Help. The dog dislikes my husband, and nipped at him last night...

[elehhhhna]

(croos-posted in Pets Group)

Long story short--Hubs went in to tuck in our daughter & Spiffy nipped at him. Spif (7 mo. male rat terrier) also jumps up at our male 6 y/o labby's mouth, which Budward (bless his heart) puts up with--sometimes pushes him down w/ a paw).

How do we get this dog to knock it off? He took 4 MONTHS to housebreak - a record. I've never had a dog housebroken (crate training!) in more than a 2 weeks.

How do I get the hubs and the dog to be friends?

Thanks!

Long story short--Hubs went in to tuck in our daughter & Spiffy nipped at him. Spif (7 mo. male rat terrier) also jumps up at our male 6 y/o labby's mouth, which Budward (bless his heart) puts up with--sometimes pushes him down w/ a paw).

How do we get this dog to knock it off? He took 4 MONTHS to housebreak - a record. I've never had a dog housebroken (crate training!) in more than a 2 weeks.

How do I get the hubs and the dog to be friends?

Thanks!

[BikeWriter]

1. Flock, herd, pack or whatever. You and your husband...

should be the Alpha male and female. That's the way animals function. If not there will be more trouble, not less.

[elehhhhna]

2. I know. I suspect Hubs needs to spend some time with the dog,

giving commands, and demostrating he's the boss.

[BikeWriter]

8. Precisely! Also, Spiffy is controlling of your other dog...

He may try this on your child. There are so many things he doesn't understand, and dogs will discipline pack members they are superior to.

[applegrove]

28. Husband needs to talk to the dog regularly. And be the boss. Same

as you.

[BikeWriter]

30. Thank you, Applegrove.

[BikeWriter]

3. If I were you, I'd pay immediate and special attention...

to Spiffy's relationship with your child. He should know in no uncertain terms she is your "puppy", not his, and she holds a superior position to him in your "pack". I've raised and bred hundreds of pedigreed Chows around children without any "accidental" bites.

[flvegan]

9. Chow-Chows? Really?

They can be tough, too. I, personally, have yet to meet one I didn't like, and one of my personal dogs has a good amount of Chow in him.

[BikeWriter]

12. Chows are wonderful dogs, but must be understood...

The first male I raised with my toddlers died years later protecting them by attacking a four wheel drive monster truck which repeatedly trespassed on their property.

[Jamastiene]

4. This may help:

I once had a Maltese/Yorkie mixed dog who acted like a little terror. Terriers are like that. They have the little big man syndrome. They will fight to the death over nothing just because they seem to think they have to prove something. It's in their nature. To some degree you have to accept that fact, but there is something you can try to remember that may help.

1. Unlike other dog breeds, terriers and other small breeds will protect whoever is paying attention to them at the time. In other words, if the dog is in your husband's lap, the dog will defend your husband with his life. If he is in your lap, he will defend you. If he is in bed with the kids, he will defend them. It has to do with defending territory. Even approaching the no matter where they are at the time is considered a threat to them. It's just the way they are.

2. Never put your face anywhere near their mouth even when playing. They will bite at the strangest times. I don't think they mean to do it out of meanness, but they will do that. Again, it is their nature.

A nickname I have adopted for terriers is "terrors." I love them, but I know them well enough to know they thrive on the attention. I learned a valuable lesson with my terrier. He was the meannest little thing until one day he bit my aunt and her reaction caught him by surprise. She made a big deal about it and shunned him for the rest of the day. We found out that the only way to discipline him after biting was to immediately shun him and then remind him when he asked for attention a few times. I'm not saying to ignore the dog for a long time and deny him love, just let him know that he hurt you and you can't offer love if he is going to bite like that. It worked on mine. He quit biting altogether after that one day. So, like I said, it's not a long time or a continual punishment to get their attention. Just do it one good time and make it count. He was a loyal loving pleasure to be around after that one day. I never forgot either. It seems to be the only way to get a terrier to perk up and pay attention to what they are doing to you.

Hope this helps. I would be willing to bet that your husband can make friends with the dog, but make sure he knows not to do it while the dog is cuddled up to you or the kids or eating his food. Stuff like that has to be done carefully to outsmart a terrier, which isn't an easy thing to do. They are bright little creatures and can outfox humans fairly easily. Or at least mine was. He was an eerie kind of smart. I still miss him.

[elehhhhna]

11. Thank you. Your observations are spot-on! You've described

Spiffy perfectly! We're accustomed to large dogs and this little puppers is just sooooo different. I really appreciate your thoughtful, insightful post.

[gollygee]

5. I have this same problem with my cat

she adores my husband and will sit on his lap for ages, but hates me and nips at me all the time.

Is this alpha thing the same with cats as with dogs? Is there a solution for this.

Luckily, she's nice to our daughter. I was worried about that but apparently I'm the only one who deserves the biting.

[BikeWriter]

20. Cat's behaviour is decidedly different, yet...

they do have rankings among groups of them. Their's may tend to be more in flux do to their independence.

[skygazer]

6. How did your husband respond?

At this point, being friends is less important than being recognized as the boss. Your other dog can handle his own deal - they will work out who has the higher position in the pack between them. But there can be no confusion about where you and your husband stand - you have to be in charge.

Sounds like he's very much an alpha male - he needs to learn that you and hubby are more alpha - you may want to consider some professional training to learn how to convey that properly.

[elehhhhna]

13. I think he pulled away and yelled. Possibly tapped Spif on the butt.

The dog was very contrite and rolling on his back if we even glanced at him.

[BikeWriter]

18. That's the behaviour you want from him..

if you raise your voice. Your child should be taught to master him, too.

[elehhhhna]

21. Yes. Thank you. You know sometimes the hardest part is

training the family. Spiffy knows "NO!" and responds immediately, but the fam damily persists in holding long one-sided conversations with him rather than giving him the command, already. It's exasperating.

[BikeWriter]

25. Yes, but they must understand some dogs...

take their responsibility to the pack very seriously. He may feel it is his duty to discipline them at some point. My kid's Grand Parent's terrier did exactly that, and it cost her a scar and he was immediately put down. Remember, he is fearless and is trying to boss your husband and much larger dog.

[BikeWriter]

26. I concur 100%, but will add the children should be Alpha, too.

[skygazer]

32. Yes, you are right

I should have mentioned that.

[BikeWriter]

33. I'm especially concerned about the children...

I'm sure Spiffy adores them, but he could become confused by events, too.

[flvegan]

7. Is he neutered?

Many problems begin there.

[yellowdogmi]

10. The husband? That is just mean.

Sorry couldn't resist.

[elehhhhna]

14. No and I suspect that would help.

[flvegan]

15. Were I you, I'd make an appointment tomorrow.

Once the testosterone is out of his body, any aggression (at this level) can be trained out of them. He's hitting his sexual stride now, so the sooner the better. Try to find a low cost spay/neuter clinic in your area. It should be much cheaper than a full service vet.

[elehhhhna]

23. Just looked one up! Humane Soc's is close & inexpensive.

[friesianrider]

45. I'll second the neutering, that will help immensely.

It may take a few weeks for the testosterone to work its way out of his system, but this will help tone down any semi-aggressive behavior big time. It'll also help with the smell of his urine (if it hasn't started to smell REALLY bad, it will!) and should also help with things like barking too much, marking, etc. Plus there's about a thousand health benefits for the dog, too.

The sooner you can get him neutered, the better. Good luck - I hope you'll let us know how he does! :)

[BikeWriter]

17. (Biting a kid!) Neuter him if you don't plan to breed....

My precious step-Daughter, who we raised around so many large vicious dogs, has a scar on her lip from her Grand Parent's cranky terrier biting her when she was three or four!

[elehhhhna]

19. He didn't bite the kids...he nipped at my husband (I don't think

they even made contact). He's great with the girls. It's Hubs he doesn't "like".

[BikeWriter]

22. I understand, but if he feels he is superior to the girls...

in rank in his pack, his nipping them to discipline them cannot be ruled out.

[elehhhhna]

27. True. They need to start "working" him, as well.

Our(now departed) Elkhound, Jake, was stubborn and clever. Whenever he got a bit obnoxious, a few days of putting him through his paces twice a day for ten minutes at a time straightened him out completely.

Spiffy needs to be clipped and homeschooled.

[BikeWriter]

29. Very good, it sounds as if his insurrection will be quelled. ;-)

[henslee]

16. Hubs should walk dog at regularly scheduled times.

[SOteric]

24. There's a lot of good information in this thread.

I've had some great success training very smart, very well-behaved dogs. Terriers can be very bright little critters.

• Your puppy should be neutered as soon as is realistically possible unless you're intended to breed him for some specific reason.
  
• Your husband needs to spend time with him in such a way that the dog learns the pack order. It will come in time, even if the little guy is currently confused or a bit of a slow learner.
  
• Consider putting your husband entirely in charge of when the puppy gets Snausages or whatever treat his little tail wags over. No one else in the household should distribute those treats for a time.
  
• With slow learners, - positive reinforcement works better than punishment. It's true with my young human students, and true with the pets I've known as well. Reward successes lavishly and correct mistakes gently.

Good luck!

[BikeWriter]

31. Yes'm, and consistency is a key, too! :-)

[philosophie_en_rose]

34. Terriers are slaves to pupperoni.

Terriers have Napoleon complexes. However, I've found that they are highly prone to pupperoni addiction. :) They will literally fall in love with their "dealer."

If your husband trains Spiffy and is the one to hand out treats - I guarantee Spiffy will start to like him.

[ChoralScholar]

35. I probably

would have flipped the dog over immediately, gotten down in his face and talked him down in a very low, mean tone. Just as a mother dog would do to a pup.

Your other dog will take care of its own pack hierarchy when it gets sick enough of being bitten. He'll "lay the smack down" as we say in our house.

Good luck.

[BikeWriter]

37. That does work, and I have gotten down...

on a Chow's level and growled at them in extreme cases. Spiffy's relationship with the entire pack needs reworking though.

[havocmom]

50. Yep. Speak in a language the young dog will understand -

do what an older, higher ranked dog would do: Flip him over, hold him til he is still. Throat over his throat (mindful that he may try to nip at first) until he relaxes his body (stops any struggling against being held down) That is how a dominate dog reminds a beta to keep his place.

A mom dog will also bite on a wayward pup's ear to correct them. You can do it easily. Don't have to 'pull a Tyson' and actually bite to hurt, just clamp down enough to pinch the ear and let him know YOU have teeth too and expect him to mind his manners. It is how dogs discipline pups and younger dogs who forget the pecking order.

Once a young dog understands who is boss in the pack, they generally relax and behave quite well. If they have some confusion about who is boss, they will keep making a run at the position. Nature hates a vacuum. Dogs hate a power vacuum. Most dogs will settle down as soon as they are convinced the pack has a leader worthy of the position.

Be loving,BE CONSISTANT, be friendly, be playful, be appreciative of their good efforts, but ALWAYS be the boss.

[Redstone]

36. Shoot the dog.

Redstone

[BikeWriter]

38. That's the quickest and surest option, yes.

[Redstone]

41. Man's gotta be willing to shoot his own dog, it comes time to.

Redstone

[BikeWriter]

42. Yes, I agree, and I have seen events...

come down to that before.

[Redstone]

46. Dog gets a taste for eggs if you have chickens, or bites a kid, or just

gets to suffering...there are some duties that should not be left to others.

Redstone

[NNadir]

47. Does she have to do it herself? Couldn't she call Dick Cheney to do it?

[Redstone]

49. Oh, GOD, that was funny! Thanks SO much for the laugh.

I really did laugh out loud when I read that.

And just laughed again when I re-read it. Damn, do I love a quick wit!

Redstone

[NNadir]

39. I regret to say that you will have to divorce and marry someone else

This is the only workable solution.

[BikeWriter]

43. That solution seems like a simple one, but...

she and the children may be fond of her husband. :shrug:

[NNadir]

48. Well if you insist on sentimentalism and if you must quibble.

The dog clearly isn't fond of her husband.

I only phrase it this way because I am sure that she would never stand for her husband taking a nip at the dog. The priorities are clear here.

[BikeWriter]

51. I bow to your superior wisdom and logic.

[Canuckistanian]

40. Tie some bacon to him

That's what my mom did to me (twitch twitch).

[BikeWriter]

44. .

:rofl:

[mvd]

52. He's still a puppy

Are you sure he's not playing games that he'll grow out of? My dog Reba, who is super friendly, used her mouth to play when she was young - but I'll grant that she never bit down. It wasn't one bit out of aggression.

I'm concerned because when they are puppies, dogs are usually at their lowest point of aggression. Is there anything in the dog's background that might make him not like your husband?