Agression....

[MAXIM]

Ok, so ive had my pit bull pup for 2 weeks now, he's well adjusted to everyone in the family & all of our pets, loves our friends who come over, everything is going great...But lately ive been noticing when he plays and pulls things, and when we try to take them away, he begins to growl & show teeth, even bark obnoxiously...that kind worries me, is that a bad sign of some sort? or is he just playing and trying to dominate the situation? help!

[MAXIM]

wow thanks for all the help guys :(

[miakoda]

This thread is in the "Newbie's Q & A" section & not everyone can reply. Check out the threads started for you & your dog in the other sections. ;)

It wasn't anything against you, it's just this particular section.:)

[14rock]

Sorry, I did not catch this thread the first time it was posted. Odd, since I check new posts every day. Also, being in the Newbie section, only a handful of the staff is able to respond to these threads (to cut down on the number of BS replies, and misinformation). My appologies.

How old is the dog? Is he growling and shaking at the rope, or at you trying to take it away? I'm lead to believe its the second, in which case it is not a good sign-at all. You are the pack leader, and cannot let him get away with this-ever. Are you familiar with the N.I.L.I.F. training program (Nothing in Life is Free). Basically, its what it sounds like. For the animal to receive positive reinforcement such as toys or food, he must act in a manner to please the pack leader(s) -i.e. all humans. How you deal with the negativity, is a cause of debate. I will tell you when an animal does that to me, it gets a slight slap in the cheek to stun it, and I remove the stimuli, and put the animal in a place where it is forced to think about what it did, and what will happen growling at the pack leaders. NO, do not beat your dog, that is not what I'm suggesting. Besides the initial correction, its verbal from that point on, until I ignore said animal for a period of time.

This is a problem which could grow to be too large to handle if not corrected early, and will in all likely hood lead to dominance aggression. My recommendation is try some NILIF methods, if necessary consult a dog behaviorist who is familiar with breeds who like to "push their limits" and challenge for leader of the pack. For the time being, theres a few things you can work on.

Do not free feed, feed on a strict schedule-dictated by YOU not the canine. When it is feeding time, place the bowl down yourself, and make the animal sit and leave it alone until you are satisfied in his behavior, and allow him to eat.

Do not give any treats, human food, let him beg at the table, etc. Pack leaders eat first, and the rest of the pack must wait a distance away until they are given their share later.

Do not allow the dog up onto the furniture, especially including the bed.

Give the animal affection on your terms.

You dictate every thing in this dogs life, dogs thrive on a schedule, and a purpose. When the animal is acting satisfactory, begin some sort of "work" for the canine to feel he has a purpose, providing for the pack. This can be as simply as dragging a cart in the backyard with the kids from one side of the fence to the other, or something like agility work, or running the treadmill.

These simple steps should give you a happier, well-rounded dog, to live with until you can consult a reputable, at-home dog behaviorist to give you more specifics for your particular situation. This is a problem which if allowed to snowball, will possibly become to great to handle. You must be strict, and diligent, one mistake (say feeling "bad" for the dog and giving him a great big steak and up on the couch for one night) can take a months worth of forward progress-and throw it out the window.

Again, my appologies you received no replies until bumping this back towards the top :(

[MAXIM]

Sorry, I did not catch this thread the first time it was posted. Odd, since I check new posts every day. Also, being in the Newbie section, only a handful of the staff is able to respond to these threads (to cut down on the number of BS replies, and misinformation). My appologies.

How old is the dog? Is he growling and shaking at the rope, or at you trying to take it away? I'm lead to believe its the second, in which case it is not a good sign-at all. You are the pack leader, and cannot let him get away with this-ever. Are you familiar with the N.I.L.I.F. training program (Nothing in Life is Free). Basically, its what it sounds like. For the animal to receive positive reinforcement such as toys or food, he must act in a manner to please the pack leader(s) -i.e. all humans. How you deal with the negativity, is a cause of debate. I will tell you when an animal does that to me, it gets a slight slap in the cheek to stun it, and I remove the stimuli, and put the animal in a place where it is forced to think about what it did, and what will happen growling at the pack leaders. NO, do not beat your dog, that is not what I'm suggesting. Besides the initial correction, its verbal from that point on, until I ignore said animal for a period of time.

This is a problem which could grow to be too large to handle if not corrected early, and will in all likely hood lead to dominance aggression. My recommendation is try some NILIF methods, if necessary consult a dog behaviorist who is familiar with breeds who like to "push their limits" and challenge for leader of the pack. For the time being, theres a few things you can work on.

Do not free feed, feed on a strict schedule-dictated by YOU not the canine. When it is feeding time, place the bowl down yourself, and make the animal sit and leave it alone until you are satisfied in his behavior, and allow him to eat.

Do not give any treats, human food, let him beg at the table, etc. Pack leaders eat first, and the rest of the pack must wait a distance away until they are given their share later.

Do not allow the dog up onto the furniture, especially including the bed.

Give the animal affection on your terms.

You dictate every thing in this dogs life, dogs thrive on a schedule, and a purpose. When the animal is acting satisfactory, begin some sort of "work" for the canine to feel he has a purpose, providing for the pack. This can be as simply as dragging a cart in the backyard with the kids from one side of the fence to the other, or something like agility work, or running the treadmill.

These simple steps should give you a happier, well-rounded dog, to live with until you can consult a reputable, at-home dog behaviorist to give you more specifics for your particular situation. This is a problem which if allowed to snowball, will possibly become to great to handle. You must be strict, and diligent, one mistake (say feeling "bad" for the dog and giving him a great big steak and up on the couch for one night) can take a months worth of forward progress-and throw it out the window.

Again, my appologies you received no replies until bumping this back towards the top :(
Awesome, thanks for the info! And i stopped playing tug of war with him completely, he hasnt shown any agression since that time. I only give him treats when im training him & he does all the commands im teaching him...Ummm as far as the sleeping in bed thing goes, well, he sleeps with us every night, i cant help myself LOL.....