Need to get rid of dog !

[user68753367]

We bought a dog 8 months ago where we have tried to train him.... he doesn't listen he still nips and snaps and it's now getting to the point where he is jumping up and going for my toddler and you can hear his jaw snap ! It's scaring me as I can't leave them in the room together he does it to me and my bf he tries to bite his ankles and he's the master so it's in heard of isn't it ? He knows not to go on the couch yet still runs in covered in mud and going on there he's not allowed up stairs but as soon as back is turned he's up there.... we've always told him no and made sure he knows and he does get praised when he's good (which is never ) he chews everything up in site and will just take food of the side and out of my boys hand, I'm currently pregnant and it's getting me so anxious ! He goes on walks everyday so he's excersised a lot. He doesn't listen to me whatso ever and when I play with him he gets aggressive to the point it scares me. Any advice would be helpful ? No nastiness please I'm at by whits end

[maltedmilk1]

Say what you want about dogs etc in my opinion as a dog owner if your dog is going for your toddler you need to rehome him asap. You are right it's absolutely not worth the risk. It's a shame for the dog and probably you should of thought more about the life time commitment you would be getting yourself into but at the same time you have obviously tried your best and it's not worth the risk.

You must do right by your child rehome this dog before we hear something awful has happened.

Good luck with your new baby I really feel for you.

[StarryIllusion]

Actually where I said about a class of misbehaving children, make that a class of misbehaving, foreign children. They don't understand a word you say so you have to make yourself clear even though you don't speak their language and they don't speak yours.

[StarryIllusion]

OP I realise that this thread is a week or two old by now but have you taken him to a vet? Only you said that this all came out of the blue? Just started snapping one day? From what you described when you were upset it isn't very clear but what was actually going on at the times he snapped. What was the child doing? You said stroking him but how? Where? Is there any chance that he could be in pain and baby touched a sore spot? My dog started snarling aggressively every time my dad touched him once and I worked out that it was because my dad always ruffled his ears. He had a grass seed stuck in there and it was painful. It's very unusual for a dog's entire personality to change overnight. Get him a checkup.

In the meantime make sure you are the one that feeds/walks him as much as possible. Make him sit before you give him anything including dinner. You always go through doors first, even just a step ahead. Use a deeper tone when telling him to do something. He doesn't understand words yet, remember that. He goes on tone and body language. Imagine you are speaking to a class full of misbehaving children. You are not asking, you are telling and you expect to be obeyed. Firm, even tone. Sound authoritative. Not shouting, just in charge. "Get down." And point at him and flick your hand towards the floor. Indicate what you want him to do instead of just telling him. Point and signal. Give him a hint to what the words mean. Praise and give attention when he obeys even if he takes a few times to do so.

Keep child and dog apart. If they are in the same room do not allow extensive interaction. Allow a sniff and guide the child's hand to stroke his back if you must but otherwise keep them separated until you see major improvement in his behaviour.

I never took either of my two to classes, just trained them at home. They don't really do commands as such but are both very well behaved. Well...at home. The younger may one day kill us both by pulling me under a bus. He just cannot be fucking trusted on a lead. But they both have lovely manners and I don't think my older girl has seen a lead in the last fortnight. She just doesn't need it. Mostly I talk to them. They do learn words eventually but my younger still needs the hand signals to interpret what I mean and the elder needed them until about age 5. Younger is 3. Oldest is now 10.

No is a bad word to use imo as you use it too much day to day. It has no impact. Looking them right in the eye is a challenge and not the way to go about stopping him biting. If I want them to stop something I make a loud Ah-ah! noise. It isn't something they otherwise hear around the house and so they know that when I do that, they cease and desist right now before I have to come over there.

If he mouths you in play, yelp loudly. Real high pitched yelp of pain, curl up as though hurt and turn away. Stop playing and refuse to engage. Yelp louder every time his teeth touch you. Eventually he will start to nuzzle and lick at you in concern. Turn back towards him slowly and stroke, cuddle him gently. Resume playing gently but not boisterously. This is bite inhibition and the equivalent of teaching kind hands to a toddler. It is basically what his mother and siblings would have done if he had stayed with them for the legally required time. Obviously sometimes circumstances dictate that puppies can't spend the minimum 8 weeks with the litter and they don't learn this so we have to teach them. I did this with both of mine and they are soft as muck. Labradors, so soft of mouth anyway but my elder is so gentle you can't even play tug with her as she just gives you the toy. I admire you for not wanting to give up on him even with the roasting you got on here and I really hope it works out for you. If not you will have to rehome as your child has to come first but at least you had a good crack at it.

[Rightontheschnozz]

You're getting posts that you don't agree with and you're getting upset? That's just what happens when you post forums.

It sounds like you've tried your personal hardest and that's all you can do. Unfortunatley it's not enough for the pup.

You either need to engage the pup in a professional training sessions or tske him to a shelter.

Try not to be so hard on yourself. You've got to put your emotions to one side for a minute and think about how the dog is feeling; confused, scared, anxious maybe?

You say he's biting your LO but its unclear under what circumstance; is he play biting like you suggest, or is it agression? They're two very different things and both need to be nipped in the bud right now.

I'd keep him away from the LO, if he is around your LO then he needs to be constantly supervised; kids can be full on when dogs don't actually want the attention, but they will usually avoid biting and move away or growl first as a warning.

From what I've read, it sounds like you've not done anything particularly Pro active to stop him or deter him from the completely normal behaviour of play biting. (Every single puppy does this, and has to learn that it's not acceptable) he learns that from his owners.

We had to re home a fabulous dog, nothing wrong with her. Had her from a pup, had her spayed. She just deserved a life we couldn't give her. (She was a collie x lab) she was high energy, loving, caring, amazing. No vices. But still we made the decision that was within the best interests of the dog and she is happy with her new family now. They've done so much more than we ever could and she's come on leaps and bounds. (We do have another, older dog) but sometimes you've just got to give them up, whether you had the intention to or not.

Really hope you get something sorted before it's too late.

[sotiredbutworthit]

I'm sorry some people have been so horrible to you OP. You really don't deserve it and it's not helpful. I think you sound like a lovely caring person. I really hope some of the advice on here works for you. If you were in South Wales I would say we could meet for for a dog walk!! Xxxx

[misshappy88]

Thankyou apples for that post just what she needs to hear.... friendly helpful advice :) the others scared her when she needed them the most x

[applesareredandgreen]

Hi OP I am also novice owner of an adolescent dog. I have an 8 month old JRT and sympathise they are hard work. I was expecting the first few weeks to be difficult ie with toilet training and biting but I hadn't realised that just when you think you've cracked it that they then go through their teenage years.

So, some things I've found useful regarding mental stimulation which stops a dog exhibiting poor behaviours due to boredom: maze-style feeding bowls take longer and use some brain power; puzzle games whereby you hide treats for the dog to find eg buster activity mat has different pocket-type things you can buy to add to the starter set to vary the game; a snuffle mat to scatter kibble or treats over and the dog has to sniff them out; treat ball which the dog has to roll to get his kibble or hard treats out of and of course the ubiquitous kongs - and these also come in different shapes, there is a bone shape one you can fill the end and a ball shape one.

Also practice 'stay' or 'leave it' throughout the day during games and feeding as you can see the dog really concentrating for when his game will begin again.

For calming your dog down you could try adaptil plug in or a thunder jacket or other kalm coat.

For when you want the dog to busy himself and be quiet, stuffed frozen kongs, filled bones or antler chew keep mine occupied, he particularly loves the antler.

All that said, there is no way I personally would be able to cope with a lively dog, two toddlers and a baby. The lively dog with a teenager is hard enough - and this is a teenager who does all the dog walks on the days I'm working! There is a lot said about a dog being for life, but if he is too much to cope with in your family (be honest) then re homing sooner rather than later would be best for all (IMO)

[SparklingRaspberry]

And I agree that isn't good at all.

But if you had trained him properly he would know that's not an okay thing to do.

You get back what you give

If you want a well behaved dog then you put in the time and effort to 'create' a well behaved dog.

If you don't, then you get a dog who doesn't understand it's boundaries and does what it wants.

[user68753367]

Well then when he's jumping in my child's face and snapping I'm bound to be angry when it's happened a few times once leaving a mark on his arm !

[SparklingRaspberry]

User - I did thanks

[user68753367]

Yeah sparkling read the comments first hey !!!!!

[SparklingRaspberry]

Wow.

Poor, poor dog

[insan1tyscartching]

You won't be the first to get frustrated with an adolescent dog, I remember looking at Eric and thinking I must have been mad to ever think I needed a dog in my life as he was a bolshy, disobedient nightmare for a while. But it got better and quicker than it takes for human teens to become bearable again anyway and now he's three he is mostly lovely most days. Of course he has his moments because he's a dog but nothing awful anymore.

[Wolfiefan]

Oh user that's a great update. It really is. We have just done a 6 week training course (still need work!! LOTS!) but I've seen a real difference.
And unborn!
She's 20 weeks today and 33.7kg so 74lbs!!!!

[user68753367]

I have a lot to be positive for I'm working on our dog and my child makes me proud everyday so we are keeping it this way I'm not a giver uper and it's swimming day haha

[UnbornMortificado]

User you sound a lot more positive this morning, I'm really pleased

[user68753367]

Yeah my dog sure would give it a go haha

[user68753367]

Lol stupid phone

[teaforbreakfast]

That's great :)

Don't eat the training, though

Although many dogs would!

[user68753367]

I'm going to eat the full training with him and work with him so thanks for all the kind words my main priority is sorting this and my child to be able to enjoy our pet who is going to be around for years to come !

[teaforbreakfast]

Good.

I'm very genuinely glad to hear both those things.

[user68753367]

I haven't hidden the thread I've. Wen asleep ! And your very wrong to think the gumtree part !

[teaforbreakfast]

I think OP hid the thread.

That being said, I would bet my house that this dog will not see a behaviourist, a vet or a puppy training class.

It'll be on gumtree before the week is out.

[MrsPeelyWaly]

I'm absolutely disgusted at the way some of you are ripping apart this pregnant woman. No worse than playground bullies

Op, I'd call a behaviourist tomorrow for advice

I'd keep my money to spend on something else because all any behaviourist could advise is for the OP to ignore the bullies on the thread and hope they see a behaviourist soon.

[Blackfellpony]

I feel for you, it's really hard but your going to have to step up and put the work in otherwise you'll be stuck with this forever.

I was in a similar situation. I was pregnant, had a huge dog and human aggressive German shepherd plus another dog and couldn't cope at all. I had been training but nothing worked. The dog was destructive, didn't listen, knocked people flying and scared people in the street every time I took him out.

Best thing I ever did was get a proper registered behaviourist. I was actually doing most things wrong and now they are corrected things are really improving.

It does sound more like an overexcited puppy than an aggressive dog but first things first you need to seperate him from the children. Teach him manners and get him house trained, it sounds like all of your attempts have confused him and to be honest they aren't the brightest of breeds to work with so it needs to be correct and consistent
Don't let him off lead until he comes back, if he was to get in trouble his breed will go against him then too as they always get blamed regardless.
Crates are not prisions. He should love it in there. He sounds bored and distressed and I think you need to crate train again from the beginning.
It's not so much about walks but exercising the brain, get him thinking and that will tire him out more than any running around!

I hope you can get something sorted but you sound like you need professional help before something worse happens.