Aggression only towards me..

    • Gold Top Dog

    Aggression only towards me..

    I have been having problems with my 9 month old siberian husky for 6 months now. I have tried so many different things I don't know what to do anymore. It seems like everything I have tried has only made her worse. She is constantly attacking my arms and my legs. She only does this to me, not my husband or anyone else. If I take her anywhere everyone says she acts like an angel. She grabs onto my arm almost like an attack dog would, she tugs at my pant legs, she pinches me with her front teeth and she is constantly scratching me with her nails. Summer is coming up and I can't even wear shorts because of her biting me. People have told me that she is just trying to play but how to I fix this?
    • Gold Top Dog
    It sounds to me like your dog is playing. What have you been doing when your dog does this so far? You may have been encouraging her to do this without knowing it.

    One of mine, when he was around the same age as yours is, would act like this if I allowed him to. I ignored him completely when he acted like that. I would not put my hands on him at all-- no shoving him off, no muzzle grab... Any touching, any yelling, any response and he'd feel like I was playing back and he'd get way more excited. I crossed my arms and would not look at him. I left the room and ignored him. He figured out quickly that chomping is not appropriate. He also sometimes still punches me with his paw. If he does this, I leave. I don't tolerate it. If he wants me to spend time with him, he knows he must act civilized! LOL! Punching and mouthing = no human, no fun, lonely dog.

    You could also try shoving a toy in her mouth whenever she tries to chomp. If she drops the toy, ignore her. Only play with her when she is holding the toy. Your dog must learn that it is not acceptable to mouth people. You can use your attention to her as a reward.

    I used the toy approach on my oldest dog, and now she always makes sure she has a toy in her mouth when she wants to play with humans. She makes sure to never let her teeth touch a human. It's really cute. She'll run and grab a toy, and then shove her head in your lap and under your arm while making play growly noises!
    • Gold Top Dog
    how many people are in your household?
     
    It is not play,  its dominance. Any time a dog tugs at your clothing it is a sign of disrespect. Your dog does not see you as the leader of your pack (what you call a family). I don't know what situations she bites you, but I would assume that she is biting you as "corrections" for behavior that she finds unacceptable for someone lower on the rank order to be doing.  You may think that you are higher in rank than her, but does she know this?
     
    What are some situations that she bites/scratches you?
    • Gold Top Dog
    JMHO, looking at this as "dominance" makes this normal puppy problem needlessly frustrating. You two are miscommunicating... she's probably not plotting a coup.

    Any dog that is not trained not to will act exactly like your dog. Dogs play like this with eachother. Most-to-all puppy owners experience this issue. It's normal dog behavior.

    Your dog is biting and scratching you because you are rewarding the behavior--perhaps by yelling, saying no, getting upset, running around or otherwise giving the dog attention--in some way that feels like it would be effective to you, but the dog isn't getting it because the dog is a dog and not a person.

    Dogs hate to be ignored more than they hate anything else, especially when they are trying to initiate play. And because ignoring is not verbal, it's a great way to communicate clearly with your dog.

    Ignore your dog when she does this. Don't say no, don't correct her, just stop playing and walk away. Go to the bathroom and shut the door if you have to. If you don't cave, your dog will quickly learn that this is not a good way to get you to play with her, and this behavior will stop.

    And teach your dog how *to* play with you. Play hide-and-seek, tug, take a training class, learn how to play fetch. Dogs love play, and so do humans--it's part of what makes them so fun to own.

    Good luck!
    • Gold Top Dog
    ORIGINAL: fisher6000

    JMHO, looking at this as "dominance" makes this normal puppy problem needlessly frustrating. You two are miscommunicating... she's probably not plotting a coup.

    Any dog that is not trained not to will act exactly like your dog. Dogs play like this with eachother. Most-to-all puppy owners experience this issue. It's normal dog behavior.

    Your dog is biting and scratching you because you are rewarding the behavior--perhaps by yelling, saying no, getting upset, running around or otherwise giving the dog attention--in some way that feels like it would be effective to you, but the dog isn't getting it because the dog is a dog and not a person.

    Dogs hate to be ignored more than they hate anything else, especially when they are trying to initiate play. And because ignoring is not verbal, it's a great way to communicate clearly with your dog.

    Ignore your dog when she does this. Don't say no, don't correct her, just stop playing and walk away. Go to the bathroom and shut the door if you have to. If you don't cave, your dog will quickly learn that this is not a good way to get you to play with her, and this behavior will stop.

    And teach your dog how *to* play with you. Play hide-and-seek, tug, take a training class, learn how to play fetch. Dogs love play, and so do humans--it's part of what makes them so fun to own.

    Good luck!



    I tend to agree.  But, a nine month old dog that has been practicing inappropriate behavior for six months needs a change of lifestyle!  I think YOU should take her to a training class (please make it one that utilizes positive reinforcement), and you should be feeding her (kibble by kibble, by hand) for several weeks (she should get nothing from anyone else during this time).  Leaders control resources, so you will quickly become more valuable to her as a leader.  Practice NILIF.  If she wants to go out, she must "sit" first.  If she wants her dinner, "sit/stay" till the bowl is on the floor.  If not, bowl and dinner go away for fifteen minutes.  Try again.  If not, dinner disappears till next feeding time.  For more on NILIF:
    http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/articles/dogs/002-01.htm

    • Gold Top Dog
    Pretty much all puppies do this regardless of their "status".  Untrained, they continue to do it into adulthood.
     
    Perhaps she is getting the idea she is controlling playtime and that is giving her big ideas, you can fix this by ignoring as others have said.  You really do have to be consistent though, and be aware that with that technique it WILL get worse before it gets better.
     
    I think you should also take into account teething which may be exacerbating the problem.  Freeze/chill several of her chews, toys and bones before giving them to her.  This will make them more appealing than your arms and legs because they will ease the discomfort in her gums.  You could also offer her ice cubes, soaked and frozen rope toys and cubes of frozen youghurt or raw, pulped, veg.
     
    Come back and keep us updated [:)]
    • Gold Top Dog
    At 3 months of age I would have said the dog just wants to play, at 6 months old I also would have said the same, but now we are talking 9 months old and the dog does it only to her. IMO, the OP is not viewed as a leader, and the dog DOES need a change, training and establishing leadership is very important with this breed.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Huskies are mouthy and they do play hard. Just the same, this needs to be trained out away, even in play. Even though it hurts, yelp like a pup, then turn away. When the pup obeys, reward that. Learn to read the move that initiates the bite and re-direct from that action to an incompatible behavior such as sit or down and reward that. And certainly contact a trainer or training course.
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    You two are miscommunicating... she's probably not plotting a coup

     
    [;)]
     
     
    As Ron said:
    "Huskies are mouthy and they do play hard. Just the same, this needs to be trained out away, even in play. Even though it hurts, yelp like a pup, then turn away. When the pup obeys, reward that. Learn to read the move that initiates the bite and re-direct from that action to an incompatible behavior such as sit or down and reward that. And certainly contact a trainer or training course. "

     
    This is ever so true.  When I have had a single husky, that mouthing energy was directed at my husband.  When huskies are wanting to play, they are direct.  They are incredibly vocal and have a sense of humor unlike other dogs. 
     
    My older guy when he was a pup used to get wild and I would pick him up cause I wouldn't ever yell at him.  He would calm right away.  As he became bigger he stopped.  I would not allow him to bite me.  My husband on the other hand, used to play by allowing husky to bite his socks.  That dog would take that green light to beyond fun for husband.  Husband got all angered and get up to chase and then everyone starts to laugh cause the dog is just loving the match here.  So, it all feeds into that behavior, and you need to stop it/without feeding into it.   
     
    You say your dog "pinches you".  That is something this dog did as well.  And he knew just where the sensitive places were to get you! 
     
    Huskies love to play, but you have to work with him to teach him the way to do this with humans.  Challenging a husky doesn't work.  He loves the challenge.  If you growl as in play at him, he will see this as another opportunity, and you won't enjoy the results.
     
    The two I have now, Siberians, are constantly mouthing each other.  They are tender about it .  But as puppies it would get out of hand and I would distract them to other behaviors.  The female in particular could be brutal.  Occasional bloody cheeks...Teething, adolescence all plays into it.  And they are learning by playing (as children do).  We do not allow biting of clothing or skin. 
     
    My dogs are now just over a year, and they gently may hold my hand, but are very careful to not bite.  They love to wrestle together.  That is one of the beautiful things of having not just one husky.  They are incredibly entertaining.
     
    Keep talking about your husky and her growth and development with others that have huskies.   They are different in training and definitely do positive not punitive training.  Don't want to ruin your girl.  Do you know anyone near you with Siberians?  It is helpful to see others with them and learn better communication with your girl. 
     
    Huskies are seriously some of the sweetest dogs.  I love them!
    • Gold Top Dog
    I just typed this big long reply and I went to post it and it said session timed out, so here it goes if I remember it all:
     
    Just me and husband in house, he's gone alot of the time.
     
    Since we brought her home at 9 weeks we would "yelp" when she mouthed and said no bite, hasn't done anything, we also would try to put a toy in her mouth and she would usually drop it.
     
    We play fetch or play ball (no tug of war, heard it can cause more aggression) we block a doorway with a clothes basket and throw a ball and she jumps the basket to get the ball then jumps it again to bring it back (it tires her out on rainy days when we can't walk) I'll sit at the top of the steps and throw a toy downstairs and she will get it and bring it back up.
     
    She sits before going out, eating, getting a treat, getting in the car, playing fetch. She sleeps on the floor in the bedroom, not in the bed and she is not allowed on the furniture.
     
    She stopped teething several months ago.
     
    She gets ice cubes several times a week, she has a frozen bone but when I give it to her she doesn't chew on it.
     
    It's hard to just ignore her when she is clamping down on my arms or legs. What I am doing now is when she tugs at my pants I can just ignore that (no yelling, no touching, talking, nothing) I usually end up just dragging her where I need to go. When she bites or pinches she gets a timeout in a small travel crate that we don't use but she can get up to 10 timeouts in a day and it doesn't bother her.
     
    I only know 1 person with 2 sibes and they are outside dogs and are not trained.
     
    What else can she learn from obedience school? She already knows how to sit, stay, down, heel, and shake
    • Gold Top Dog
    "It's hard to just ignore her when she is clamping down on my arms or legs. What I am doing now is when she tugs at my pants I can just ignore that (no yelling, no touching, talking, nothing) I usually end up just dragging her where I need to go. When she bites or pinches she gets a timeout in a small travel crate that we don't use but she can get up to 10 timeouts in a day and it doesn't bother her. "
     
    She is having it all sounds like.  With my older husky, I used to engage his brain with conversation.  It got his mind off of the mischief.  Using words and phrases that he knew, things he may want and just going through them...you could see his mind working as he tipped his head and expression through his eyes- pupils getting dilated....'you want to go for a ride?', want to eat?,   are you hungry boy?....I might go through a list of things,  and end up playing or walking or feeding him.  Most every time we could find something more rewarding for both of us. 
     
    I don't know what your home looks like, but you do need to become more creative to get her energies focused away from your person to beyond.    Ever watch the shows where there is a problematic behavior in the animal, and the behaviorist will come and assess the sitch and make reccommendations and perhaps even change the yard?
     
    Special toys, hard rubbery balls with sqeakers, toys with treats in them- plastic ball that as the dog rolls it around, the treats fall out...kongs with treats...  I believe that when you have only one dog, you have to get creative with the play time.  They should love toys and engage them in play only with toys. 
     
    Do you have a fenced in yard?  Or is she on a chain?  I would section off an area and have a fence put up if you don't have one.  Either that or find a place where you can allow her to run and run, preferably find another "well behaved" friend for her to play with.  She can learn better behaviors with a socially adjusted dog friend too.
     
    The thing is that she is young.  Many Sibes are given to shelters at these normal stages because owners do not see things more clearly.  They go thru teenager behaviors, need limits set and in a kind yet plain manner. 
     
    Do you walk her on a leash regularly? How does she do walking? Classes are excellent for socializing dogs (and you can observe the behaviors and communication others may be working through as well). 
     
    Dogs that are growing and maturing are continuous learning experiences for both entities - The relationship you share is important.  How you look at your dog is reflected into her eyes.  You do not understand her and she is just being a dog.  What experiences you have are just building blocks.  And as they grow older the behaviors do mellow, and it seems to happen overnite!  But you need to actively work with her.  Create relaxing times and play times. (fenced in area for play is incredibly helpful)
    • Gold Top Dog
    I am not saying that Huskies are not a mouthy breed, I used to breed them and know very well.
    What I am saying is the OP has tried for 6 months and the dog is still very much at it without any changes, at this rate the dog will not stop it.
     
    One of my dogs, a Husky /Chow mix was a very difficult and stubborn dog, heck he still is, but his mouthing and grabbing clothes stopped simply by teaching him to sit and making him wait. In the beginning this was going nowhere, but now, as soon as he tries to act out I make my noise such as "Ah-ah" direct him to sit, and only after he has calmed down does he get attention. Don't get me wrong, this took months, but he now gets the point.
     
    Another thing, he tries it more often with my husband, only because he is gone a lot and has a hard time being firm with the dogs when he comes home. They look at him like a play buddy, not as a leader..........
    • Gold Top Dog
    What I am doing now is when she tugs at my pants I can just ignore that (no yelling, no touching, talking, nothing) I usually end up just dragging her where I need to go.

     
    you're rewarding her by dragging her-- it's now a fun tug game. No wonder she won't stop, and only does it with you. You could have nipped it in the bud by totally freezing and ignoring her as a young puppy, but you have too much "reinforcement history" of this behavior at this point. You may need to turn to an aversive of some kind to help stop this.
    Do you play tug with her, properly, as in only allowed to grab the toy on command, must drop the toy instantly on command? that might help, an outlet for tugging in an appropriate context.
    A big problem with huskies is that it's practically impossible to exercise them fully. They are bred to run all day every day. I think they are, in a way, much more difficult to own than, say, border collies. Border collies are also incredibly high energy dogs, but they are so eager to work with you that you can easily devise endless numbers of ways to expend their energy-- frisbee, agility, training games. Huskies just want to run. Look into training her to pull- scootering, sledding, sjkoring. At nine months she can be pulling a drag and learning the basic commands.
    • Gold Top Dog
    by teaching him to sit and making him wait. In the beginning this was going nowhere, but now, as soon as he tries to act out I make my noise such as "Ah-ah" direct him to sit, and only after he has calmed down does he get attention. Don't get me wrong, this took months, but he now gets the point.

     
    That is good advice Snownose! 
     
    And it is true that when the dog looks at you as the playful person, there is  different mechanics to that relationship.
     
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    You may need to turn to an aversive of some kind to help stop this.


    What would be an example of this?

    It does sound like there is some ground she has to backtrack on to get those  rowdy behaviors in check. 
     
    editing in;  One important piece of info. re. Siberians is that once a husky understands the rule, they are hard pressed to change it.