Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    alkalineangel's Avatar
    alkalineangel Posts: 2,391, Reputation: 323
    Ultra Member
     
    #1

    Apr 19, 2007, 10:48 AM
    Dog becoming aggressive?
    Ok well, I started doing some of the alpha dog stuff that Labman suggested after my dog started scroiunging, and it was working for a little while, but now he has completely snapped or something. I have had this dog for a little over 2 years now, and he was always the biggest baby, but now he is down right mean to me. He never once jumped or bit or anything, and I don't know if he is acting out to the new rules, or what but he keeps jumping up on me and grabbing my shirt and tearing it, or pulls on my shoes or the bottom of my pants. He actually bit me yesterday on the arm trying to get at my sleeve. He is growling and pulling and I can tell he isn't meaning to hurt, but he is, I'm actually bruised and cut on my arm right now. He is definitely stronger than me, and he acts like maybe he is play fighting, because his tail is still wagging, but I think it may be some sort of dominancy issue. I can't go out in the backyard without being attacked. I tell him No firmly and look him in the eye and push him back, but he just starts barking and coming at me again... what can I do? Is this just him reacting to my new dominance? Or has his mind totally snapped? We are talking about a 90 lb dog here...
    labman's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Apr 19, 2007, 12:05 PM
    It is not too surprising he is resisting your efforts. One thing you can do is make him work for everything he gets. He want his dinner? He sits as you say. If he jumps up before it is all the way down, it goes back up. Same thing on opening the door for him. He sits.

    You may have to resort to the squirt bottle. Add a little vinegar or lemon juice to the water and give him a squirt in the face when he grabs you. It is not my favorite technique, but perhaps the best option for this situation.
    alkalineangel's Avatar
    alkalineangel Posts: 2,391, Reputation: 323
    Ultra Member
     
    #3

    Apr 19, 2007, 12:12 PM
    Oh this will be fun... (sarcasm)... he hates water...
    RubyPitbull's Avatar
    RubyPitbull Posts: 3,575, Reputation: 648
    Ultra Member
     
    #4

    Apr 20, 2007, 07:49 PM
    I have been offline for a bit and just saw this post. Alka, labman is right and so are you. It is definitely a dominance issue. Just to give you a little more insight into what is going on -- He definitely was viewing himself as the alpha, before you started this retraining. I am not surprised by what he is doing. He is viewing you as suddenly challenging his position in the pack. He, in a sense, is trying to keep his alpha position with you. He is correcting you and trying to put you in your place. You are going to have to be vigilant and keep up the good work you have been doing. I know it is frustrating, it will take a while, and it can really hurt, but view this as a success, because you are getting through to him! :)

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search


Check out some similar questions!

Is pitbull aggressive or.. [ 37 Answers ]

I read many opinons and I think the owner is guilty for aggression of pitbull dog Is pitbull aggressive breed or people make it aggressive? What You think?

My dog is aggressive [ 3 Answers ]

My dog is aggressive towards children, how do I stop him?:confused:

Very Aggressive Dog [ 2 Answers ]

Hello: :confused: On June 2, 2006, I and my wife purchased (Gizmo/He) a German Sheppard from a Dog obedience Training Facility. The dog was trained for protection for another family and after they had the dog for about 2 or 3 months the dog had bitten one of their kid's friends. They return the...

Aggressive daschund [ 4 Answers ]

I recently adopted a 2 year old mini daschund. He is so lovable to me and my family. The problem is he gets very aggressive with strangers. He has even bitten a few of our friends. Does anyone have any ideas how to break him of this behavior.


View more questions Search