OES 15 wks loving but aggressive-help
Having read other peoples msgs I have picked up a few tips and am awaiting a book The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell to try to help give Tilly (15 wks) and myself a happier life! I have only had her for 2 weeks and she didn't have the best start in life. I bought her from a horse farm in N Wales were they were clearly (now I realise) not capable of looking after their puppies. After several visits to the vets, health wise she is on the mend and is in a very loving and fun environment. She has lots of playtime as I know she must get bored with her not being able to go out for walks yet. I have taken her out for walks in my arms so she can get used to noises and the local area, etc. HOWEVER, I dont know if it is just as she is getting more comfotable, her behavior is changing and is getting more frequently aggressive. It started one eveing when I was playing with her, all was fine and then she started mouthing, I said no and stopped the attention for a minute, with that she launched herself at me and wouldn't stop biting (actually ripping my sleeve) and growling. It was so unlike what I'd seen of her that it scared me. I live with my parents and I'm scared she will bite either of them. I've taken advice so far of putting her outside for a while when she does this, yelping/howling like a pack member, holding the back of her neck and saying no like her mother, alsorts, but it has happened again the last 3 evenings and I'm at my wits end. She is loved so much. But I really don't like these out bursts. For the majority of the day she is just perfect, house training is going well, loving, etc. I expect her to push the limits but this feels like it's too far. She is only on wet puppy food at the moment from the vets so it's not like it could be a reaction to her food as she's had this from the start. She will let me take her food away half way through eating. She waits for it well. She will sit (most of the time) when asked. I'm trying alsorts and I am desperatly waiting on the book mentioned above to help. I'm just wondering if this is 'normal' and what I can do in the mean time to calm her down. As I have only had her 2 weeks she still needs her 2nd jabs and then a week after that we can be out walking (burn off some of that excess energy) but I need to know that I have a bit of control now so that I'm more confident for the next hurdles. Once she can be out walking then I will be taking her to training classes so that walking will be a pleasure too. If anyone can offer advise or even say this is slightly normal I would be very grateful. I have waited 2 years to get her and I want her life to be happy and the same for me. Thanks for reading. Kirsty. |
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| Kirsty,
I would say this probably isn't "normal". The book will help and I would also get her into a training program - with positive reinforcement training. Aggression can be relative to Hypothyroidism - but I think she would be too young for that to be the cause. It's more likely behavioral and due to her breeding. You can make a difference - it will take some time and patience. May I ask why she can't go on walks yet??? Kristen |
| Kristen.
Thanks for replying. She has only had her 1st injections but goes back next week for her 2nd ones and then can go for a walk the week after that. She has had a bit of a late start as I only got her 2 weeks ago and wasn't well enough for her first jabs then. Kirsty. |
| Hi - I've got a pup too
Farley was 5 months as of Wednesday and he is a bundle of energy. Although I had him on the grooming table last night for an hour and he told me afterwards that he was ready for bed once I was finished. He has had moments of what might be termed "aggressive" behavior but it has toned down a lot since we brought him to live with us 2 months ago. He had been living with a his 2-legged mom and household of 6 adult OESs and 4-5 pups. So he was accustomed to being played with roughly. I don't know how much of the toning down had to do with our setting limits with him or just time and maturing. I hope the same will prove to be true for your pup. Good luck. I'll let you in on a little secret I've learned from Farley. Do you know why they are so cute? >> Soze you don't kill'm when they do somethin bad! |
| Not sure of whole scenario either but soon as she bites you let out a big ouch or yipe and then turn your back to ignore her until she stops. As soon as she stops and settles down -- praise her. I'm wondering if the reason she starts tearing into you is because she thinks you are playing. She may have not had a good start but she is still very young so the rule boundries still need time to be set up.
Good luck and please keep us posted on how she is doing. |
hi tilly am in the uk to  could you tell us a little bit more was she from a home or a puppy farm cos i have heard alot about puppy farms in wales,if i was you as soon as she has her vacs get her to trainning class and see what they say good luck bobsmum |
Welcome to the forum Tilly.... looks like you're on the right track  |
| i recommend getting a positive reinforcement trainer who has experience with aggressive dogs asap.
you are welcome to private message or email me as well, my dog walter has aggression problems and i might have a few pointers for you |
| Oh Tilly, how frightening. Please don't forget to keep us updated on this.
I'd like to hear about what is hopefully positive progression. |
| Hi Tilly,
I'm also a UK member. - If it makes you feel any better we went through exactly the same stage with Woof! He used to grab my sleeve and growl just as you describe. In fact, Jacqui (my partner) got very worried However, I think it was all about Woof finding his boundaries and who was the "alpha dog" as it were. He now knows it's me!!! All the stuff you're doing is just that same as us (and the advice you'll get from the others is great). We used to do all of them: Telling Woof off (Barking like a mother dog - No!) Howling like a hurt pup Putting Woof in a closed off room until he learnt to behave. We found the last method the best. In fact we still use the command "go kitchen" once in a while to calm him down! Keep on doing what you are doing and I'm sure you'll be fine! |
| Hi there, Go out get a stash of cuddly toys for her from the charity shops. When you play with her keep putting a cuddly toy in her mouth redirect her mouthing its what pups do. if she catches you with her teeth shout ouch stop playing put her somewhere out of the room for a little while, when she comes back play again follow routine do not lapse. do not let her get away with it once be consistant. To train a dog to be loving an happy it takes time loads of patience and consistancy plus tender love and care. It is hardwork but worth it in the end.
luv pepe and dougal |
| Hi,
I just wanted to say a HUGE thanks for all of the replies. They have all been great. I have now got The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell and have found it really good already. She is still a bit of a terror but not for such a long period at a time as before and less frequent. I'm following your advice and parts are starting to sink in with her. She is so intellent. In reply to Bobsmum, I bought her from a farm in North Wales, not what might be called a 'puppy farm'. They weren't intentionally breeding and I don't think they had the time or love for the pups. Thanks also for letting me know there are others out there like Tilly and that it can be sorted out. She's got so much love to give and I think she might also be confused as to how to show it. As soon as I can, I will get her into a positive training regime with somone in the area. I think that walking is going to be a big turnaround too. We'll see. Many thanks again. Kirsty |
| Hi,
We got our OES at 7 months from a rescue center. We don't know much about her background. For the first few weeks, she thought our 8 year old son was her personal sheep and nipped him on the bum. We had to "train" our son how to be the alpha dog, and so far it is working. I admit, she had aggresive tendencies towards me, until I realized that she was like that when very tired (I had to give her a bath after pooping in the crate at 10 pm). I had to remind myself that she was still a pup (baby) and could be over stimulated....like my son at that age! Samantha is almost 1 and is somewhat calming down. |
| is she k.c reg if she is i would let the kc know about her condition just incase this wasnt a one of litter ,good luck everything will work out bobsmum |
| Bobsmum - she has no papers but is pedigree. I'm not sure if it was you who suggested it but the info in The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell is fantastic. I can barely put the book down. It makes so much sense.
Kirsty |
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