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aggression/biting

20 9:29:26

Question
QUESTION: Or JRT, "Snowy" ia about 8 moths old now, we got him about two months ago, having rescued him from a pound.  He has always been a bit "nippy", but it seemed relatively innocent until about one - two weeks ago.  He has become extremely aggressive, biting and snapping at us for no apparent reason.  He has also started growling and baring his teeth, and running around crazily, snorting and panting.  He gets as  much exercise as we can manage - always at least one hour walk per day, and on weekends sometimes 2 or 3 walks totalling up to 2 hours+.  He has a nice kennel, lots of toys, a sandpit to dig in, and we all try to play with him also - especially fetch.  He was sterilized when we got him, and his diet hasn't changed, nor have our work or school hours. My husband works full time, my son is at high school, and I work mornings but am usually home by 1pm and let him in for a play, a walk and a snack.  We took him to the vet for his vaccinations last week, and the vet says medically he is in top class condition.  We have never permitted or encouraged the biting.  Our previous technique was to say "NO BITING", and then praise if he stoppped.  If he continued he was smacked on the nose, and still praised if he stopped.  If that didn't work, we would hold him down on his side , Cesar Milan style, until he calmed down, or put him outside.  We have no other pets.  We love this little dog, and just want to enjoy him, but going barefoot is taking your life in your hands around here!  HELP!

ANSWER: Hi Lesley,
That was good and kind of you to rescue Snowy. I'm glad you watch Cesar because I totally agree with his style of training. It sounds like Snowy is trying desperately to become the BOSS of your house - the dominant one - and you absolutely can NOT let him! Use the Cesar style technique of stopping the aggressive behavior by giving him a firm but meaningful "bite" on the neck with your hand (like a squeeze) which simulates his own mother doing it when he was a little puppy. After the initial correction, point at him and use the "PSSSST"! sound/command to get his attention and let him know that YOU are in charge. This is a non-verbal interaction between the dog and the pack leader. You are the pack leader!  Do NOT praise him anytime after a correction. If you praise him immediately after you correct him, you are sending a confusing message. Praise him and say "good dog" anytime at all that he is being good, EXCEPT directly after a correction. You have to let that correction settle in him. You can give him praise when he's being good about 20 minutes later, but no sooner or he will be confused! Correction and praise are great but they do not come immediately one after the other.
He sounds like you are giving him a WONDERFUL and active life, so just keep up the dominance training. Smacking won't help at all and just make him more aggressive, stay "calm/assertive" - be the king, the boss, he can "feel" if you are nervous.
The very SECOND he shows ANY signs of aggression, you immediately correct him, sharp and quick and mean it.
The squeeze, the sound psst and point at him letting him know you mean business! Repeat repeat repeat every time he does it. It will sink in, just make sure you are consistent and stay strong!  Keep up the great work!!! I'd love to hear how he does!
Take care,
Carol


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Carol,
Thanks for your quick response.  If we correct him as you've suggested and he just keeps doing it (which he does as he is VERY stubborn!), do we just repeat the same technique, or escalate to holding him down or putting him outside for a short period?
PS - You helped us before when we first got him (with toilet training), and that worked a treat.

Answer
Hi Lesley,
Yes, repeat, repeat, repeat and most importantly don't show any other emotion while you are correcting him except absolute calm, in control, assertive, boss!! Use a firm authoritive tone - no pleading or yelling.... just use a complete in-control tone. They are so very stubborn but if you don't give in, he will eventually figure out it's not worth it to keep trying to dominate you.  I would try to hold off on the put down unless the other technique doesn't work.... but I really think it will if you are consistent and just don't give him an inch. You will be the better judge as to whether he needs more correction and then bring him in the down position.  Going outside might be viewed by him as praise, so just the down should be enough.   Remember mother dogs don't talk to their young, so action always works better than words. BEST OF LUCK! Thanks for the nice words! Write anytime.
Carol