[Aurora_Bell]

Emily I can't stress it enough, try and see a behaviourist! I know I am being repetitive, but they will help you in so many ways. You can’t take the risk with an aggressive dog, and if you think he may bite someone, then yes he is aggressive. I just had to put one of my dogs down because he bit 2 people. He was VERY aggressive. I tried everything I could, but the fact was, I have a small child in my home, I just couldn’t take the risk of him biting her, or another small child, or anyone for that matter! Check out your local vet and see if there is anyone they can recommend for behaviour issues.

On a lighter note, have any pics?? :D

[Emily94]

How much does a behavioursit cost? I will have to pay for it all myself, my moms little rule when I got my dog was she wasn't paying a dime (She sticks to it!).
As for pictures yes!

[Emily94]

Hmm I don't think the pictures are working :(

[Aurora_Bell]

They can cost anywhere's from $200-$500! But if you start with those relaxation protocols, I can almost grantee that you will see results. Check with Bark Busters, they have an extremely high success rate, they ARE expensive, but you will have a membership for the rest of your life, so if anything else pops up, they will come to your home and help you correct it. My behaviourist has me on a payment plant. I basically pay $130 every 8 weeks. We are also working on level 2 obedience as well as the separation anxiety corrections. So in comparison, if you were to pay $400 with Bark Busters and have them work with your dog we will say for (based on my program of 5 levels of 8 week obedience classes and the protocols) 40 weeks, at $130/week, I’m spending $1,040! You’re definitely getting a better deal! The only reason I chose the route I am going is because I had a bad experience with the woman in my area for Bark Busters, and my friend is the trainer I am using now.

[Emily94]

Oh wow.
Dogs are costly.
Guess I better start saving, maybe sell my arm or something :)

[Aurora_Bell]

Or your first born! JUST KIDDING! ;)

I know they are expensive. Start with the relaxation protocols, it's basically what the first two weeks of behaviour Mod are all about. If I can find my other work sheets, I'll copy them and send them to you. (if you want them)

[Emily94]

Please do!
It isn't very bad yet, so maybe with a lot of answers from you guys I can stop it before I sell my arm(I kind of like my arm).

[Emily94]

Kay so, pretty sure I found why my dog has become aggressive more lately. Maybe I should make this a new question, maybe not. Anyway, the way my house is set up my sister and I have half, and my mom has half (obviously everyone goes everywhere, but our stuff stays on our side, including our 2 dogs) my moms boyfriend rarely ever comes to our side of the house, but he decided he wanted to yesterday. My dog decided he was going to run away crying and lay under my bed for 2 hours whimpering. He wouldn't even come out for a carrot(VERY rare thing, he loves them), when ever my moms boyfriend comes home my dog barks, growls, and then when my moms boyfriend comes in, he runs into my room crying. My moms boyfriends is taunting my dog now, he knows he makes him upset, so he purposely runs at my dog when my dog is doing nothing wrong(Usually I do this if he is eating something he shouldn't, it gets his attention more than anything Ive tried). I just realized all of this happening, I am not usually home when my moms boyfriend is. But lately I've been staying home more and more, and I talked to my mom thinking her boyfriend might be hitting my dog, and she said she asked(If he wasn't why would both my mom and I think this?) him already and he said no. Well despite what he said, I believe he is 100% hitting my dog! He has lied before, and I don't feel bad labeling him a liar, and not believing anything he says! Now my question is.. what can I do!
PS- I doubt it is because he is a guy, or the way he looks, or the way he smells, because when he first moved in Duke was fine around him.

[Aurora_Bell]

Oh no! This is awful! Actions like that will definitely create fear in your dog, leading him to be aggressive. When dogs attack it's usually out if fear.

The worst part is until you catch him doing it, there is nothing you can do. But as soon as you do catch him you can call the police, or the SPCA or even animal control.

Is there anyway you can keep your side of the house locked to him? Or even a room while you are away. Have you told him to stop charging at you dog? Your mom should request that he change his immature behaviour as well! I'd hate to see your dog turn around and bite him. Animal abusers are right up there with child abusers to me. If he hits a defenceless animal, who else will he hit?

[Emily94]

Since this I have locked my dog in my room when I am away, but if I am away for long periods (like school) my dog will pee in his kennel, so I have to leave him out so my mom can let him out. I've brought it up more than once, and it ALWAYS ends in a fight between him and my mom. He's rude, and nothing anyone can say will change his mind. If I call someone about it, will my dog be taken away from me?(I am underage)..

[Aurora_Bell]

Geeze, I don't know if your dog would be taken away. But they might fine or repremend your moms boyfriend if you report him. I really don't know the answer to that one :(

If I were in your shoes, and this is stricktly my opinion only, I would rather clean up pee in a kennel, than have a scared, aggressive dog.

Maybe you could take him for a short walk in the morning before school? So he empty's his bladder. COuldn't your mom put him back in the kennel after she lets him out for a pee? Does she have a key to your room?

[Emily94]

My mom doesn't have the key, she did, but her boyfriend used to take it and snoop in my room (Yeah real catch she has here). Its not only the pee in the kennel, but all over him, and depeding when he peed, it could be on him for 8 hours, I'm assuming that would be bad. If I was to call whomever regarding this (SPCA, Police, etc) could I simply ask what would happen? Or would they take that as a complaint?
If they will take him away, Duke and I can take a nice vacay to grandmas... until my moms boyfriend leaves.

Also in the morning I let him out when I wake up 5:45, and let him in around 7-7:30, so he gets time to pee before I leave. I also don't give him water first thing in morning, my mom usually gives him some after I leave.

[Aurora_Bell]

I would call. First call the SPCA or animal control ask them what they think, if you can't get anything, call the police, ask them what their course of action is for animal abuse.

Now with out seeing him actually hitting your dog, you are going to have to give a very convincing case about him scaring your dog. Explain what is happening and ask them what they would or could do. You don't have to say it's your family, you can say it's "for a friend".

I hope your mom sees him for wehat he sounds like he is, an immature jerk! Is your sister in school too?

[Emily94]

Yeah, my sister is in school from 11:30-3:30.

I'm going to be honest, I don't want to call anyone in case Duke gets taken away, I can't sleep if he is not with me.

For now, until I catch him hitting Duke, I'm going to lock Duke in my room. I'm just wondering, is there anything I can put in his kennal to absorb the pee? He has a carpet, blanket, and his puppy bed in there, but he still some how gets pee all over him..

[Aurora_Bell]

Maaybe try pee pads, or that pee grass stuff, but it may lead to house breaking issues.

[Cat1864]

Yeah, my sister is in school from 11:30-3:30.

I'm going to be honest, i don't want to call anyone in case Duke gets taken away, I can't sleep if he is not with me.

For now, until i catch him hitting Duke, im going to lock Duke in my room. I'm just wondering, is there anything i can put in his kennal to absorb the pee? He has a carpet, blanket, and his puppy bed in there, but he still some how gets pee all over him..

Would he use a puppy training pad?

Can you pen off part of your room for him during the day? Maybe leave his crate open with an area in front of it with pads or newspaper?

[Lucky098]

Is this a large or small dog?

[Emily94]

He is small, 8kg. I don't really trust him lose, he doesn't seem to know what's a toy for him, and what is mine.

[Lucky098]

Since it's a smaller dog, you could always get a small playpen if your room is big enough where you can keep him. You can give him toys and things to pre-occupy his time while you're gone. Keep the radio on or if you have a TV, turn it on. The sound of either device is very soothing and typically that means people are home. You could also get either a doggie litterbox and put the potty training pads in that (get a large pan) or you could try the Potty Pod (grass based training bad). I have heard a lot of wonderful things with the grass pad. A lot of apartment dwellers use it for their smaller dogs. https://www.pottypatch.tv/?gclid=CPD...FSk1gwodox2k0Q Try and get a large playpen. The bigger the better. Teach your dog to stay clean and potty in one area. Its up to you if you wish to give your dog free choice of water all day. I personally, wouldn't. Dogs who drink all day, pee all day.

Good luck

[shazamataz]

From the sounds of it a playpen might not be the best idea.
You dog is a good jumper right?

My 4 month old pup climbs out of his puppy pen so we have to always supervise him :rolleyes:

I quite like those grass patches, haven't used them but heard very good things.