I have just been attacked by Monty - What do I do?

[Osaeru]

Thanks Janet, you're a Diamond

Believe me, I have never left Monty alone with the children.

He had another go at me yesterday when I was watching tv, came up to me and bit my wrist. I pushed him off and he started really biting.

Later that day he jumped onto the sofa, straight on top of our youngest Naomi and clawed her shoulder.

On more a positive note, I can take his food off him whithout him making any sound, including bones that he is eating.

Another odd thing is that he does not make a sound when anyone else gets up, but as soon as he hears me, he starts whining.

[Osaeru]

Another update:

Monty keeps Jumping up on the Sofa, I keep telling him to get down, he totally ignores me, I go to grab his collar to pull him down and he bites me repeatedly, jumping up and lunging, even after I have got him on the floor.

Have put him in the kitchen for time out for the fifth time today and its only half eleven.

Am very upset, things are deteriorating by the day.

[peelm]

I now think you’re getting into a downward spiral.
He’s picking up on either your nervousness when handling him, or your frustration and anger at the situation.
This could be enforcing his position of top dog (in his own mind at least).
Is he like this with everyone, or is it with you predominantly ?

Michael

[Osaeru]

I am very calm when dealing with Monty and so is everyone else.
I have had dogs before, I know how to deal with them.

I have never had a problem like this before.

Yes it's a downward spiral because we are all upset by it, if you could see it you would be too.

I am the one who deals with Monty, so it is me he is attacking.
My 16 year old daughter tried to help earlier and he did the same to her.

I have an appointment with the vet this afternoon, who knows the history of this and I am going to discuss it with her.

[Pippin]

So sorry you've got to deal with this, hope the vet can shed some light on things this afternoon.

[Barneyboy]

I still believe a lot of these problems can be solved by enabling you to get control without having to get close enough to Monty to be bitten. Have you tried a 'house line' yet? This will enable Monty to have freedom as long as he is 'behaving', but enable you to get control without having to get close enough for him to 'mug' you.

He sounds about as challenging as Barney was when I first got him - today he's a totally different dog.........

[Osaeru]

I have just got back from the vet.

She says that he is definately trying to be leader of the pack and that it's very common in dogs his age.

since he is a food vacuum, she said to use his stomach to train him.

instead telling him to get onto the floor and then leading him by the collar, I use sausage to get him off, get him to get off the sofa, do a sit and paw and then give him sausage to reward him.

I am going to sign him up for training and agility in Byker, the vet helps out there.

have got him off the sofa three times since coming back from the vets, with no problem

only problem now is he keeps barking for more sausage!

[Bid]

Your vet sounds great - good luck with the training agility - Daisy loves going to both

[peelm]

That sounds really positive.
I'm sure you'l both sort this one out with a bit of time...

Michael.

[amber]

Good luck Nicola, i too feel optimistic for you .
Linda x

[Osaeru]

Thanks everyone.

Will try anything and everything.

I don't give up easily

See all the North easters as Druiridge bay tomorrow.

[msloopylynn]

Wishing you lots of luck with the training.
Keep positive. I'm sure you can over come this.


Lynn

[Emma]

Hi, Ive just seen this post - been away from the computer for a week or so - Yes, Amos took a snap at me when he was 15 months old. It led to me finding this forum so at least something good came from it. Although it was a single snap, it upset me dreadfully and I got alot of good advice here. I ended up getting a personal trainer (only about 3 sessions) and the whole thing made sense. He was trying to dominate me. I sorted him out with hard basic training and sausages. He was hardly allowed to move without me saying so. It really worked in about a week. It does sound as tho Monty is very strong willed so will probably take longer, but I'm sure its the same scenario.
Good luck, and keep cooking the sausages.

[Katie Rourke]

Please get some qualified advice.

http://www.ukrcb.org/

This is the website for the UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists. I don't mean to question your vet, I'm sure she's a brilliant pet-doctor - but is she qualified to give advice on behaviour? Did she run bloods on your dog? Sudden onset aggression is one of the clinical signs of hypothryoidism, did she do a T4 and TSH test? If he WAS to be a hypothyroid dog, no amount of "training" or "behaviour modification" is going to work without the correct dose of medication.

Your insurance should pick up the bill if you're seeing someone with recognised Behavioural Qualifications (which are not the same as those gained by a dog-trainer). A quick call to them would put you in the picture.

Good luck! and please keep us posted.

[Osaeru]

Hi Katie,

Things have improved dramatically.
He is a Boistourous (sp!) doodle and I am a verbal Wuss.
I am currently discovering my discipline voice!

He is totally lovely, just a case of putting him back in his place.

Yes my vet is trained in behavioural management and helps run classes.

Thanks for all your advice - Apart from fagin activities the past week has been fine, no agressive behaviour at all.