Dexta's adventures! And a quick question re. aggression...

[_MizElz_]

Well, life has been quite eventful so far for little Dexta!

After all our worries about him not getting on with Morse, OH's old Border terrier, there have been no problems there. Morse ignores him completely, and actually seems chuffed to bits that presence of puppy = more food for Morse! So no problems at all.

One of our Lab bitches was a bit trickier. Having never been for another dog in her entire life (we bred her, she's now 8 years old and one of the most cuddly, sociable dogs ever), she really snapped at him yesterday He cried, but only out of shock, not because she caught him in any way, but it was still incredibly out of character. We think it was due to jealousy - she'd seen my brother making a fuss of Dexta all day, and then had an attack of the green eyed monster. We told her off for snapping, but made sure not to prolong any punishment - she knew she'd done wrong, so after a minute or so we made a fuss of her and started trying to encourage her to accept him. Today, they have been fine - she's actually been really gentle with him and has been playing with some of his toys with him; we are, however, making sure not to leave them unattended at all. Dexta is under strict supervision at all times!

He had his first jab today, and didnt even whimper - the vet had a syringe in one hand and a biscuit in the other, so I think that helped Back in two weeks for next jab and his chip; vet said he's too small at the moment to chip him as the needle is huuuuge She also said she has never seen a pup this small or young with such readily developed nadgers....young Dexta is rather well endowed! So she has recommended we take him in when he's 6 months old for her to see whether he's developed enough to be castrated, as generally she said they tend to wait til they're a year old to do it. So I shall be guided by her judgement on that!

Just a quick question regarding puppy aggression. He has been utterly angelic towards humans, horses (he's been kissed by several ) and other dogs. Obviously we're not letting him meet other dogs in public, but he has now met four different (fully vacc'd) dogs in mine and OH's respective families. He's been great with each one - not biting, not growling at all, just being playful and even a little shy at times.
A lady at our yard has bought one of Dexta's brothers, so tonight we let them see each other (bearing in mind they've only been apart for 5 days or so). We just let Dexta go to say hello....and he really went for the other pup Proper snarling, teeth on show, even becoming a bit aggressive towards me when I shouted at him - he was anxious to continue his 'assault' on his poor little brother and didnt take kindly to being told otherwise! I took him straight away from the other pup (who hadn't shown any aggression at all) and tapped his bum, and he continued to growl so I really shouted at him and tapped him on the nose, whereby he eventually stopped. It wasn't fair on the other pup to try again, so we took Dexta away afterwards. He has since come back home and is playing happily with our Labs again - no problems at all.

Did I do anything wrong; should we not have let the brothers meet again? I have had very little experience of terriers so I am anxious to be getting everything right - the advice I have been given so far is that we need to be very tough on him from the start, as he is a cocky little b*gger and we really do want him to be as sociable with other dogs as possible. Which he has been - except with his brother! Could it be anything to do with the fact that his sister beat him up very badly a couple of days before we got him - is he now feeling threatened by pups his own size? The vet today mentioned that they have puppy classes and that it might be nice to take him for socialisation - would this be a good idea? His reaction today has just bothered me slightly, as from what we have seen and know of him so far, that kind of aggression doesn't really feature in his personality

 

[soloabe]

Shouting does nothing for a dog.
I wouldn't have tapped him on the nose or the butt either. I would have simply removed him if i was really bothered.

I have seen puppies get a little over stimulated when brought back together with siblings and i doubt it was real aggression at such a young age.

 

[_MizElz_]

Shouting does nothing for a dog.
I wouldn't have tapped him on the nose or the butt either. I would have simply removed him if i was really bothered.

I have seen puppies get a little over stimulated when brought back together with siblings and i doubt it was real aggression at such a young age.

I disagree that shouting does nothing - he already knows 'NO!' - this has been demonstrated very clearly in the fact that when he came home for the first time, he bounded straight up the stairs. A stern 'No!' on two occasions was all he needed to teach him he should not be going there - he hasn't done it since! He's a very quick learner

I tapped him (and I do mean tap, not a smack - he's too tiny!) more to get his attention than anything, because once I had removed him (this was my first instinct, just remove, not to actually punish), he continued to growl and snarl at me, so he had a tap on the bum and then on the nose when he carried on. He then stopped, so I praised him. I don't feel that the way I handled it was wrong, I'm just a bit concerned that I shouldnt have put them back together in the first place?

I'm glad you would say it doesnt really figure as aggression - sets my mind at ease a little! I'm so anxious for him to grow up lovely and friendly as he is now

Thanks for the reply

 

[CorvusCorax]

He was probably just throwing his weight around, my two are siblings and we have curled lips, growling, air snapping, play fighting, it's all part of sibling rivalry and normal dog play, it's posturing - there are times when I have rushed over following a hullabaloo thinking 'uh-oh, this is it, someone's gone too far' but I have never, ever had so much as a tuft of pulled hair, never mind broken skin.

*please* be aware - when dogs are in drive, fighting, being aggressive, hanging on, whatever - humans shouting, slapping, displaying panic, anger, frustration can encourage even more heightened agressive/mirrored behaviour and/or/ make an association between other dogs and pain/fear/punishment.

The best time to physically or verbally snap a dog out of aggression is when it is on the verge of that aggressive behaviour, not mid-grumble, for the reasons mentioned above but that takes very careful observation and knowledge of your own dog's behaviour and the warning signs.

As Katie Lou says, simply removing the aggressor quickly, calmly, firmly and quietly will do ten times more than physical or verbal punishment.
Not that I think this was true aggression.

 

[_MizElz_]

Okey doke - thank you for that

As I said, I've never really had experience of terriers before and at present, I'm going on the advice of people I know (one of whom is a vet!) who have said I need to stamp on any sign of aggression ASAP with a terrier, otherwise he'll grow into a terror. Please don't think I hurt him in any way - I didnt tap him to punish him, more to refocus him as he was so intent on having a go at the other pup! But I fully take on board the idea that I need to be watching to prevent these things happening, rather than having to take reactive action.

And the shouting - I didnt yell at him like a banchee, I simply used my schoolteacher voice - 'Dexta - NO!' I'm finding that he responds very well to voice commands - he's a lot easier to 'train' (lol - I know he's only 10 weeks, but still!) than our Lab girls were

Thanks for your advice, really appreciate it

 

[CorvusCorax]

I doubt you hurt him or squealed like a banshee it's just important to remember that some of our behaviours which seem like a natural way to diffuse tension in dogs can inadvertently aggravate it
I'm not going to lie, I do use my voice and lead pops to snap my dog out of any sign of tension but it's before he starts getting lairy, not after and once I have his attention I try and keep it.

Plus remember he is still a tiny baby, but with a much smaller brain than a human baby, so give lots of time and patience

 

[Oldashthearab]

Im not even going to attempt to give you any advice, there are far more experienced people on here to do that! And sounds like you already have got some good advice!
Bob (fox terrier x JRT) Is my 1st terrier, and like you i have been very aware that i didnt want a 'typical snappy yappy terrier', he went to socialisation classes as a pup and i still take him training evey week, these are more socialisation classes than traditional training classes.
Bob has never shown any sign of aggresion, whether thats just him or the training i dont know! But i def recommend you take Dexta, if nothing else the classes will wear him out for the evening afterwards ;-)
Good luck with him.....and dont forget to post lots of pics!!