[Commentary] Sometimes
our love for our Pomeranians gets in the way of good judgment. Many times
I hear from owners who can not understand why their dogs are acting aggressively
to other people, dogs, even to their own family members. We must remember
that when a dog first exhibits an undesirable behavior that is the time
to set the dog straight and not sit there chuckling over how funny you
think it is. You may find it amusing at first, but in the end, it will
have created a pattern. A pattern that is no longer amusing and very difficult
to break.
Dogs being pack animals
will continually retest their owners ,as they do other dogs, to find out
if they can rate as pack leader. It is up to YOU to maintain the pack leader
status. Consider the way dogs interact with each other. Disputes are quick
and to the point and the loser ends up backing down. You always have to
think in these terms.
If a particular scene
creates an aggression problem, then change the scene. Think in terms of
throwing a new element in to the equation. At the very least the dog will
be caught off guard and will have to formulate a new response. For instance
in one of the cases below, the dog becomes overprotective of the daughter.
(Actually the dog thinks it is protecting its property.) How would I change
this? I would no longer allow the dog to sleep in the daughter's room.
I would crate the dog at night in the kitchen (with food and water in its
crate). After a few months of this, and once I was satisfied that the dog
no longer expressed aggressive habits, I would allow the dog to sleep at
night in the daughter's bedroom, but always in its crate.
The person who is on
the receiving end of the aggressive behavior should also make an effort
to better bond with the dog. Feed it, train it, and/or give it treats when
it responds in a good way. Some dogs may always have an aggressive nature.
The key is always to keep it in check.
Sue Philbrook
Lisa
I am writing to see if
anyone knows what we can do to help resolve this aggressive behavior. I
love this dog and when he is sweet, there is nothing sweeter, but he is
equally mean. I want to help him and I am open to any suggestions anyone
may have.
From Lisa McCal/email:
lmccall@lowcountry.com
Tina
Spicy has become very
protective of my 12 year old daughter. At night, Spicy sleeps in the bed
with Jessica. In the morning when I come in to wake Jess, Spicy gets vicious,
baring her teeth and growling at me. If I attempt to touch Jess, Spicy
will snap at me and will frequently bite me. It is comforting to know that
a stranger could not enter my daughter room without Spicy alerting the
whole house, but it is a frustrating and often painful way start to my
day. Any suggestions? By the way, Spicy is loving to me most of the time.
As a matter of fact, I often cradle her in my arms like a baby while I
go about my routine. She is definitely our "baby".
From Tina Dietz/email:
TDIETZ@WSCC.CC.TN.US
Steve
I have the same problem.
What should I do? Or should I just get rid of the dog!
From Steve/email: steven@atl.mindspring.com
Mary
If a person does not
take the time to get to know about the dog's ancestors they can unwittingly
"double up" on undesirable traits when a dog is inbred. That could have
been the case with Teddy. Most males become "more so" if they are allowed
to breed. I would advise getting Grover neutered early (now sounds good!!)
and then taking him to obedience classes. There he will learn that YOU
are the boss, and you will be taught how to act as an alpha. He should
be checked out fully by your vet - there could be a physical reason for
his behavior. Has he ever fallen? Does he walk normally? Do you allow him
to jump up and down on his hind legs or on and off the furniture? All these
things could cause pain in joints, and a dog in pain can be less that sweet
natured. If there is no physical cause then obedience lessons, perhaps
agility classes - things that reinforce you as #1 and make him healthily
tired, may help.
From Mary Allan/email:
MFXG02C@prodigy.com
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