Yet, another Cooper problem....

[CoopsMom]

Now that Cooper's got all his shots and such, we've started going for walks. He get's REALLY BAD! He barks and growls and his hair even starts to stand on his back. This is with everyone... men, woman, kids other dogs... everyone!!! He will do the same thing when someone comes over... He isn't snapping or anything at the people that come to the house, just barks, growls and stuff, like when we go for walks. This is really scaring me! I don't want a mean dog! I don't even know what would trigger behavior like this!

Does anyone have any ideas on how to make him behave nicely?
Thanks *AGIAIN* for your help!

Val

[micki76]

Make sure you have him under control, then take him EVERYWHERE with you and treat him when he behaves well. You may have to stay at whatever place you go to for an hour or more (we did) but once he settles down, give him treats. Associate places and people with good stuff. And do it as much as you possibly can. Have guests give him a GREAT treat as soon as they arrive, or play with him with his fave toy. It took a little time with Chester, but it did work.
Good Luck!:)

[wolfsoul]

well put, micki76...thats definatly right...and once ur pup is socialized, all will be well...good luck! :D

[wolf_Q]

How old is Cooper? He's a black and tan coonhound, right?

I think he really needs some socialization....enrolling him in a basic obedience class would be very beneficial to you both! And when you take him out for walks I'd try to keep him focused on you, and give him treats and praise when he's calm.

Sorry I'm not much help. :( Nebo has decided to be afraid of random people occassionally. He won't leave other dogs alone either...very very annoying! He doesn't bark and growl though, he just wants to PLAY! Rough play!

[CoopsMom]

Thanks everyone!

Cooper will be 5 months old Feb. 11th, and yes, he is a Black and Tan Coonhound. I agree with you Wolf_Q, he definatly needs some socialization, I've taken him to PetSmart, just for that, and it's funny because in the parking lot, he goes crazy barking and stuff at people. Once he is in the store itself, he is perfectly fine. I had my houseguests do just that, with his toys and treats, he would be fine when they would play with him, then when they would stop, he'd start back up all over again.

I'd hate to take him to a basic obedience class because he already has the basics mastered, and I'm afraid that he would be bored with that... by 10 weeks, he was sitting on command and by about 14 he was laying down on command... I don't know if they would let me put him in an advanced class, even though he's never been in a "real" obedience class before... ???

I'm definatly going to be taking him everywhere and put him in as many situations as possible. Thanks for your advice!

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by CoopsMom
I'd hate to take him to a basic obedience class because he already has the basics mastered, and I'm afraid that he would be bored with that... by 10 weeks, he was sitting on command and by about 14 he was laying down on command... I don't know if they would let me put him in an advanced class, even though he's never been in a "real" obedience class before... ???



This dog is seriously lacking in socialization skills! Get him into the basic obedience class even if he does know what he is doing. It is not so much the obedience at this point but the socialization and you really need to start at the bottom with other dogs who may be having socialization problems too. This is fairly common (unfortunately). So he will be the smartest pup in the class if he already knows everything!!! In that case the trainer will advise if he should go to the advanced basic class. That is not the worry you should have with this dog at this point. Getting him socialized is.

[wolf_Q]

You may think he has the basics mastered, but I highly doubt it. He may do them at home but wait until you try it in class! :rolleyes:

I also thought Nebo knew the basics before I had him in the puppy class. It taught us both some new things! Now I even have him in the Basic class, which teaches the same things as the puppy class, but he really needed some more practice! He has a hard time focusing on me with all those other dogs around.

[CoopsMom]

Yelp, I *know* that he's got the basics mastered because he has been in situations where he could have not listened. We've had obedience training with another dogs, but socialization was never a problem with any of our other dogs (1 afghan, 1 rott, 1 terrier x and 1 shepherd x). Even when we go to the store, he will listen to me if someone comes over to pet him... he will sit... even at the vet he's fine (but my Mom works there) :rolleyes:

I've been to our PetSmart when they were having classes, and I don't really like the trainer they have there, so I will look into classes elsewhere.

[G-Diddy]

Originally posted by CoopsMom
but socialization was never a problem with any of our other dogs (1 afghan, 1 rott, 1 terrier x and 1 shepherd x). [/B]

I'm no expert but my guess would be this is because they ARE your dogs. They are probably part of his pack and he's cool with wherever he ranks.

The problem seems to be with other dogs/people who are outside of his pack and that's what he needs to work on. I wouldn't be so much concerned about whether he can sit/down/stay around other dogs as much that he learns to behave appropriately around them. For you, I would think the point would be more to appropriately socialize him with other dogs as much as it is to learn the commands.

Good luck