Need help with this puppy.

[Beekissed]

I love him and I hate him at the same time....

This line speaks volumes.

 

[Lothiriel]

Quote:
I will definitely keep you all up to date with Riley.

 

[MeatKing]

Get a really good trainer.. A one on one experince for at least the first few claases..

make sure he's getting enough exercise. My dog trainer, actually told me , he was on too high grade of a food. Too much protein he said...
i never wanted to listen to him, cause I want my dog, on a good food.. But I did find one, with a little less protein.. And this helped.. A little

But really what helps the most, is carving out, one on one time.. Of training, he likes it.. Help keep his mind going I guess!!


So I say good trainer..

As far as your Mom bothering him well sleeping. She has a great idea, cause kids bother dogs at all times. But He needs a spot, where he can get away.. EI: My dog, will go upstairs, and I will lock baby gate, cause you can tell. He just needs 5 or 10 min.... like so many people. Just a few min, to collect your thought.... Without somebody, bothering them..

My kids can, take a bone out've my dogs mouth.. I don't let them though.. Why tempt him?

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Constant biting or itching is a problem even if the vet can't find anything. He's allergic to something. Stop all table food and give him a good quality dog food only. I've had great luck with lamb & rice with our sensitive skin dogs. Our Bess is sensitive and only gets Exclusive Lamb & Rice and the only treat she gets is dried plain chicken strips. We also only give her 1/2 doses of Frontline because a full weight dose leaves her itching and scratching and rolling all over the ground.

 

[DelcoChix]

Well said Muggsmagee...lots of good points. I am in no way a "pro' dog trainer but I have had Aussies for the last 25+ years so I can say I have a bit of experience in that category--could not imagine having another breed share my home. Intelligent-yes. High energy-yes. And, yes, there are some Aussies that are aggressive, whether as a result of poor breeding or poor environment, depends.
To have a 5 month old puppy showing that amount of aggression is really a red alert--PLEASE don't get out there and 'socialize' until you and your family get a handle on his behavior at home and with a knowledgeable trainer--the last thing you need is to have him snap at a curious kid who happened to touch him wrong. He truly doesn't think of any of you as the leader of the pack, and since you aren't he's taking that position on his own. I'm afraid that I'd disagree about the being grumpy when woken up giving him an excuse to bite/snap...now if he was woken up by someone kicking him, falling on him, hurting him, that's a different story...I've always gotten my Aussies as puppies, 8-12 weeks old, and was able to work with them from an earlier age, but one of the first things I have always done is to 'mess' with them all the time, while they are eating, putting my hands in their food, giving them bones or toys, then gently but firmly taking them away. I am not saying I am teasing them, holding it out of their reach out of spite or meanness, but I am the boss and this is not a democracy, they do not have a say in it. By doing this when they are younger I have no issues about food possesiveness, nor do I need to take it away, but if I had to I never have to think twice. I can open their mouths (helpful if a pill has to be given that they won't eat willingly), play with their ears, toes, everywhere. They aren't thrilled when the toenails need to be trimmed, but they allow me to, secure in the knowledge that I won't hurt them, and also I am the boss. Don't underestimate his intelligence--he's not going to reason like a human, BUT he can understand more than it sounds like your trainer is allowing him credit for.
I know I will probably not get a fan club from this, but if my dog lunged at someone, especially someone who was smaller than the dog (and it is obvious that is was due to dominance/aggression and not playful, puppy behavior) I would not hesitate to give a very strong, sharp jerk on the choke chain, along with a firm "NO." I would also give the command to 'sit,' refocusing his attention on me, his boss/pack leader--and then reward him with praise and attention when he sat. Again--working with a good trainer, and consistently working at home (with your entire family--who should all be higher up in the pack order than Riley) will do wonders. A crate is a good idea, along with a lot of supervision. I know a lot of folks keep the crates for the entire life of their dogs and that works well for them-- personally I use one the first year then gradually wean them off of it--they are in it usually when we'd leave the house, otherwise they are part of the family, out all the time, (once totally house trained and past the chewing everything stage). I also agree that he should be looking to you for everything-he wants to go outside, you take him out on a leash. Meal time-he sits and waits until you tell him 'ok.' You are the boss. Also, they do tend to bond with one person, but they love their whole family. If everyone participates in their training and care, they are all family. My first Aussie was only mine, when I moved out of state she was my buddy. Smartest dog I ever had, but extremely protective of me, reserved with almost everyone else...until the night she met my future husband (three years before we married)...she hit the floor, on her back, waiting for a belly rub. He fell in love with her right then, and I him...that was in 1987. And he wasn't a dog person.
Your puppy is past the 'cute, get away with everything stage,' and is now in the teen stage, pushing limits and trying to take over top dog position....but it sounds like you are up to the task. Don't give up, but get some help and fast. It's a lot of work...but well worth it in the long run, most things that are worth anything aren't easy, or everyone would have them Best of luck...from both myself and Macy, one of our two girls...

Oh yeah... NEUTER him ASAP...might help and won't hurt.

 

[stephanie1992]

i have a female assuie the same way. weve sent her to trainers and everything and she hasnt changed. she bites and wont listen. i dont like these dogs. very bad addituds and every aussie ive been around has bitten people. some can be very gentel. i think it depends on the breeding. some i guess just cant be helped. we kennel ours during the day and let her out at night to gaurd the propertry. other wise she dont get out of the kennel(its a big kennel-dog run-with a dog house) cuz she will bite people and trys to kill the cats

 

[Beekissed]

I must agree....I've never met an Aussie that didn't bite people. One, in particular, was fairly friendly, let you pet her, wagged her tail, etc....then would stalk up behind you as you walked away and bite your legs~hard. I know it's the whole cattle dog thing, but it has no place in socializing with humans.

 

[tonkatuff]

Do you have an Australian Shepherd or an Australian Cattle Dog? Both breeds have their share of "bad apples" but please don't feel as though he's acting this way because you brought him home when he was 6 weeks old

Did you meet this pups parents? Were they both social, happy dogs? This sounds more like a genetic issue, he's just a dominant brat and needs consistant, patient & firm guidance and training. Where do you live? I may be able to point you towards a behaviorist in your area.

 

[MeatKing]

Quote:
My trainer had me do this with my German Shepered. I was unable to walk him on leash, anywhere without him going pysco, to protect us. (I could bring him to a dog park, and play with other dogs fine, but put him on leash and he would go crazy)\\

It worked, I now can put my dog on leash to go get kids off bus.. (He hates the bus, it takes our kids away , I guess in his mind.
After a good trainer, worked with him. He is a changed dog, and has a better qaulity of life. The trainer actually had to work with him a bit, without me. Cause it really it's me that need to be trained..

 

[dainerra]

bring him home at 6 weeks? Yes, it can make a bit of difference, that is when they learn from mom and the litter that biting and playing too rough is bad! A good breeder would have known this. Also, there is a reason that it is ILLEGAL to sell a pup before 8 weeks old.

5 months now? He is just starting to hit puberty. He's feeling his oats and throwing his weight around. He knows from past experience that no one is really in charge in this house, so he thinks "someone has to be. why not me??"

First, get a good trainer to come watch how he interacts with the family. Preferably one that has a) experience with your breed, or at least herding dogs and b) experience dealing with problems like this. Actually, first, stop letting the kids bother him while he is asleep! That is just going to make it worse. Give him a crate or place to go and, when he is there, he gets some quiet time alone.

Exercise. How much does he get? Not just physical running around, but mental work as well. Herding breeds are smart dogs and if they don't have something to do, they will make it up. Putting the dog outside in the backyard doesn't count as exercise either. He might run around for a couple minutes, check out the smells, but then he is going to just wander aimlessly or lay down. Or start digging/barking/other bad behavior. Take him out and PLAY with him. Throw a stick. I wouldn't run with him, since he is already nipping, but there are other games you can play. Try Hide & Seek. One of you hold the dog, while another goes a short distance away and "hides" Say "<dog> where's Molly???" and Molly will call the dog. As he catches on to the game, get more difficult hiding places.

At 5 months old, he is ready to go to less feedings a day. Pick 2X a day (morning and night usually work best). Have him "sit" while he waits for you to put the bowl down. If he starts to get up, just stand back up. Since he is used to being boss, he might jump around and fuss for a while, so mom or dad should do the feedings at first. You don't have to make him wait in the beginning, just so he stays sitting until the bowl is on the floor and instantly tell him ok. After he understands, then you can start having him "wait" to be released. He is smart and will catch on fast.

Look up Nothing In Life Is Free.

Ignore anyone, even a trainer, who suggests that you roll the dog. If he truly is a dominant/aggressive dog, that is a good way to loose your face. If your trainer suggests it, find a new trainer.

I'll also second the advice to let him drag a leash around the house while you are there. I do this with every pup as soon as they come home. 1, it lets them get used to the leash and 2 gives an easy way to grab onto a naughty pup. I also use the leash to tether the pup to me, makes housebreaking SOOO much easier because the dog can't get out of your sight.