Hi everyone, I have a 8 month old SharPei puppy called Lily who is usually so well behaved, but about a month ago she started being aggressive towards myself and partner. she has a hiding place under our dining room table and a look out point on the back of our setee next to the window where she loves to sit, but if we try to get her from under the table or off the setee she turns her head as if to bite! (although, i have to admit she has done this since a very young age) but it's becoming worse! she has actually biten and broken the skin and drawn blood. I'm not one for smacking and have tried telling her off, ignoring her, putting her in the kitchen (which she hates) taking toys from her, nothing seems to be working! when we take her out people want to touch her because she is so cute, she used to love this but has lunged and growled at 2 people on separate occasions. I'm worried if this goes on it will get worse and she'll do damage to us or someone else. I have been taking her to obidience classes but am becoming a laughing stock as when they see me coming they shout "her comes the posh dog", "Too posh to take our treats", I did my homework on the breed before I had her and I know they are a stubborn breed but I don't want to excuse her behavior as a breed characateristic! she has'nt had much interaction with other dogs as she was attacked twice when she was youger, but I made a point of enrolling her in the classes so she would, but if any dog sniffs her or is bouncy she backs off and growls ! I'm willing to try any advise given (only other dog owners could know how much this dog means to me and i hate people bad mouthing her as she is such a lovely dog)  please help !!!! :-(

I would pick up all toys and only let her have them when you say so, teach the drop it command. Since when you try to move her and she goes to bite I would put a leash on her, do not leave her unattended with a leash on. This way you can safely make her listen at a distance and no chance of gettin bit, but once you do always treat/praise her for doing it. I would not allow her on the setee or under the table, take those away. If she is beginning to get agressive she is saying these are hers and not yours so do not allow her. Do not allow her on any furniture and only give her attention when you want to not when she wants it. Also when you feed her make her work for her food, and only give it to her when she does as she is told and when u say ok, like make her sit or laydown ect but always do something different. when  people come to pet her do they offer her a treat at all? Maybe try that it may work...

Junior was was leary of strangers and now is gettin alot better. I find if I don't tighten on the lead he is fine, cause they can sense the tension in the lead. I also put him in a down when people come over and get him to just lay there while Iam talking to them, being in a down a dog feels more vunerable and also shows them that you are in control of the situation. Don't allow people to give her eye contact cause some dogs see this as aggressive towards them. Maybe there if they crouch down to dog level and offer a closed hand under the chin but don't look at the dog, maybe even offer a treat. Don't allow them to pet on the dogs head cause alot of dogs do not like this and the reason to go to her leavel is so the dog feels more comfortable, when standing over a dog some dogs see this as a threat. These are some of the things I found worked with Junior....

For takin toys ask her for the toy and use a command word like drop it and offer a treat in replacement or another toy... then when she drops it praise/treat her.  The point is this way when she gives something up she knows she will get something back. You can also make a game outta it get the toy keep it for a bit and give it back. Just to take it and not give it back or offer something else in replacement just teaches her she doesn't want to give it to you cause she know's she wont get it back so she is be comin aggressive/possesive over her things cause she thinks she will lose it.

definately work on the obedience, when she growls at you drill her on the obedience sit-down, sit down, and do a couple of that then drop the leash and leave it at that, do not praise/treat her for that. Keep doin that everytime she growls or goes to bite.

Hope I was able to answer some of your questions and Im sure some one will come along with some more help...

It is difficult to understand via the ether whether your dog has resource guarding issues or handling problems (or both).  Each of which needs to be tackled both individually and together.

If a dog feels uncomfortable telling them off only increased their anxiety as they do not understand why you are cross with them.

I would suggest that you ask the advice of an experienced trainer and I would also strongly suggest that you change your club.

NO breed or owner should be discriminated against and I am appalled that any "trainer" would allow this to happen; perhaps you should find one that can find ways of helping you to motivate your dog.

If you go onto www.apdt.co.uk you should find someone to help you there or alternatively you may wish to enlist the help of a reputable behaviourist in order to correctly identify any problems your dog may have, after, of course, having her checked out by the vet.

Members of the APBC will only act on vet referral; please do not consider using a "behaviourist" unless they are accredited to a professional recognised organisation or they have the proper academic qualifications.

HTH

I don't like advising on agression cases on the 'net because there can be so much underlying stuff that can cause a dog to be agressive, but it sounds to me as if she's been pushed beyond her limits and has learnt agression is the only way to get things back under her control.  You might like to do some research into dog body language, and see if she's exhibiting any of these signs, so you can learn to react accordingly before she gets to the agressive stage.  You then need some 'hands on' advice on how to handle each situation to socialise her gently and carefully.  Ontop of this, the first thing you need to do is to have a through examination carried out by a vet she trusts to establish that none of this change in behaviour is due to any physical cause, such as entropion.  While you're there, ask him to refer you to a behaviourist - a member of the UKRCB, APBC or APDT with an interest in behaviour.

It sounds to me as if possibly she has never been taught to come out or get off when you ask her; it's not uncommon for this sort of situation to escalate, often because the owner is not sure what to do and so tries various methods :)

I would agree it is best to get a professional help, because the situation has escalated. It can probably be resolved very easily with the right advice and some perseverance.

Good luck.

Lindsay
X

Hi Jess,  I've got a 3 year old Shar Pei who I rescued at 14 months. He was pretty much the same as your describing when I got him. However, he NEVER bit me (although he did bite my other half at the time.. but he deserved it! <he was taunting the dog>) and hasn't growled at me since the 2nd day I got him. Anyway, don't quote me on this as I'm not an expert, but Shar Peis are very loyal to their family and aloof with anyone else. I know Dylan will only listen to or even give attention to people he respects. If he doesn't respect you he doesn't want to know you. Shar Peis are naturally protective of their (usually one) owner and so will be defensive of anyone approaching their owner's space. I don't know how wrinkly your pup is, but it could be that her wrinkles are obstructing her vision somewhat. Only allow people to approach her from the front and pet her underneath her chin, possibly after giving her a treat to make friends. Finally, what are you feding her? I noticed a HUGE change in his behaviour after I switched to JWB. Please perservere with her and get some good solid professional assistance. If it's not working at the class you're in, go somewhere else. Unfortunately, Dylan was too badly mistreated in his first year to ever be comfortable being left with stangers/kennels which makes holidays very difficult! I'm sure you'd much rather have a perfectly happy puppy who's comfortable in any situation.

Good Luck!!   :-)   Elle

p.s being aggressive to shar peis (and I'm guessing any dog) does not work. You need to be assertive, and show her who's boss. But again, I only think a professional can guide you in this, although in the meantime you can start with the suggestions of the other posters.

p.p.s i think i should clarify that although shar peis are naturally aloof and protective, it shouldn't be encouraged. They need to be shown that other people are ok and you don't need protecting from everyone you meet.

Classes are not always the answer.  Unless a dog can relax in a training class situation he could become overwhelmed and further sensitised.

Socialisation is not just about being amongst a group of dogs and if your dog is in anyway stressed at the classes you would be better not to go.

If you do employ the help of a professional choose very carefully.   Although being a member of a professional body should guarantee you get a knowlegeable positive behaviourist, this, unfortunately, is not always the case.

Remember the last thing you want is for the dog to be made worse.

Wendy