I'm posting this for friends....

They have a 3 year old pound dog. Sweet, well trained, and very nervous. His nervousness is at its height at home. He barks at people coming in, has nipped at least once before, and actually bit someone the other day. He was aggressively barking, and bit a woman who was let into the home. This seems to be the only time he attacks--when someone comes into the home.

My friends are now wondering what their next step should be. They have a vet evaluation set up, and will be meeting with a trainer. He is not crate trained, so I think that would be a first step. He receives daily exercise. I know trainers in town recommend drugs for dog anxiety, and I'm not informed about the pros/cons of that.

Their main worry is even with training and containment, how will they know that Charlie is safe? Is a biter always a biter?

They are good dog owners wanting to do the right thing.

Crate training would be my number one thing

Then I would go about it in two steps:

First I would have the owners start tethering the dog to them whenever someone is coming over. (They should keep a leash by the door in case of surprise visitors) They should put the dog in a sit stay (if the dog doesn't know this, then teach him first. I'm sure you already caught that!) Then move to open the door. Each visitor should then be handed a treat that they can gently toss to the ground after they have entered and taken off coats, boots etc. Have the person ignore the dog and stand still and let the dog get the treat. Once the dog has taken the treat then everyone should go about their business with the dog either tethered to the owner, crated or made to stay on a bed.

The other way is to crate the dog whenever anyone comes over, and this is the way I would choose if #1: The dog did not improve with the first method or #2: The owners are not willing/able to work with the dog on this. (Some people, because they are scared or what the dog might do, can actually cause the dog to do something by sending an unsure energy to the dog)

3 year old pound dog.
Is that an approximate age? How long have they had the dog?
What kind of nerve issues does the dog have outside of the home? How is the dogs ob overall? Any ideas of the dogs lineage? Relationship the owners have with the dog?

For myself, I don't want my dogs even looking for treats from strangers, much less accept being fed by them.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
M & M Enterprises

3 years old is an approximate age. Just looking at his teeth, you would think he was older as they are worn down. He chewed on the fencing at the pound. He's been home for about 1.5 years.

Obedience--he is good at sit, down, leave it. He has a good relationship with owners, and is very trusting of them. That goes for whoever is taking care of him at the time as well. He does get nervous when the owners leave him, and is a velcro dog.

Unknown lineage, but supsected some kind of borde collie or setter mix.

He is only nervous in noisy, busy settings, but does fine on walks or hikes, and he wags his tail and is generally pretty dog neutral when greeting strange dogs. Aggression is only when protecting the door.

Randy, I understand not wanting your own dog to accept treats/food from strangers, but what about this situation with a nervous dog?

Thanks for these replies so far.

I may be all wet and certainly others may have way better input but these are my thoughts as a pet dog owner of many breeds and years....

What is the owners reaction to his nervousness at home? Is he biting people as they enter, leave or are trying to interact with him? I suspect that if this has just climaxed after a year and a half in the home that one of two things has happened.... that they have created this out of an unstable dog . Coddling him and inadvertantly praising him for being a basket case. "oh, it's alright. Don't be afraid" instead of "Go to bed and be still" I also don't like turning people into pez dispenser just to try to change an association for a dog. Often it just makes the dog an annoyance thinking it should be getting something from everyone for nothing. That and I don't understand people needing their dog to like everyone they let into the house. He doesn't have to like them but he does have to have manners with them. OR something major has changed in theirs and the dog's life. A death, a divorce, new kid, new neighbors....

And in my mind I would want this dog to clearly understand two things. I am in control of the situation and it is NOT his place to be nervous about anything. He breaths MY air.....which follows the first. He should not be feeling like he should or can deal with anything.

I would guess that this dog is confused as to who is in charge and trying to fill the void of leadership. At my house he would be on NILIF(nothing in life is free) as a matter of course just to give him structure. He would be crated if he can't lay and stay 100% when people are visiting. He would be no where near close enough to bite someone.

I am just starting to be familiar with the DVDs and E books offered here on Leerburg so I cannot make a good recommendation but I am sure there is information to be had there that will clearly delineate what they could be doing with this dog. Probably the pack structure DVD and the aggressive dog information.

Hi Sonya--

While I would bet that your estimation would be right for many caes, I don't think that's what is going on here. His owner provides clear and consistent leadership with this dog, makes him wait and sit for his food, etc...I think the dog's background of being in a pound has really made him a nervous nelly. There definitely isn't coddling. My understanding is that his reaction comes with people entering the house. He's always on alert--listening for noises and the outside and already barking when he hears someone approaching.

I'd think I'd start working on the nervy issues outside of the home first. You mention that hustle and bustle gets her on some edge. Get some focus and ob down outside.
Inside the home. The crate is a nice safe place for the dog.....well away from the confussion of strangers, the hellos, the hugs, the hats and coats coming off, the wandering around to find chairs, the wierd smells, the wierd manners and voice, etc etc. Even odds manners from 'my very own humans!!!!?'
All very trying for a nervy dog.
After all the big to do is done and everyone is happy and settled, IF the dog feels like coming out of the back (bed?)room, calmly bring it out on a lead to just sit with one of the owners while the visit continues.
However if you're playing bridge let the dog go bite the opposition if they out bid you. But if the game is going well, lead the dog back to it's room before the hub bub of the nights fair-thee-wells.

There's no reason the dog has to do anything more than accept that these are people you want around, and it's okay.....chill.

But I'd start getting the dog used to the busy-ness of life outside of the home first. J-u-s-t a l-i-t-t-l-e at a t-i-m-e.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

So has this always been an issue the last 1.5 yrs or is it a new thing? Or has it just gotten out of hand to the point of the bites?


Randy Allen>>>However if you're playing bridge let the dog go bite the opposition if they out bid you. But if the game is going well, lead the dog back to it's room before the hub bub of the nights fair-thee-wells.<<<

So THAT is why my grands would let the cat into the room if they were losing! My great uncle was petrified of cats....likely did throw him off his game. ;0

Sonya--I think that's exactly it. And Randy--I will pass on your words of wisdom, especially involving the Bridge game!