I need help please

[jn527]

I am the newbie who has the aggressive Bichon Frise. Well this morning I'm a little unsettled because he bite a women on the hand. I'm an irresponsible owner who should have put a haltie on him for a few weeks. We got him last Monday and felt he was getting better. We were walking him about 3-4 times a day and were correcting him when he got fixated on people. We also asked people to not pet him and let him sniff them. He was also forced to sit and not allowed to charge people. I'm really stuck on what to do. I'm buying a haltie today and putting it on him. He has been getting better, we have practice opening the door and him not charging, sitting patiently for the leash to be put on, he is even getting better at growling at sounds.

But I'm worried. I don't know what to do, and what to expect because he attacked my carpool lady without warning. He did not charge, he did not growl at her, he went up to sniff her and then launched into trying to bite her. He bite her finger and broke skin, then he tried to bit her on the leg and breast (by jumping) and instead got her clothes. He was on an extendable leash and a regular collar. I was in the house coming out to greet her, and my husband had the two dogs coming into the house. Our other BF, Stefan went running to greet her. Mochi followed. I'm really stuck on what to do. I know I have been very irresponsible by not placing a haltie on him, however how do I break him of this habit? I will not accept any aggressive behavior including growling of any sort. I am not sure about the haltie, because I don't want to stop the behavior physically, I need him to change mentally. To haltie him forever would not be the right thing, I need to be sure he won't attack anyone without the haltie on.

We also put him in isolation afterwards. However, I can't isolate him forever, and we enjoy having people over, but I want to be sure he's to be trusted.

 

[Zoom]

A Halti, if we're thinking of the same product, won't stop biting. It's designed to stop pulling and allows the dog to still open it's mouth. A muzzle will enclose the dogs mouth and keep it from opening enough to be able to bite.
I would not use an extendable leash with your dog until it is much more trustworthy, for the reason you just experienced. The dog can get up to 30 feet away to do something, and it's very hard to get them back near you and under control. Stick with a 6foot leather or nylon lead for now.

You also need to look into hiring a professional trainer or behaviorist that can work one on one with you and Mochi. Good luck!

 

[filarotten]

Ditto to Zoom's post.

 

[jn527]

So a haltie won't work on the biting problem? Only a muzzle? I am contacting others to find a reputable trainer.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

I'm sorry to say this, but if this were my puppy I would be returning him immediately.

This is not correct behavior for a companion animal breed like a Bichon.

Have you had a complete veterinary exam?

What does the breeder have to say about this?

HOw old is he exactly?

A very difficult situation, very difficult.

 

[dr2little]

Please stop correcting him when he's reactive, it's just creating a negative association with what he's reacting to, the "no warning" bite is a perfect example of what happens when correction is used. Your best bet is to make sure he is never in a situation where he can bite anyone while training is progressing. Having people pet a reactive dog while you correct him for reacting is just going to end badly. Taking away his ability to convey the message that he's very uncomfortable leaves him with few options. The no warning bite is often learned because the warning is punished.
I really hate giving advise on these topics on a forum. I deal with too many of these senerios to believe that typed answers will be of much help. Is there a trainer/behaviorist (certified) in your area who deals with this. It is most important that they know how to properly handly this kind of aggression WITHOUT the use of punishment. Desensitization using positive association is the only way to correct this reliably. If you'd like to know questions to ask when looking for proffessional help, please PM me and I'd be more than happy to help you find someone.
EDIT - Also, a halti won't teach him anything, and is really not appropriate for this type of issue.

 

[Fran27]

I find it really irresponsible from the shelter to put an agressive dog for adoption... Thanks god it wasn't a family with young children that adopted him.

Anyway, I would find a professional trainer fast.

 

[jn527]

He is 3 years old and adopted from a shelter. We were told he was aggressive but had not bitten anyone and were told that he would take awhile to acclimate.

 

[casablanca1]

I'd contact the shelter and let them know what's going on - they might know a trainer, and they might have helpful suggestions. At the very least, you want them to be aware that the dog they already knew was aggressive has gone too far, and they might be getting him back.

I would not use a flexi-lead on this dog, and I would not let him near people at all for the time being. Every time he bites or attacks, he's learning the best way to do it, and he's establishing a habit. The more he does it, the harder it'll be to change him. So prevent the situation from arising again until you can find a good trainer.

[edit] If he's biting after only a short time in a new home, it's likely that he's either extremely fear-aggressive or extremely dominant (or has a screw extremely loose.) In any case, he's a tough dog to deal with and the shelter should not try to hide behind a 'settling in' excuse. Personally, I'd return the dog to the shelter. My sister adopted a Yorkie 5 years ago; he bit hard the first day she had him, and he's never improved despite training, muzzles, doggie Prozac, etc. He's manageable, and that's all. It's a lot to undertake, and you may never have a decent pet in this dog.

 

[elegy]

i agree with the others- ditch the flexi leash, stop correcting him (since it's obviously not working), and find an in-person trainer ASAP. do everything you can to prevent him from practicing his aggressive behavior until you see a professional who can help you learn how to modify it. the more times he is allowed to act aggressively, the harder it's going to be to break.

good luck!!

 

[Brattina88]

I agree with what the other said, and also the advice of my other post. A halti is not the tool for you, a professional trainer is. Honestly, it was irresponsible for the shelter to adopt out a known aggressive dog without helping you with his issues after the fact

 

[Roxy's CD]

Hmm.. Ditto to the halti- they do not restrain a dog from biting, a dog can still open their mouth.

Extend-a-leash- Bad idea in the first place, I don't mean to be rude. I use a 4ft leash with both of my dogs when they're on walks, AND I tighten the leash right up to their collar if anyone is close.

Definitely let the animal shelter know what's going on, but still continue to look for a good trainer in your area. Speak to them before you commit. You'll be able to tell if they know what their talking about or if their BSing you. Perhaps after you speak to them post on the forum to let us all know what they say their "training techniques" are for an aggressive dog.