|
|
| Public Forum |
Proceed to Auspet's
New Discussion Forum |
Pet
Directory |
Classifieds
| Home
| LinkXchange
|
 Click here to make Auspet.com your default home page |
|
 Auspet - Message Boards
 Dogs - all types
 My Dog Snapped at Me...
|
 UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: My Dog Snapped at Me... |
|
BullyLover4Lyf New Member  Posts: 1 |
posted 11-25-2003 10:21 AM
 
Today as I was leaving I was calling out to my dog (I have a Bull Terrier) and telling him that I will be back soon and that I hope he's a good boy. He trotted up to me and I leaned down to give him the usual kiss good-bye when all of a sudden he growled at me and the hairs on his back stood straight up. Then he backed up and walked around kind of like making snorting/growling noises and he kept looking out the door. I was completely horrified. I even started crying. I am always cuddling, kissing and hugging him - I baby him A LOT because he's my little baby. I know that he doesn't like it when I leave because when I come home I find that he has dragged my shoes to the door, or he takes my clothes/pillows,ect. to the door. I was wondering why he would growl at me if he and I are so close... I'm really sad about this =( Any response will be really appreciated... IP: Logged |
|
Jamiya Member  Posts: 1392 |
posted 11-25-2003 10:52 AM
Sometimes dogs get intimidated if you lean over them - could this be it? Was there any kind of new scent about you that could have put him off?
IP: Logged |
|
puttin510 Member Posts: 1179 |
posted 11-25-2003 11:27 AM
Or he may have been mad at you and told you off in his own way. ------------------ IP: Logged |
|
Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 11-25-2003 11:50 AM
Something different ..like a hat, gloves etc that may have startled him. OR and I don't mean this rudely at all...but perhaps your "baby" is getting a bit of an additude because you baby him alot. Spoiling your dog no matter how cute can lead to a disrespectful dog. What did you do when he growled at you? IP: Logged |
|
annie Member Posts: 68 |
posted 11-25-2003 12:54 PM
I agree, spoiling your dog, just like spoiling a child, is unhealthy and unfair to the animal. My vet told me from day one to not treat the puppy as a child and to show it in no certain terms that it is lower on the food chain so to speak in terms of the dog showing respect to my family, and to make sure my children sometimes correct it so that the puppy knows that even the children have rule over it. I do not consider my puppy to be my baby, it is my beloved pet, but that may be because I already have children of my own so I do not have a void that needs filled in that respect. I do not understand why you tell your dog to be a *good boy* while you are gone. Do you expect him to understand? The best way to assure he will be *good* is to crate him while you are gone, and that way he has his own little den to retreat to and destress. Put him in dog obedience training right away because there is NO VALID EXCUSE for a dog to ever snap at you. I do not care what it is. I will never for the life of me never, never understand why people make excuses for a dog showing inappropriate aggression. *I took his food bowl, i startled him*, etc etc etc. There is no excuse for it and you need to address it before the next time he truly bites you. Take this warning sign from your dog seriously, and good luck! IP: Logged |
|
charmedagain Member Posts: 790 |
posted 11-25-2003 01:49 PM
What wasnt covered here was that infact if a dog is feeling under the weather this can make them get a little cranky.. There is no excuse in the world anyone can use for a dog that shows aggression but ill health can be used... Agsression in a dog is down to the owners training. Spoiling a dog has nothing to do with how your dog will turn out all my dogs are treat like babies i spoil them and i have never had a problem with any of them.. But a dog does not just turn like that for no reason there is a reason behind everything an animal does wether it be behavioural or through and illness Behavioural should be sorted through obedionce classes.. All changes in a dogs mood should be assesed anything out of the ordinary should be talk about with your vet. dogs like to be greeted face to face they like to see into your eyes... But like i say i breed german shepherds and i have never had a problem with my dogs and i am in regular contact with all new owners and they have never had a problem with there dogs. My uncle owns 2 staffordshire bull terriers and they are the sweetest dogs i have ever met but do get cranky when they are not well.. IP: Logged |
|
neek Member Posts: 291 |
posted 11-25-2003 06:04 PM
I 100% agree with charmedagain. There might be an illness behind his behavior or he might be feeling a bit "off". I wouldn't take it personally, he was probably having a bad day. This is in no way the dogs fault, it is his way of telling you that somethings wrong.  IP: Logged |
|
Marcia McLean-Jasinski Member Posts: 63 |
posted 11-25-2003 08:20 PM
There is an old saying with working dogs train them or they will train you.Your baby is trying to set dominace over you.Let me guess,have you been letting him sleep on your bed,get on the couch, feed him off your plate from the table.if you are stop immediatly.get a muzzle put it on himand make him go belly up.If you can not get him down by your self have a freind come over and help you.Make sure it is a good muzzle and make sure it is on right.he needs to understand you are alpha. if he is not fixed yet get it done asap.get a box of dog treats and start teaching him down a really dominate dog will not want to do this and a prong collor is a wonderful invention.get on some dog training sights if you e- mail me privatly i will send you some.talk to him in a firm voice do not baby talk to him that is a sign of submission on your part. dont feel badly though most dog owners make the same mistake and BYB dont give you much or any advise when you buy a dog.a puppy should be taught to go onto its back from day one homeand makes it much easier for you.and lasty start crate training him he should sleep there and an excellent time out for him Marcia Jasinski owned by Angus (Latvia), Kleopatra(Russia), and Ginger and BellaDonna plus two excellent pups left IP: Logged |
|
GoodboysBaddogs Member Posts: 409 |
posted 11-25-2003 11:54 PM
hey BullyLover4Lyf, I love them Bullies too... I personally have an American Bullodg--Bully/Johnson-type. Anyhow, i'm sure that was a very surprising thing to have gone through. Don't be worried, i don't necessarily think he's "planning" on harming you (considering your strong bond toghter). Hope it's just something minor. IP: Logged |
|
GoodboysBaddogs Member Posts: 409 |
posted 11-26-2003 12:07 AM
hey BullyLover4Lyf... Here's a pic of my AB just b4 his b-day @ 8 weeks... I don't have a digital camera, or a scanner, so i can't post any current pics of my boys, YET!  BUT, my brother (the one w/ a DC), may be coming over for Thanks-Giving and all, so i'll try to bug him about bringin his DC.  IP: Logged |
|
GoodboysBaddogs Member Posts: 409 |
posted 11-26-2003 12:14 AM
Here's a pic of my Pei... Not exactly a "Bully", but he can be !!! ... i think he's like 10 weeks in this picture.... IP: Logged |
|
MaydaysMom Member Posts: 260 |
posted 11-26-2003 12:24 AM
Before going all gungho and muzzeling your dog which could cause him to lash out even more I would definately make sure it is not a health problem. There are more positive ways to handle problems like this than alpha rolling and muzzeling which can cause the dog to fear you. You can be alpha and still baby your dog without muzzels and harsh training. Both of my pits, and my chi sleep in bed with me and get on my couch and there is no question on who's alpha. Enroll you puppers in an obedience class. One of my staffie fosters a few months back used to try to dominate me and snapped when she didnt get her way. I kept her on a leash and a gentle leader for most of the day so she had to have my permission to do anything. Every where I went she went. I had her sit before she was allowed to eat, go outside, take treats or toys, or have play time. A week later I saw a huge improvement in her behaivor. Good luck and keep us posted IP: Logged |
|
MaydaysMom Member Posts: 260 |
posted 11-26-2003 12:28 AM
oh one more thing. If you always make a big production about leaving the house that might be why he got so upset. The best thing to do is either crate him or dont make leaving such a big deal. Just pet him once and then walk out the door like it is no big deal. If you make it a scene every time he is going to think it is worse than it really is. IP: Logged |
|
Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 11-26-2003 12:48 AM
Holy Guacamole! First of all, the dog is a Bull Terrier, she shouldn't need a friend to help her get him down on the floor. Second, yes please do get on some dog training sites BEFORE you go slamming your dog on the floor and putting a muzzle on him. Alpha rolling isn't all it's cracked up to be, the prong collar is a training aid and should not be used unless a person understands it's function and in this case...IF that was a needed aid I would think that guidance from a trainer would be in order. In my opinion Marcia you just gave her a recipe for making things worse. It also doesn't even address the fact that he may be ill or injured and thats what caused his reaction. AND where did she state she bought the dog from a BYB??? I certainly didn't see that. Thirdly, I have three dogs, two of them are "working" bred dogs, they all sleep on my bed, I baby talk them everyday, and they are allowed on my couch. They get off when I tell them to without hesitation. They are well mannered and do not challenge me. She can draw lines without going bonkers...thats IF this is a behavioral issue. If it is a behavioral issue there are many ways she can establish a higher ranking without muzzling the dog and alpha rolling him. JMO IP: Logged |
|
Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 11-26-2003 12:49 AM
Goodboys...LOL I would swear that your pei looks stoned in that picture! Too funny! IP: Logged |
|
honeybear Member Posts: 926 |
posted 11-26-2003 08:20 AM
I also think he may be sick - since this is sometimes a sign and they ae letting you know I dont feel good. Honeybear IP: Logged |
|
charmedagain Member Posts: 790 |
posted 11-26-2003 01:51 PM
Marcia, I would not like to see how you train your dogs if you have any... What bullylovers dog was doing was not showing Dominence like i said it could be feeling unwell or was fear. And as for using a muzzle and making the dog go belly up i am sorry but you should not be allowed to own a dog doing such things like that is what actually cause a dog to become agressive there is no such thing as an agressive dog just stupid owners that dont treat there dog the way they should be treat.. Some people may not agree with me on this but all animals should be shown respect, if you respect them and they will respect you... Play rough or teach agression then your gonna have a problem dog.. All my dogs are allowed to sit with me i cuddle them play with them so you may say i treat them like babies because they are my babies, but i never had a problem with them.. A neutered dog does not mean that they will be anymore submissive than an un-neuterd dog. As i say an agressive dog is made not born... Health problems, feeling low, sudden fright, can cause a dog to growl this DOES NOT mean they are showing dominence or agression.... Bullylover please dont take this inccident to heart i have to agree with goodboys that the bond you and your dog have shows that he will not have meant it... PLease dont feel bad as you have not done anything wrong.... And as for the train them or they will train you is a load of rubbish... mike IP: Logged |
|
Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 11-26-2003 02:29 PM
I wanted to say this...I do think if you don't train your dogs they will in essence train you, all of our dogs have done this to some small extent and we have allowed it. What Marcia explained, or tried to explain is indeed a way of training that is used by some, and it used to be thought that this was the way to do it by many. I myself was told by a trainer to alpha roll Witt when he was a pup to "instill in him who is boss". I don't agree with this type of training, I want to take the path of leaste resistence and the one that creates trust and respect between my dog and I. However you all just read some recent posts of mine saying that I have had to draw a line with Witt before, the way I choose to draw it will depend on my experience, which is why I keep reading and searching for better techniques to raise my skill level. My problem with Marcias post was that she made those suggestions with so little to go on in terms of information about the incident and she made assumptions. The advice she gave even if I did agree with it, could do more harm than good and disregards the posibility that there may be something else going on or more to the incident then we know. On top of that, If you read BullyLovers post, even if it were aggression...how likely is it that the person who wrote the words she wrote would actually implement something like Marcia described. One extreme to the other. Lastly, Marcia is allowed to her opinion and to post it here, I didn't mean to chase her off or anything, debate is healthy and sometimes you can pull ideas from the hat by doing so. I was just expressing my disagreement. IP: Logged |
|
Mattiesmom Member Posts: 29 |
posted 11-26-2003 09:06 PM
Marcia is so right. I have a multipoo that was in a position with another family of defending her family against an abusive family member. She has come a long way. I have figured out that maybe babying them like my family members do with their dogs is not good. With Moms bishon poo it was ok but for a cocker spaniel & my maltipoo it sends a message that they have the upper hand. Doggies do love it when we baby talk them because it's non threatening. Maybe there is a balance to establish. My dog has frightened me as to lungeing at me to bite me. I think it's been fear, old tapes in her head, and also dominance acting out. I fouond that if I don't over react or put ,y face up to her cheek and baby her that she gets the idea. IP: Logged |
|
Karriesue Member Posts: 277 |
posted 11-26-2003 09:27 PM
But still that is a far cry from what Bullylover was going through. A growl only happened this once. Now if there is a pattern, then I would say go for more strict training but there are medical conditions as such to be ruled out. I believe the harsh training should only be for a more severe situation. This one hasn't proven to be so far. Bullylover, how is your dog doing?? Was this a one time situation or has he gotten worse. Please let us know how he is doing. IP: Logged |
|
Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 11-26-2003 09:38 PM
MattiesMom, you said "Marcia is so right", so does this mean you think that solving your dogs issues due to trauma would best be done by forcing the dog belly up in an alpha roll and muzzling it? That was the advice she gave. There is a vast difference between showing your dog whose in charge and doing the kind of techniques she was advising in my opinion. IP: Logged |
|
Karriesue Member Posts: 277 |
posted 11-26-2003 10:33 PM
I should have spoken up in my last post that I just don't believe in the type of training Marcia was describing. I want to clarify what I meant in my last post by "more strict training". More obedience training and even hiring a personal trainer. I refuse to treat a dog like that. There are better methods of training out there and I would definately use them. IP: Logged |
|
Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 11-26-2003 10:36 PM
I knew what you meant KarrieSue, I wasn't sure what Mattiesmom meant...except for her saying "Marcia was so right". I did get the feeling in her post she was hinting at a compromise of techniques , but not sure. IP: Logged |
|
goob Member Posts: 552 |
posted 11-27-2003 12:14 AM
quote: His hackling up makes it sounds more like a fear/defensive reaction than one of dominance. Could there have been something nearby that set him on edge?
quote: Are you sure he was growling at you then? You say he was looking out the door... maybe there was something out there that put him on the defensive, not even connected to your presence. Also, You say he snapped at you... did he?? Or did he just growl?
quote: I agree with the others on this, bad advice IMO. Even the people who wrote the original book suggesting the alpha roll have said they wished they had never published the technique, and no longer recommend it (article here: http://www.coloradoan.com/news/stories/20021228/lifestyle/665086.html ). Alpha rolling a truly dominant dog is a good way to lose your face, and a good way to make a dog who's just "testing the waters" fearful and/or distrusting. Even if you DO successfully alpha roll a true dominant dog, they will no doubt test you again, but HARDER, and you will likely end up losing. I also think it speaks volumes when people resort to imitating dogs to get a point across to their dog... they KNOW we're not dogs, most of them KNOW whether or not they can overpower us or not, so WHY do we play games and try to fool them?
quote: One of the most dominant dogs I've ever had the "joy" of working with (though I'm sure there are others out there that are worse than him) would roll over on his back on command and on his own free will for belly rubs... he would also often stand over you and snarl if you knelt down while he was nearby (realized that one REAl quick!), and would growl/snap at anyone who dared challenge his authority over food, toys, space, etc. This dog was never allowed on the furniture, or fed from the table, but he was absolutely SURE he was boss, and wasn't pleased when he found out he wasn't. In comparison, we have 5 dogs (all but one are about "normal" as far as dominance levels go) who ALL eat table scraps, ALL sleep in our beds, all lounge on the furniture, are only put in their crates when we have guests, etc, with NO human dominance issues (occasionally a dog on dog issue, but just little squabbles, most often over food dropped on the floor or greeting visitors). JMO, but dominance is more about perceived power than about actual brute strength. IP: Logged |
|
MaydaysMom Member Posts: 260 |
posted 11-27-2003 12:25 PM
Yay Goob! Great post! IP: Logged |
All times are ET (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Contact Us | Auspet.com
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45c
| Home | Contact us | Advertise here | Jobs at Auspet | |
| © 1999-2017 AusPet.com |