Expert: Delores Beck - 2/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

My name is Angela and  have a 5 month old cocker spaniel. He is the sweetest little puppy that loves people and other dogs. He gets very excited when he sees new people and they play with him. He sometimes gets a little to excited and sprinkles... He has had a few sessions with a one on one personal trainer. He knows how to sit, stay, down, roll over, leave it (not very consistent with this one) and few other things. Recently, he started growling when he gets annoyed, sleepy or just doesn't wants to do something different than he's being asked to do. He also is starting to show teeth from time to time. Sometimes I pick him up and when he's in my arms, he begins to growl and doesn't stop until I put him down. I also took him the groomer and when he didn't want to be brushed, he tried to bite her. He was fine with the groomer when she brushed is teeth and bathe him, just the brushing annoyed him. I don;t know what to do. I have tried time outs, firm "NO", but it doesn't seem to be working. I also tried to reach out to my trainer again, but she keeps telling me to be firm and he will learn, but I'm getting very nervous and want to get this under control asap. He's only 5 months and has always been so sweet and good, I don't know where this is coming from. Please HELP!!!!!

Thanks,
Angela

ANSWER: First of all - don't worry about the nervous/excited tinkling.  He'll outgrow it and trying to correct it is nearly impossible since he doesn't actually know he's doing it.

Now..you're very smart to be concerned about this bad behavior now.  It's not a huge problem yet, but it can accelerate.  He's "trying you on" and is auditioning for the top dog position.  And that's YOUR spot :)

Your trainer isn't very good with aggression and he won't learn unless you approach this the right way.

So first - the next time he growls I want you to get down on his level and be very physically still and in a quiet but Clint Eastwood voice say NO and STARE into his eyes.  Do not lose eye contact...count to 3..say NO again.  Do not lose eye contact.  When He breaks eye contact, you just won.

You've done a lot of good work with him and for a 5 month old to know all his commands tells me you've put in the time.  The good news is he's smart.  The bad news is he's smart :)  

There are other things you need to do with him but I'd like you to try the "staring him down" and tell me what happens.

If you're wondering what this is all about - staring is very alpha behavior.  In a pack the alpha dog never gets worked up.  An annoying puppy would first get a low warning growl (NO)
and then the head would slowly turn and the puppy gets "the stare".  Most will back off.

I'd first like to know what happens when you behave like an alpha leader and then I have other training techniques for little boys who think they're pack leader.

Also - stop picking him up and don't allow him on furniture.  Teach him the Off command.
That is YOUR space and he is temporarily not allowed there.  Even later, he gets up only after being given permission.  Do not put his food bowl down until he sits and waits.

So don't panic, Angela.  This is manageable but you've got to get all over it.  If you do, this can be history in a short time.  Don't - and you'll have bigger problems.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Delores,

Thank you for your advice!! We have been working with our little Wynston for about 5 days now and he seems to be doing so much better. The growling occurs a lot less with my husband and me. When it does occur, we try the technique you described and he usually backs down within seconds. He’s a bit worse with Grandma, which is probably because he has her wrapped around his finger, but she’s coming along and we are all working on it.

I do have one other question though; he had 2 outbursts which are worse than the behavior we have experienced. He began growling, I got down on his level and looked him in the eye and said “no”. I didn’t break the eye contact, but he still kept growling, it was a bit less, but didn’t stop. I then, counted to 3 and while still staring, said “no” again. He continued to growl, but broke the eye contact, but then, he did something he never really did before, he snapped at me. I was in shock. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I have seen Cesar (dog whisper) grab a dog’s mouth and turn them on their backs, so I tried, but it didn’t help much. He continued to growl and snap. I kept at it for about 10 minutes, or at least what seemed to be about 10 minutes. When the growling was less, I let go and said no, again and then walked out of the room. A few minutes later he came to find me and was the sweetest little boy ever. I’m pretty sure I didn’t handle this the right way, but I have no idea what to do. Am I doing something wrong?

Sorry for being a pain, but it’s been really hard to find a dog trainer or good help. I happened to call another trainer a few weeks back, but he seemed more interested in money than helping my little angel. You have helped us so much more in just one e-mail. I just want you to know that I am very grateful and appreciate all your help and advice!!! Are you available for a one on one training?


Thanks,
Angela  



ANSWER: You're doing well.  When you get down and stare...be physically still..continue saying NO until he breaks eye contact.  Voice calm.

Now - he backed off (broke eye contact) but then snapped.  HOLD your position and continue staring him down/saying NO until he walks away.  Do NOT let him intimidate you - your whole "being" should read "Don't mess with me - you will lose".  (Think Clint Eastwood :)

You tried an alpha role (brave girl!) and the way to do that is flip him on his back and hold 'till he gives it up (which means he stops wiggling/growling/etc.  It probably wasn't anywhere near 10 minutes :) but it sure felt like it was.  But it wasn't the wrong thing to do and you did pretty well.  Use two hands - one on his tummy and one on his chest.

There's an exercise I'd like you to do with him.  It's called "The Umbilical Cord" and what you do is attach him to you (short, light leash attached to your belt loop..or whatever works).
The idea is "Where I go - you go".  No Chat!  If each of you can do this with him for 20 minutes or so a day that will be good.  Do NOT talk to him during this.

The idea is "follow the pack leader" without question.  Anxious dogs calm down - aggressive dogs also calm down because they're not in control.  The leash is a powerful tool.

Let's give what you're doing a bit more time - do the Umbilical cord exercise - and if he's still being a little brat, we'll move on.  I have other tricks for naughty little boys who think they're top dog. :)

But keep at it - don't EVER let him get away with this.  Not once!
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Delores,

We have been working with Wynston on the Umbilical Cord exercise, but it doesn't seem to be helping with the growling. In fact, I think he's on to us, even the staring is not as effect as it was when we first started using this approach. Now, he breaks the eye contact, but the growling continues and he is snapping at us. Thank God my husband had his glove on the other day b/c Wynn would have taken his finger right off. The growling lasts a lot longer and it's like he is a completely different dog when he gets into that mood. He's usually very sweet, but now every time he is asked to do something he doesn't want to do, or we try to brush him and he doesn't feel like being brushed, he starts growling and snapping uncontrollably. We haven't even been able to flip him on his back as we can't seem to put him in a position where he can't bite us. I'm very nervous that we can't get this under control. Please tell me there is hope. I will try anything, I just don't want him to bite anyone and become dangerous. PLEASE HELP

Thanks,
Angela

Answer
In my last answer I suggested when he breaks eye contact, but continues acting out...HOLD YOUR GROUND!  Do not move - do not yell - continue staring at him while firmly saying No.

Forget the alpha roll.  I don't want you trying that - it's for professionals.

Now I want you to get a few empty pop or beer cans..fill each one with 15 pennies (or the equivalent) and duct tape the top shut.  Have them handy..this won't work if you have to go find one.

The next time you have a confrontation and he breaks eye contact but continues...this is what you do.

Raise the can in the air - say NO - and bring it down in ONE hard crash.  Don't "shake" it..you want ONE thundering noise.

Before you try this - I want to know exactly what you're asking him to stop doing.  What's happening when he begins this?  For instance - the incident with your husband - what was going on?


And how does he behave while you're doing the Umbilical cord exercise?
Delores