AboutAnne Springer, BSc.,CPCT, IPDTA, APDT Expertise I'm happy to answer questions on behavior and training. I prefer a training philosophy much like your physician might adopt when treating patients - first, do no harm. Dogs are generally best trained using humane methods that make sense to them and put you in control, not necessarily by physical means, but by controlling the dog's access to resources, such as food, toys, access to the outdoors, etc. I want your dog to behave, but also to trust you and rely on you for guidance.
Experience Professional trainer, owner of Paws for Praise, LLC in Danvers, MA. Educated, bonded and insured, all breed experience. We use positive training and behavior modification techniques, and are committed to having the dogs that come through our center be both as well trained and behaviorally healthy as we can help their humans make them.
Organizations International Positive Dog Training Association (Regional Director for Massachusetts)
APDT
Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Truly Dog Friendly
Publications Gloucester Times, Ipswich Chronicle, and more
Education/Credentials B.S., Cum Laude, Salem State College
Diploma, Dog Obedience Training/Instruction (Apprenticed also)
Graduate, New York School of Dog Grooming
Pet CPR/First Aid Certified
Certified Pet Care Technician
AKC CGC Evaluator
Therapy Dogs Inc. Tester/Observer
Question Hi, mu 6 month old puppy snapped at my daughter, leaving scratches on her face. It wasn't what I would call play biting...he was irritated. He has growled and snapped at my other child, and my neighbor, and a little at me since then, and I'm worried that one of my children will get seriously hurt if I don't pay attention and find him a more appropriate home (no kids?) . What do think? Julie
Answer Here's a neat article about kids and dogs. While I can't say why your dog is biting at the kids and you, a couple of things come to mind to ask. Is he neutered (if not, he should be - unneutered male dogs bite more often than neutered ones), and has he been attending classes (trained dogs are less likely to bite)? Class isn't just to have him learn sit, down, and stay. It's important to teach him "bite inhibition" by playing with other dogs, and meeting new people, as well as you learning how to teach him, nicely, that ALL the humans in your home are to be respected. Has he ever been physically corrected? Dogs that are given such corrections are no more likely to behave, in fact less than if they receive positive reinforcement training, and, unfortunately, are also more likely to be aggressive.
The way you protect your kids is by protecting your dog. Have they been allowed to roughhouse with the pup? Are they "tormenting" him by giving him too much attention, or the wrong kind (dogs don't care for hugging all that much, for example). What breed of dog is this? Some of the herding breeds get overstimulated by active kids running and screeching. Tone down the noise level, up the training, up the constructive exercise, and get some professional help. You can find a behavior consultant at the Animal Behavior Society web page, IAABC, or you can opt for a trainer from www.clickerteachers.net or www.trulydogfriendly.com. Good luck.
