I'm at the end of my rope... (more of a rant)

He looked at me for a second, then got comfy.  Again, in a more stern voice I said "off"!  This time he got up, and I thought "good job me", but then instead of getting off he turned and lunged at my face and bit me.  Then he ran away.  So I just got up, went to the bathroom to see what damage he did and ignored him for the rest of the morning.

I know it's hard but anytime you speak to him use a normal volume voice.  I sometimes even use lower than normal speaking volume.
 
Actually, you are better having him wear a leash right now as the others suggested just so you can escort him down with the leash when he doesn't listen.  You don't want to repeat any command.  Ask him one time in a firm but not yelling voice and if he doesn't do it, take the leash and help him down.  You don't have to rough about it just give him the nudge he needs to get off.  Another example, if he won't sit after the first request, gently (I use two fingers) push his bottom into a sit.  If he thinks all he has to do is ignore you, he will.  But, you want to gently put him into the position and not get louder and louder, because he will just get used to the louder and louder voices eventually and on top of it think you must be a loon, and a loon can't be "alpha". 

and I said in a calm voice "Ahhh Uhhh"

 

Perfect!!  I use that ahhh, uhhh ALL the time and it does work. 

  I know that this is going to be a really slow process.

Think of it more as a lifestyle.  Willow has been with me three years and we still do it.  Not as strict as we once did, but she still sits for meals and waits for a release, she sits at doors, she knows "gotta get up" so she moves if we tell her. 

You may have to just continue on with this or he may just go back to his old ways as soon as you lighten up.  Willow does!  As soon as we give her an inch, she'll try to take a mile.  So, we go back to reduced privledges in the bedroom, I gate rooms off when she's home alone, etc. 

That's one thing, I never used a crate, but I don't think it would be a bad idea to crate him.  It's a way of showing him he doesn't have free reign, you are in control.  I do that with gates, if she's being really good, she gets the whole house when we aren't home.  If she's not, she might get the kitchen one day, or another room the next. 

Anyway, you'll just know when you can relax it a bit and you'll see the behavior changing back like he might ignore commands or something and you'll know to step it back up.

I really believe this will help him.  It becomes quite natural to do after you get used to it too. 

It sounds like it's already beginning to work and he's starting to understand.  I know it will, Willow was WAY worse and she's doing fine now.

I think that our problem before is that we were doing NILIF, but I was picking what I wanted to do in the program and what I didn't feel I should have to do (like crating). We have kicked it in to full gear. And you know whats weird, I haven't been bitten in the last couple of days! Also, he hasn't really growled much at me. He has been listening when I ask him to get off the bed or couch.

 
Bingo!  And, you didn't even have to get nasty, just insistent.  Most dogs are really anxious if they don't know who the leader is, and most dogs don't really want the job - they just know that someone has to do it.  Better you than they.  And, as Lori said, just make it a lifestyle.  You and the dogs will be much happier, I'm sure. []

Congratulations Caprice!!!   If you are seeing even a little progress already you are making a difference and it is so satisfing.  Isn't it funny how we can totally change their behavior by ignoring bad behaviors and insisting on good ones.  Keep us posted on progress.

Congrats Caprice! Just read thru this thread. I have a dominant little chihuahua, who is a year and 7 months  - and for almost 2 months we have been NILIF-ing (can that be a verb?) and asserting our dominance in the home (20 minute downs, doorways, no couch time, etc)...and he is REALLY turning over a new leaf!
 
The other day, I was coming home from a walk with him and my mind was wandering about something else. We got to the apartment door and I wasn't thinking about NILIF or training or anything...in fact, because I was so absorbed in daydreaming, my first natural reaction was to open the door and let him speed in ahead of me. Well, I opened the door and he stood right BEHIND me waiting for me to go first. That snapped me back to reality and helped me understand that what we are doing is REALLY working!
 
GOOD LUCK!!!

Normally I would say "ahh uhh" and he would take off and I would take off running behind him and wouldn't be able to stop him until he got to the human. (our neighbors laugh at us all of the time).

Just curious.... why isn't he leashed?

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d


Just curious.... why isn't he leashed?

 
He should be.... lately we have had problems with him attacking us while on leash, and not budging while on leash.  So we have been avoiding the confrontation. 
 
Its funny though, if we are going for a walk he will be on leash & do fine.  I think though that we are getting to a point where I might be able to take him into the yard with a leash.
 
I am really lucky to live where I live though, there are rarely cars on my street, its a really quite neighborhood.

He should be.... lately we have had problems with him attacking us while on leash, and not budging while on leash. So we have been avoiding the confrontation.

 
So, looking at it from your dog's point of view, all he has to do is get nasty and he gets the humans to back off, plus a little jaunt without his leash slowing him up...  Hmmmm, what's wrong with this picture?
Get the leash back on, but let him trail it around - you won't have the confrontation about putting it on and off, but he will get used to you being able to step on it to stop his forward progress.  If he gets really nasty, you can always step on the end up by the snap and let him tantrum into the linoleum where he can't do any harm. 
I really think you could benefit from working with a good trainer.  Once you learn how to manage this dog, the rest of your life with dogs should be a breeze. []

ORIGINAL: debv53

I just had him at the Vet a week and a half ago, they checked him all out, got blood tests done, the whole works and they said that it isn't a medical problem, he is really healthy!

Is he nuttered(sp?)? I have a jack rusell/rat terrier mix that was aggresive at that age. We have had him for 7 years now and he is a good dog. but he used to have that problem till just last year. When I finally step up because the rest of my family wouldn't. So I learned about aggresive dogs and I find it easy to keep him under control now. Just had to roll him around 150 times.
It worked good for him. I can now take toys from him if he is protecting him and even pet him when eating and drinking. I don't know if it is good way for you to control your dog. But it worked for him.

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

So, looking at it from your dog's point of view, all he has to do is get nasty and he gets the humans to back off, plus a little jaunt without his leash slowing him up...  Hmmmm, what's wrong with this picture?
Get the leash back on, but let him trail it around - you won't have the confrontation about putting it on and off, but he will get used to you being able to step on it to stop his forward progress.  If he gets really nasty, you can always step on the end up by the snap and let him tantrum into the linoleum where he can't do any harm. 
I really think you could benefit from working with a good trainer.  Once you learn how to manage this dog, the rest of your life with dogs should be a breeze. []

 
We are waiting for a behaviorist to come to our house and start private sessions with us, but he is really busy so he hasn't been able to make time for us yet.
 
This is all confusing..... I thought that I shouldn't force him to do anything, especially on a leash (avoid confrontation???).  If I take him outside to go to the bathroom with the leash on, he won't budge... if I let  him walk around outside with the leash on (without me holding it) its the same as not having the leash on.  I don't want to hurt him by stepping on it while he is in a full run. 
 
But if that is what I should do, I will, I just am so confused about what I should do and shouldn't do.
 
Thanks though![]

1 1/2 year old, male Yorkie-poo

This is the age when dogs begin to decide where they belong in the pack.  Apparently, he has decided to apply for Emperor.  Pfft.
If he isn't neutered, neuter him.  If he isn't trained, go to class.  Find a class at [linkhttp://www.apdt.com]www.apdt.com[/link] or [linkhttp://www.clickertraining.com]www.clickertraining.com[/link].  With a dog that bites, clicker training is excellent, because you can keep your body parts out of his way as you train.  To see what a clicker trained dog looks like, check out the videos at [linkhttp://www.clickertrainusa.com]www.clickertrainusa.com[/link].   Google NILIF and start practicing it.  He really sounds like he has been allowed to just do whatever he wants because you are afraid of him nipping you.  As one of my colleagues often says, "What you allow, you teach". Get Kevlar gloves if you have to, but this little pipsqueak should not be thinking he can just bite you to stay on "his" couch.