Dog Community

aggressive rat terier

Posted : 10/26/2006 7:58:49 PM

I have a male rat terrier that is comming up on his first birthday in november we think he is a rescue and his age was a guess. He has attended puppy classes and has been aggressive with other dogs from the beginning. He is food aggressive but not toy aggressive. He is a very strange dog we have two other dogs in our house who are also male. He gets along with them ok. He only barks when he is playing with one of the other dogs. he never barks at thing the other dogs do in fact they will bark at the door and he will lay on the floor like he doesn't even hear it. he has suddenly be come jeckle and hide. he could be laying down sleeping one minute and the next he is up attacking anything in his path with a glazed over look to his eyes. He has nipped at both my kids and my husband. and night befor last he bit me in the face for no reason . He was in my lap and I was petting him and I looked at him and said hey bud it's time to go to bed and he jumped up and bit my face and drew blood. then he runs and hides. One night I was sitting on the couch and someone made noise from another room and he ran over and bit my foot. There is no warning he just gets this glazed look and goes off. anyone have a dog act like this? I have talked to a trainer who thinks it can be fixed but I am having a problem believing I will ever trust him again.

espencer

Posted : 10/26/2006 8:09:49 PM

The dog can change, but you have to change your behavior too, first of all you need a professional behaviorist to tell you how, is dangerous if you try to do it yourself with out professional help

This link will help you to understand the basics

http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/

crazymom

Posted : 10/26/2006 8:24:12 PM

I am working with a trainer. She is having us feed the dog by hand. keep him on a leash at all times when not in his crate. He is not allowed on any surface other than the floor.he goes out when I say he drinks when I say he eats when I say and he has to be in a down stay befor each peice of kibble is put in his bowl and then he can't eat it til I release him from his down stay. keeping him confined this way just seems to make the aggression worse. he then acts as if he is protecting me and attacks the other dogs when they come near and when I correct him he turns on me. He has also now become very agressive when in his crate if someone walks by he freaks out.

mondayblues

Posted : 10/27/2006 4:02:09 AM

If this behavior was a sudden change, a trip to the vet would be in order. Also, sometimes it gets worse before it gets better.

wisewilddog

Posted : 10/27/2006 8:05:20 AM

From the sound of it, it seams he's shown unreasonable aggression from the begining. This could be the result of several things. The first thing is to rule out any medical issues, and if there are none...find out what it is your doing that's telling him...he's the leader in your house hold.

What would be a typical average in the life of your dog? Does it consist of...leadership, followed by constructive exercise, rules, discipline, and then affection? Are the rules of NILIF used?

A "good" behaviorist should be able to help you. But make sure when looking for one...you ask all the right questions and are comfortable with the answers.

Sherri Johnson

Posted : 10/27/2006 10:42:35 AM

A trainer is great, but a trainer and a behavorist are two different people. I behavorist will be able to analyze and maybe figure out where his aggression is coming from. Like someone else said if it was a sudden change take him into the vet and have him checked out, aggression can be caused by pain and a few other medical issues.

It sounds to me like the trainer is having you and your family re-establish your dominance over him by showing him that he does nothing without your permission. It is a good way to keep Dominant aggressive dogs in place, but make sure you have a dominant aggressive dog before you treat him for it.

Sherri

tiffy

Posted : 10/27/2006 11:08:46 AM

If this is a new behavior, a trip to the vet is in order.

crazymom

Posted : 10/27/2006 4:03:07 PM

This is not new behavior. he has been aggressive from the start but it started with other dogs and has just gotten worse as time goes on. My husband feels threatened by him and now my kids are afraid of him. I am so depressed I love this dog but I just don't know if I can risk him biting one of my kids or their friends. I don't think I could ever forgive myself.

spiritdogs

Posted : 10/27/2006 4:12:04 PM

The one thing that you said that makes me think this dog needs a solid work up with a veterinarian behaviorist is that his eyes glaze and he seems to bite for no reason - that behavior is very common in dogs that have seizure disorders. While terriers are often bossy when they are not trained, it sounds like this guy may have a physical component to his behavior.. Call your nearest veterinary college for a referral, or check out www.animalbehavior.org. They have a listing of certified applied animal behaviorists. Don't give up hope without a medical evaluation.