Need help with this puppy.

[Beekissed]

IME, dogs that show these kind of traits that often and that early just aren't worth the constant training and vigilance one would have to exert....especially when you have young children in the picture.

I'd get rid of it and get a breed better known for good social interaction with children.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

So exactly how would you recommend to "get rid of" a 5 month old puppy?

 

[Lothiriel]

Beekissed, we are NOT getting rid of this puppy. I think you meant well in the long run, but I am in total shock that you think we would do that. This dog was our choice, we knew before we even bought one that whatever it turned out to be, we were going to be stuck with it for the rest of its life.

Redyre, thank you for your good advice.

Sunny, a lot of the biting is taking place when he's up and running around, not sleeping. Like I said, he gets snippy when he gets told to leave it, and he'll get the same way when we use the flea comb on him. But I am thinking we should leave him while he's sleeping. It was Mom's idea to touch him then...

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
Not in any way of which you would approve, I'm sure.

We don't tolerate human aggressive dogs in these parts and we usually don't try to "train" it out of them~training isn't always reliable and certain tendencies tend to come back out in times of stress...and who really needs the liability of a dog that snaps and growls at children?

Well, I guess you are in it for the long run and I hope your sibs or any other human doesn't have to pay the price.

 

[NYboy]

You use the word "sassy" to describe her biting. Does she bite when worked up in a playful way? Or are you talking about a dog snapping in aggressive way?

 

[ladyride]

GET A TRAINER or get the dog in classes you are in for the long haul then you have to get control of the dog. This is something you really have no choice about. redyre has some really good suggestions on getting started. I have always chosen my dogs for their nonaggressive tendencies , any dog I have ever had could be around any child or person . I currently have 2 habit trained to go hospitals ,schools. It takes time & alot of patience working & training any dog. I am currently working with a 5 month old lgd to help protect my flocks. I have always worked from positive reenforcement only & found it gives me the results I want. The most important thing is remain firm & consistent when dealing with your pup.Firm does not = mean. Try to keep it on a routine . You will find routine will become your friend. Good luck !!!

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

The more people you expose this dog to at a young age, the better type of dog it will be when it is grown.
Same goes for other dogs. Try and expose Riley to as many people and dogs possible to help with his aggression towards strangers. Even if you have to muzzle him to keep him from biting the strangers.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Sounds like you have an intelligent superactive aussie that would make a wonderful dog --IF you have a job for it to do. Follow Red's advice and plan on finding lots of jobs for him. Sounds like his first *job* is going to be to learn to follow you like a puppy , and that is a really hard lesson to learn.
Some aussies turn out to be one-person dogs, and that's why I don't want one, but if you put the training time in, they can be awesome. You just have to keep them busy.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Quote:
The first thing that needs to be done here is get your parents 100% on board with any training. You've gotten some good advice here, but any training method or protocol you do with him needs to be followed by every one in the home all the time. Otherwise this will not work. Second thing I would do is get a different trainer, sounds like this trainer didn't address the issues or didn't click with you, or was not able to completely convey the correct actions to take with the puppy.

You are right to see that you need help. This kind of biting and correcting people does not go away on its own. He sounds very sensitive to touch. You can desensitize him to touch quite easily and change his mind about being touched even when he's sleeping.

 

[Muggsmagee]

Raising dogs is like raising kids, there is no ONE way to do it. It is only a matter of finding what works for you and the dog!

I will agree first to the training...not so much for your dog, but for you and your family. Being that he is 5 months old and showing this dominance over you at such a young age (the pups age) this is going to be a struggle of you and your family showing him you are all his boss. Being passive with a high energy dog will get you nowhere, so be ready to take the command and follow through with obedience classes. You may even need to take the class more than once. In the meantime, do a google search on the show "It's Me or the Dog" (can't think of her name...Victoria or something) and of course google Cesar Milan. See if you can find something to use from their shows/expertise until you can get your pup into a class to start training. Whatever you do, be consistent. Australian Shepherds require more excercise than most dog breeds. They need training. They are just too dang smart to be a porch dog doing nothing. He will slowly become a nervous wreck if left with nothing to stimulate him.

One question I have is you say he doesn't like to be touched. I wonder if he might have a painful skin condition, or something that might be bothering him physically that you can't see? Besides being given a purpose/job, dogs love nothing more than to be petted and loved on...it shouldn't matter if they are sleeping or not. Only a working guard dog should be on his "guard". I know when I am sick or hurting, I don't want anyone to touch me or bother me. This was a flag that went up. Check his toenails...if his dew claws were not removed, see if he split one. The chipped tooth, did it cause abrasions in the mouth that are making him uncomfortable? Is he chewing on his skin or favoring a leg? Be aware of his movements.

A dog that bites you (especially not accidentally) would make me a wreck knowing there are littler kids (in this case your younger siblings and the neighbor's kids) that are in harms way. Him lunging at the 2 year old is obviously unacceptable. Did you try to correct that behavior when it happened? Or know what to do when that happened? Never try to appease a dog that is in a hyper or nervous state by saying "good boy" or "there there, it's okay" and petting him. You are only reenforcing that negative behavior. He is not a human, or a child. He is a dog, first and foremost, and will feel safer and more secure with parameters and rules to follow.

While I applaud you when you say you are in it for the long haul, I truly do not feel you should paint yourself into a corner should this dog not respond positively to training, your command, and continue to perpetuate his already unacceptable behavior. A dog that bites, should not be rehabilitated by a family, with small kids, that are unsure of what they are doing IMO. If you can not provide a firm hand, PLEASE give him to someone who can. I do agree with Beekissed that a dog with aggressive behavior such as this has only 3 options: rehabilitation, finding a new home, or euthenasia being the absolute last resort. Once you have exhausted all methods of rehabilitation and should he continue that behavior, he is a major liability. That is the hard truth.

You need to put pride aside and think what is best for the dog should you not be able to care for him or meet his needs in training. Allow yourself to think about it. It's okay. Some breeds are not meant for all people. Should this dog be miserable to you, he will be miserable to himself, and you both would suffer the next 15 years just because you are in it for the long haul? That's too dramatic, and not fair to either of you (or your family).

I think you are very smart looking for solid advice and help. None of us are there to assess the situation, so you should strongly weigh the advice you get from your future trainer and your current vet, those that are professionals and will get to see and experience your pup firsthand.

We all wish you the best of luck, and hope your story has a happy ending. Please keep us posted.