Mini Pinscher Issues, help please!?

Question

I have a mini pinscher, I have noticed some of her hair is falling. Not to an extreme rate, though. Is this normal or can I do anything her hair can be stronger..?

Also, I show her affection reasonably but she does not always seem to appreciate and love me back. She also has those "aggressive moments" where she bites my hair and tries to pull it off! (literally) It's painful but I can avoid it. And she also likes to bite my hands and legs, my hand was bleeding today because of her bite. It only stings a little but anyway...

It makes me feel bad that she is like this with me... I am doing all I can to show her that I love her. I mean, I do so many things for her and she doesn't seem to appreciate it or love me back... :(

Thanks..

Answer 1

I still think obedience school is a good idea.  If you don't like the training methods, you're well within your rights to opt-out of any exercises that don't make you comfortable, or not continue with their classes at all.  It's great bonding and socialization for you and your pooch.

With the biting... your dog sounds dominant over you.  What we think of as showing "oodles of love and affection" can also turn into spoiling... and a spoiled dog will try to be the boss, which leads to these "aggressive moments".

Nothing In Life Is Free. NILIF.  Google it.  

Ask your dog to do any number of tricks/commands for you before you allow it food, attention, jumping on furniture, going outside, coming in side, jumping in a car, getting it's leash on, going for a walk, coming in from a walk or any variety of things. It's a non confrontational way to force the dog to acknowledge your leadership, since if he doesn't obey, he doesn't get food/pets/play/mobility etc.

If your dog is in the hallway, ask him to move so you can proceed.  It's your house, he needs to learn to "yield" to you.  It shouldn't be mean or bossy, you ask him to move, and he gets praised for moving.

Do'nt allow rough play. Channel energy in walks, or other play activities, like fetch (fetch is the best idea ever). Don't allow the dog to jump on you, ever, or hump your leg, or the legs of your guests. Never allow the dog to grown possessively (or otherwise) over toys, food or other things. You should always be able to remove your dogs food dish without fear.

Additionally good leash manners will really help your Alpha relationship with your dog. Don't allow the dog to direct the walk by pulling. It's your walk, don't let him drag you, ever.  When you say it's time to move on in the walk, he must follow you.

Lots of other things, that's a start though.  And I do still recommend you give your local obedience trainers a chance.  

ADD:  If she just thinks you're playing when you tell her "NO" and push her down, you need to be more forceful until she knows you mean business.  If your kids hit you or bit you what would you do?  I'm guessing grab their arm, look them right in the eye and tell them not to do that, then sent them to their room.  You wouldn't let them continue to run wild.  If she doesn't listen, make her listen.

the thing also about dog trainers, is they teach YOU to train your dog.  They don't train it for you.  So, if your friend had zero luck getting his dog trained, I venture it's dominantly not the trainers fault.  Maybe obedience school would do nothing.  But you're not doing very well on your own now are you?  Not attacking, just saying, it might help.  And if it doesn't, you're just where you left off anyways.

Answer 2

Is the hair falling out in huge clumps and is leaving bare skin?  If it's just a little bit in some spots, or when you pet her, it's just shedding.

I think her biting is her trying to tell you that she is the pack leader.  You need to set boundaries for her (if you already haven't).  If you have, then I'm not sure what she could be aggressive about.

www.pedigree.com should have something in there about dominate dogs.

Answer 3

Ok, the hair issue could be allergies, a thyroid condition whatever. That needs to be addressed by a vet. The aggression can't be ignored. Do not let her get away with this kind of behavior. I don't think she respects you or sees you as the boss. She will love you more when she sees you as the boss. Never let her bite your hands and legs. Substitute a dog toy when you are playing with her. Be very firm, there is no excuse to let your dog bite you, period. If you don't want to go to obedience training, I suggest you find some books to read. You definitely need to get this under control. I hope she is still very young. Smack her with a rolled up newspaper or something, but never your hand.

Answer 4

First to note, Miniature Pinschers due in fact shed this time of year. Excessive shedding is generally due to over bathing which this breed need only be bathed 4 to 5 times a year. When dirty in between we recommend a baby wipe. So long as there are no bare spots it is most likely shedding but note if you are bathing more than recommended you are jeopardizing the dogs coat which can lead to serious skin problems.

As for the affection, by nature the true Miniature Pinscher is not overly affectionate when attention is forced on it. The Miniature Pinscher is a true terrier created nearly 400 years ago by crossing a smooth coated Dachshund with an Italian Greyhound. They were created as feral dogs the same as feral cats are used on farms in the US. They relied solely on rats and mice for food and lived in barns using hay as a source of warmth. In addition they had very little human contact. They were not house pets. Due to the breeding and ferreting this breed is extremely independent and therefore force picking them up or grabbing them conflicts with their true nature. Too many people purchase them based on either they look like a "mini Dobermann" which they are not related to, or a friend has one and it is so cute, the friend has what we commonly refer to as a "mini pin" or "min pin" which is one that does not carry all of the natural traits and is generally undersized. This breed is known to nip and bite for only one reason, excessive handling. They can be a great lap dog when left to get into and out of your lap at their leisure not when you want them to. They do require a strong person and are never a first time dog for anyone. The other issue that I see is you appear to possibly be spoiling her. In this breed, never do you do this. This is not a Chihuahua where cute clothing is appropriate nor is this a breed to be carried around to get attention. Socializing is a must but if forced into situations it will learn to nip as a means of defense at which time you need to know the difference in the dog being at fault or if you did something to cause the dog to be this way. If you keep in mind that this is in fact NOT a toy breed dog as it is only in the US, UK and Canada (in Europe, it is in cat2 and competes against the German Pinscher and Schnauzers in the terrier working groups) then possibly you can see what may be creating some of her reactions and change your approach in handling her. This breed is often considered stubborn but that comes from people who have no knowledge of the breed otherwise they would see that they have mistaken stubbornness for just be intelligent and independent.  

Answer 5

Your main problem with her is that she thinks she is the dominate one in the relationship. Dogs are pack animals, they are a sub species of wolfs and wolfs are usually in packs of 5 all the way to 40.

When a dog sees no one is taking charge, they usually take matters in their own hands and take charge as the Alpha of the group. It pisses me off that so many people take their dogs to obedience training and they never tell them this piece of info.

Many, many, problems people have with their dogs is due to the dominance issue. That's also the reason she doesn't always return your love. She is trying to show you she is in charge and you need her more than she needs you. So she tries to act tough and not show too much affection as an Alpha.

I have a min pin too, male at that, they are way more aggressive than the females and he is an angel because he knows who is in charge.

Now what I mean by dominance is NOT to hit your dog or just yell at them. Dogs are like kids, they will push and push to see just how far they can get away with. You need to be firm and let her know some things are not acceptable, like biting you. Play biting is one thing, but once she breaks skin she is asserting her dominance. You need to be firm and say NO. That's it. Don't linger on it too long, say NO and go back to playing with her, if she does t again and she will, do it again. They will push you until they see you will never back down and then they will submit. That's when you have a great dog that listens, plays and obeys you. The experience is much more appealing.

Let me know if you need any clarifications or more info. My min pin is 9 years old now and still the best.

Answer 6

we have mini pinschers too but they aren't like yours.  heres a site that might help