Dog won't back down HELP!!

SarinaV1 · 05-21-2006, 08:44 AM

Hello all - I am new to this site and would appreciaite anyones help. I have an 8 month old puggle who thinks that he rules the roost! He is absolutely adorable and can be the sweetest dog - but he is very stubborn. On the other hand he can be like "Cujo" when he gets in this "other" mood he starts biting and coming right at me and he will not stop or back down. I have tried the rolled up newspaper, the fly swatter even the can with the rocks in it but nothing gets him to back down or be submissive. I have tried turning him on his side and just about hold him down with my entire upper torso to show him who's boss but with him kicking and biting it doesn't seen to work either. If anyone can give me any advice on this I would truly appreciate it. A dog who doesn't back down can be a scary thing even though he only weights 30 lbs!! Believe it or not he has been to some dog obedience and can't do enough for her!. What am I doing wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

mrsgrubby · 05-21-2006, 09:10 AM

Sounds to me like leadership is an issue in your house. There are lots of things you can do.

First off, make sure he is getting plenty of excercise on a leash. Walking on a leash next to you or behind you, don't let him go in front of you or pull. You should be leash walking every day for at least a half hour.

Then at home start with NILIF (nothing in life is free). Make sure you are not reacting to your dog, but calling the shots yourself.

At feeding time put the food down and make your dog wait nicely for it for a few seconds or minute. If he is barking or keeps trying to get it, pick it back up for five minutes then try again. Don't feed him until he waits nicely for it. Make him sit by the door before you let him in or out. Even make him sit and wait while you go out first, then let him follow you. Never let him rush past you to get somewhere.

If he wants petting make him go though a few basic commands first, don't let him bark at you to get your attention. If he does either just ignore him or actually get up and walk away, never acknowledge you heard him.

If he has furniture and bed privledges, take them away. He has obviously not earned them yet and needs to have a reality check. In the dog world getting on raised items off the ground is a status thing. he needs to stay on the ground for awhile.

Controlling space is also important. in the dog world the leader controls the space. so if your dog jumps on you, don't step away, step towards him, so you are pushing him back, not the other way around. Try to step towards him before he even jumps on you, so then he won't even be able to do it because he will be off balance.

Another thing I would do is put him on a leash in the house few a few days, even a week and hook the leash to your belt so that everywhere you go he must follow. You are the boss, you provide the house, you provide the foot, you provide the vet care. It doesn't matter if he is sleeping, when you get up so does he. this is a great bonding experience.

Lastly, I am guessing he views you as unstable. Stop doing alpha rolls, (putting him on his side), stop using the shake cans, and a newspaper. Work on being really calm with him. You anxiety and frustration is feeding him and making him feel you are unstable and thus can not lead the pack, so he thinks he needs to step up and lead it. Work on not getting worked up when he is being bad. Don't correct or disapline him when you are angery or frustrated. Take deep breaths instead. Be steady and confident. Be firm and in control. This is alot of work I know. I had to practice really hard on it too.

Keep us posted so we can continue to help out. I would also sign back up for class again. My current dog has dominant tendancies and I keep going back for more and more classes. Finally at 18 months I have seen the difference in her. She is nearing the perfect pet.

please continue to post questions and frustrations. We will be very happy to help out based on our experiences and studying.

Raised By Wolves · 05-21-2006, 09:15 AM

Welcome to GlobalPaw.

I would never recommend a dog owner "put their dog on the ground" or use a technique called the "alpha roll". This should only be done by a professional. You are setting yourself up for a bite.

You sound like you are locked in a power struggle with this dog and will likely get a "discipline" bite, for callenging him for the top position in your household and trying to put him on his back. Or, you could get a reactionary bite if you hurt him, and lose his trust. Or, you could end up getting a "fear bite" becuse the dog is feeling threatened and afraid.

Many dogs who are out of control and running the household, are described as very "sweet" when they want to be. I think you need to work both on your leadership skills and some obedience training.

I definately recommend getting a qualified behaviorist/trainer to observe your interactions with your dog, help you become the Pack Leader, and suggest an exercise and training program all members within the household must agree to and participate in.

Hands-on help is my best recommendation right now. And please, don't strike or yell at your dog. He won't trust you or think of you as his "stable" leader.

Good Luck!

Edit to add: Great post and information Mrsgrubby!

poodlesmom · 05-21-2006, 09:48 AM

[QUOTE=SarinaV1] Believe it or not he has been to some dog obedience and can't do enough for her!. /QUOTE]

I may be misinterpreting this but I understand it to mean that someone else participated in this training with him. I strongly recommend signing up for classes where you will be the one working with him. This will help alot plus you will learn proper techniques.

You also need to stop with the rolled up newspapers and flyswatter. These will only increase the intensity of his reaction. Alpha rolls are not only a dangerous move for most but they actually should never be used by the typical owner as they have more of a potential for increasing an aggression problem. Only professionals in extreme situations might see a positive result using them and that is in rare cases.

Your pup is young enough that with hard work, dedication & consistency on your part he will be able to blossom into the great furpal you envisioned when you got him.

*igi-man* · 05-21-2006, 01:07 PM

i had a same problem with my doberman , crate , thats what helped my dobe, the way i did it , if he bites i put him in a crate and tryed to explain that you can not do that, he is same age as your old puggle, people are saying crate not for punishment thats bull, my dobe he sleeps in a crate at night time , that were he choose to sleep even tought i used to punish him by put his butt in the crate! Now he is fine. You gotta show him(her) who is the boss !

linnie · 05-21-2006, 02:55 PM

I used to put Isabella away from me if she was naughty.
Although I have never had a dog that was as insistant as your fellow seems. the above advice from poodlesmom I would go with.
Take him to obed training with you being the one in control

Then you should end up with a great little companion

Ritz459 · 05-22-2006, 05:37 AM

The only time I put a dog in its crate for punishment is to stop me from killing the dog. And then I don't yell at them when I put them in the crate or praise them, I just calmly put them into the crate. Then once I have calmed down enough to not strangle the dog, I let them back out. Make either going into hte crate nutreal or fun, not bad.

But yes, I agree with everything that Mrsgrubby said. Good luck!

SarinaV1 · 05-26-2006, 06:06 AM

Thank you for your advice. Alot of what you said the dog obidence trainer recommended to me. The leash around the waist thing, the going for walks every day. What do you recomend when he is in his "Cujo"mood and he is coming right after you and biting. It is hard to be calm and not yell. What would he understand right at that "moment" as disicpline? Don't get me wrong I don't hit him with the newspaper or flyswatter it is slapped on my hand hoping that the noise would stop him from the bad action he is doing. Unfortunately, we purchased a high energy dog, and we really are not a high energy family. I didn't realize this before we purchased him. I should have done more reasearch. We love him to death now and I will just have to work harder with him to show him that I am the pack leader. It is very true that he feeds off of my anxiety and frustration. Also what would you recommend when he is running around with the cell phone in his mouth and won't give it up. The chase he is looking for to him it is a game. I know it is the wrong thing to do but I give him treats so that he will drop the item. Dog obiedence said he could be taught to bring certain things to me. I have a dog that is very stubborn (the beagle part in him and will not give up phones or remote controls when he has them in his mouth - this is his prize! The dog obiedience classes we attend she works with him. He is like a different dog. He can't please her enough. She said that he has a history with me and not with her. I will just have to try harder and harder. She also said once I get all of this under control he would be the best little dog. Thank you for any advice you have.

Raised By Wolves · 05-26-2006, 08:48 AM

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