April 12, 2011
I have created a monster. Is it too late to change him?
Full Question:
I have recently acquired a Dachshund. He was one year old when I got him, he is now 14 months. The people who had him before me kept him alone in the back yard. They could no longer keep him because of a barking problem. I felt that a barking problem would not be to hard to break I was wrong. He still has that problem to a degree. The bigger problem is he has become EXTREMELY aggressive the longer we have him the worse it gets. He is fine with our family, but when other people come over they are in danger of being bit. There have been a few people who come over who Rufus seems to take an instant liking to. He is a very loving dog with our family. After reading your articles I can see we have been doing a lot of the wrong things. Like letting him sleeps in my bed, eats at our table, and has a toy box of his own loaded with toys. My questions is this now that I have created the Dachshund from hell in only 3 months can I reverse the situation by dethroning him using the suggestion in your articles, Dealing with the Overly Aggressive Dog. I just don't know what to do. 
Ed's Answer:
Yes, you can change this dog. It will take a little work, but if he is to ever have a chance at being a normal dog you must make the effort or put him to sleep. My advice would be to try helping him first.
You need to do everything in the articles Dealing With the Overly Aggressive Dog and Dealing With the Dominant Dog. I would also try a Tri Tronics No Bark Limiter.
Then start the dog on a serious obedience program. Read what I have to say about Basic Dog Obedience. This is a key issue. The dog needs to learn to mind, and this can only be accomplished through a sound foundation of proper training.
During this training I would create a spot for him in the house (on a specific rug, for example.) He should learn to do a long down on this rug, with the long term goal being to have him go to the rug and stay there for 1/2 hour or more. Then when visitors come the dog is allowed to greet them and is then sent to the rug. This eliminates the threat of a bite (if he does not mind he is corrected, use a prong collar if necessary). The key point here is the dog must have an opportunity to see who comes and greet them BEFORE being sent to the rug. If you do not do this you will only raise the frustration level and make things worse rather than better.
You need to do everything in the articles Dealing With the Overly Aggressive Dog and Dealing With the Dominant Dog. I would also try a Tri Tronics No Bark Limiter.
Then start the dog on a serious obedience program. Read what I have to say about Basic Dog Obedience. This is a key issue. The dog needs to learn to mind, and this can only be accomplished through a sound foundation of proper training.
During this training I would create a spot for him in the house (on a specific rug, for example.) He should learn to do a long down on this rug, with the long term goal being to have him go to the rug and stay there for 1/2 hour or more. Then when visitors come the dog is allowed to greet them and is then sent to the rug. This eliminates the threat of a bite (if he does not mind he is corrected, use a prong collar if necessary). The key point here is the dog must have an opportunity to see who comes and greet them BEFORE being sent to the rug. If you do not do this you will only raise the frustration level and make things worse rather than better.
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