ilikepigeons
Songster
We have a 5 y/o neutered male small Terrier mix, who does sometimes snap or bite.
Most of these times that he does this is when :
I am trying to take something off him
I sit next to him on the couch
Try to move him off the couch or accidentally bump him when he is sitting there
Picking him up when he doesn't want to be picked up
Grabbing his collar when he thinks something he doesn't like will happen
Petting him on his lower back (sometimes)
Children petting him, sitting next to him, really children in general.
I think maybe he feels guilty after he bites because he will come and sit next to you, but perhaps he is just reacting to my behaviour as I am usually quite down afterwards.
He really doesn't hesitate to snap, he might give you 1-2 seconds of warning at most. I really need him to know any type or nip or bite is unacceptable behaviour. At the moment a trainer is not an option.
The two options I thought of are 1. leaving a collar and leash on him, and whenever he snaps say 'NO' and take the leash than put him in time out. Or 2. Train him not to be on the couches, tables ect where he is most likely to bite, but that is really only avoiding the problem rather than fixing it.
If anyone has any suggestions it would be really welcome.
Most of these times that he does this is when :
I am trying to take something off him
I sit next to him on the couch
Try to move him off the couch or accidentally bump him when he is sitting there
Picking him up when he doesn't want to be picked up
Grabbing his collar when he thinks something he doesn't like will happen
Petting him on his lower back (sometimes)
Children petting him, sitting next to him, really children in general.
I think maybe he feels guilty after he bites because he will come and sit next to you, but perhaps he is just reacting to my behaviour as I am usually quite down afterwards.
He really doesn't hesitate to snap, he might give you 1-2 seconds of warning at most. I really need him to know any type or nip or bite is unacceptable behaviour. At the moment a trainer is not an option.
The two options I thought of are 1. leaving a collar and leash on him, and whenever he snaps say 'NO' and take the leash than put him in time out. Or 2. Train him not to be on the couches, tables ect where he is most likely to bite, but that is really only avoiding the problem rather than fixing it.
If anyone has any suggestions it would be really welcome.