my dog growls at men and somtimes boys. what can I do?

[wolftracks]

I am never quiet around my dogs either. I drop pots and pans a toss thigs from day one. We keep them busy and feeling safe and when a sound happens they either ignore or look to see what's going on and then back to getting attention or playing.

I love a stay command also. One of the safest you can teach, but people let them break before they release them and most times it isn't followed up on.

My Corso is a very sweet dog, but the breed instictly is territorial. She will sound, but if I say "quiet", she better get that way.

I've always had at least 2 dogs at a time ever. I have had my dogs out front a lot lately while I try to get coops together. Everyone grew up before I got coops made again. My neighbors will come out on their porch if I feed them outdoors and lots of times they will drag company out. Matter of fact it just happened a little while ago again. The guy is like "yeah, so she's gonna feed the dogs." They tell him "watch watch!" Everyone sits while I pour food in bowls. I do have to use "leave it" a few times with the GSD (now showing she is a mix). I make them wait. Not long lately, because I want her to hold perfectly and she's impatient, but long enough for now. Then I give my "OK" and they eat. This guy was in shock. My neighbors were smiling and talking about it and to me it's what has to be done. I had 12 Rotties at one time that would all wait by their dish until they were all released andI lived where one neighbor would yell over the fence to see if they had been fed yet. He liked having his friends see that.

Most dogs learn the commands, but once they do without the reinforcement and reminders, they learn they can walk on the owner and there's nothing wrong about being in total control. If anything I think it shows how much love goes into the training. And the case of a dog that barks or is afraid, you have the change of it becoming a liability, which isn't fair to the dog.

Sometimes an owner just needs the help of a good trainer to teach them what they need to do to change the behavior. You need to find someone that maybe is refered to you. I know you can get him passed this. He also needs a lot of socialization, so maybe getting him out a but will also help. I hope you find a solution soon. One thing that isn't going to work for you is removing him from the room. If you have someone from outside your home that would work with you, you could do some training for him to be quiet and to sit and stay. It's probably going to take a little time, but it's worth it for your peace of mind.

 

[GoldenSparrow]

He is 1 year and 2 mouths old.
He came from a family that didn’t have time for him. A teenage boy, and 3 younger girls.

It does not matter what man is in the house.
(It can be any guy!)

if the kids are rough housing, (boy and girl) Tucker will growl at the boy.
He is not neutered.

Sometimes Tucker will jump on the couch (where he is not allowed!) sometimes if you grab his collar to pull him off he will growl.
I don’t completely trust him not to bit me.

he does'nt like being around a lot of people.

 

[dainerra]

Quote:
Definitely training issues. 1) you are a little afraid of his reaction and he know it. 2) now that he has your number he is going to take charge of everything.

Put him away when you have people over.
Look into "nothing in life is free" and start practicing it today.
Get a crate and use it.
Get him neutered. Not that it will necessarily help, but it might.
Have him drag a leash when you are home. That way, you can get him off the couch without worry of a bite.

Basically? You need to step up and take charge of this guy. He's been left to make up his own rules and he's expecting you to fall in line. Now, I'll warn you that it might get worse before it gets better because, like any spoiled child, he's not going to like it.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

...Or the OP can get a good trainer as they said they were considering. This situation probably isn't something I would advise someone without a LOT of dog training experience to deal with. Tucker's mix makes me cringe because he's so smart and driven -- being BC and JRT together. He needs a job and lots of guidance.

 

[lockedhearts]

Quote:
Trust Jamie on this. I raised JRT's, still have 4, intact JRT's are a handfull. My two neutered males still have spats on occassion. The BC is just adding to that. JRT's are very smart and so are BC's , you need a trainer , there with you to advise you.

 

[wolftracks]

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Ditto on the mix

 

[cafarmgirl]

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Ditto on the mix

Couldn't agree more. A person needs to be very familiar with dog body language/expression and intent in dealing with a dog that is willing to growl at it's owner in an attempt to dominate. It's very easy to get bitten, especially by a new dog who feels the need to establish himself and get you in line. The growl escalates to a snap, the snap to a bite.

I would definitely work with a trainer with this dog, both one on one and in a group class.

Border Collie/Jack Russel mix?!

That is a super smart, think-for-himself dog. You'll need to be the smarter, faster thinker! I've got a 1 1/2 year old BC mix now and she's easily the smartest dog I've ever owned.

Good luck, hope you are able to get the kink's worked out and problems solved!

 

[Beekissed]

I agree with the need for more extensive training....particularly with social skills. I would never let a dog of mine bark while in the house nor bark at a guest in my house. The house is my territory and any barking to be done, I do it. Barking in the yard is acceptable but never if it is at someone who is accompanied by me. Barking in the yard is acceptable as long as it's not "I'm bored and like to hear the sound of my voice on a cold and clear night" barking....this is only allowed for a matter of a few minutes until it, too, is quelled.

By the sound of it, this dog could very well bite out of fear, if nothing else.

 

[watchdogps]

The trainer also should be of the positive type, not the jerk and pull type. If a metal collar of any type is in the trainers bag, find another one. This dog is poorly socialized and fear reasctive. He is not just being bad. He needs to learn that men are not so bad, and you cracking down on him for not behaving the way you want will not achieve that. In the meantime, anyone who comes over should NOT try to make friends with him. No treats, no talking to him, not even LOOKING at him. Trust me, it will help.

 

[SourRoses]

Quote:
I'm sorry Beekissed... Really really sorry... but I got such a chuckle from the bolded part!

Please don't be mad at me... Just.. what do you do to quell it, get the shotgun??

No.. I know what you are saying. Those kinds of rules can work for breeds like Shi-tzus.. labradors.. ect ect.... But a JRT or JRT mix? I can physically hold my boys muzzle shut tight... and he can make enough racket through his nose to be heard a few houses over

I'm really not saying this breed is un-trainable... they learn alot of things really really well... but being silent?? Not going to happen. You'd sooner have a silent beagle!

A trainer will indeed be a great help with the more important issues of aggression. I 3x Jamies advice on that. You shouldn't try to handle this on your own without knowing your dogs particular triggers and body language. If he scares you, it's time to get someone else involved.

I have high hopes for him though, especially with the BC half, ours is super motivated for learning.. once things are clear to him, I bet he will be a great pet.... Just never a silent one!

Ps - I never meant that the owner should be quiet in the house with the dog!

I was referring to children being children and unfamiliar around a nervous dog

Oh.. what was that thing someone posted on here as a suggestion for dogs that get nervous, especially fireworks? It looked really cool and I meant to put it on the list of things to buy.. it was a jacket specifically made to comfort dogs who are scared by applying pressre to certain nerves...