My dachsund is overaggresive!!!!! PLEASE HELP THIS IS HIS LAST CHANCE!!!!!!!!

Dear ________,
My dog has a biting and barking problem. My mother is afraid we will lose everything in lawsuit. She is at the brink of giving him away and I don’t think I can take that. Nicky is one of my best friends. We got him when I was in second grade and now I am in seventh grade. He really nice and cuddly most of the time but he isn’t good with starngers. I don’t want to give him away. I think he deserves another chance. Doesn’t everybody? I have problems too, but my parents wouldn’t give me away. I just don’t think its fair but my mom isn’t convinced. I just don’t know what to do anymore. We have tried everything, barking collars, leashes, introducing slowly, nothing seems to work! Any advive? Please help me! I need it!


-AnotherChance :confused: :confused:

You really should take him to an aggression specialist. Its hard to give advice on aggression over the internet. A good behaviorist who specializes in aggression will be your best bet at this point.

Good luck.

-PupgirlThanks a lot! I'll try to to take him next weekend. ANY MORE ADIVE?? Thanks again! I'll reply you the results in a couple weeks! :D :D :D

I agree with Aly you may want to take him to a specialist. You've already had him for 5 years, I think he deserves every chance possible.

I agree with Aly and Laura.
Make an appointment with a behaviorist or aggression specialist as soon as possible!!
He deserves that, as a loved member of your family.

Thanks guys, you are the best! :D ;)

You say he isn't good with strangers --- only strangers, or the family too? Personally I love a dog that wants to protect it's family. No matter what you do, you can't make him want to protect his family any less. He sees it as his duty. You say your mom is a fraid of a law suit --- you mean if he bites someone? If that is a risk, don't let him have access to the public. Hang up both a "warning; guard dog" sign, AND a "do not tresspass" sign. You'll need both if you don't want to be sued by someone claming to have been bitten.

He deserves another chance but I can only say that if you get the help of a good behviorist/trainer.You need someone to work with you and your family and the dog.It takes time and is a slow process but often help is posible.The key is a good behaviorist with positive methods and commitment and consistency on the part of you and your family.Please do get the help.I am so glad you are planning on it.He is part of your family and deserves a chance.Good luck and kep us posted.
Laurie

Thanks a ton, I really hope this works! I'll continue keeping you guys posted! I really think he has a good chance! :D

-Alli ( Nicky's mommy)

i would agree with everyone..

i know of a dachy that is a biter as well. :(:(..

That's no reason to get rid of a dog. It's something that can always be worked with, even if it is for a a while that you need to work on it.

P.S. Your profile says you're 12 years old. You're supposed to be 13 years of age by law to be a member here. Unless you already have, you may want to contact Karen, the moderator, to get permission from your parents to continue on this board.

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Hang up both a "warning; guard dog" sign, AND a "do not tresspass" sign. You'll need both if you don't want to be sued by someone claming to have been bitten.

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Actually, even signs won't necessarily protect someone from a lawsuit if someone is bitten. I've read about burglars robbing someone's house, getting bit, sueing the owners and winning. Same as if you slip on someone's icy sidewalk and break a leg, the homeowner is held liable for injury occurring on their land.

Best of luck with Nicky. The advice others have given here is good advice.

Thanks a lot guys, I don't know what I would do without you, and by the way, I have my parents permisson, and I am turning 13 quite soon. And is it really true about the burgalar winning that case? That would be insane! Wouldn't it be a guard dog's job to do that? What a stupid judge... Anyway, thanks again! And Tikeyas_mom, can I have some more informationa bout that outher other biter dachy? I would feel a lot better knowing that I am not the only one...

Regarding the burgler winning a case etc is very true, it happens alot over here, there is practicly no way of defending yourself without being in the wrong.
If you had warning signs/beware of the dog/do not enter signs, allthough they may not win your case (if you ever got one) but it may help prevent the case (if you know what i mean)
Ky and Rio

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Originally posted by PUPGIRL
Thanks a lot guys, I don't know what I would do without you, and by the way, I have my parents permisson, and I am turning 13 quite soon. And is it really true about the burgalar winning that case? That would be insane! Wouldn't it be a guard dog's job to do that? What a stupid judge... Anyway, thanks again! And Tikeyas_mom, can I have some more informationa bout that outher other biter dachy? I would feel a lot better knowing that I am not the only one...

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he is two, a brindle dachy, male, not altered, has a habbit of biting small children and adults. he is bone agressive, and is going to a new home. he is listed on petfinder in the classified adds, :).. he should goto a older couple with no kids around. .. i think..

Everyone else has given great advice here. A behaviorist is definitely a good idea. If he is not already neutered, then it would be best if he is. This might help reduce his territorial issues. He should not be used for breeding because he'll just create more biters. If he is just aggressive with strangers, keep him locked up when people come to the house and don't take him out in public. This may seem harsh, but if all of these alternatives fail to provide positive results then the best option for the dog and everyone is to have him put down. If you give him away you aren't getting rid of the problem, just giving the problem to someone else to deal with. And they might not deal with it in a humane or responsible way and the dog could end up on the streets or in a shelter to die alone. I'm sorry your family is having to deal with this problem and I hope that everything works out for you and the dog.

That is definately no reason to get rid of a dog. There are many things that can help the cause of this problem. I don't know of some things that you can try, but I know that taking him to a agression speacialist is definately a great idea. Please tell us how it works out.:)

Actally, Nicky is doing a lot better. We have started a new technique, flicking him with water every time he barks. I belive his barking always leads to biting so if he doesn't bark he doesn't bite. We also put him in my room everytime the doorbell rings or we have guests. I really hope it doesn't come to the point where we have to put him to sleep. Well I gtg.

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Originally posted by PUPGIRL
Actally, Nicky is doing a lot better. We have started a new technique, flicking him with water every time he barks. I belive his barking always leads to biting so if he doesn't bark he doesn't bite. We also put him in my room everytime the doorbell rings or we have guests. I really hope it doesn't come to the point where we have to put him to sleep. Well I gtg.

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Be careful with that as barking could be his warning sign of him being about to bite. If you take away that you could end up with a dog that bites without warning, so to speak.
Of course it is hard to say if that's what it is or not, without being able to observe him.

I do agree with you putting him away in situations he can't handle though.

If he isnt problematic with your family, I DON'T see a big issue. As with lawsuits...yeah in some places you can get sued if some burglar decides to terrorise your home and your loyal dog protects you. I read somewhere that a dog got put to sleep as agressive for biting an intruder into someones home when the owner wasnt present. The dog was inside and secure, the burglar entered without permission and with force and the dog still was put down. Dumb law if you ask me...in Nevada, the dog is safe because the law is is that if someone enters into your home without permission, its legal to restrain him and/or stop him using forcel...acts of dog are included although THAT's being challenged now *groan* I know Im darn glad when my Twilight baby gaurds my house! People shouldnt be punished and dogs shouldnt be killed just for doing thier jobs...I can understand being uppity about acts of aggression without provocation though.
As for the other advice...it is good. Overagression is a trait to avoid as well...dog behaviorists can really help. I heard that dachsunds are a little high strung...Is this true to anyones knowledge?

Yes, Doxies are known for stubborness and aggrsivness but they have such character. I have two doxies actally, nicky and lexi. Lexi is a mini and a abosolute doll, no aggrsion problems or anything, shes a sweetheart. But then again, males are known for aggrsivness more often then females. Thx again guys! :D
http://www.petsmart.com/aspca/dogs/dachshund.shtml

Oh yea, and happy new year, hope you and your pets had a nice celebration.

!:eek:~2004~!:eek:

Okay, I have gotten some great advice but overall, what do you think is the best and will most likely be sucessful in stopping Nicky's problem???

Training, training, training and consitency in training. Socialization - taking him to different places, different situations, so he can become comfortable with them. Always keep him on a short leash in new situations. Caution visitors to the house about what to do and not to do. Training training and training. Every day.

A good behaviorist/trainer is a must I think.Doing the wrong thing can do more harm than good and taking it to fast can be just as bad,one setback can ruin weeks of work..It is to hard to tell you exactly what you need to do never meeting and obseving the dog you need and expert to see your furbaby and ebaluate Nicky.You will be amazed what you can accomplish with individual weekly work with a good trainer,please,please seek one out and get Nicky the help needed. I almost forgot where are you located maybe someone knows a good behaviorist/trainer in your area.You can also ask you animal rescues in your area and your vets and people with well trained animals that you trust and respect who they trained with.
Laurie

I live in Nassua County, Long Island, NY

lv4dogs!!!!! She lives in Upstate, NY! maybe she can help, if anyone finds anyone who lives closer please write it!!

Thanks to all of you, Nicky is a sucsess! He hasn't barked ( much ) and defintly hasn't bitten anyone for about two consecutive weeks. I think my problem is solved:D :D :D :D :D :D

That's great that he's making progress. It's going to take more than a couple of weeks for the problem to go away though, so don't get overyly excited yet. Keep working with him, he needs to know you mean business, don't let him get away with anything or he'll start testing his boundries and you'll have a worse problem than before. Let him know he's doing a good job. Hopefully he'll see that he's getting more praise with his good behavior instead of being punished all the time for being bad and he'll start changing his whole attitude to get praise all the time. Keep updating us on his progress.

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Originally posted by PUPGIRL
I live in Nassua County, Long Island, NY

lv4dogs!!!!! She lives in Upstate, NY! maybe she can help, if anyone finds anyone who lives closer please write it!!

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I would love to help, unfortunatly I live near Rochester & my schedule is quite busy as far as traveling goes but you can pm me or e-mail me any questions I will do my best. I was going to reply but I saw that I agreed with everyone else, so I would of had the same reply LOL. Anyways I have helped train dogs for obedience, agility & behavior modification for 15+ years I was also a vet tech for about 6 yrs.

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Thanks to all of you, Nicky is a sucsess! He hasn't barked ( much ) and defintly hasn't bitten anyone for about two consecutive weeks. I think my problem is solved

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I am glad he is making progress but I doubt the problem is solved. You still need to practice this everyday & everytime he mis-behaves. Dogs just like people or anything else tend to forget things they dont practice regularly.
I would socialize him as much as possible bring EVERYWHERE possible with you just take caution, have complete control over him & alos warn others about his behavior.

AND DO NOT FORGET one of the biggest factors here, which is to PRAISE him everytime he behaves properly. Give him lots of yummy special treats & attention.