How Can I Stop My Dog From Being Aggressive To New People And Some Other Dogs?
August 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I have a 1 year old male maltese. Yes he is neutered. At home w/me and my family he is the sweetest dog in the whole world. But when he meets new people, such as my friends, he just goes nuts! He won’t stop barking at them and sometimes he even bites atthey’rere ankles and feet! We have tried giving the new people treats to give to my dog so he will like them but sometimes he doesnt take the treats. Then i have no idea what to do! I need help please! Also, he barks and lunges at most dogs. They’re are only about 2 dogs that he likes and they are a little yorkie (male) and a little havanese (female). You would think that he doesnt have a problem with little dogs, only big dogs. But theyre is another maltese across the street who is a little smaller than my dog is and he lunges and barks at the other dog. And the other dog isnt even doing anything! Please I have no idea what to do. We tried taking him to training for 8 weeks once a week but that didnt do anything. It just taught him simple commands like sit and stay which he already knew. Please i need some help. Getting a personal trainer for him is out of the question because my parents don’t want to spend the money. I need to know how to train him on my own.
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Your dog doesn’t know the rules. If he knows sit and stay, then MAKE him sit and stay when people come over. That’s the beauty of good training – your dog will mind you all the time, not just in a training class.
Put the dog on a leash. Practice making him sit and stay during meals. Get him off the couch. You be the boss. Then, try having someone come over. Make sure no one give him any attention at all – ignore him. Except you – if he’s barking, put him back into a sit immediately.
I’d suggest you get a training book from the library or book store. Watch dog training tv shows. You’ll pick up on habits you have, and hints how to change yourself and train the dog.
you need professional help. instead of a personal trainer join a class. the one i go to is only $250 membership then $10 per session, and you will have trainers there to guide you, as well as the opportunity to socialise your dog in a controlled environment.
take him out and socialize the dog it probably wasnt socialized properly when it was a puppy so do it now. give people treats or chicken nuggets I’m sure your dog would take those to give him when he is out at a dog park and he will become more accepting of strangers.
Ok, I totally understand about not having the money to hire a personal trainer.
But you need to learn more about how dogs think and interact with each other and with humans. You seem like a really smart kid, so ask your parents to buy you the book, “The Other End Of the Leash” by Dr. Patricia McConnell.
And I think maybe you should also read “Help For Your Shy Dog” by Deborah Wood.
And you MUST take him to an obedience class, or agility class, or whatever dog class, so he can have regular, regulated experiences with other dogs. Dog classes like these are usually quite cheap, but they will help both you and your dog. (Just make sure that the classes are run by instructors who follow Positive Reinforcement techniques.)
Good luck and best wishes!!!
How much exercize does he get?
I would take him for a long walk or run to tire him out. THEN have people come over with treats. I have a rescued cat that won’t take treats out of peoples hands, she was abused by a guy pretty hardcore. So we set the treats down in front of her. I would have your friends drop the treat by him and walk away. Do this AFTER you get him nice and tired.
Same thing when he meets new dogs, except you treat him (as long as he’s not acting up). Always do this at a distance that you see the other dog but your dog isn’t reacting. then get closer, treat, closer, treat, closer treat. If your dog reacts go “EH EH!” and back up until he’s far enough away he’s not reacting anymore.