Bruno's last chance salloon

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Mosh

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Just come for some advice really. We've had Bruno since January and he is approx 18months old JRT. He came over from Ireland last year and we don't know anything about his history.

We have had many issues like attacking people that walk into the house, attacking other dogs etc. We have mainly sorted the problem with people coming into the house but now Bruno has started attacking me. For example this morning, he was sat on my lap having a stroke and there wasn't even a warning growl and he attacked me, just launched at my face but instead he got the top of my head. He didn't draw blood but it is a bit sore now.

I have called my trusted dog groomer (behaviourist as well) and she has referred me to a trainer who specialises in training dogs who have behaviour issues, especially rescue dogs.

Is there anything i can do with Bruno untill i get my appointment through? How can i recognise his warning signs? With my old greyhound it was obvious but with Bruno I'm not sure, they are very very subtle.

Bruno will NOT be rehomed as there are enough dogs out there with issues and I refuse to let him be passed from pillar to post, if this doesn't work than he shall be PTS because he deserves better and so do I. Harsh as that may be I have to think of the welfare of him, my family and myself.

If anyone has any advice than it is much appreciated.
 
Has he been to the vet to rule out pain or something neurological?

If it is not pain or health related, in the interim, if he were mine he would be on total lockdown. When he is in the house, he is in a bed or crate, that's where he stays. No beds or sofas. No stroking or fussing. No being allowed to take himself where he wants willy nilly. You take him outside on a lead and bring him back in again. When you are out for a walk he is beside you on the lead. In this way there is no room for manouvere and much less opportunity for him to bite you.
He interacts with no one but you. You feed him, you walk him, you provide anything good in his life. In this way no one can interfere with this sort of management or put themselves in harm's way. If that is impossible, then everyone else in the house must deal with him in the same way.

Can I ask what you did immediately after he attacked you? What happened in the past when he attacked people? Was there any consequence? Did he give warning growls before, and now does not?

It will be hard to spot the warning signs if you say he didn't give any. If you keep him in this way, if you don't know what the triggers are, this removes lots of potential triggers for him and you can start again.
 
Personally I would not be allowing this dog on my lap, furniture etc. Sounds like he has issues in understanding his place in your pack and he's told you off for doing something he didn't like. Providing there are no medical issues with him that's causing this then I really think a bit more 'tough love' is called for. Not being a behaviourist myself I can't give professional advice but the minute a dig exhibits behaviour you do not want they need to be removed from where they are immediately - ie if on the sofa they are put straight on the floor. If they do it just when in the room then they are removed from that room. I think this behaviour can be pretty common in small dogs as many people molly-coddle them and don't treat them as dogs. I think once they do understand then organ be fairly easily resolved.
 
Forgot to say he will be off to the vet to double check everything is okay. He used to snarl at people when they walked in and then go for them but today there wasn't a warning this morning. After he attacked me I got him off my lap, then I shouted and made myself big and scary and sent him out of the room. He has a crate so will put him on lock down and I will now manage him solely. No more sofas for him!!
 
Bear in mind, like people, that not all dogs like being touched and fussed with - I hate people being in my personal space, at airports and shop queues and suchlike - however it is something I have to deal with in everyday life. If someone is too close to me I will tut or apply pressure back or say 'excuse me'.

Some dogs are no different, but they express themselves in different ways. It's not 'cruel' to not pet or cuddle a dog, it's a human concept we apply to our animals and while in an ideal world, petting a dog makes us and the dog feel good, sometimes it just makes us feel good.
 
I agree with the other posters. Little dogs sometimes get away with this behaviour and it starts way before you see snarls and nips. You'll see him leaning on your leg or getting on your lap without being asked. He might push his head under your hand insistently for a fuss. He'll make his way into rooms he's not supposed to be in or take stuff that's not his. My GSDs know personal space because they are too big for the couch or the bed, hehe!

It's time for discipline and routine. You are now totally in charge of his life. You control everything he does. I'd confine him to one room. He doesn't get on the furniture. Make him do a command before he gets food (sit, lie down, anything like that). He is removed before visitors come and put in a crate (he'll love a crate in the end if you use it properly). Use a muzzle if you're worried about him biting you; it's just a tool to add to your list. Walking is good - tire him out. Go on a bike so you can wear out the energy. Then he goes in his crate until you say he can come out.

If you're worried that you can't manage him, a behaviourist is a great idea too.
 
Thanks guys. We've started.as we mean to go on. He's now kept downstairs, not allowed on furniture, not allowed in the same room when we eat and I've started to teach back up so he gets out of my way when I say and I taught him to wait a while a go. We hace changed bins around so he can't help himself like he tries too and I am the only one who feeds him. Next week I should start one to one obedience training.
 
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Great to hear you've started already. I think these types of behaviour can be turned round (especially in such a young dog) with consistent, firm training/handling. Dogs need to know boundaries and learn what is acceptable behaviour and they are much less stressed once they know where they stand!
 
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