RE: [pyrnet] Agressive behavior

Here is one thing to try:

Does he know the sit / stay command? Have him sit and stay (may want to try while on leash). Place an “untouchable” object on the floor, but some feet away (have someone do it for you, as you’ll be holding the sit/stay). With you in front of him, if he looks at it say “leave it” and give a treat when he looks up at you and ignores the object. Correct him with a body block or tug of leash if he fixates on the object or tries to go for it. Move object closer as he gets better.

What I’m trying to say is, make him believe he’ll get something better if he “leaves it”. Eventually you should be able to have it sitting right by him and he won’t take it.

Other things that might help are make sure you go in and out the door first, don’t pet him when he comes to you but when you call him and he sits for it (hard for me to do that one). Does he get enough walks? Has he gone to obedience training lately?

I’d say if he’s growling he thinks he’s leader of your pack and your not. I’m working on something similar with our dog; she had been pulling and growing at other dogs when we walk. Not realizing it, I let her get that way, and now have to do the work to change it.

Good luck.

Vicki and Hailey

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org [mailto:owner-pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org] On Behalf Of WEKPBK@aol.com
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 8:51 AM
To: pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org
Subject: [pyrnet] Agressive behavior

I've been enjoying input from all of you since I got "Gentle Ben" He was a 5 month old when we adopted him, and is now a year and a half.

Our only problem is aggression when Ben "steals" something like a sock or hand towel. You can tell he's very pleased with himself when he finds a stray sock or manages to sneak in the kitchen for a towel from the counter. But, getting it back from him is tough.

Normally we have the chase through the house, and after a lot of scolding, or a trade for something better, he'll give it up. I don't like the idea of trading him because I don't want him to learn that he's getting a treat everytime he steals something.

So last night we tried just scolding, and when my husband reached for the sock, Ben actually bit him. We have always tried to make sure Ben knows his place in our home. He doesn't sleep on our bed, or even in our room. He doesn't eat table food. He's required to sit before getting a bone.

I don't know whether to enroll him in some intensive training, or just "pick my battles", and continue to trade for a treat when he steals something. Depending on what you read, either or both is recommended.

Would love to hear from you about your experiences.

Pamela and Gentle Ben