Dog aggression help

Sakara · #1 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 06:07 PM

Alright, so I have Koda, my shep mix with who knows what... Lately he has been having a change of attitude... He is fixed and UTD on everything... But like... He will eat the cat crap, tear stuff up and when we put him in his crate he will break out... We've tied it, he ate through a leash to break out, I got a chain leash and he STILL breaks out and chews stuff up and eats cat crap... Well... Every time he does it, I show him what he did and give him a couple smacks with a paper or belt, not TOO hard, on the butt... Well... recently, he's been lashing back at us... He will try to or WILL bite us when we smack him... Now, I was told to try biting him back... It may sound odd, but it's a "dominance issue" sometimes... I've tried biting him across the nose, again, not too hard, but nothing seems to work... crate doesn't work, smacking his butt doesn't work, nothing... He's good on all basic obedience but just has started this aggression crap...

Any advice on what to do with him? I can't have him biting anyone and if he does this crap again I don't know what to do... I don't want to put him down, other then this he's a good dog... But I don't know how much of a choice I'm gonna have if he doesn't stop... I was ready to put him in a freakin choke hold when he bit me...

RayRay · #2 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 06:17 PM

You need to find that dog a good professional trainer or behaviorist ASAP.

As for eating cat crap, tearing up leashes, escaping, and chewing... WELCOME to dog ownership.

jbd123 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 06:19 PM

DO NOT put him down!! You can work with him.

I think you should get in touch with a professional dog trainer. Someone who can show you what to do when this behavior pops up.

Personally, when my dogs start "acting up" (not necessarily aggressive, but doing what they shouldn't be doing) I flip them on their back and put my hand in a "claw" and grip their neck, like I'm biting them. I sternly say "no" in a loud voice and usually the first time they pee themselves, but that means "okay okay...you win! I am your lackie!"

I've had to do it a few times to my pups but now they know better than to act badly.

However, my dogs are Pem. Corgis...it would be more difficult to do this with a larger breed. However, I have done it with a Pit before...it took a little longer (their pretty stubborn) but eventually he got the idea.

But like I said...call a professional: they will be able to work with your dog specifically: no two dog's problems can be solved the same way.

kellymack515 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 06:32 PM

I had similar issues with my pit before. I do not strike my dogs for anything short of them doing something that would cause injury to themselves or others. For instance, I will use negative reinforcement if they get into the trash, show aggression towards other dogs or people, run into the street, etc. I never use an object to hit them. If you do, they'll only respect your authority when you're holding that object. One time my pit ran into the street during a play date with the neighborhood dogs. I ran after her, grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and the extra skin by her tail, bodyslammed her onto the grass, and laid on top of her until she stopped trying to escape. Believe me, she never ran into the street again when she was with me. I agree with finding a GOOD trainer near you. As far as the feces eating goes, there are additives you can buy for food that make the feces undesirable to eat. This only works if the pet is eating the feces of animals whose diet you control. Establishing dominance over your dog is not a pretty thing and it's very very tricky. Good luck!

Edit: How often do you walk Koda? Not just a stroll around the neighborhood, but actually wearing him out to the point that he's begging to go home. Some of these behaviors may be controlled by simply tiring him out. How old is he? That plays a role into these things too.

Sakara · #5 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 06:33 PM

I will have to find a trainer... And I have owned dogs before, the difference is that I had always gotten them as puppies so I started training early... He is a very smart dog and learns things very fast... He knows when he's bad, and always hunkers down in a "I'm sorry" position... And I don't smack him hard to tell him he did something bad, but he NEEDS to learn that he can NOT bite...

I have also done the toss him on his back and say NO while acting dominant over him... I'll have to see if there are any good dog behavioral ppl here....

Sakara · #6 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 06:36 PM

And trust me, I don't want to put him down... And I never would unless he seriously could not be helped... I just need to break this before my son moves down at the end of the school year... I will NOT have him act like this toward him... That's the big problem... I can easily toss him down and show him dominance... But my son is only 5

kellymack515 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 06:38 PM

Definitely don't wait until your son comes down to start classes, but be sure to involve your son in those classes once he joins you. He should also know how to react to Koda's behavior.

Sakara · #8 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 06:46 PM

gotcha... I'm looking up local trainers now and writing them... Hopefully I can get him started ASAP...

I really love my pup, he's a good boy otherwise and learns things so fast I'm really upset that he's started doing this... I don't think I've ever owned a dog that I could teach, sit, down, stay and shake to in one day

he's a good boy... Just needs some serious training I guess

RayRay · #9 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sakara

gotcha... I'm looking up local trainers now and writing them... Hopefully I can get him started ASAP...

I really love my pup, he's a good boy otherwise and learns things so fast I'm really upset that he's started doing this... I don't think I've ever owned a dog that I could teach, sit, down, stay and shake to in one day

he's a good boy... Just needs some serious training I guess

Yes he does.

If you would, how long have you had him and was he adopted straight from the pound (you adopted him,right)?

RayRay · #10 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 07:21 PM

Actually, upon re-reading this... the dog needs rules. Strict ones.

Want to eat? He's got to sit for it. Want to go outside? Sit at the door or it doesn't open. Want to sit by me? Too bad, I don't want you to right now so I'm walking away. Want to sit on the couch? Too bad, this is my couch and you're not invited.

These "rules" make your role as leader clear without you ever putting a hand to him. The only thing is that you must be consistent with it, or it will fail you.

Sakara · #11 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 07:37 PM

we have had him for... about 3 months now? We adopted him straight from the shelter... He's about a year - year and a half old... And they said he was a stray, no chip no collar, BUT... He was completely potty trained when we got him here, so I dunno... He may have had a home before...

The only time he gets aggressive is when we punish him... He has no dog aggression, no cat aggression, no food aggression... I can reach right in his bowl and he doesn't even react...

The only other type of aggressive behavior he ever shows is well.... Certain people he won't like... We took him to Ryan's work once and one of his co-workers was terrified of Koda and I think Koda realized that because he pretty much sat there really tight to my side and stared at this guy and growled....

Also, he doesn't like coats... That might sound weird, but as soon as you "change your appearance" with a coat, or in Ryan's case, motorcycle jacket and helmet, he FREAKS OUT... It's almost like he goes into house defense mode... He growls and tries to attack the jacket... Much like you would see a K9 unit dog do.... But as soon as you take it off he comes up to you licking and wagging his tail...

Sakara · #12 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayRayShaniqua

Actually, upon re-reading this... the dog needs rules. Strict ones.
Want to eat? He's got to sit for it. Want to go outside? Sit at the door or it doesn't open. Want to sit by me? Too bad, I don't want you to right now so I'm walking away. Want to sit on the couch? Too bad, this is my couch and you're not invited.
These "rules" make your role as leader clear without you ever putting a hand to him. The only thing is that you must be consistent with it, or it will fail you.

I actually do make him do those things... We make him sit before we put food in his bowl and he will sit there until we tell him "OK". and I ask him if he needs to "go potty" and he will run to the door if he does... I make him sit and he does, then I let him out... Same with coming in... He HAS to sit as soon as he comes in... We started doing the sitting when coming in thing mainly because it's been muddy and he drags mud EVERYWHERE... But it works nicely...

We don't usually let him on the sofa at all... every once in a while we will invite him up to sit there, but rarely...

LooseAFur · #13 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayRayShaniqua

As for eating cat crap, tearing up leashes, escaping, and chewing... WELCOME to dog ownership.

Sorry but that's absolutely false...that is not how dog ownership is and if your dog does that then YOU are doing something wrong. Sorry but thats the truth.

Here are my thoughts Sakara:
1. First off, how often do you walk your dog? My guess judging from the behavior is not very often. Your dog should be walked for atleast 30 minutes 2 times a day and 60 minutes or more for an active or working breed. A dog that is tired and relaxed will be more willing to listen and learn from you.

2. What are your dogs boundaries? Have you set limitations in your home and in your day to day life as to where it can and cant go, or what the dog can and can not do(eat poop, chew leashes, jump up on people, licking etc.)

3. It sounds to me like you are not taking the lead, you are only reacting to negative situations instead of stopping them before they happen. One thing to remember, Its easier to correct a behavior before it escalates than to punish an unwanted behavior.

One thing I do in my home is establish order. I am the alpha male and any other human that comes in my home can be an alpha male by being in control of themselves and by having good energy about themself. Order in a dogs life will make their life less stressful because they wont constantly be fighting the urge to challenge for alpha male supremecy.

PM me if you have any questions on how to establish boundaries and leadership. Hope this helps.

RayRay · #14 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sakara

I actually do make him do those things... We make him sit before we put food in his bowl and he will sit there until we tell him "OK". and I ask him if he needs to "go potty" and he will run to the door if he does... I make him sit and he does, then I let him out... Same with coming in... He HAS to sit as soon as he comes in... We started doing the sitting when coming in thing mainly because it's been muddy and he drags mud EVERYWHERE... But it works nicely...
We don't usually let him on the sofa at all... every once in a while we will invite him up to sit there, but rarely...

Does everyone in the household do this, consistently? One little "cheat" of the rules could be detrimental for a dog like that. Actually, try letting him out on your schedule. If he needs to go, he'll learn to hold it and do it when you want him to.

RayRay · #15 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC_INK

Sorry but that's absolutely false...that is not how dog ownership is and if your dog does that then YOU are doing something wrong. Sorry but thats the truth.

Even the best dogs will snack on some "kitty snickers" when they're available and their owner is not around.

He sounds like a young dog, hence the chewing/escaping/testing behavior.

mpgt · #16 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 07:52 PM

I don't think he should ever be allowed on the couch or bed. He needs to know his place all the time, as Ray Ray said above. You should walk him a lot, and he needs to be submissive through the whole walk. There's no excuse for aggressive display towards you or your friends...ever, except that he wants to be pack leader.

RayRay · #17 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

3. It sounds to me like you are not taking the lead, you are only reacting to negative situations instead of stopping them before they happen. One thing to remember, Its easier to correct a behavior before it escalates than to punish an unwanted behavior.

This.

mpgt · #18 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 07:58 PM

Taking him back to the scene of the crime afterwards and trying to punish him won't work either. If you don't catch him in the act, you have to settle for trying to prevent it in the future.

LooseAFur · #19 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayRayShaniqua

Even the best dogs will snack on some "kitty snickers" when they're available and their owner is not around

That can be resolved by claiming the litter box. Repetition is key.

Sakara · #20 (**permalink**) 01-19-2010, 08:06 PM

thanks guys... i really appreciate the help...

I do need to take him on more walks... The only thing that hinders me from going on longer walks right now is my injury to my hip/ankle... I can only go so far before it acts up... Something I need to work on as well, but Koda and I will have to work on that together...

Also, he isn't allowed to sleep on the bed either, lol... Ryan won't have that at all, haha... He has a cushy blanket beside our bed and at night, if he stays out of his crate, I say "let's go to bed" and he'll plop down on his blanket...

The cat box is in the closet in our bathroom... We do NOT allow Koda in the bathroom AT ALL... He doens't even get baths in that bathroom, he gets them in the 2nd bathroom... He will not come in the bathroom, even if called to, while we are home... Apparently he thinks it's ok if we aren't here...

He is not allowed to jump on people and he knows that... He will rub and act lovey and happy when we come home and when people pet him, and he will give kisses on command, but he doesn't go lick crazy...

Koda only gets to go potty or outside when we ask him... If we ask him to go out, he gets excited and wants to go outside... He will do the sit and wait before we let him out and comes back in when called...

He is decent on the leash... He will pull at the beginning and then I sit him back down and make him wait... Once we start walking he gets the idea and stays loosely at my side...

He will do commands for treats or for praise and 99% of the time will do them all first ask... So he does respond and is smart...

I will have to continue with the dominance training and I hope that works... I also will be getting him in basic/advanced obedience training and hopefully that will help some...

I really wish there was a dog park around here because I would take him all the time

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