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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Ev lives the Lower Mainland of Beautiful British Columbia, Canada where she has been training dogs since 1969. She is experienced in many methods including clicker and motivational training. Ev is an original Superdog Performance Team member and her own dogs have travelled and performed with the Canadian SuperDogs since 1984. She has also served as an A.A.C. judge ans is an original Member/Trainer with the Dogwood Pacesetters Agility Club.
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1/10/2006
I got a Papillion from a dog rescue about 1 1/2 years ago. He had a very rare problem with nipping when anyone did something he did not like, but was very infrequent. The majority of the time he was on anyone's lap who would let him. Now his "aggression" has increased to the point of growling, jumping at you and biting. I did see a trainer who said to do firm corrections with a "training" leash, working at least twice a day to get him to come on command (if he doesn't go get him), snap it when he growls or attempts to bite, etc. I have been doing this for a few days, he goes crazy taking at least 20 minutes to stop growling, jumping an attempting to bite. Now, he will growl anytime I come near, and refused to come on my lap or let me pet him. Should I continue this training, or do something else? (gardengranny, Wisconsin)
Nipping, growling and biting problems are not as rare as you think in any Toy breed, although Papillions do tend more quiet and/or submissive than other Toys.
I cannot quite understand why a Trainer would suggest doing Recall Training (coming when they are called) for a behaviour problem. Any type of training that will build the bond between you and your dog or heighten his response to you and your commands, is good, but it does not address the problem you have stated above.
I have an Article on my site regarding the proper use of a Squirt Bottle - I suggest you read it, print it out for future reference and try this method for any aggressive behaviour yo
u encounter.
The next thing you need to do is learn about 'tough love'. In many cases and with many breeds, not just Toys, aggressive behaviours towards touching or petting them is usually ignored or handled improperly, allowing the problem to increases and become more frequent and widespread. Many owners tend to make excuses for their pet; "He'll outgrow it." or "He doesn't like to be touched in the morning." etc... Hogwash.... Dogs should allow you to pet them, touch them, take their toys away, take their food away, roll them over, brush their teeth, pick them up, and more - when ever you want - Period.
The fact that your dog is a rescue makes this learning curve a little more difficult because you don't know if anything negative has happened to him to 'cause' this behaviour or if he's just spoiled.
You might also try growling or biting him back when you receive a wrong behaviour. Act like the older (alpha) dog in his pack. If he cops attitude then you toss it back, in the same manner as he would get from another dog. Give a low growl as a warning and he does not back off, then give a louder, quick growl with a snap or bite him on the muzzle. Nothing to draw blood or do any damage but to give the message that he is in the wrong and you are boss and all this in his language.
Without evaluating a dog first hand, written suggestions are not easy to give as there are many factors as to 'why' this behaviour is there, continues and seems to be getting worse. 9 times out of 10, it is the owners.
Canine Caretaker Training/Consulting
http://www.k9care.ca
"United We Stand."
http://www.standunited.ca
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