Jake attack

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peggyd1129

Forums Novice
My 2yrs old Sheltie Jake has become very protective. He charges and tries to bite anyone if we are out side. I'm at my whits end and my have to give him up/ He is good with other people if they are walking there dogs but if they are alone he attacks need help now:cry:
 
Hi, Peggy. I had that happen to a friend. What have your tried?? If we know what you tried, we won't waste your time telling you stuff that didn't work. :wink2: Our forum has some really skilled experts, and the more info, the better!
Warmly, Chris
 
I am so sorry to hear this. My sister has a Lhasa Apso that was a fear biter, and she had to get a trainer. In fact she had three trainers and the third one did a great job.

The trainers all used bags with chains inside and threw them down at his feet and he would stop. There are also articles called No Free Lunch, and Tough Love on the net. I called a breeder and talked to her for my sister, and the breeder gave me great advice also. You can't be a weenie handling a dog that attempts to bite, you have to show your fur pal you are the leader. She raised Lhasas of course, and I thought OMG that is great advice. When I
told my sister she can't be a weenie she about died, well now she is a leader, not a weenie. Would you believe her breeder refused to call my sister back, she never said what the call was about, oh he knew. Made me sick for her.

Like Chris said there is always great info here with people who know how to correct this situation better.

Good Luck and I wish you well.
 
Bring a Muzzle with you.

Shelties aim to please it's their nature. If Jake knows he's doing something to greatly displease you I can't imagine why he wouldn't stop. :( Try bringing a muzzle with you and if you see him even attempt to strike Muzzle him immediately with a firm BAD BOY, NO !! :mad: Then leave the muzzle on till you leave and he calms down. When he greets someone correctly praise him and reward with a treat he will enjoy. Good luck !! Please don't give up on him.:uhoh: Also give his vet a call to see if there may be any medical reason why he may be doing this.
 
There is a great training book called Control Unleashed that deals with how to help reactive dogs overcome their fears/issues, and the author also runs an email list that she is on daily helping people with their questions. I've found the book invaluable for both Apollo (sweetest dog ever but easily excited and needed to learn self control) and Smoke (resource guarding).

I would also recommend consulting a behaviorist if you don't feel up to tackling the problem on your own. I know I didn't feel up to it with Smoke and I had a behaviorist out to my house, the confidence she gave me was almost worth more than the training tips :yes:
 
Jack attack

I have tried a training collar, but it makes him cower, a short leash, sit and reprimand. he has had training at petsmart.
 
I'm not an expert but
i'll throw a suggestion out there

Try this at home first
put a few doggie treats around a large space in the house.
walk him on a leash in the house around the treats. Everytime he goes after the treat say "LEAVE IT" and give a good tug at the same time.
This teaches him the "leave it" command

Ultimate goal: all you have to do is say "leave it" and he wont mess with it.

note: you dont have to use "leave it" just an example, but keep the command short to at least 1 or 2 words.

Than try using this command at a park

get a bag of "train me treats"
go to the park and sit at a bench
and have him sit
when someone walks by and it looks like he's about to attack
put your hand over his muzzle before he actually tries to attack and say "LEAVE IT!" and give him a treat only if he had a success

every time someone walks by put your hand over his muzzle an wait till they walk by than give him a treat and praise his success: keep reinforcing the "leave it" command till he knows that command

first few tries might take awhile but he should get the idea.

after having a good amount of successes on the bench try to walk him on a short leash.
Everytime someone walks by. Give a tug and say "leave it!" and overly praise his success and treat him.

Just my .02
 
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BlueBandit's suggestion is what my puppy school trainer would have recommended as well. And the technique is virtually the same (the tug on the leash should not be a harsh snap but quick but firm correction followed by a steady pull).

I also use Leave It when he goes for my ankle or decides my hand looks like a great chew tow.

It takes patience but it does work eventually.

Until you are comfortable that he will not lunge at a passerby, do not stop and allow your pup the opportunity. Apologize to the person as you continue walking but stay firm in the discipline.

Good luck!
 
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