our dog got aggressive tonight, Help!

[ken and sue]

Our boxer "Aussie" is about 2 yrs old, he lives most of the time in the house with us and is a perfect dog.
Lately, when we go to put him outside at nite for about 5 mins to go to the bathrooom, he refuses to go. tonite he bit me when i went to put him outside. PLEASE HELP US! We have no idea what to do to solve this problem. He's a great dog 99.9 % percent of the time. My wife has a baby on the way in 2 months and we're both worried about "Aussie".

Thanks, Ken and Sue and "Aussie"

 

[Maniago]

When you say "bit you" and "he lives most of the time in the house with us "

would you mind explaining what you mean?



At age two does he let you know when he has to "potty" ?

The more detailed information you give, the more helpful the replys

 

[VTbxrFan]

A vet check is always a good idea with a sudden change in behavior. Thyroid problems, for example, can cause behavior changes that are solved with medication.

 

[ken and sue]

Aussie, The biter!

by biting, we mean, he took a serious bite at me. and actually bit me on the arm. Yes, he let's us know when he needs to go outside, he also has known for a long time that we put him out for 5 mins outside every nite for his final bathroom run.. and up until now he has never objected.

 

[neilsmom2000]

hmmm..

Any other changes to bedtime routine, say like going to bed earlier?
Just an idea here--if you have been consistently putting Aussie out for 5 minutes at night, and then immediately put him to bed afterwards, he's bound to have made the association between the two. Could be that by telling him to go out, Aussie knows what's to follow immediately, and is stubbornly telling you he's not ready for bed! Perhaps a 5 minute gap between the time he's let in and the time he's put to bed will help.
Maybe he was spooked by something out there without you knowing? Is he acting afraid about going outside, or does he just seem mad? Take a walk around your backyard and see if there's anything out there that might make it inhospitable to your dog.

Good luck!

 

[Boxer_21]

I would definitely recommend a visit to your vet. As mentioned above, when a dogs behavior suddenly changes it could be some health related. He could be sick or he could be hurt. In the wild, dogs didn't show signs of being injured (for their own safety against predators) so chances are good if Aussie is hurt he's hiding it.

Also, when he goes outside for the last trip I'm assuming he goes by himself?? If so, maybe something happened out there that frightened him and he's still worried to go outside alone. If this is the case, you may want to start going outside with him until he's back to normal.

Good luck and keep us updated!!

 

[billpl]

Re: hmmm..

Originally posted by neilsmom2000

Maybe he was spooked by something out there without you knowing? Is he acting afraid about going outside, or does he just seem mad? Take a walk around your backyard and see if there's anything out there that might make it inhospitable to your dog.

Good luck!

This for me was my problem, I too had the same problem with Chopper maybe a month ago. All of a sudden he would give me a hard time to go outside at night time for his bathroom break before bed time, I tried to grab his collar one evening and he snapped at me. (Plus being he was rescuded I was really worried)I found out the next day why he acted that way. I went outside with him and found out he was scared of the next door neighbors Van they had parked in their driveway. It seemed the noise from the doors of the van spooked him when they would open and close the doors as I watched him actually tremble when we got near the fence. I grabed some treats he loves and played for hours on hours outside with him getting him closer and closer to the fence so he could overcome his fair with the Van, for many days. It also helped, recently the neighbors bought themselves a puppy mix who Chopper loves to play with running up and down that side of the fence.
I would suggest you take him outside and walk around with him and do it all differnt times of the day and evening, I'm sure if their is something that has spooked him he'll let you know what it is if their is any. It could be a number of things that can do this, maybe kids playing with flashlights at night time shinning them on your dog, variuos noises, sirens, lights turning off and on, etc.
But I also too won't cancel out taking him to the Vet for a check.

Chopper just turned 3yrs old this month and I have had him since September 2002, but I don't think age has anything to do with it I believe they can be scared at any age.
Don't worry, I know he's just trying to tell you why he doesn't want to go outside at that time, you just have to step back and see what it is that he's trying to tell you.

Good Luck
Bill

 

[Scrapper's Mom]

Sometimes Scrapper won't go outside to pee, but I know I'm going somewhere or it's bedtime and I want him to be "empty." In those cases, I just coax him a little and go outside with him or at least watch from the door and then he goes right out with no problems. Maybe Aussie wants company. Just curious, were you pulling on his collar when he bit?

 

[DaisyDuke]

ddever...

That is a really good point! Animals are so intune to that sort of thing. Especially since your wife is due so soon - I'm sure there has been chaos in the house! (Not your fault, of course...) I would definately check out the yard but I would also mahe sure you give him extra love and TLC. We will never be able to know what goes on in our dog's heads but as long as they feel safe and secure, you know they will be their happiest!

Good luck!
Natalie & Daisy

 

[Paulette]

Regardless of the reasons for your boy not wanting to go outside..he should never bite you! He obviously doesn't see you as the "head" of his pack. I know not everyone agrees with that theory but many talented trainers advocate this method. Our boy was a rescue and already had been aggressive at his other home. We had to establish that we were the head of the pack and he needed to respect that. Let me first reassure that this was accomplished by gentleness and love ..but firmness. We established this by little tricks suggested by our trainer. He was made to "sit" before he ate. He had to wait until we went through a door to go outside..he was not allowed to charge out in front of us. We were not allowed to play tug of war with him. We do not allow him to growl at us..even in play. We actually grab his face and pull down a little and say "no growl"! He knows "no" really well! We taught him the command...leave it! This works for toys...food we don't want him to eat...cats he tries to chase. He's not perfect..but his behavior is much improved.
I would also suggest getting a baby doll and showing him ..teaching him to be gentle. Just getting him used to seeing a little person should help before the baby is born. Good Luck and Happy Baby! Paulette