behavioural problem

soulfull

soulfull

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 July 2007
Messages
6,506
Location
Staffs
Visit site
Friend of a friend has a 3/4 yr old doberman x Alsation neutered dog. Had him since a puppy not rescued

Generally exceptionally well behaved and trained.
Has been taught to wait while owner goes through door, gates etc. stays when told. retrieves, leaves, never jumps up people. Owner is very into being top dog

however

Just sometimes when walking on the lead he will loose the plot at another dog, barking, growling snapping etc.

Also will do this if he suddenly decides he wants a ball owner has, or a treat in owners pocket


There doesn't seem to be anything in particular that sparks it, and 98% of the times things can seem the same but he behaves well

After chatting to my friend a while she slips out that another occasion was when dog was on the sofa and husband tried to get him off, he went mad even nipping him. Further chatting revealed that sometimes dog is allowed on sofa and other times like when they have visitors he isn't

I wonder if it is a dominance issue and by sometimes letting him do things like go on sofa, he mistakes that he has won a battle with her, rather than associating it with visitors as owner hoped

Other bits that maybe/maynot useful

he doesn't like his humans to stray too far when walking, he gets upset and whimpers until they come back and he has checked them over

He will nip at her bum and other parts as they walk along (not always just sometimes)(herding perhaps?)

owner suffers quite ill health

he also gets panicked if on a walk and faced with different choices of direction

on one occasion owner walking over stepping stones, he was barking and nipping at her feet(she felt he was somehow trying to help?)

any input gratefully received

He went nuts in the garden the other day because she would play with him, barking, bouncing up and down and nipping
 
Thats a selection of issues there:D I think a bahaviourist in the home to chat with the family one on one would be the best idea, it's hard enough dealing with an actual owner let alone 3rd party and on a forum:D
It sounds as though he is a little confused with the boundaries making it look like the owners are a force to be reconned with, I dont have issues as such with dogs getting on chairs beds e,t,c but when there is no real structure from the leader/owner things can do seriously tits up with such a breed or cross of the 2 breeds the dog is (not a great mix either)
I always say to people I deal with, please think forward to when you need the dog off chairs/seats of car and if problems arrise can you deal with them? thing is no one likes to think ahead and possibly think because they can deal with the puppy they can then deal with any issues that arise as an ADULT! and here is where the trouble begins.
If they have not already then a halti maybe a good idea around other dogs and if he is so keen on the ball treats use those to get his attenion when dog are near by.
Also I would advice "off chairs" at all times, no upstairs! and use a slip lead to remove him for any situation that arises now to prevent a grapple and a bite and use "time out" for bad dehaviour indoors with the least grapple, i.e slip lead on and remove to kitchen, no talk, eye contact, leave him out for 5 mins then allow him to re enter, again no contact of any kind, give him a chance to settle again (on floor in his bed). And def a dgood/recommended behaviourist in to help the owner deal with the nipping as this I dont believe can be dealt with over the net without knowing the people/dog or the scenario.
 
I heartily agree with what Cayla has said regarding a behaviourist sorting out mutiple problems. This dog has had very mixed messages and dosnt quite know whether he is coming or going and I dont subscribe to the dominence thing I just feel the dog is not getting any leadership.

I also wonder how much exercise this dog gets because I dont know about German Shepherds but Dobes do need a lot of exercise.
 
Lol, I just read back and i did my pet peeve advice/advise and obs beh not bah:o.....I blame lack of time, I worte/typed that in record speed. I can spell/distinguish between them I promise:D
 
CAYLA said:
Lol, I just read back and i did my pet peeve advice/advise and obs beh not bah:o.....I blame lack of time, I worte/typed that in record speed. I can spell/distinguish between them I promise:D
Click to expand...
:D don't worry about it

Thanks sounds like good points to me
 
Lot of drive (mix of two drivey breeds) and possibly easily stressed/feels pressure easily, again a problem certainly in at least one or both of the parent breeds.

No offence but it is not something to diagnose/advise third hand on over the interweb so second a behaviourist and actually a good training club, sounds like he needs a 'job' to do, like agility, obedience, tracking etc.
 
owner already takes him to training and agility classes. said she has tried whatever the trainer suggested

I think I will get her to find a new trainer as it obviously didn't work.

Thanks
 
Anyone can set themselves up as a trainer with little or no knowledge. So it's worth looking for someone with some form of professional accreditation IMO.

I don't know about dominant, but he sounds quite insecure and perhaps in need of more leadership? But when I say leadership, that doesn't have to mean morphing into some kind of drill sergeant, of course!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top