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Should have told us this from the start! Definitely just in need of more training.He's 2.
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Should have told us this from the start! Definitely just in need of more training.He's 2.
I agree that there should be a spot where he should feel comfortable, but not to the point he's willing to bite the family (in this case the people living with him, visitors should know well enough not to disturb a dog on his bed).I learned as a kid that my dogs need a place they can feel safe and know they won't be bothered. Even when my dog is sick, I don't try to give him medicine until he leaves his bed (tucked under a living room side table so it has a "roof"), even though he's a gentle soul. The only time he has even growled at anyone was when one of the grandkids kept trying to pet him while he was in his bed. When he's not in his bed, he tolerates a lot more irritations than I would, without complaint. When he's had all he can handle, he gets into his bed. So, when Tarawa86 says "that kennel isn't his," I have to disagree. The dog has to have a place of his own.
So here's the deal. My oldest daughter got a dog about 2 years ago. Of course her being 20 at the time I ended up raising him more than her. We spent hours upon hours here on the couch, me typing away and him sleeping in my lap. He was my best buddy, and in a house of 5 girls the only other male here. We've gone on extended car rides, walks, played catch...etc....
He lives here at my house full time now.
I've NEVER been rough or abusive with him, nor hit him or otherwise. I have scars on my arms from sharp nails and wrestling around. Never has bothered me when I get a wound or two from playful fun.
So a few months ago I was petting him while he was in his kennel. At night before bed. It's HUGE and you could fit many of him in it. He growled and nipped at me. Left a mark and a bruise on my finger. I let it go.
Two nights ago I again petted him goodnight and he didn't growl, but instead bit me so hard I had to go the the doctor for a tetanus shot and get it cleaned out. Now I don't want to pet him. I don't trust him at all. My wife and my girls love him as do I, but all the trust is gone and frankly I'm worried that I'll get bit again. We have a wifi camera that records the whole area and my wife watched the video. She was shocked, she said "you were being so sweet and gentle".
Just to add, he really likes his kennel, and goes there often throughout the day with the door open and lays comfortably. Sometimes he won't even come out when he's called.
He's a Rot/Pit mix. We took him to the vet today and they couldn't get him to show any signs of aggression. Maybe he has aggression regarding his "house" as that's the place he bit me? Twice.
Suggestions? Ideas? And don't just tell me to put him down, because that's the last thing I want to do........
So here's the deal. My oldest daughter got a dog about 2 years ago. Of course her being 20 at the time I ended up raising him more than her. We spent hours upon hours here on the couch, me typing away and him sleeping in my lap. He was my best buddy, and in a house of 5 girls the only other male here. We've gone on extended car rides, walks, played catch...etc....
He lives here at my house full time now.
I've NEVER been rough or abusive with him, nor hit him or otherwise. I have scars on my arms from sharp nails and wrestling around. Never has bothered me when I get a wound or two from playful fun.
So a few months ago I was petting him while he was in his kennel. At night before bed. It's HUGE and you could fit many of him in it. He growled and nipped at me. Left a mark and a bruise on my finger. I let it go.
Two nights ago I again petted him goodnight and he didn't growl, but instead bit me so hard I had to go the the doctor for a tetanus shot and get it cleaned out. Now I don't want to pet him. I don't trust him at all. My wife and my girls love him as do I, but all the trust is gone and frankly I'm worried that I'll get bit again. We have a wifi camera that records the whole area and my wife watched the video. She was shocked, she said "you were being so sweet and gentle".
Just to add, he really likes his kennel, and goes there often throughout the day with the door open and lays comfortably. Sometimes he won't even come out when he's called.
He's a Rot/Pit mix. We took him to the vet today and they couldn't get him to show any signs of aggression. Maybe he has aggression regarding his "house" as that's the place he bit me? Twice.
Suggestions? Ideas? And don't just tell me to put him down, because that's the last thing I want to do........
What are we, gorillas? Violence is not dominance. Don't have to beat a dog to set dominance, shouldn't need to. Pinning is the last resort, meaning nothing worse than that. And even that isn't being as rough as possible (just enough, no more).which I get that many here think I should do to establish dominance. I'm just not the kind of guy to beat up a 40 pound dog.
What are we, gorillas? Violence is not dominance. Don't have to beat a dog to set dominance, shouldn't need to. Pinning is the last resort, meaning nothing worse than that. And even that isn't being as rough as possible (just enough, no more).
Just putting it out there: some people let their dogs use a kennel as their personal space, meaning they don't interact with the dog at all once it's is inside its kennel, especially if the dog has chosen to go there of its own accord. It doesn't sound like your dog has dominance issues, it sounds like he wants to be left alone when he's in his kennel. Plenty of dog owners find this to be a normal and acceptable situation.
How about ditch the kennel