posted 05-07-2003 12:34 PM           

It wasn't long before we discovered that our Bichon puppy was aggressive with strangers, especially children, and other dogs. He once got loose and tackled a lady walking down the street acting very aggressively. He didn't bite her thankfully, but now he is 3 years old and he has bitten someone. He can act calm and all of a sudden jump up on someone and snip at them! He's somewhat unpredictable, acting differently at times.

We've taken him to a special $120 dog class designed for troubled dogs - and he's still the same. He pees in the house and sometimes on our beds! He loves petting, but only for a minute or two. He does not enjoy sitting on our laps. He's very good about looking at us and always wants to be with us - but he is not a lap dog. We have not abused him so he is not afraid of us. When we go to the store and leave him home, he's very anxious when we get home jumping up and acting frenetic for a good five minutes. We've tried ignoring him in those instances; it doesn't help.

A few months ago we started putting him in his kennel at night - so he'd know he's not the alpha dog. He did fine for a while - until my husband let him out a few nights when I wasn't home. Now he whimpers, pants, blows through his nose, and scratches his kennel all night long. Then at daybreak he really lets loose with whining. I have not had a full night's sleep in three weeks.

I'm going nuts!!! Unless someone has something really good to suggest, I think I'm going to have to give him to someone who has more time than I do to work with him. My life is too busy to focus hourly on dog training.

I know I'll cry if I give him to another person, but I honestly have no ideas on how to solve these problems. We've tried so many things already. I fear that since he's now 3 years old - and was abused - that changing most of his behaviors is hopeless.

posted 05-07-2003 10:14 PM         

Training a new dog is very TIME consuming and I feel like all I'm doing now is DOG DOG and more DOG...but my 6 month old pekapoo is doing so well....I can't complain.

I have fibromyalgia and Lupus however, so she really is keeping me exhausted for this training period. I'm counting on it paying off in the long run.

I'm sooooooooooo sorry I cannot help you, maybe some of the more experienced folks on this board will be able to, but it does sound like you have done all you can.