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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Lynne has been training dogs since 1985. She has worked as head trainer for two facilities, a studio trainer (print ads, commercials and television) and as a continuing ed and certification rep for what was then the largest dog training company in the US. Lynne is a member of the IACP and keeps her training techniques current by attending various seminars and reading books. She currently competes in the sport of schutzhund, has a registered therapy dog, and has started her young Papillion in agility. Lynne owns and runs Blazing Trails K9 Academy in Santa Clarita/Antelope valley California.
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[Edit]
1/23/2006
My girlfriend and I have had a min pin for two
years and every time we get close to each other he
growls or nudges himself between us. He also
attempts to bite us every time we leave the house.
Is this a separation anxiety problem? (chymel8, Louisiana)
Actually this doesn't sound like a separation anxiety
problem (I personally take the standpoint that there
are very FEW ACTUAL cases of TRUE separation anxiety
out there, but most people think their dog has
separation anxiety), it sounds more like an aggression
problem. For this I would highly recommend finding a
qualified trainer/behavior specialist in your area.
This is not a case that should be solved over the
internet by someone who has never actually seen your
dog in person.
It SOUNDS to me like there are some
leadership issues with this dog. The leader in a pack
controls resources. You are a resource, your
girlfriend is a resource, and space is a resource. A
pack leader may control interaction between pack
members (you and your girlfriend), they may control
who comes into or exits their pack (hence not allow
ing
anyone to leave), and they may try to control any
other number of scenarios.
It's good that recognize that there may be a problem
here...many people (especially those with little dogs
who may not do as much damage) consider this a "cute"
behavior. When in reality, the dog is being bossy.
Bossiness isn't cute or very becoming in a dog. It can
grow into other things (aggression, separation anxiety
etc) if you don't recognize the problem and treat it
seriously.
Min pins can be feisty little dogs (for
most people with these fun little dogs, they consider
this a perk) but they can also become tyrants with
teeth if you don't treat them like the big dogs they
think they are, and like the followers they should be.
I recommend reading my previous article "who's leading
who" on the topic of being a stronger pack leader.
Again it's also imperative that you seek qualified
help from a professional trainer/behavior specialist
who can monitor the situation more closely then
someone on the internet can.
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