove evidence is not really showing good leadership.

if you said it then you said it, no point in denying it. however, IF you have ever hit your puppy that may help to explain why your puppy sees biting as a reasonable response to you. i mean, what else can it do???? you have shown it you are a littermate not a leader.

[VJB]

APBT - as at 31st March, you wrote a post saying your pup was then 18 weeks old.

Have you got a different pup now?

I've been wondering the same thing......

[Bindii]

Sounds to me like puppy play, but i agree with other that the behaviour needs to be discouraged - ie by walking away. Nipping could be just a part of teething, so offering a toy, rather than your hand is a good trick.

Just want to add something interesting that happened with Hugo and I the other day (quite of off topic, but i don't think there's any "on topic" here now because it sounds like it might all be a whole heap of crap.... maybe)

I have never and would never hit a dog, but the other night at about 2am I woke to the sound of Hugo urinating on the pair of jeans i had got out to wear the following day... GRR. I was SO angry. and yelled at him "HUGO! NO!" etc etc... i then proceeded to leap out of bed towards him with my hand up ready to give him a smack! As i got closer, he ducked back away from me. I didn't touch him, simply grabbed his collar and put him in the bathroom as punishment. Needless to say i felt TERRIBLE seeing him duck like that!!! I have never touched him but it was like he knew my anger + sleepness made him super scared.

The next day i was still feeling guilty about my "almost smack" that i had to test that Hugo wasn't afraid of my hand... i moved my hand towards him quickly, of course without touching him. haha and nope, not a flinch. Did it a few times just in case he didn't see it with his good eye (poor huugz) and yep nothing, just looked at me like i was strange.

Thank God! i though i'd scarred him for life!

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

Sounds to me like puppy play, but i agree with other that the behaviour needs to be discouraged - ie by walking away. Nipping could be just a part of teething, so offering a toy, rather than your hand is a good trick.

Just want to add something interesting that happened with Hugo and I the other day (quite of off topic, but i don't think there's any "on topic" here now because it sounds like it might all be a whole heap of crap.... maybe)

I have never and would never hit a dog, but the other night at about 2am I woke to the sound of Hugo urinating on the pair of jeans i had got out to wear the following day... GRR. I was SO angry. and yelled at him "HUGO! NO!" etc etc... i then proceeded to leap out of bed towards him with my hand up ready to give him a smack! As i got closer, he ducked back away from me. I didn't touch him, simply grabbed his collar and put him in the bathroom as punishment. Needless to say i felt TERRIBLE seeing him duck like that!!! I have never touched him but it was like he knew my anger + sleepness made him super scared.

The next day i was still feeling guilty about my "almost smack" that i had to test that Hugo wasn't afraid of my hand... i moved my hand towards him quickly, of course without touching him. haha and nope, not a flinch. Did it a few times just in case he didn't see it with his good eye (poor huugz) and yep nothing, just looked at me like i was strange.

Thank God! i though i'd scarred him for life!

i think he was ducking because of the image of a very tired annoyed you!!! you would have been emenating annoyance. i don't think your hand had anything to do with it......i have done the same.

got really mad at the dog because she sleeps in the bed with me. the routine is she goes outside for a wee then i pick her up and put her on the bed (she isn't allowed to go on there herself) then i turn off all the lights and go into the bedroom. well last night i go into the bedroom and she had peed in the bed.

i was furious, so furious i was frozen still just looking at the bed......when i looked at the dog she was cowering and i hadn't moved a muscle. i just think she saw the look on my face and went Gulp!!!!!! and tried to make herself as small as possible.

i stripped the bed, put everything in the washing machine, put clean sheets and duna pon the bed and by the time i had finished she was completely ok. except she was really well behaved for the rest of the night

[Bindii]

haha!

It is like they know hey?? SO glad that i shared and you had a similar story so i don't feel so bad.

Hugo definitely knows when he's been naughty... Fletcher i *think* has just recently learned what "NO" means ... tonight he's ripped up the edge of the carpet in the hall way. I said "fletcher no!" (from the computer chair, too lazy) tail was down and he slinked away. It was just last week that me yelling "no!" resulted in a tail wag and a happy leap towards me, thinking i was playing... We've come far, my young padawan.

I can't believe how horrible dog wee on the bed is though... There is *never* a good time for it. You're either sleeping, or just ready to go to sleep... It's the last thing you want to think about or do. ... like when you forget that you've stripped the bed, finally take yourself off couch or computer, drag your way to the bedroom only to find a naked bed.. NOooooo!

Edited April 28, 2009 by Bindii

[APBT]

APBT - as at 31st March, you wrote a post saying your pup was then 18 weeks old.

Have you got a different pup now?

same dog?? your confussing me now. mabey shes older then i think, i dont really keep track