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Topic: Would spaying help with behavior?
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Luis
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posted April 26, 2004 03:13 PM
I have a 1 year old female dog that I'm sure she wasn't socialized properly because we got her when she was around 6 or 7 months old. I've tried to expose her to as many people as possible but she just barks and jumps when she meets someone new. After a while she gets used to them but when they try to touch her she nips at them and is always very alert around them. I've heard that neutering dogs makes them less agressive, does it work the same way with female dogs?
Posts: 11 | From: Illinois | Registered: Apr 2004
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DaxAriel's toy
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posted April 26, 2004 04:00 PM
It might help but most vets say don't rely on it. What you need to do is train the dog to remain calmly at your side no matter what the distraction. This is done by making you the most interesting thing in your dog's line of sight. You may want to invest in a muzzle while training - and take your dog to flea markets, shopping centers, picnics where there is a lot of noise - people , etc. The muzzle will deter most of them from coming right up to the dog and as she becomes more comfortable & controlable you can remove. Nipping at her age is an absolute NO NO and she should be scolded in voice & action. Thru training force her into a laydown position and stay - you can keep her down by gently applying pressure to her shoulder blades. Make sure she realizes it's no longer acceptable for any nipping (that includes your playing with her).
You have an intelligent creature who needs to know what behaviours you as the pack leader will tolerate from her.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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ellierat
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posted April 26, 2004 04:06 PM
I agree, I don't think spaying will help much with this problem, as with males they have a territorial problem without castration, if your problem was heat related, IE: different behaviour when in heat, phantom pregnancies I would say yes. But I don't think it will help here, you will have to train her, her behaviour is more of a learned thing, rather than hormonal.
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Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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Luis
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posted April 26, 2004 05:05 PM
I bought a muzzle about a month ago and I only used it once to take her to PetCo where there's a lot of animals and people, she was distracted for about 10 minutes while she tried to take it off and once she did she started getting really hyper which made it hard to put the muzzle back on. I've never tried it since, maybe I didn't put on right? And I also got really worried that she would overheat since the muzzle keeps her from breathing hard. She gets really happy when I take her out.
Posts: 11 | From: Illinois | Registered: Apr 2004
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ellierat
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posted April 26, 2004 05:58 PM
How about trying some obedience classes, rather than such a busy place, as that would have made her more hyper.
At obedience class there are other dogs and people, all striving for the same thing, they will help you to try to correct your problem.
Is she actually biting, or sort of nipping, like trying to get hold of your jumper, or hand, as that is a gesture of wanting you to stay and pat her, it is not agression. Although still not tolerable, it can be corrected.
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted April 26, 2004 05:59 PM
Buy a muzzle that lets the dog open mouth fully but has a sort of cage that means she can't attach her teeth to anything.
One thing I have heard of to reduce aggression & biting is to have a certified vet file down the dog's teeth. It probably costs a small fortune and I still think training is the key.
You might want to invest in the training collars although I have never used one. Miss Bandit may be able to give you more advice on those.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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Luis
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posted April 27, 2004 06:03 AM
She usually nips at the people, but to tell you the truth I've never let strangers get near her (like on walks) because I don't want to find out if she will bite them or not. Sad thing is, I'm pretty sure she would. As for the obedience class, did I mention she really doesn't like dogs? I'll give it a try this summer anyway, I guess it wouldn't hurt to try!
I've seen muzzles with the cage that lets dogs bark and breath better then the one I have. I once saw one of those on a Police Dog, on TV. I've never seen them in stores. Where could I get one?
Posts: 11 | From: Illinois | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted April 27, 2004 06:17 AM
I would phone around in your area. A pet specialty store where they teach obidence should have one.
Another thing to try is to actually take her to "Attack" training. I know it sounds like the exact opposite of what you want but in order to be a good attack dog, they need to be able to shut off the aggression via command. Call your local police dept on information on who does their training. They probably have great tips.
It's not so much that she'll bite but she does it at her will not yours. Take a can with a lid - small enough so you can take on walks. When she starts getting hyper - shake the can to break her concentration & get it back on you. Then get her to lay down, etc.
As for the other dog issue - neutering will help somewhat with that but in most cases dogs on a leash will show more aggression than if they are allowed to interact freely. (They can't get away on a leash so they are fearful).
You may want to enlist a professional trainer to work with her.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted April 27, 2004 06:56 AM
Sorry - wanted to ask - does she nip at you? Or just strangers.
Try when meeting people on your walk - get her to sit. Place your hand on top of her muzzle and repeat QUEIT or SETTLE in your firmest voice. Keep your hand there and be prepared to encircle her muzzle gently but firmly. Don't allow her to get up until you release her.
Make sure people that come up to you speak to you don't approach the dog. After about a minute get them to move within a few feet and go away. Get your freinds & neighbors to help. Ideally she should start to ignore them.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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Amberlii
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posted April 27, 2004 09:22 AM
Maybe you could try the gentle leader or halti. I use it for our Great Dane so that he doesn't pull me. When a stranger comes up to us on our frequent walks I have total control over him. Then I can say sit & help him do it if I can't get his undivided attention. They are still puppies in my opinion & like others have said training is the best route! Vader has been thru puppy obedience but there are still times when I cannot get his attention like if there is a hyper dog around him, etc. Vader is actually at the Vets office this morning getting neutered. Back to the halti though. It would also deter him from biting if such a thing should happen as it fits around the muzzle. In todays world you can't take a chance & even though we think we have the sweetest dog in the world he is an animal & a dogs bite would be awful! Good luck to you. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posts: 91 | From: KY | Registered: Feb 2004
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weimlover0816
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posted April 27, 2004 09:52 AM
I agree that halti or gentle leader will help with the control issue, but it actually says on the gentle leader website that their product is not a muzzle... "First of all, the Gentle Leader® Headcollar is NOT a muzzle. When fitted properly, your dog is free to open his mouth to eat, drink, pant, fetch, bark and even bite - except when you close his mouth by pulling on the leash." I recommend visiting the website for more info... www.gentleleader.com
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"My Weimaraner is smarter than your honors student!"
Posts: 221 | From: USA-Maine | Registered: Apr 2004
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ellierat
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posted April 27, 2004 03:35 PM
Luis, I have been to obedience classes, most dogs don't like each other there, everyone expects it, theres a certain respect everyone gives to each other, I would not worry about not going because of her attitute, while you are there it is the best time to teach her to get along, because people are wary of others dogs.
She will learn to behave, and you can chat with others about the biting.
When she goes to nip does the fur go up on her back, does she growl as well? You are wise to be cautious. Put a lead on her, set up a situation, neighbour, friend, when she runs up to bark etc. pull her back hard, say come, then sit, reward. at any other time she runs up to bark, get her nose and muzzle with your hand, look in her eyes and really yell NO, then come, sit, reward. You will need to spend a fair bit of time on this every day, 10 mins every couple of hours, to reinforce the message. In the meantime don't take her down the street.
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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Luis
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posted April 28, 2004 06:21 AM
Hey guys, sorry it took me so long to reply but ironically something terrible happened yesterday! My dog bit someone and I was given a ticket. ![[Frown]](frown.gif) You don't know how terrible I feel. It wasn't in my house or on a walk, it was in my back yard! Some guy was cutting the grass and somehow Tootsie bit his hand. I still don't know how though, he was on the other side of the fence!
She was just starting to get better too! Every time I walked her I set a goal for her to get close to people and she was just going for 2 feet! ![[Flaming Mad]](graemlins/flamingmad.gif)
I don't know sometimes I just feel like giving up on her, but my own stubbornness won't let me.
Posts: 11 | From: Illinois | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted April 28, 2004 06:35 AM
Did she jump the fence? More than likely - the grass cutter put his hand in her territory. If that is the case I would fight the ticket as it is perfectly natural for a dog to defend her territory.
There have been some good ideas passed on to help you. Have you tried any of them? Are any working?
Patience is the key. I am always amazed how one day they are perfect angels doing everything exactly right - then the next they are growling at you because you sending them to bed.
You may want to enlist a professional trainer for help as well.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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Luis
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posted April 28, 2004 10:50 AM
No, she didn't jump the fence. That's why I don't know how she bit him.
You have all been very helpful, I have tried some of your suggestions for the past week and they are all very helpful. She doesn't bark at people when I walk her anymore, before she use to bark at people if she saw them blocks away. I think she just needs a lot of time and patience.
Posts: 11 | From: Illinois | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted April 28, 2004 11:52 AM
I would fight the ticket since his hand had to be within teeth range therefore on your property.
Until you get her trained up (maybe even after) invest in a couple of "BEWARE OF DOG" signs to cover your butt from further hassles.
And yes, time is everything. They tend to calm down around 2-3 years and they get cracky again around 10 or so.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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Ken Nielsen
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posted April 28, 2004 01:19 PM
Neutering is a wise choice and will help with both male and female aggressiveness.
Posts: 94 | From: Portland, Oregon | Registered: Apr 2004
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