This dog is driving me mad...

[Tinkerbee]

Have just returned from walking both the dogs.

Get in and just burst into tears.

I hate doing it so much, I'm home cos I have all afternoon off, both parents out, so left me to walk the dogs.

I HATE walking them together.
My dog, on her own, perfectly civil and friendly with other dogs.
My sisters dog (dougal) however is vicious and barks/growls at everyone and anything.
I had them both out, went in the fields as less chance of people. Come across 2 men walking dougal goes mental, barking growling so walk away. They pass.
Then we went into the narrow lane with the river, and oh joy, two ladies with a terrier.

Dougal went mental, setting tink off so I have two whirling dervishes on the end of 2 big bulky extendable leads and anyway, in an effort to not let go of Dougal, got my hand stung by loads of nettles had the rope wrap round my hand, and when I pulled him back from lunging at the other dog he bit me.

This is the SIXTH time he has bitten me.
And hes bitten my mum once, but its always me as im the only one brave/stupid enough to try and pull him away from things, such as his food bowl (he destroys them if you don’t clear up after him) and if he gets near the kitchen bin.

He barks at any little movement and hes driving me mad.
I will admit, yes Im scared of him. I don’t trust him with people, animals inaminate objects.

Asny advice on how to convince parents to get rid of him? Every time I raise the issue sister just starts whining and crying that’s its just because I don’t like her.
NO its because your bloody dog is vicious.

Its dangerous and embaressing walking him because you are just so out of control.
He went 2 training classes…for a while, but oh yes, sister got bored

Im considering buying a muzzle which would give me piece of mind that he cant hurt anyone(ME!) too badly out walking, but getting it on him may prove challenging

ARGH

Im just glad I only have another 9 months or so living with him…

Ironically hes an angel at home in Ireland when he can just wander free.

Sorry its so long

 

[CAYLA]

Extendible leads are enough to make anyone cry when a dog is acting up on one...I hate them....if I get dogs in to board with extendy lead...I leave em in the bag it came in and use my own.....your have zero control with one of those things.
I would also refuse to walk the little blighter if he causes u to get so stressed...let your sister or mam and dad walk him...and get all the joy.
Your sister needs to get him back to training...for some much needed socialisation in a controlled environment or put up with his behaviour herself...he sounds like a right little git.
I would bin the extendy lead.

 

[Tinkerbee]

Dont even get me started on the leads

I went out and bought normal ones...

but nooo

they wont get enough exercise

will just refuse pointblank to walk him in future...

theyve always guilt tripped me in the past..

 

[JulieL]

Dear me - wot a handful you've got there

Can you suggest to your sis about paying for one of those 'in house' dog trainers/behavioursist as it sounds like he completely rules the roost.

Bitten you 6 six - that's not good - its only a matter of time before he gets you good. Can you refuse to have anything to do with him?

 

[Tinkerbee]

I try, I have since refused to feed him, just doing my dog...

and I generally avoid walking him, but no one else at home and mum was all "make sure dougal gets walked as well.."

oh he rules completely

looks cute and innocent...but no

 

[JulieL]

That sounds really not fair on you - you doing sis dog who bites you!?

Yes he does look very cute - but biting and reducing you to tears isn't cute. Is you sis old enough to do summat i.e. the home training etc about it?

 

[CAYLA]

Its the devil himself

Its always the one that are 2 inches tall that have the biggest attitude

he looks like butter wouldnt melt..lol

 

[Tinkerbee]

Nope not fair IMO either...but sis still at school *mutters*

Shes almost 14 so completely old enough to get trainer etc ...

parents say otherwise, and since Im "an adult" *rolls eyes*, by like a week! and the "dog mad one" I should be training him...

i pointed out that when we lived in Sri Lanka, I was the one training my own dog, at the age of 8!!!

argh, they are so one sided at times...

and mothers most used phrase when satan walks into the room
"ah, hes so cute you forgive him anything"

NO I bloody wont

I almost got rid of him over the summer...after 8 weeks of me telling him "go die in a hole, no one loves me" we had to leave Ireland without him after he went missing the day before we left....grandmother unearthed him from a hole a day late

so close...

 

[GinaB]

I would refuse point blank to walk him. Her dog, her responsibilty. It'll be a different story if he bites a stranger.

I agree with Cala, I hate extendable leads with a passion. Beastie is walked on a choke chain and lead (Although she is taught to walk properly to heel) and labs are walked on slip leads.

 

[Tinkerbee]

*light dawns*

used to walk my doggy in choke chain, to teach her to walk calmly...


hmm....evil dog on chokechain....

best not...i may not be able to resist the temptation to hang the fecker

 

[GinaB]

Try it, it'll give you more control. Just try and restrain from hanging him!

 

[Tinkerbee]

Might just do that

Thanks

no idea why it never even entered my head, as have had one on every other dog weve had

 

[GinaB]

Or do what I'd do. Tell your sis where to go. It's her dog she should be the one to exercise/train etc. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to train a dog!

 

[prose]

If you are stuck being the walker, take a bottle of water with you. Every time he barks, spray him. It's a way of snapping him out of the barking/aggressive behaviour and he might listen more.


It has always worked wonders for me. I would also make him heel and keep him on a short leash until he improves.

 

[GinaB]

I might try that water method with Beastie as she tends to bark at dogs on the other side of the road..

 

[sloulou]

You have to be careful with the water spray method though - your timing has to be spot on... otherwise you can end up scareing the dog...

This sort of training is known as aversive traing or 'something bad is added (so the behaviour decreases)'.

eg. if you dog barks at the postman and the is sprayed with water - one possible out come is the postman is terrifying (then you could have extra problems - re: defence agression)

Think it also depends on the dog - some probably wouldn't care about water spray - my dog would think it was a game

but I know it has worked well for some - just wanted to say - be wary.

 

[prose]

[ QUOTE ]
I might try that water method with Beastie as she tends to bark at dogs on the other side of the road..

[/ QUOTE ]

Or you could try "look at me". Stella only responds in kind to barking dogs, but she always has to have the last roar

If I sense another dog is going to be trouble (such as when I spot one of her two enemies in the neighbourhood: the brown Staffie, or the Beagle mix), I make her sit and "look at me" before the other dog is even close. She gets a treat or a cuddle--like to keep her guessing, you see...

The water method is a bit of a last resort, but this sounds like a serious situation that needs tougher consequences. Timing is everything, though--you're quite correct!

 

[Tinkerbee]

Ugh


father just come in

told him what had happened

the response: *rolls eyes* "well if you cant handle him, then your sister def. cant"

then why dont we get rid...

 

[GinaB]

Don't want to be scaring the wee woman! She can be a real nightmare for barking. Telling her off doesn't work (in a calm manner, not shouting)

I tend to make her stop and stand, tell her to be quiet and I don't let her move off again until she has been quiet. If she barks again, I do the same thing all over again. Although I have only just started trying this way so don't know how effective it'll be!

 

[Tia]

Small and cute looking or not, I'd put a muzzle on him. I can't be doing with dogs who bite regardless of their size.

 

[Malibu]

well first of all why on earth take him out if you cannot control him?!?!!? Then why on earth are you grabbing food bowls from him etc if you know he is possesive, that is not the way to train him to learn you are boss, you really need some help training as you dont seem to understand which is ok but the dog deserves to be trained etc as he obvi is possesive with little respect for you, other peeps . please get a trainer and please dont think he is biting you to be aggressive is sounds like lack of respect

 

[Onyxia]

[ QUOTE ]
Dont even get me started on the leads

I went out and bought normal ones...

but nooo

they wont get enough exercise

[/ QUOTE ]
He is 2 inches, how will he not get enough on a normal lead?

[ QUOTE ]
will just refuse pointblank to walk him in future...

theyve always guilt tripped me in the past..

[/ QUOTE ]
Dont let them!
Your not saying it to be a pain, he BITES you.Tell them to get him sorted or you wont do it anymore.

Other option(to keep the peace) would be muzzle him and walk him on a normal lead.....they will never know.

 

[Tinkerbee]

yep, gonna buy a muzzle...but he may be less than happy about putting it on

Tophorse: I agree...but you try telling parents...

 

[kerilli]

muzzle it, no question. if it bites (as opposed to a nip) then that's the very least you should do. i'm afraid my opinion of dogs that bite is rather draconian...

 

[JustKickOn]

I remember watching Dog Bortstal. Its on BBC 3 some times.
Get a tin can which you can put a lid on and fill it with something dry and fairly solid (small pebbles??) Every time dog does something bad shake the can. This'll get Dougals attention and distract him. After you have his attention make him sit. Then walk nicely. If he charges off make him sit again. Only use can when he barks/ growls ect.

Good Luck.

 

[Tinkerbee]

[ QUOTE ]
muzzle it, no question. if it bites (as opposed to a nip) then that's the very least you should do. i'm afraid my opinion of dogs that bite is rather draconian...

[/ QUOTE ]


well in my book...if a dog bites, and not just a oh you surprised me im a dog Ill bite bite....it dies...

 

[Blackhawk]

...you could accidentally 'lose' him while off on a walk

In all seriousness, muzzle him if you have to take him for walks. Unfortunately the next step is he attacks someone else, or their dog and gets PTS. Your sister may love her dog, but she isn't being very kind to him to let him act this way.

 

[Christmas_Kate]

I read and replied to your post in SB about this. A dog who thinks it's okay to bite is downright dangerous and should not be out in public without a muzzle. You've already said it broke you skin when it bit you last. Put it to your parents that if he bites a child THEY will be held responsible.

If it were my dog... it would be PTS. No doubt about it.

 

[Malibu]

i would agree with the muzzle for when you are walking the dog but it is no life for a dog and you are simply covering up the underlying issues which are rather obvious.

I think it is hilarious how some people on here say they would put the dog to sleep, do you think the doh thinks it is ok, their mind is no like ours , they need to be taught to respect and learn rules , it is simply STUPID to put a healthy dog down when the problem can be resolved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[snurse]

He sounds as if he needs more training. I agree that maybe a one to one would help. I've got one terrier that I can't trust with other dogs when we're out. We generally walk on the moors where we don't meet anyone, but if I see trouble approaching, he's small enough to pick up. But then, he won't bite me. (Not strictly true - he bit me when I separated a dog fight he was involved in, but that was expected!) If you just wash your hands of this one, and leave him to sister, I presume he won't get out at all, and will probably get worse. Don't really have answer, only more training and short lead, and try to get parents to take problem seriously.