Biting/attacking

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Hello

I know this has been a topic discussed before. I have looked at the prior threads on it, but have not yet found an answer. Our doodle has been attacking me from about 4 months till now, 9 months. It has gotten worse..and it usually happens out of the blue, or when he is very excited. My arms, legs and back look horrendous from all of the brusies. Last night was one of the worst ones yet..it happened on a walk, and he turned to me, lunged at me, biting, and latching down on my arms...all while growling. We have done puppy kindergarten (which was a joke) then had a trainer come to the house, and now we are enrolled in that trainers group class. He is an angel in front of the trainer. We currently use the chain collar, but when he is attacking, I can barely get my arms free to pop the chain. When I read the prior posts, I did see that people were told to give commands, do walking on the leash, etc..but then the thread just stops..we have been doing that, but it only works temporarily. My question is, what is causing this "snap" in his behavior, and what will make it stop?

Thank you in advance

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

I am sorry that you are suffering in this horrible situation. The longer the dog continues this behaviour the

harder it becomes to break. It sounds like it is very out of control and five months of progressing requires

an expert in dog aggression. The dog is so young too be so aggresive-but if it

were me, I would find an expert dealing with aggressive dogs. Work with the trainer one on one with your

dog-not in a group setting.

I know its more expensive. His teeth are getting sharper and stronger so for your safety please get an expert involved.

We all care on this site-keep us posted. 

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

thank you...see, thats where the problem is...with the trainer, he was perfect. We did have the trainer one on one for 5 sessions..the trainer said he was fear biting, not agressive, and to correct him as soon as he even has that "look" in his eyes to snap him out of it.

[Anne G.]

First off, my heart goes out to you having to deal with this distressing problem. I certainly am no expert but agree that you need a specialized trainer to work one on one with you and your pup. You may need to interview more than one trainer to get a good fit. It sounds like a prong collar may help. I wish you the best of luck with this!

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

We are no experts, but my husband had this "take" on your situation. He said if the trainer feels that your dog

is asking out based on "fear" it makes sense that the dog acts like an angel in the dog training group class. He may be

calmer or less fearful with other dogs or a "Pack" around. He follows their lead and they are not fearful so he is not.

The flip side is-you have been hurt many times and have had his attacks, and are fearful now (I would be too) and that

you are feeding off each others fear. You are fearful of his snapping and he picks up on your nervousness and

its a vicious cycle. But let me stress, this is his gut feeling based on what he read-we are not experts.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

I appreciate your advice! It does make sense that he acts calm with other people...I know I am the reason why he acts this way. From everything that I read, its usually the owners fault. I have had dogs my whole life growing up, but never have I had an issue like this!

[Helen & Kirby]

so sorry this is happening to you.  Sounds like your dog is continually testing you.  What does the trainer do that you are not doing?  You have to act confident and "in charge" so the dog will let you be the leader.  When he is 'attacking' really yell at him and make him sit. I know its hard to do, and takes a lot of strength!  Do you have a standard size doodle?  When he does it right, give lots of tiny treats. You might try a different collar, like the easy walk harness, or a martingale collar.  You have to show him you are the boss.  Start small.  When you go thru the door, make him wait and you go first.  When you feed him, make him stay for a few seconds until you give him permission to eat.  When you play with him, stop all play if he growls, even if a play growl.  When you drill him on the leash, do so very strictly, but for a very short time, like 5 minutes so it will be successful for both of you. Make sure you reward every time he does something good.  Have you tried clicker training?  Then do that a few times a day.  Also a tired do is a good dog --can you take him to a dog park or somewhere he can run and play?  A doggie day care would help. BTW, he is really cute!  Best of luck.

[Pauline Rackley]

How about a dog behaviorist? Many vet schools have one on staff or can recommend one.

[Carol Brand]

This does not sound like fear biting to me.  Fear biting usually happens when a dog is stressed out and pushed and then lashes out.  You can watch the progression.  Head down... tail tucked... clearly nervous.   And then BAM!

 

Is this some sort of play biting gone wild?  Is he worked up and excited before this happens or does it come out of the blue?  Does he get a glassy eyed look when it is happening?  Does it seem to end suddenly and leave the dog confused?  What type of Doodle do you have?

[Rhonda, Marabelle & Jeriki]

When you walk into a room does he follow you or bolt in front of you ? going out the door up or down the stairs etc.

 

[Rhonda, Marabelle & Jeriki]

If he is takeing the lead so to speak you have to put him in his place. He is to follow you, your husband, kids etc. he needs to be shown he is not lead dog. a few simple things you can try with your husband of course, as the dog seems to respect him is make sure you are always before him. If he tries to go out the door before you, make him stop and wait untill you exit first, same with on the stairs entering exiting rooms etc. I wonder when your walking him does he attack when you seem to be in front of him? or all the time?

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Thank you for the replies, and yes, he does seem to get "glassy-eyed" before the attacking. We do make him sit after we place his meal down...then we give him an "OK", then he can start eating.. he is a standard size doodle, about 50 lbs...the attacks seem to happen when I am doing something he doesn't approve of...how crazy...

[Carol Brand]

Can you elaborate on that more?    What sort of things do you do that he does not like?  Is he a Labradoodle, Goldendoodle or an ALD?