I am very upset at Tiger. He got aggressive over a smaller female dog's Frisbee (at the dog park) that he was taking , no he did not bite her but at one point he even tried to bite ME. He is getting dominant and I am NOT liking this. Help!!!!
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee How old is he now please ? Sounds to me like he taking liberties and needs to be put in his place, basically he has got ideas above his station and wants to be boss . Slowly take away any of his allowances , for example if he is allowed on the furntiure , stop this, place him firmly onto the floor . Start his training from scratch , right back to basics, no jumping up etc . Many a bold youngster will behave in this way, its just up to us to stop it from escalating . Loads of good advice in Pippas Happy Puppy Handbook , I really think it would help you, even if he is past the young puppy stage, good luck
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee He is almost 7 months now. He is a family dog so they allow him on the couch, he will even get human food (chicken) mixed with his dog food. I never allow him to snatch stuff. He has to sit. He knows sit, down, up, shake hand, roll over. I have told my mother NOT to allow him to jump but she is under the impression that he is just a puppy and its a phase. It is not a phase. He is becoming very boisterous with guests, first time we have had guests since he came (no reason really!). He is trying to be the alpha is what I suspect as well.
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee Hi again , I dont really go with the Alpha theory but I do believe that a youngster who is allowed to " get away with murder " will end up being a problem dog . I`m so pleased that at least you recognise the problems and want to solve them , we can try to help but it will need the whole family to be involved
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee I don't beleive in this whole 'alpha dog' rubbish, but dogs do try to push their boundaries. It's only natural, he's a teenager now at 7 months old and he is trying to figure out what he can get away with. Now, more than ever, it's more important to stick with the training and be consistent. If you want to allow him on the sofa then that's fine, but he has to listen to you when you want him to get off, and he has to wait to be invited. It's ok for dogs to be let on the furniture. It doesn't mean they're trying to take over the world. With regards to the aggression over toys I would start with not allowing him to play with other dogs toys. These are like a jackpot to him because they're not his and so he is much more likely to react over them than his own toys at home. This is likely the reason he got snappy with you over the frisbee - it wasn't his, so it was more special and he didn't want you to take it away from him. You can work on this quite easily at home. Does he know the 'leave' command? If not it's time to start teaching it. Make sure whatever you have is better than what he has got - use cheese or ham, or something that he would do anything for. When you're playing with him ask him to leave his toy and show him the treat. Only repeat the command once, or else he will learn that he has to be asked several times to give something up. Once he releases the toy he can have the treat, and then start playing again. As Kate said, the happy puppy handbook is brilliant and I have used it with my own dog, even though she's nearly 18 months old now, the same rules can be applied to older dogs as to puppies.
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee I think he's biting because his adrenaline is high - he needs to learn to calm down on a signal from you. I agree, Pippa's books are the best teaching aids around - you'll find a lot of help here too - http://www.thelabradorsite.com/how-to-cope-with-a-naughty-labrador/ Remember, he's still a baby and has a lot to learn
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee Also he will give low growls and snarl when you try to get him off the bed.
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee Lez Graham's The Pet Gundog Puppy has a useful section on pack rankings, maybe a confusion exists over the term alpha male and aggressive dominance. There is an 'alpha' male but it's a misnomer and just refers to his role in being the one who does the mating as most if not all of the pack will be his offspring. As I understand it. Pippa has written a good article on this (knew I had seen it before, found it now hence modified post, you'll find it here http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=1705.0 Others cover it very well, he's a teenager and exerting his independence, up to you to rein that in by getting back to basics and establishing those boundaries. Sounds like he's bold enough for you to be firm. You will have difficulty if there's an inconsistency within family members, you all have to be singing off the same hymn sheet. Consistency is the key! Training dogs is easy, training other family members is a challenge Boogie is right, read up on Pippa's advice and all will be well.
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee [quote author=TigersMom link=topic=6155.msg80431#msg80431 date=1400782851] Also he will give low growls and snarl when you try to get him off the bed. [/quote] Before things get to the growling point throw a handful of treats on the floor and as he jumps down to get them say 'off'. Use this approach every time you want to move him. No confrontation required. If you don't want him on the bed, shut him out of the room with a Kong or tasty chew. Dogs know what they like (such as sleeping on the bed) and if they find a way to get what they like they will use it. He has discovered that growling works - "hey, if I growl, I get to stay on the bed! Yay! I'll definitely try that again". He is not trying to dominate you as such. He is just gaining in confidence and is feeling quite comfortable about trying new ways to get the things that he wants in life (not world domination but sleeping in a comfy place, new toys etc.). Your job is to teach him different ways of behaving that are better for you but still rewarding for him. At the dog park, swap toys for a treat or a better toy (take some squeaky toys of your own). Reward him every time he looks at you or comes near you to improve his responsiveness to you when you try to get his attention. Periodically lure him away from play if it is getting too exciting, and have him sit for treats to calm down for a minute. You will need to take really good treats and fun toys to the park so you can make yourself more alluring than the other dogs and toys. Put food right in his face if you have to. Frequently practise getting his attention in non-distracting places as well (in the house, on walks, everywhere). In the next week, try to practise getting his attention for a treat 100 times. Ask all the questions you want here too.
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee There were squeaky balls and other balls around but he wanted the only frisbee that this dog brought. I didn't think to bring frisbees since at home he does not care for it! Today he did a little but thats because the frisbee was new!
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee Rachel's advice is spot on. Remember dogs live completely in the moment and don't have room for any other thoughts, bless them. Now and that's it. OK, he 'remembers' past events but not like you and I do, he's not recalling and reliving the past and then rationalising it into the future; it's more conditioning - the behaviour experts will probably explain that more clearly! The 'I want that frisbee' is all he is thinking about. He's an amoral chap so all he's concerned about is what's in it for him and in this case, it's the frisbee. Your job is to give him something that he wants more; agreed that carrying whole roast chickens about isn't very practical but if you stick with training him to respond to 'my human always delivers something really good' - it'll sink in eventually. 100 'getting his attention' is a great goal, go,back to not very much distraction / stimulus and work up. All will be well.
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee Thank you so much! I went back in and a regular assured me that this morning, another regular's dog and the same female dog that Tiger got into it with the frisbee was a repeat, so there must be something in the other dog other than her possessiveness with the frisbee that is creating this. Turns out tiger is normal after all..but nevertheless, I have to establish SOME kind of dominance wiht him so that he will actually listen to me. I notice that often times he just chooses. He tries to walk ahead of me when i open the door/gate. I recently got a no-pull harness and walks have been much better ...only...he doesnt want to walk! I understand that part of it is him catching his breath but we dont walk much either and it isnt very long until he plants his feet on the ground and stares at me with , ' You cant make me walk'. What gives...
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee Glad you are feeling a bit better about it How old is Tiger now and how far into the walk does he stop and refuse to move?
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee I've had the plant the feet and refuse to move, too. It's always because I'm not going in the direction he wants to go. I just encourage him with treats and a happy, "let's go!" It usually works...sometimes takes more persuasion than others.
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee I wonder if a trip to the vet may be in order? A 7 months old I wouldn't think they need to catch their breath on a walk. You also say he growls when you try to get him off his bed - I just wonder if something is making him uncomfortable?
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee It depends on the method used to get him off the bed. If he's been told off for being on the bed, in his mind he sees it as when a person comes over when I'm on the bed bad things happen so I'm going to growl at them and make them go away. You need to make people approaching the bed a positive thing so approach him, give him a treat and walk away. If you want to get him off the bed, call him to you and give him a treat. Don't physically pull him off the bed as this will make it worse.
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee I wouldn't physically make Tatze do anything - when it comes to muscle she has the power! This is why, I believe, big dogs really do need to be well trained. Good puppy classes are a godsend
Re: Puppy Aggression On Frisbee [quote author=Lisa link=topic=6155.msg81023#msg81023 date=1400906325] I've had the plant the feet and refuse to move, too. It's always because I'm not going in the direction he wants to go. I just encourage him with treats and a happy, "let's go!" It usually works...sometimes takes more persuasion than others. [/quote] Well, his new harness is a no-pull so its been great however, i suppose he feels restricted, lol. I did something fun today though. I took him to my old middle school which he is familiar with since I take him to different environments and people. The tennis gates were open, so, i got the long leash attached to his harnessand ran backwards, he had enough room to run towards me and it was so much fun! Then I'd take the squeaky ball from my pouch as a reward followed by praise, of course and let him play with it.
