need some quick advice

Keely · 10-30-2009, 04:53 PM

Ok, so I'm getting a puppy today, chi/minpin, 4.5 months.....i know a little bit more about him, and it sounds like he has some fear/aggression issues. I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing with him, if someone approaches him and he growls or snaps, how should I react? How should people approach him so he feels comfortable? I've been told he is known to growl at the kids he lived with, but hasn't actually bitten. How should I handle this behavior? I was thinking I would have the kids meet him by just being in the same room and tossing him a couple treats until he comes up to say hello. What do I do if he immediately rushes up to people barking/growling and acting badly, he also does not know me at all, and will be meeting me, my husband, a dog, and two cats tonight, plus my two kids in the morning....so it's going to be stressful for him. I just want to get off on the right foot, but I want to try to curb some of this fearful and aggressive behavior. He'll be here in just a few hours, and I'm getting nervous that he will be more than I can handle.

TooneyDogs · 10-30-2009, 06:04 PM

You take it slowly and calmly.

As for meeting people, kids, etc. you do exactly as you suggested...toss treats and it makes no difference if he growls. You're working on changing his perception....that good things happen in their presence....maybe they're not so bad afterall. This is NOT rewarding bad behavior.

The kids should not try to reach for the pup, play with him or pet him. Let the pup meet the kids on his terms.

The cats should have escape routes. Gates to 'safe rooms' would be ideal as they might avoid each other for a few days.

Keely · 10-30-2009, 06:39 PM

thanks for the advice! he will be here in a couple of hours......i've been reading up, and a lot of it sounded like a lot of domination type things, which i do not do. I certainly would not alpha roll my great dane, I'm not going to do it to this guy. I'm definitely going to start him right on the NILIF method, i don't know what if anything he has been taught though. I've watched a couple of "it's me or the dog" episodes since I found out he was coming, I watched those before I brought Keely home and she was the best behaved puppy I've ever known....I like her methods of positive training and try to do the same with my dog, but she is one who has "never met a stranger" and has endless patience and tolerance with the children.

Cracker · 10-30-2009, 07:25 PM

Check out the site www.fearfuldogs.com for some excellent advice on how to deal with fear and fear aggression.
In the meantime...keep a leash on your boy (not unsupervised..safety!) and crate him when you cannot supervise and make it a rule that when he's in his crate he's to be left in peace.

Faerunner · 11-01-2009, 05:18 PM

My soon-to-be stepmother-in-law has an "aggressive" dog who will rush at anyone new who enters the house: growling, hackles up, the whole shebang. She never nips or bites and the advice everyone gets is to pretend she doesn't exist. It works like a charm - she will growl for a minute, sniff, follow you down the hall and then go hide in the next room over. I'm not exactly sure what her issue is - whether it's a territory thing or fear or what, but I know that in her case, she responds very well to planned ignoring of the inappropriate behaviors and she warms up very quickly once you've proven to her that you're not a challenge.

I've also been advised to ignore other dogs who show aggression/fear, so this might work for yours when he is meeting new people to give him a chance to show his feelings, but also to let him know that she'll be rewarded more positively (with treats/toys) once he settles and allows someone to sit quietly near. I'd definitely say that he should be the one to begin the approach, so everyone should be patient with him!

Kay Weber · 11-03-2009, 09:02 AM

We have a pretty fearful dog - Lucky. She likes routine... the same people and situations. The best way to handle her is to give her space. She is uncomfortable when the attention is on her. I tell people to just let her be and in her own time, she will go up to them and make friends. Walking her helps too. It seems to help the mind to keep moving forward. I would keep the situation as calm as possible.

Good Luck!

Jellybean · 11-03-2009, 12:31 PM

You are definitely going to need to understand that this dog needs someone who he feels safe with! You will need to work hard to show him that he can count on you. But, there will be a balancing act because you can't cater to bad behavior and then expect it to go away! You didn't mention how well your other dog does with other dogs. One thing to keep in mind your dog that you have already might react if this new dog gets too aggressive with him. And, it is the first dogs territory so the new dog is somewhat the "invader". Introductions need to be slow, controlled, relaxed and easy. Don't overwhelm your new guy or he'll definitely use what he has learned to use.........aggression! The treats with the kids is a very good idea, just make sure they very lightly toss the treat so the dog does not get any thoughts of the treat being thrown AT him rather than to him. Be on your toes and reward any good behavior or attitude that he shows. Scolding a fearful dog rarely works and many times will only create a bigger problem. Be prepared to take him outside alone if he seems to be overwhelmed. You are going to need to find lots of patience! Aggression doesn't simply vanish overnight. It takes consistency and time. Sounds like you are willing to go the extra mile though so you are off to a great start! If the dog snaps at someone, remove him from the room. Go back and if he does it again, remove him. The very minute that he goes into a room nicely........REWARD HIM! Teach him that being a nice guy comes with rewards. For your training weeks make sure you have some treats on hand that he is absolutely bonkers over! Also make sure they are very, very small treats because you'll be using tons of them. If you find yourself getting frustrated, give yourself a break!! Dogs are very in tune to our emotions and will feed off of them. If you are overly nervous, you'll cause the dog to be nervous. Same with fear, anger, etc.
Above all..........stay safe!!! Keep yourself, your family, your other pets and this new dog safe. That might mean small blocks of time together for a while or it may mean huge blocks of time together for a while. You'll have to play that part by your gut.
Hats off to you for being willing to work through these problems with this little guy! I'm sure the rewards for you and your family will be great!