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Permalink Reply by Sylvia & Timmy on April 26, 2008 at 10:11am

Viviana,
First question, is Rambo neutered? If not this will help a lot regarding behavior. Unaltered males can and often do "act up" when the hormones are raging. Either way, it seems like Rambo needs some NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) work. Google NILIF and you'll find all kinds of information. You're going to make him work for anything he likes or wants. Food, pets, playing, going for walks or to the dog park, Give him an obedience command, I prefer "down", have him stay in that position and make him wait for his food until you let him know it's okay. I used hand feeding during this time. Fed him one kibble at a time (seemed to take forever) LOL. Don't let him initiate any games or play. If you want to play, wait until he is calm and then you pick up the toy or ball. Basically, he has to learn that ALL good things come from you and that YOU are the provider. It's not easy, but I went through this with Timmy in his adolescent stage of life 8-15 months old. It was a power struggle but with consistancy and stubbornness on my part, it eventually worked.

Another thing is that Rambo can NOW feel your moods and emotions. So this is the time you have to gather yourself, set training goals, and act on them before the behavior escalates. If you haven't taken him to a training class, do so now and my suggestion is to continually attend a class at least twice a year. It will keep him socialized with other dogs and people,and give you some feedback on his behavior from the trainer and others in the class. When our little guys are pups, we make all kinds of excuses for behavior, cause it's cute. Now that they're full grown, those behaviors aren't so cute anymore.

I'm sure that other more experienced trainers will also give you some advice. Some have many more years of experience than I do. Keep us posted on the progress Rambo makes, If you have any questions on the NILIF methods, send me a note. I use it all day, everyday. Just makes things easier all around and keeps Timmy guessing.

Sylvia and Timmy

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Permalink Reply by Sam on April 26, 2008 at 1:25pm

Is this first sign of aggression he has shown? I suspect that he has given you many subtle signs of possessiveness that perhaps you didnt regard as an issue. Certainly this behavior is most unacceptable and I have to say I have never heard of a corgi responding in this fashion. You do not mention how old he is, any prior training or any of his other behaviors. Knowing more would certainly help. If you have had other incidences of this "Jekyll Hyde" personality I would consider a complete medical check up with your veterinarian. We have had a few dogs come through our rescue that had a sort of "rage" issue. They were out of the blue attacks for no apparent reason. You would do well to keep a journal of his behaviors. If the vet gives him a clean bill of health I might try to locate a good dog behaviorist in your area. While NILF and training classes will help I think you have a bit more of a problem then both can totally change.

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Permalink Reply by Joan on April 26, 2008 at 1:56pm

Thanks for your comment. No he has not always been that way. I believe it is my my fault more than not. I have not been giving him the discipline he needs as my husband does. I have been taking suggestions from people on the forum which seems to be working. He is 8 yrs old and I believe has mild arthritis which could be making him more moody. I have him an appointment with the vet.I very well may take him for training classes.

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Permalink Reply by Joan on April 26, 2008 at 1:59pm

Sorry I answered when this was left for someone else. Mine is is not as aggressive as the one mentioned, just moody.

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Permalink Reply by Charlie on April 26, 2008 at 2:37pm

I agree with everything Sylvia & Timmy wrote. I also think you need some help from a professional trainer to teach you how to gain your dog's respect. About four weeks ago, you wrote that Rambo would not listen to any of your commands without food, even a command a basic as Sit...which he should surely know by now. He was also stealing your things, such as socks and "making" you chase him for fifteen minutes to give you back your items.

Did you read the NILIF techniques and try them out over the last month? If not, you need to do that today and quit letting him get away with ruling the roost. Have you had him neutered yet? Any dog who has shown an aggressive tendency needs to be "snipped" ASAP. He's gone from simple obstinance and disrepect to physical aggression in a short time. If you cannot get him in line with NILIF, please hire a trainer (who may refer you to a behaviorist) or enroll in an obedience course.

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Permalink Reply by Viviana on April 26, 2008 at 4:10pm

Since my last post about how he was misbehaving i have been training him he doesnt steel my things anymore and when he does try to run i say stop and he drops whatever he has and lies down , he's been very obedient he's not even agressive with his food, i can take away his food touch it and touch him while he's eating and theres no problem , he only gets aggressive when my hands are in his cage other than that he is a good dog , i havent gotten him neutered i want to but my most of my family says that they dont him to get neutered he is in his "teenage" phase right now he is 7 months old ..

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Permalink Reply by Charlie on April 26, 2008 at 4:43pm

I'm happy to hear that some of his behavior has improved over the last month. Attacking and biting you is not appropriate at any age. Being a teenager is a good reason for some stubborness and inattention, but no excuse for biting. He needs to know that nothing is his. It is your crate, where you let him sleep. It is your food, you let him eat. Those are your toys, you let him play with

Put a t-shirt or something else that has your scent in his crate. Put him on a leash and tie him to something heavy (where he can see you, but not reach you) while you crawl in or clean his crate. Completely ignore any protests from him and stay in/around his crate until he calms down and is quiet. Until he knows the crate belongs to you, don't let him run into it by himself. At bedtime, walk him to his crate on leash and make him sit outside it until you give him a release command that it's ok for him to go into your crate.

Good luck to you! I hope to hear of more successes with Rambo.

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Permalink Reply by Viviana on April 26, 2008 at 4:57pm

Thanks for all of your help i will be sure to do that, i dont want any body being bitten because they get near his cage especially little kids

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