Dog Community

help - he is 7 months old and aggressive?

Posted : 6/5/2006 9:24:36 AM

My pomeranian is a shy dog and does not socialize with dogs at all. So, this weekend I thought it would be a good idea to take him to my friends house where he has a small dog that is faily calm and old. The second my pup came out of the car, he started barking and growling like crazy at that dog. I have noticed this behavior with every dog - he barks at them, and if another dog approaches him and he has nowhere to go, he starts crying and running to hide.
Also, he seems to growl at people he doesnt know when they try to pet him. It really seems like he is going to bite them if they try petting him or come too close to him.
I am just soo confused with his behavior, because he didnt use to be like this when he was little. I also took him to obidience classes already, and that didnt help.
What do I do about his aggressiveness towards other people and dogs? He only does that towards strangers, and is such an angel at home.
P.S. He is pomeranian and 7 months old.
Thank you!

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Posted : 6/5/2006 2:30:39 PM

It seem sas if your pup hasnt had the proper training and socialiaztion. Funny that if this was a pit bull people would be trying to ban it from existence so count your blessings.
Take your dog to a trainer and puppy classes, now!

mandm1

Posted : 6/5/2006 2:46:17 PM

he completed puppy obidience classes, but it didnt do much for him. He was shy there and wouldnt come out from under chair. After classes were over, it seems that he barks at other dogs.
Do you think private training would be good for him? Or how would i socialize him if he doesnt go up to any strangers/dogs? thank you

Sandra TH

Posted : 6/5/2006 3:30:08 PM

Your dog may not be aggressive but reactive. I have a reactive dog and slowly (and I mean VERY slowly) desensitizing her to other dogs is helping a lot. Private lessons or a visit from a behaviorist would probably be a good idea. Classes are not for everyone- I would NEVER consider taking Zoey to a class- at least until she gets her issues under control. Obedience work is great (Zoey is learning a focused sit and heel) but doesn't have to be in a group setting.

mandm1

Posted : 6/6/2006 9:15:16 AM

i also noticed that when he is sleeping and i go to touch his back, he will wake up growling until he sees that it;s me touching him. He doesnt do that if I touch his face, bc he sees me.
Why do you think he does that?

Diane Gilby

Posted : 6/7/2006 1:56:32 PM

Hello - please ask you vet for a trainer recommendation and take the pup there asap. I am a private trainer and often deal with difficult dogs. Sometimes these issues can be controlled - sometimes not. Fear based aggression is challenging, but not impossible to overcome. And, in the meantime take him everywhere you can, even to the gas station - he needs to get out, out, out. Put him in a cart at the pet store and wheel him around - buy a bag of treats. Of course, do not let anyone touch him - just give him good experiences outside the home. There are so many pet stores in my area (WI) that allow dogs that I could take my dog to a different one every day of the month. Be calm, have a happ tone of voice when you are out.
Feel free to contact me personally at [email=diane.gilby@marquette.edu]diane.gilby@marquette.edu[/email] for more tips.

dianeg[8|]

Xerxes

Posted : 6/8/2006 12:35:35 PM

I just noticed that you also posted on another thread that your pup is barking at everything. These are both symptoms, IMO, of the same problem. I suggest you speak to a trainer or even better, a behaviorist in reference to these behaviors.

spiritdogs

Posted : 6/8/2006 4:18:16 PM

One obedience class is usually not enough for a shy puppy. They take a while to "come out from under the chair". But, now that he is older and still shy, you need to do some remedial training. Grab a copy of Patricia McConnell's booklet, "Cautious Canine" - it may help. Also, Ali Brown's "Scaredy Dog" is a great book to help you deal with this. You cannot cloister this dog away, but there are skills you need to learn first, before taking him out in public, as you don't want the experiences he has to be counterproductive. You may never be able to have a confident dog, but you can probably make his situation better. He's scared to death, poor little guy. Trust me, and get the books - you will see your dog in those pages, and hopefully, be able to help him.

Xerxes

Posted : 6/12/2006 10:57:45 AM

ORIGINAL: mandm1

i also noticed that when he is sleeping and i go to touch his back, he will wake up growling until he sees that it;s me touching him. He doesnt do that if I touch his face, bc he sees me.
Why do you think he does that?

I don't think this guy got the socialization he needed as a puppy. Was he the only pup in the litter? Was he taken away from the mother at a very early age?

I ask this because we had a peke that did the same thing..."don't touch me" behaviors and he was a pet store pup.