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Post Info TOPIC: Dog trouble - need help/advice
MissMee


Kate Spade

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Dog trouble - need help/advice
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My little Boston Terrier, Skippy, is causing me and others a lot of grief.  He'll be 2 in October and is really a good dog, though he likes to jump up on people.  He's also very protective of my 2 little ones and doesn't know the difference between playing and attacking.  Just a while ago, 2 little girls were here playing with my daughter.  They are 7 and 9, just FYI; not 3 like my daughter.  Anyway, the 3 little girls went outside to play and Skippy followed.  I heard them yelling at him - nothing in particular, just his name.  A short time later my daughter was knocking on the door, crying.  The other 2 girls are nowhere to be found.  I called their mother to see if they were there and to let her know that they left my daughter outside alone.  The mother told me Skippy bit the youngest one on the leg.  No blood or broken skin, but he still nipped at her.  I don't know what Skippy did to provoke this, but the girl had been spraying him with a waterhose "to make him go away" when he nipped at her leg.  She ran home crying.... "terrified" as her mother said.  She then said she didn't know if the girls could come over here to play unless I have Skippy locked up.  That's fine, because I don't want him to be biting people (this is the 2nd time Skippy's bit this girl, no broken skin, and he's also bit another friend), but I also don't want to have to be on constant watch of both the dog and the kids.  I don't know if he's just being a puppy and can't tell when he's playing or hurting or if I have a real problem on my hands.  On one hand the kids have probably been provoking him by chasing him or kicking at him or hitting him (I have seen this, but not from the girl), on the other hand I don't want to make excuses saying Skippy's being provoked when he's really being aggressive for no reason.


 


I have no prior experience w/ dogs and don't know what to do to stop his biting or nipping of people.  Is this something I can stop with training, or should I send him to a trainer, or what?  I wouldn't want to get rid of him, but if he's going to be viscious to others who come around the little ones, that may be the only option before someone gets really hurt and we get sured.



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RyanJ


Coach

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The little girls probably did provoke him (damn kids ), but taking him to obedience classes would probably be a good idea. Our dachshund can be really aggressive and we first took him to classes one on one w/ a trainer. Eventually he was able to move to classes with a group of people and their dogs. Our dog is no where near perfect, but it has really helped him. You never know when your puppy could bite and really hurt someone and you could end up losing your dog.

Many time when we try to correct the problem ourselves we just end up making it worse. There is a lady that brings her dog into the vet I work @. The had to come in for a serious of shots and I starting working there in the middle of his shots. I guess in the beginning he was this very aggressive yappy dog and now he is the submissive dog that is scared to death of everyone and everything. Apparently this lady had "trained" him herself. I think he was better off before she starting "training" him. He has absolutely no personality and is scared of everything. You come near him to pet him he just cowers.

You could call you vet for recommendations on animal behaviorist or trainers. Make sure you get someone that knows what they are talking about and have been doing it for a while. I definitely think it is problem that can be corrected you will just have to work with him.

Good luck.


-- Edited by RyanJ at 17:42, 2005-06-20

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Cortney1982


Chanel

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I would get rid of this dog before you get sued!  Our dog is 5 years and still acts "crazy"!  Always hyper and jumping on you.  And he gets soooo excited when we come home running back and fourth as far as his chain will take him.  He has to kept on a chain or he runs rampant through the neighborhood and will attack any strangers or other animals that come near us. 

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RyanJ


Coach

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Cortney1982 wrote:
I would get rid of this dog before you get sued!  Our dog is 5 years and still acts "crazy"!  Always hyper and jumping on you.  And he gets soooo excited when we come home running back and fourth as far as his chain will take him.  He has to kept on a chain or he runs rampant through the neighborhood and will attack any strangers or other animals that come near us. 


I think that is horrible idea. You can correct these problems and there is no reason to get rid of the dog until she has worked w/ him. He is still a young dog and I think these problems are correctable. If she gets rid of do you think someone else is going to want him? No, he will probably end up being put to sleep.

Maybe if you worked w/ your dog and trained him Courtney he would not act like such a monster. Animal behavioural problems are correctable. I see it ALL THE TIME working at a shelter and an animal clinic.

-- Edited by RyanJ at 10:17, 2005-06-21

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MissMee


Kate Spade

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Right!  I wouldn't want to get rid of him.  That would be a TOTALLY last resort!  We got him because the breed is supposed to be good w/ kids.  He's very good with ours and takes their abuse very well, but he's SO protective of them that he needs to be taught the difference between playing with and assaulting them.


 


I'm going to ask our groomer if there's a local person who might could train him.  The vet is far away.



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luckylily


Gucci

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I also think it would be best to meet w/ a trainer.  Find a behaviorist who can come to your house and do a full evaluation.


Until then, I would absolutely not allow kids to play with the dog without supervision.  Kids are really unpredictable and many dogs find that unsettling.



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kenzie


Chanel

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Cortney1982 wrote:


I would get rid of this dog before you get sued!  Our dog is 5 years and still acts "crazy"!  Always hyper and jumping on you.  And he gets soooo excited when we come home running back and fourth as far as his chain will take him.  He has to kept on a chain or he runs rampant through the neighborhood and will attack any strangers or other animals that come near us. 


No, don't get rid of this dog! He's part of your family. Just b/c he's having some behavioral issues doesn't mean he should go.  Animals are not disposable! Honestly, it sounds like b/c he was aggressive with the same girl that she might be teasing him. 


But, I agree with others who have said to take him to a trainer.  Boston Terriers (in fact, most terriers) can be kind of highstrung.  He just needs to be trained properly.  But training them like that takes a lot of work (so be prepared).  You have to put a lot of time into it, but it will be worth it b/c he'll be a better dog. 



-- Edited by NylaBelle at 14:04, 2005-06-21

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RyanJ


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You could call a vet that is local to you. We keep a list of pet related services in our area and the surronding areas. Maybe asks your friends where they take their animal and call that vet.

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scarlett


Marc Jacobs

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i agree, get him some training.  it can make such a huge, positive difference, and will also bring you some peace of mind so you don't have to worry whenever kids are around. 


BTW, skippy is such a cute name!



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killa


Dooney & Bourke

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Miss Mee,

Do you post also on the TS BB?? I swear I heard the exact same story today!
Hee hee

If so, I am glad there is another instructor on this board!

I own a terrier mix and I feel for you. My dog has never bitten anyone (he hides from strangers instead), but still ... I don't think your dog needs to go to sleep.

Maybe he just needs to be kept away from kids he does not know.
And of course, training could help.

Good luck!

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MissMee


Kate Spade

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killa wrote:

Miss Mee, Do you post also on the TS BB??
I have no idea what the heck that is, but no I didn't.    Maybe it's a Boston Terrier thing.

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lsubatgirl


Gucci

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I agree try training through a professional.  I don't recommend training at Petsmart or PetCo because it just isn't as good as a private/professional trainer.  It should make a huge difference in your dog's behavior.

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gruiz


Kenneth Cole

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When my mini schnauzer was a puppy, we found a trainer that would come to our house so that she could work with all of the family members together. That way, you all know the commands, and it'll be good for the trainer to see how your dog reacts with the kids too. I also think the dog will feel more comfortable and receptive to be learning new things on his/her own turf. Good luck to you!

(and I'm so happy to hear that you're willing to put time into training your dog properly instead of getting rid of him. You sound like an excellent puppy mommy.)

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halleybird


Hermes

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Cortney1982 wrote:

I would get rid of this dog before you get sued!  Our dog is 5 years and still acts "crazy"!  Always hyper and jumping on you.  And he gets soooo excited when we come home running back and fourth as far as his chain will take him.  He has to kept on a chain or he runs rampant through the neighborhood and will attack any strangers or other animals that come near us. 

I am sorry, but this attitude is one of the reasons so many dogs are in shelters today. That is the worst suggestion I've heard. (And by the way, if you were to be sued, your homeowner's insurance will cover it.)


Dogs are a different species, and communicate differently. I highly suggest finding a good trainer to come into your home and observe these problems -- it is worth the cost. The trainer knows how to communicate effectively with the dog and can change the behavior pretty easily. Our dog trainer has been in business for 15 years, and she has never seen a dog whose problems couldn't be corrected. Most likely, your dog is just communicating the way he does with other dogs -- they nip and jump at each other all the time in play.


My stepmom had a similar problem with her dog, and it was even scarier because the dog in question was around 90 lbs. But they corrected the problems easily. Good luck.


 



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MissMee


Kate Spade

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Thanx everyone for the input.  I'll be calling on some trainers!!!!

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The only rule is don't be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in.  Paris Hilton
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