Cross Breeds

handling an aggressive small dog, please help!?

Hi again folks, Really sad to be back here with the same question, maybe at my wits end now, hope someone can help... We have two dogs, one a general utility crosser (don't actually know his breed, we rescued him off the street; if it helps he looks like a small alsatian and weighs around 25kg at 8 months) the other is an absolutely adorable, very cheeky Pekinese/Chihuahua mix (in the picture). We are expecting our first baby in Jan so have recently moved house and from medical advice the dogs are now having to live outside - I've lined their kennels and they tend to sleep together and I'm told it's the done thing apparently here in bulgaria :( I will however be bringing them in when it gets cold - to be honest I hate them being out there full stop... Main problem is that Massive (the cheeks) is getting more and more aggressive and out of hand, I seem to be spending all my time with him managing his bad behaviour and quite honestly not doing very well at it! He seems stressed out more, is jealous and is attacking and growling at the bigger, incredibly passive and mellow dog. I am thinking about castrating him to perhaps calm him down but to be honest, if that's not a 100% surefire answer for an 18 month old dog then I'd rather leave him intact. I wonder if is it a natural small dog (napoleon complex) type behavior or is he just pissed at being outdoors or sharing my attentions?) Tough love time (for me) I really feel we are letting him down and without being able to be around him constantly (as I have to work indoors) is it better that we give him to someone who can a) keep him indoors and b) make him the centre of attention and pamper him like the little prince he seems to like to be? I totally love the little guy, he's all character and charm when he's being good but if he goes bad, I know it will be my fault and I'll never forgive myself... The other issue is that perhaps one day Spyro (larger dog) will lose his patience and Massive may come off very badly. Whenever I am out there I fuss and treat them (as a reward for being calm, sitting etc), we walk them twice a day (off the lead, and they are great, well behaved). Am currently trying to show that he is NOT the dominant member by feeding him 2nd and when he's really bad giving him a time out, which means back to his kennel and put on a lead. I have to confess that my frustration recently spilled out and I spanked him (on the bum) with a newspaper and I'm hating doing that and myself too... I know I need to get a calmer approach but having him at a distance like this is not good all round either... Any advice would be much appreciated! Hi, just to say thank you for the interest and useful insights... Massive goes to the vet on monday and both dogs are now indoors (wife not too happy, but everyone else is...)

Public Comments

1. If you really love him you will find him a new home where he will be allowed to be indoors where he belongs. Bothe Pekes and Chis are INDOOR DOGS. He is healthier if he is allowed to retain his testicles. Removing them is not a subsitute for training. There is no such thing as "natural small dog behavior" its called an untrained dog in any size. Small dog owners just are worse at letting bad behaviors escalate and contiune because often they think its "kyoot" in a small dog. If its not cute in a Great Dane its not cute in a small dog. Both dogs need new homes where they will get training and attention. I hate to break bad news to you, but if you find it hard training and caring for a dog, a human baby is going to be a lot harder. I often wonder why people who have difficulties raising a well adjusted and well behave dog go ahead and have a kid.
2. take him to jerry springer and then send him to boot camp.
3. What kind of medical advise is that? I know of tons of people who expecting a baby and having indoor dogs. Which of your dogs is from the point of view of the dogs the pack leader - the small one or the big one?
4. First of all, why are you keeping this dog intact, and not castrating him???do't even tell me you might breed him someday....not with that bad temperament....it would be cruel to breed a dog with bad genes. FIX him is the first step, so he wont be so territorial. It wont changs everything but will make him feel a heck of a lot better about himself and his situation. Evidently this dog needs much more attention than you have time to give him. Rehome him, for his sake. HE is not happy being so agressive , no dog would be. It is a symptom of a problem. If you cant address the problem with him, and I mean really work with him, rehome.... REALLY if you love him, give him a chance . Maybe he needs to be the ONLY dog in someones home. Some dogs are like that. I have one that is very fear agressive. She is so scared that she tries to attack first before anyone can hurt her . It took lot of research and money on books , training sessions, and time training, and personal trainers also, and I am managing but I am retired have all the time to help. I exercise her 4 hours every day.....as a minimum amount... Some dogs have that temperament,,,, and only LOTS of work or a one dog home can help. Again , someone would love him and help him....you need to find that home for him. What kind of a life is it for a 'lap dog' to be left alone all the time???? dogs love to just be around us and feel like part of the family all the time.... and with a child coming you will have LESS time now... and if you don't help this dog, he could really hurt your other dog , baby or you. HE IS NOT HAPPY and HE knows you are not happy....fix it by finding someone to love him that has the time. It is the loving thing to do, and your only option , really.
5. Well get the dog neutered my dog has been much less aggressive since he was neutered. i don't know what else... sometimes if they were abused they do things to protect them or their food or young. I rescued a dog who was found locked up in a kennel outside in Wisconsin in winter time, he is very afraid of storms and can't seem to feel comfortable with new people but we have to let him meet the person and just relax a titch.
6. If you are planning on bringing them inside when it gets colder why not do it now, or at least bring the little guy in as Pekinese/Chihuahua mix is definitely not an outside dog?
7. Here 's a list: - spanking is just pouring gasoline on the fire - no the dog likely doesn't care - but you don't improve the situation. - castration will NOT change your dogs behaviour but I'm sure your vet appreciates the supplementary income. - feeding a dog second will not change the pecking order, if that is all it took, we would have no need for dog trainers - the Alsation will put the smaller dog in place if and when it becomes tired of the crap - and yes, putting a dog the size of a Chi in its place could mean grabbing it by the neck and shaking it dead. - there is no such thing as "natural small dog behaviour". Your Chi is obnoxious because you let him. Your lack of leadership has allowed this dog to become a monster. Dogs develop in stages and a cute furry puppy changes in adolescence - in other words, dogs are dogs. They become what they are because of genetics - but they can be trained to live peacefully with humans IF the human invests the time and don't allow problem behaviours to manifest in the first place.. Your dogs need leadership, training, and TIME. Owning one dog is a lot of work with a baby, owning two is a recipe for disaster. Your situation (pregnant) suggests that your priorities are going to be more weighted with the newborn. Your dogs will nott thrive with complete isolation and neglect and their behavioural problems will escalate - usually to defecation and urination indoors (even though they just went outside), digging, chewing and constant whining and barking. Yes, I would re-home them both. Immediately. Truthfully, once a dog develops severe behavioral problems due to neglect and lack of training, the chance of finding a home for them is next to nill.