Vivi asked:
She was an agressive puppy which we trained out of her and she has a dominance problem. When I play frisbee with her she retrieves it but when I ask her to drop it she starts to growl and get aggressive. It is almost like she cannot tell the difference between excitement and aggression. She is so much better at home and a loving dog, I just wish I could trust her outside. Dog whisperer makes it look so easy!
Thank you everyone for your sound advice- she is starting to improve, by practicing inside before going out!
She was an agressive puppy which we trained out of her and she has a dominance problem. When I play frisbee with her she retrieves it but when I ask her to drop it she starts to growl and get aggressive. It is almost like she cannot tell the difference between excitement and aggression. She is so much better at home and a loving dog, I just wish I could trust her outside. Dog whisperer makes it look so easy!
Thank you everyone for your sound advice- she is starting to improve, by practicing inside before going out!
i have the same problem. you have to act like you are not frusterated or scared because dogs pick up on how you are feeling,
tell her firmly NO when she starts to growl and ignore her. dont continue to play with her or shes not going to make the connection. tell her SIT and make her sit there until she is calm again
Smack her nose and take it, whilst telling her leave – bad dog
Don’t stand for aggression. Punishment is the only way. No treats, no hugs for at least an hour, no strokes.
If that don’t work, find a different game that doesn’t make her so excited aggressive.
my dog does the same thing, she thinks its game of tug of war, i have no helpful advice. sorry.
Hi,
it makes you wonder what her life was like before you got her,
Perhaps it comes down to her previous owner.
She does want to play, but she does not understand that she will get her toy back, perhaps she had no toys before, and wants to keep it all to herself?
If you just keep on playing with her, she will soon get to know that you are not going to take it away from her.
Have you tried dog obedience classes?
They might help.
Good luck
Either your dog wants to start a game of tug of war or she is the alpha in the pack (or sees herself as such, and yes, females can be alpha).
If the later, you need to break her of this habit (but gradually and gently, as she could turn violent if done poorly). You can show the dog that you are the alpha by controlling the dog’s resources. Food is the perfect start. If you leave her food out all day, stop. Feed her only in the morning and in the evening (preferably at certain times) and make her work for her food. A simple sit command is good.
She needs to sit (or any command that she knows) to get her food, sit to go outside, sit to start playing, etc.
After this has gone on for a few weeks (she should know the routine and be offering the behavior without you asking, but still ask) be sure to not let her on your bed (that is your special place, but be sure she has her own). I would say stop letting her on the bed asap (if you do), but I can’t judge just how dominate this dog is so I am trying to give safe-side advice.
Do not get out of the way of the dog, rather the opposite. If you are walking along and the dog gets in your way, gently push her aside (not so much because you deserve to go first but because she should be paying attention to you, not the other way around).
Also, be sure to train your dog (if she doesn’t sit, lay, etc, then your problems will only be worse). You want the dog to be used to following your lead and doing what you say.
Lastly, you also should be controlling her toys. Put them away when you are done playing with them (and always be done playing before the dog is; the play session should end on your terms). Obviously, chew toys aren’t included in this. If during a play session she doesn’t obey you (such as with the Frisbee), then playtime is over. Take the toy and put it away, ignore the dog for a while (5-15 minutes is usually enough).
Is she aggressive in any other way? If so, those behaviors might need special treatment.
Note, in particularly bad cases physical punishment may be necessary, but usually not getting what the dog wants is the worst punishment possible (and dogs want your attention, so ignoring the dog is punishment as well). Hitting the animal (even a quick thwump to the nose) can make them more aggressive or fearful of you. If physical punishment is needed, try to distance the situation so that dog doesn’t associate the punishment with you.
She thinks you are playing and doesn’t want to give her toy up. The more you struggle, the more of a game it becomes to her. I would ask her once to drop it, if she plays up, turn your back on her and walk away. Completely ignore her until she calms down then try again. Keep doing this, and she will learn the way of how to do things. You have to be consistent – it will take time but she will get there
You still have a dominance problem, until you get completely on top of this she will not lose her aggression. Remember, as Caesar says, your body language speaks volumes. Don’t ‘tell’ her to drop it you must ‘claim’ it – place your foot on the frisbee and use your whole body to say this is mine. Calm and assertive, never shout (pointless), until she relinquishes it to you. You must then keep it for a few minutes – to ‘prove’ its yours. When YOU are ready to allow HER to play with it again… throw it.
Points to remember:
From home – Who went through the door first, her or you (it should be you).
How did she get out of the car – excited or calm (you should make her wait until she is in a calm state of mind).
etc etc
It’s irrelevant that she is a rescue dog. She lives in he present, not the past and needs discipline from a pack leader/s.
She is a dog, treat her like a child and you will have continuing problems. Keep watching Dog Whisperer!
Good luck.
Hi , is your dog spayed ? as this can sometimes help . Also i have a rescue springer who had the same problem , i have had him 2 yrs now and things seem to be getting better but we still have the odd bad day, anyway i was in contact with a animal behaviourist and she said that when the dog becomes aggressive over things offer them something else like a dog treat , then when she drops her toy you can pick it up .Also she will then associated dropping her toy with something nice, hope it works for you as it did for me.
The fact she was a ‘rescue’ is irrelevant as she was so young when you got her. She has however a dominant personality.
The best thing you can do is teach her to ‘give’ things up on command. Start at home and in the garden. Let her pick up her toy, then offer her a treat and say drop or give, to get the treat she will have to drop the toy. As soon as she does say good girl and put your foot on the toy so that she can’t snatch it back. Pick it up and then throw it for her again. Keep repeating this exercise not just with the frisbie but with all toys. As soon as she is doing it regularly for the treat start reducing the number of times she gets one. Give her lots of praise and keep your tone of voice excited and happy. If you want her to give it without dropping it use the same technique with the addition of taking hold of the toy, if she growls or pulls back let go immediately and turn and ignore her. You have to show her that she plays by your rules or not at all. Give it a few minutes then turn and ask her to give again.
If you don’t trust her to behave outside then don’t play fetch games with her till she is regularly giving up anything you ask her to at home!
I’ve rescued many dogs and most needed to learn this lesson. In fact I’m still in the process of teaching my new dog. She’s great at home but doesn’t yet always obey the command outside!
With patience they all learn eventually.
Have you tried rewarding her to return the frisbee to you ?either drop it at your feet or allow you to take it from her in return for a small treat and lots of praise.
If you take a few small treats/biscuits in your pocket when you go to the park she will get the hang of it, I’m sure.
When you get a dominant dog. You must show them who is dominant. You must be the dominant one.
We had one once like yours and he just became more and more aggresive. Even the postman would not call. He was getting more and more powerful and in the end we had to have him put down in case he bit the little girls next door.
We have had many dogs of different types but we could not get this one trained.
No one could give me a cup of tea or speak to me because he was protecting me. Even my son who lived in the house.
I only said ‘hello Henry’ to the beautiful collie dog next door and he attacked poor Henry. He would go for any dog on the other side of the street.
Sometimes you can get ‘mental’ dogs the same as people go mental.
Show him who is master in your house. You have a ‘Leader of the Pack dog.’ Yours sounds possessive with his toys. He has probably been starved and had to fight his way through life. Or teased by someone. He thinks what’s his is his attitude. You must train him to understand it’s ok he can let go. Try a dog training programme if all else fails. Good Luck
J.
may i just say do not get into the tug of war act with your dog as this encourages aggression if your dog will not give up its toy walk away ignore it let your dog know you will not play one thing a dog hates is to be ignored