Re: Team-BHPians and their pets Quote:
Originally Posted by abhipuru16 Guys!
I need some advice here.
Actually, a few days back while my Lhasa Apso pup who is 1 year 5 Months old was sleeping, my mother was petting him. At that moment, he bit my mum 3 times without any warning. Although, the bites weren't very deep but it was still scary!
Now, after this happened, he looked a bit confused and after a lot of "drama (which includes my mum and dad shrieking and me running to the scene to check)" he rushed and sat beneath our center table and looked at us with moist eyes, as if crying.
After that, he came up on my bed, that was when my mum showed me the bite marks and I was so infuriated that I picked up my pillow and gave my dog three tight whacks right on the bed! Even at this point in time he was growling (out of fear maybe?)
Since that day, he has turned a bit aggressive and growls and snaps aggressively if anybody tries to pick him up. What's wrong?
The only thing out of routine I can find is that due to intense winter at our place, we are unable to take him out for walks but instead, let him roam around our terrace in the afternoon where he plays fetch with us.
How do I win back the trust and respect?
I read about it on the Net and am now doing this-
"I hold him up face to face with my hands and try to stare him in the eye without blinking or anything to give him a sense of "who is the boss". At this moment, he stares for a second and then looks somewhere else and then just refuses to look me in the eye. Also, he yawns quite a bit while I go about this exercise."
Just today, he snapped and growled at my cousin who kind of "accidently" held him by his front legs while he was jumping all over here in joy! Fortunately, no damage was done.
He is a good dog and learnt Sit, Lay Down, Stay, Fetch and Shake-a-Paw almost instantly! It is just this behaviour of his in the recent days which has me worried.
Please help me out. |
Many dogs still retain their wild ancestor's instincts. If they are asleep then any contact indicates possible attack hence, their first reaction is to bite, and then think (preservation instinct!). He is confused as he reacted to his instinct and feels that no wrong was done. That the bites are shallow show that it was instinctive and not deliberate action. Just showing him the bitten hand would have worked wonders. Couple that with a sad face and regret at what he has done would ensure that he realises his folly. Of course ensure that he is not petted while asleep as the reaction to it is inbuilt and cannot be cured.
Dogs have as many different personalities as humans. Some males are born aggressive - they have traits of "Alpha Male" that is, they are born to rule the pack. You seem to have got one. My lab is exactly the same, Here is my experience
. If he does not like petting, don't. My lab does not like being petted on the head, but does not mind rough play and rough petting at other places. My lab loves rough games of tackle, pulling and general horse play.
. A dog gets used to routine very soon. So if you feed him at the same time every day, he will make life miserable for every one at that time. Vary the meal timings. Similarly if you take him for walks, vary the routine, else he will be expecting the walk at the same time for exactly the same duration!
. To win his trust you do not have to do much. Just act normal and treat him as your friend (not as a play thing). Take him on walk regularly, and do not inter act with him if he does not want to. Soon you will be able to read his mood. There will be times when he would be aloof, and times when he will sidle up to you for no rhyme or reason. Give his space and he will give you love, but at his terms.
Please warn every one of his behaviour, and play with him by his rules. Our lab is exactly of same temperament, we play a lot with him but know the rules - no petting on head, no lifting, every thing else is a fair game - pulling tail, catching by scruff an giving a good shake, banging him in the rump, scratching every where except head. But only when he wants it, else you try any thing and he will growl, show teeth and act as though he will eat you up. |