Update on my dog's bad behavior

Shit, I'm in trouble.
I posted something about my dog acting out earlier...and it's gotten worse.

She's getting MEAN. We put her in my dad's bedroom whenever we leave the house [because otherwise she gets into the garbage and things like that when we're gone] ...and my boyfriend opened up the door for her to go into the bedroom yesterday and she refused, so he grabbed her collar and she BIT him. So he tried sort of pushing in there and she attacked his leg....I yelled at her, and she stood in front of me snarling at me...

This is upsetting. Extremely.

She was like this when she was a puppy, but hasn't done anything to the affect for YEARS and now she's getting mean/vicious again. When I was 10 years old when we first got her, I had to get stitches in my hand from her biting me... and, we figured she would get better with age, and she seemed to, but now she's doing it again.

WHAT DO I DO? I really dont want to resort to taking her to the humane society or putting her down...Is there ANY other way that I can go about handling this? I'm powerless. There's no way that I can discipline her anymore without her snarling at me. I don't hit her, and I don't want to... And, I'm afraid that even if I tried to, she'd like take my hand off. I'm a wreck over this right now... I have no idea what to do.

 

hey i just read your bit about your dog. the reason she is proberly doing this is to protect her or you. your best bet is to look up dog training and behaviour or even fone and ask the humane soc about dogs behaviouists in your area. there are lots. if you think you cant aford that look into click training. its a way of training your dog using a clicker and treats so everytime she is good gets a click and a treat she likes. also who is the 'head' dog of the house because at the moment it sounds like she is but she shouldnt be it should be either your mum or dad. you should get this problem sorted quick i have worked with dogs thats are so much worse than your believe me its not easy but you can do it. im sure she is worth the blood sweat and tears you wil have now. goo dluck if u need support email me xxx haze

 

My dad is the "head" dog... She listens and behaves perfectly when he's home...
but the problem is he goes on business trips often, so I'm left with her, and she doesn't respect me the way she does my dad.

*shrugs* I dont know. We had her in dog training for about 3 years when she was a puppy, but... even then, she never responded to me, she looks at me like I should just shut up.

 

read up on simple day to day techniques that will allow you to start asserting yourself in a dominant position in the pack...everything matters, from petting to feeding to walking (especially walking) and all your actions have meaning in the dog's perception of you as it relates to pack position...you have to show the dog that you "outrank" her, and then she will most likely follow your lead

 

ok your dad is 'head' dog but as you said he is away alot make someone else head of the pack. you have 2 go in the animals mind, be the animal. she naturally lives in a pack be that pack (not the barking etc.) but the other things like walking. is she aggressive when she is eating? with most of the dogs i have worked with thats the main thing that and toys!!! you need one main trainer someone who will be only the trainer with your dog. i bet in your family your mum talk, loves, feeds, walks etc. your dog, you mainly walk and play with her, if so thats your problem your dog see's you as a play mate not someone she MUST listen to. you have to think as it as its NOT your dogs fault neither is it yours, she is reacting as she would in the wild only calmer. dont forget this can be sorted but it WILL take time and guts. good luck xxx haze

 

i would contact a local dog trainer. this sounds serious.

 

my mum doesnt live with us.

my dad and I share chores with her such as feeding, walking, playing, talking etc...Maybe I should take it on FULLY...I think she listens to him mainly because my dad's a big guy with a deep voice and it's intimidating..?

 

yeah she proberly does listen to him more. but you can make her listen to you more though. try looking up dog behaviourist even on the net you might be able to find something. it might be worth you taking on the chores fully as well. at least you haven't given up on her though thats the main thing. good luck again xxx

 

You must teach her that you are above her in heirarchy or she will continue to walk all over you. Have you heard of NILIF (Nothing In Life is Free)? It's a traiing technique used to assert yoru dominance. Never give her ANYTHING, a treat, a pat, nothing, until she has done something for you. Before feeding her, make her do a trick. Always eat before she eats -- in a wolf pack, the two alpha wolves always eat before the rest of the pack. Do not let her on the furniture, as this is YOUR place to sit. Give her her own pillow or blanket to lay on instead -- she must not sit where you sit.

As for the situation with your boyfriend -- if he rushed at her and grabbed her collar, it's understandable why she bit him -- she felt violated or scared. If he only slowly reached for her collar and she bit him, perhaps she has a medical problem that needs looking at. I would consult both a behaviourist and a veterinarian. Good luck!

 

Catahoula,
Thanks for the tips. According to that theory I'm doing everything wrong I'm always feeding her before myself, I always let her lie on my bed or the sofa with me, etc.

He didnt really rush at her--- one of the things that worries me most about my dog is that anytime she has bitten or tried to bite was done without warning. I swear to you I've never heard her growl in my life... she just snaps without warning. I find this odd... We had another dog before her, and she was really good about that. If you got too close to her when she was eating or something to the affect she would growl, and you knew to get out of her way, unlike my dog now... You honestly cant even tell when she's angry, upset, or scared because she doesnt wave any red flags, she just bites.