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As I've mentioned before, Gilligan suddenly became very aggressive when someone is at the front door. He used to just bark and jump at the door, but then step away when I opened it. Now he tries to nip at the pants of whoever is there. I finally pinned down to when it started... a neighbor was having a big dinner party and stored food in our basement refrigerator. The night of the party, he came running over, into the house, and straight down the basement because he forgot the soup. Gilligan was terrified and that's the first time I saw him nip at anyone's pants as my neighbor was leaving. I didn't think much of it, and did try to stop him by having my husband hold and treat him while people were at the door and/or coming in the house.
He also charges the door when he sees another animal such as a dog or deer. He does the same at the TV when there's an animal on the screen - even a cartoon animal. We are now telling him a firm NO when he starts to race toward the TV and it seems to be working.
Our trainer told us he probably has barrier aggression and to put him in a pen when someone is at the door. (he hates the pen). After the person is inside a few minutes I let him out and he does not charge them. I have given guests treats to feed him, and the last person who came in the house didn't hear me say "drop it on the floor" and fed it by hand. That's when it struck me..... he was in a fearful position taking it from the person. He was low to the ground and stretched all the way forward only close enough to get the treat. After a bit of giving him treats, he started jumping on the guest and asked for more. He's fine when people are in the house - it's just getting them in that's the issue.
He has also become really territorial, particularly with other dogs. He's fine if we let them sniff each other first, but if he sees one before we bring them together, he runs after them.
I found this article on a trainer/behaviorist facebook group regarding neutering and male dogs. It discusses the positives and negatives... when I got to the negatives, Gilligan exhibits almost every single one of the behaviors.
When the crisis is over, we're going to get together with our regular trainer to see what she thinks. I sent her the article and she says it sounds more like barrier aggression and that neutering usually gets rid of aggression. We are lucky and there is a certified vet-behaviorist nearby in the 24 hour emergency vet and will go there if we can't stop these behaviors ourselves. Frankly, I don't care what it costs. I will not have an attack toy poodle. (as laughable as that sounds)
I'd love to hear your thoughts about the article as well as the issues I'm trying to solve. Who ever thought that a 9lb dog would act like Cujo at times?
Thank you in advance for your advice and for listening.
Neutering Causes Behavior Problems in Male Dogs
He also charges the door when he sees another animal such as a dog or deer. He does the same at the TV when there's an animal on the screen - even a cartoon animal. We are now telling him a firm NO when he starts to race toward the TV and it seems to be working.
Our trainer told us he probably has barrier aggression and to put him in a pen when someone is at the door. (he hates the pen). After the person is inside a few minutes I let him out and he does not charge them. I have given guests treats to feed him, and the last person who came in the house didn't hear me say "drop it on the floor" and fed it by hand. That's when it struck me..... he was in a fearful position taking it from the person. He was low to the ground and stretched all the way forward only close enough to get the treat. After a bit of giving him treats, he started jumping on the guest and asked for more. He's fine when people are in the house - it's just getting them in that's the issue.
He has also become really territorial, particularly with other dogs. He's fine if we let them sniff each other first, but if he sees one before we bring them together, he runs after them.
I found this article on a trainer/behaviorist facebook group regarding neutering and male dogs. It discusses the positives and negatives... when I got to the negatives, Gilligan exhibits almost every single one of the behaviors.
When the crisis is over, we're going to get together with our regular trainer to see what she thinks. I sent her the article and she says it sounds more like barrier aggression and that neutering usually gets rid of aggression. We are lucky and there is a certified vet-behaviorist nearby in the 24 hour emergency vet and will go there if we can't stop these behaviors ourselves. Frankly, I don't care what it costs. I will not have an attack toy poodle. (as laughable as that sounds)
I'd love to hear your thoughts about the article as well as the issues I'm trying to solve. Who ever thought that a 9lb dog would act like Cujo at times?
Thank you in advance for your advice and for listening.
Neutering Causes Behavior Problems in Male Dogs