Hello all,
Desperately need advice. Waffle,our 6-year-old Pem, has bitten my husband and my son (age 22), more than once. Pretty sure he is protecting me, but this is way too dangerous. I am willing to try some training, but don't know if we can cure him! Will also consider a rescue, but how we pass our problem on to someone else? Do not want to put him down!
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Thank you! Wonderful insights, and yes, we do acknowledge that Waffle thinks he owns the joint. We used to say that with a bit of humor. Now we know it's a problem, and we are willing to work with him.
I love all the comments and insights - this was what I needed (maybe three years ago when he first started to show fear aggression towards other dogs). Boy,he is sounding smarter every day, and I am sounding just a bit clueless, but I'll still have a bigger brain, and I need to use it more.
hahaha... I use to laughingly say that carly was smarter than me, now i know she is.. At night when its time to go to bed she has caught on to time of day, because with out a clue whatsoever she wont come to either of us knowing its crate time...its right next to my bed. For some reason she rebels at going to bed and funny thing is she settles right down and sleeps wonderful in there, always has..
I tell her all the time she needs to a cow to play with. Im guessing we (my husband and i) had no clue but were learning more and more everyday!
Ok, I'm no professional dog trainer but I'll give you what advice I can.
Dogs bite for a many various reasons, but lets elminiate some of the possibilities.
Feeling ill or injury- Have you taken the dog to the vet, if the dog is not feeling well this could be the source.
New addition- Resource guarding can not only be with food, it can be with people as well.
Not Spayed or Neutered- Yes, I know this sounds so typical, but male dogs will protect females and the reverse for not fixed dogs.
Now, with that being said, some of the more not obvious issues. Lack of training, or lack of obedience or possibly being board.
Start with the Nothing in life is free training, the dog needs to learn that humans provide his living. Everyone needs to participate, that way the dog has no association to liking one more then the other.
Remember this much, Positive training will work faster and create lasting bonds more so then classic training. The idea here is to create a bond that your dog views you as not only the food provider but also as a friend. Fear will only lead to further escalating issues with the biting.
Lastly ask if your son has done anything to the dog that may have prompted this issue, maybe an accidental scare, stepped on paw...ect. Some will say dogs don't remember but I tend to disagree, I've had a dog remember as I work for the Humane Society, the dog disliked me and only me, come to find out I looked like the owners son whom abused the dog.
Just my thoughts on it, Pick up a book, talk to a vet and seek the help of a local trainer. This can be fixed without too much of an issue. Just stick with it, remain positive and you'll pull through without many issues.
Hi Don,
Thanks so much for thoughtful reply! Truly appreciate it. We've ruled out most of the causes except lack of training - more accurately, not being consistent and persistent. We are working with our dog more now and think we can improve things. I agree this can be fixed but we have to stick with it! Waffle is our wonder dog, and he deserves our guidance, love, and care.
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