My dog attacked me!?

Question

We have a four year old sheltie we adopted about a month ago. He is good for the most part, but has people food issues, in that he wants it.

(that's all he was given for the first four years). I started training him using hot dogs as per the instruction of a trainer, teaching him to leave it, and to take easy. But twice he came after me! Is he doomed? It make me nervous to have people over.

Answer 1

Top marks for adopting him! If you remember one basic rule with him you'll stick with him - its not his fault! Whoever had him before you has given him bad habits that at 4 years of age are incredibly difficult to break, for him at least! Stick with the training and the advice of the trainer - you'll get there in the end although it'll be tough at times and you'll end up with a perfectly trained little dog that loves you all the more for your patience! Good luck.

Answer 2

Two thumbs up to you for adopting a dog in need and for getting a trainer and doing training exercises with your dog.

Sounds like you are doing the right thing in desensitizing him to people and food. You may just need to establish your leadership a bit more. Here are some things that may help:

1. Follow the NILIF program. A great way to establish yourself as leader is through the control of resources. Don't give anything to your dog (including pets, affection, freedom) unless he does something for you first. For example ask him for a "sit" before you give him food, toys, or freedom outside.

2. Always leave a drag lead on him. Use a light lead, and clip off the loop at the end so it doesn't catch on anything. Make sure to use a flat collar and not a training collar. When you dog does something inappropriate, non-mark him (ack, ack) and stop him with the lead. You may use a long lead so that you do not need to be close to his muzzle.

3. Time-out. If your dog continues with his bad behavior after you have told him to stop, then say "time-out" and remove him to a time-out area (a safe but boring room, e.g. laundry room). Leave him in there for a couple of minutes and let him out. If he starts up again, non-mark him (ack, ack), and say time-out and put him back in time-out. This time lengthen the duration to about 10-15 minutes. Note that if your dog stops the bad behavior, make sure to praise him a lot and give him good treats. Keep this up and your dog will learn that certain behaviors get him rewards while others get him into a boring room with nothing to do.

4. Be calm and assertive. This is one that had the greatest effect on my dog's behavior. If you are stressed or fearful, your dog will pick that up and intensify his behavior. Here are some tips that helped me stay calm with my dogs:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Dog-Aggression-h...

This site has more information:

http://www.shibashake.com/ss_how-to-solv...

Answer 3

Give him a firm NO and give him a time out. Because your in control of the food, it seems he wants to be the dominate.

Answer 4

I guess if your nervous of him being around people, you can always put him in another room when people are over.

Answer 5

His previous owners made a huge mistake in feeding him table scraps. You'll just have to keep him away from human food. If I were you, I wouldn't even permit him into the dining room or let him near food.

You just have to remember, that food is yours, and dog food is his. If you have the proper determination and you are strict with him, you shouldn't have any problems.

And don't slip up! NEVER offer him a scrap from the table. Doing that one time will make him beg for more repeatedly until he gets his way. Dogs are like bratty little kids sometimes, haha!

Answer 6

I wouldnt feed him hot dogs .. most dogs seem to get mean if u give them people food ...... start giving him treats... NO MORE HUMAN FOOD

Answer 7

No, I don't think your dog is doomed. This is not an uncommon behavior for a dog , especially one that was mistreated in the past. Consult with the dog trainer/behaviorist in your area about the issue. They should be able to help you with this problem. Also they have a couple of good  shows on t.v. that sometimes deal with this behavior. The Dog Whisperer on National Geographic Channel and Its Me or the Dog on the Animal Planet. I would separate the dog from the family during meal times. Put him in another room or his cage/kennel if he has one.  Maybe only snack at the table till he has his food aggression problem solved. Also, he may needs more exercise to really tire him out.  If you got him from a rescue group or shelter they may be able to recommend a trainer. Good luck with your dog!  

Answer 8

Put your dog in another room when adults or children come over. Children have a tendency to give dogs food off of their plates because they think it's cute and its O.K. to feed them. Letting people give your dog food (or take food away from them) will unteach all of the training you have done. Eventually, the dog will use aggression to get what he wants. Don't let this happen! People are not too forgiving when getting bitten by an aggressive looking dog who really just wants a bite to eat.