Don't touch the head!

[regis2259]

Pokey is not a "biter", but he still will get excited when he is playing and play bite, but it is always soft. He has a very soft mouth. We immediately stop playing with him and ignore him for a few minutes. However, he has started biting us if he doesn't like something we are doing to him i.e. when we try to pet him on the head, try to clip his nails (this is a nightmare).

I took him for a walk this afternoon like usual, but this time our neighbors son (who Pokey loves) came out to pet him. He tried to bite him everytime he went to pet him on the head. I told him to pet him on his back and Pokey was fine. This is the first time he has done this, but we don't get him out much and I wonder if he felt "pinned up" being on his leash and could not get away.

I know he would never hurt anyone intentionally, but I want to get his under control now, he is 8 months old.

Any suggestion please!

 

[sgbtab]

IMO I believe that is a sign of aggression.maybe you should start to touch his head so he can be desencatized.(sp) he needs to know where he stand's. it might confuse him if he thinks he's alpha over you or the children. he is at an age 8 months where he will question his postion.



nails also is something you can work on by touching his pads
when he is relaxed he just needs to get use to it.

 

[zoe-bear]

Many dogs don't like the tops of their heads being reached or touched on approach, I believe because it is a dominant & sometimes aggressive posture to them. Which is why you should never approach a strange dog this way. I would try to desensitize him & teach him accept it (it may be something that he just doesn't like), but also make sure he understands the skin kids are dominant to him.

We use a Dremel (grinding stone attachment) for the nail grooming around here & it works very well once they get used to the sound & vibration. It makes me feel better as the chance of taking to much off to fast is minimal & the nails are left smooth & rounded instead of sharp.

Good luck & just be patient.

 

[Gus's Teah]

Same thing here...

must be something in the water in AL...

Gus started doing the same things about a month ago. We started going to training classes and I learned that we were doing many things that contributed to his aggression issues. He's not a biter, but I'm scared that he might have become one if we hadn't started working on these issues. We were advised to never let him walk ahead of us, to make him work for every single thing (even toys), not to let him bark out of the window at passers by, and not to wrestle with him for a while (until all aggression issues are under control). Gus is great with everyone that he knows, family, friends, kids, etc. He does not like strangers very much though and has a habit of growling if they do not seem friendly. Since we travel with him a great deal, we know that we must nip this in the bud immediately.

Good luck with Pokey!! Wish us luck too....

 

[regis2259]

I would love to find training classes here. The only person I have been able to find is from the "old school" and I do not want to go that route. I would like to know some of the suggestions your trainer has had, especially since Gus and Pokey are so close to the same age. Sure wish the PM's were working!! Anyhow, we are still planning a trip to birmigham soon!!

Have a great day!

 

[sandy's mom]

regis2299 where are you in Alabama. I know of several places throughout the state where you can get training for your baby.

Let me know if I can help.

 

[regis2259]

I am in Tuscaloosa. Do you know anyone around here?

 

[gmacleod]

IMO I believe that is a sign of aggression.maybe you should start to touch his head so he can be desencatized.(sp) he needs to know where he stand's. it might confuse him if he thinks he's alpha over you or the children. he is at an age 8 months where he will question his postion.

It is absolutely NOT a sign of aggression. Quite the reverse - it is a defensive reaction to an aggressive gesture.

In case you're not aware, touching the head is an extremely aggressive/dominant gesture for dogs. Not something they ever do to each other, except as a precurser to a fight. Your dog is telling you he's uncomfortable with that sort of dominance display - so *don't do it*. Instead, ensure that you and anyone he comes in contact with learn to handle him more appropriately. Touch his sides and back before working toward the head. And in the case of children and strangers, don't let them pet his head at all. Or at least not until he has learned that that sort of gesture from humans isn't the offensive that he thinks it is.

You might also wish to bear in mind that at 8 months, your dog is in his second fear imprint stage and should *never* be forced into situations he is uncomfortable with or afraid of. Especially when he's clearly letting you know it.

As for trainers, try looking for one in your area on this site: www.apdt.com You need to check, of course, but all of the trainers listed with that site should be employing positive training methods only.

 

[Gus's Teah]

Trainers

I found my trainer by going to the AKC's website to look for CGC certifiers in the area, I emailed all of them to ask if they were trainers as well. They all were, but 2 of them used negative reinforcement techniques and were nixed right away. Of the remaining 2, I found one that I am using and have a back-up if necessary. If you want to come to Bham every Monday night at 8, we'll be repeating level 1 next time... our trainer actually has 2 boxers herself, so she is very unstanding about the distraction and stubborness that Gus so proudly displays . Gus's growling was not just when someone touched his head, but anytime that any stranger that he was somehow wary of came near. He doesn't do this with my husband, just with me. We thought he might be trying to protect me at first, but we're not sure what the problem is anymore, but we're working to correct it anyways.

I'm excited to hear that you're coming to Bham soon!! We must get Pokey and Gus together to play

 

[sgbtab]

thanks gmacleod. you learn something new everyday.glad to know that it is the dog who thinks it is aggressive behavior. I will make sure when I go to the dog park not to pet any dog on the head. my guys love when i pet them on the head I hope that I am not screwing them up.