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

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

our trainer really emphasizes the "walking on a leash" exercise (keep changing directions to have the dog constantly follow and pay attention to you)..and yes, the attacks do seem to come out of the blue..

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

He is a Goldendoodle. Here are examples of the past few attacks: I took him out before bedtime, he went #2, I brought him back inside, then went outside again to clean up. When I came in the door, he immediately jumped up on me and started biting. Another ex, similar situation, I went out the front door to get the mail, and when I opened the door to come back in, same thing. This time, I was expecting it more, so I put him in a sit once I opened the door, which he did...but once I started walking past him, he attacked. Other times, it will happen when we are on a walk...some times its random, other times its when another dog is passing, and I keep walking on by..its almost like he gets angry that I wont stop...

[Taylor & Huff]

To me, this behavior does not sound like it is agression at all. Huff used to do the same thing. He sometimes does this now but much more rare. It sounds to me like he is just being a crazy puppy. Your story seriously sound exactly like what Huff used to do. When he saw things that got him excited, he would attack. When he felt like playing he would attack. Sometimes he looked a little confused after. Huff never was aggressive, he is not agressive now either. he is just playful. I do agree that this is the wrong kind of play but I can tell you that this is not aggression. The only piece of advice I can really give you is to just ignore, it and turn around, and walk away. This does not always work so if it does not just go into another room until your doodle calms down. This may take several minutes. Don't worry, the puppy days are some of the toughest there are, once you get through them, you will have a beautiful, well behaved doodle. It will be worth it, Huff was. He was a crazy puppy and sounds like your guy. I am sure he will be fine. Best of luck!:)

[Carol Brand]

At this point I don't think she can ignore it.  Her dog is 9 months old and 50lbs.  He is hurting her.   The "be a tree" or "ignore the behavior" is not going to work here.

 

Jill,  I think I have a better understanding now of the situation.  I've seen dogs do this to other dogs.   It seems to stem from not only wound up behavior, but from a lack of respect for the other dog's space.  In dogs, I see it as very pushy behavior and usually the more submissive dog ends up on the losing side of the equation.  If your dog is doing this to you, I'd say that he DOES NOT respect your personal space or your position in the family. 

 

Have you ever heard of NOTHING IN LIFE IS FREE?  Google this training philosophy and start implementing some of the suggestions in your home.  Is your dog allowed on the furniture?  End this immediately including letting him up on your bed.  

 

As far as training collars go, I'd put a correctly fitted prong collar on this guy so that your correction will really make him sit up and take notice.  The next time you are walking and he turns on you, pop him 2-4 times really hard with the leash.  The prong is going to give him a super hard correction and he will be surprised.  He may even yelp.  At the same time I would tell him in a voice that brooks no opposition,  'DO NOT BITE ME'.  Then I'd walk on.  Don't make nice to him.  Don't baby him.  Just walk and let him mull over what just happened.  A minute or two latter if he is being good and walking along, I'd praise him and slip him a treat.  It will be interesting to see if he comes back at you again during the course of the walk.  If he does, let him have it  You have to be really firm.  Don't be afraid of hurting him.  Remember that this is a consequence for very disrespectful and even dangerous behavior.

 

About the behavior at the door.  I'm not crazy about dogs wearing prong collars when they are unsupervised so I'd keep him leashed up and tethered to you or at least have him drag a leash where you can see him in the house.  If you can't directly supervise him, I'd keep him in a crate (being in the crate also means that he can't attack you when you come home).   Again, if he starts jumping and biting you, I'd give him a correction with leash that would stop him in his tracks.  (The prong collar will help with this.)   Be clear.  This behavior stops NOW. 

 

 

 

[Rhonda, Marabelle & Jeriki]

I agree with Carol I do not think it can be ignored. I too believe for whatever reason he thinks he is dominate to you, and comes before you in the pack standings,especially since he does not do this to your husband, and for what ever reason knows that your husband is the lead.

 

Rhonda

[Bonnie and Kona]

wise words, Carol.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think this advice is perfect.  If this behavior goes uncorrected, it is only going to escalate.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

OK, here is what I have experienced a couple of times with my dogs little sister Bella. She will be fine and playing really hard, then all of a sudden she stops playing nicely and growls and lunges. She is four months old. I simply grab hold of the back of  her neck much like her mother would, give her a little shake and tell her NO. She immediately comes out of it, it's almost like a trance. She actually seems apologetic, she comes up, kisses me and tries to get closer, I then give her big praises and hugs.

Was your pup adopted at an earlier age than 8 weeks? Bella was not quite 6 weeks, way too early in my opinion.

The scary thing is your dog is now 9 months old and probably way bigger. Hopefully you are able to get this under control quickly.

Good Luck

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Thank you all so much for the advice! We do keep him on the leash while in the house, for quicker corrections. And yes, we did get him just a few days shy of the 8 week period. I know that this should not be ignored, I dont believe in "play biting" or anything like that. My husband and I have been working with him, setting me (and him) up in situations when I walk through the door, or bringing another dog over, while my husband has him on the leash (he is much better and quicker with the corrections that i am) so i must say...so far, so good...but I know this is a process that will not happen over night. I spoke with our trainer, and he says that I am wrong by not being consistent. Where as, my husband is...ex, sometimes i will let him pull on the leash (if we are just walking around the yard, and he wants to sniff, etc) and my husband wont allow it. UGH...well, as most trainers say, it is the owner that needs to training, and everything else will fall into place....Thank you all again!