Pup, Theo, Aggresive tendancies...

[Lazarus]

Hi,

I have had a pup called Theo (westie) now who is 6-7 months old...

A bit of background info on him first...

Theo came to use when we gave him a home when he was 12 1/2 months old, he was a bit poorly with runny and bloody stools, dry eye and skin problems. he was in and out of the PDSA with suspected Parvo, however he was later confirmed as just being a fussy eater, possibly colitis<sp>...

Anyhow, I have noticed, well we all have that recently if he gets a bit of food, wether given or accidently dropped, that he comes with it into the living room and eats it with aggression, if it is something fatty or something we dont generally want him to have, he will get aggresive and have a fit if you go near him, or near his rug which he seems to always take his prize too...

The first main time was about 2 weeks ago, he was sitting in a chair where my girlfriend usually sits and my girlfriend went to go sit by him, and he went mad growling and went to bite her...

So we put him into the kitchen and closed the door behind him, a bit later we found that there was a "rich tea" biscuit hidden behind the cushion, wether or not he knew it was there (I suspect he did) is a different matter, although my dad reckons he could of swiped it from the kitchen...

There has been a few other times, once when my mum accidently dropped chicken skin on the floor, he got it and done the same behaviour...

Now sure, I love my dog and when he is good I like to give him a treat, and im sure we all do... maybe the occasional bit of meat when I am emptying my plate from dinner... however, my dad has been giving him a treat "Rich Tea" biscuits, once a day when he is good or whatever.. I think it sort of stems from that...

It only seems to be when he has food, otherwise he is a usual playfull dog, although sometimes when my dad is playing with him, he will get a bit too over excited and start nipping...

Today though, I got in from a hard days work and he gave me a lovely welcome, so when I went into the kitchen I gave him a little piece of meat, he came into the living room and plonked on his rug and when my GF went to get up he growled at her, also when I went to go over he growled at me, so I shouted at him told him he was bad and nudged him to try an entice him into the kitchen, although me and my gf where scared to pick him up and put him in the kitchen fearing a frenzy...

What am I doing wrong, should we stop the rich tea and treats, remove his rug, pet him less?? I dunno that is why I am here...

We are only scared in case one of my nieces comes around whilst he has a rich tea stashed away...

Apart from this problem, he is a good well behaved dog, obviuosly a little barky at times, however he is good...

What should I do, what can I do to let him know that I aint fooling around...

I have hid his rich tea for the time being and now he sits in his basket looking rather as if he is feeling sorry for himself...

I have read around the forums at what other peoples problems are, but I feel (especially when it comes to dogs), that every case is different and I dont want to confuse myself and Theo by taking someone elses advice, given to someone else at that...

Now, I admit.. He is a spolt dog and we aren't very wise dog owners, he is the first dog in this household for ages...

He also had some of his toys scattered around the house which is also bothering me, maybe he is getting too spoilt...

My dad is the primary carer for Theo, as with me being in work a lot, he is with him more....

 

[Adrienne]

From what you describe he is having resource issues. I would start with "nothing in life for free" training. I would also start hand feeding him his kibble a piece at a time. This will teach him that you control the food but that you are fair and make sure he gets his fair share. The nothing in life for free training means that anytime he gets anything (petting, playing, treat, go outside, etc.) he has to work for it. For example when he wants a pet he has to sit first, you control how long you pet him or play with him and if he is insistent on more attention you ignore him. This will help establish you as alpha. Your GF also needs to be a participate in this program, she also needs to estabilish that she is alpha. Your dog should be the lowest on the totem pole with all resources that he needs to survive coming from you at a price.

Being a fair and consistent alpha role in your dogs life is vital, if your dog is unsure of who is alpha (sounds like your dog) he will be in a constant state of stress, never knowing if things will be consistently provided or that you will ensure the safety and longivitey of the pack.

It's ok to love and spoil your dog to an extent, dogs crave a consistent environment with a good alpha leader and a good alpha leader will take care of his pack in all aspects.

You can find more information about resource control and NILFF training if you do a search. Hopefully Creature Teacher will give her advice as well. Good luck with the pup!

 

[Lazarus]

Cheers, thanks for the advice, any views are greatly appreciated...

 

[casablanca1]

Today though, I got in from a hard days work and he gave me a lovely welcome, so when I went into the kitchen I gave him a little piece of meat, he came into the living room and plonked on his rug and when my GF went to get up he growled at her, also when I went to go over he growled at me, so I shouted at him told him he was bad and nudged him to try an entice him into the kitchen, although me and my gf where scared to pick him up and put him in the kitchen fearing a frenzy...

Ah, that sounds familiar. My sister has a Yorkie whose frenzies have trained everyone who knows him to seek a high place. She took him to a behaviorist at UPenn (a very good vet school), who told her to take everything away from him - no more toys lying around, no more treats, no more cuddling, no more sleeping on the bed, snuggling on the couch, etc. Then make a huge deal of every treat, every playtime, every last bit of attention. I think the idea is to make him realize he has to behave if he's ever to enjoy himself again. My sister felt sorry for him (he was a master at looking woeful) and let up, and so he frenzies on. He also regulates who can move and when - woe betide the fool who makes for the front door.

In your case, I'd tuck his rug, his toys and everything else he likes in a big box and spend a lot exercising him. Some disciplined attention and exercise should at least take off his edge.

 

[Renee750il]

Adrienne has given you some sterling advice. NILIF is a great tool to use with dogs like yours.