Aggressive, border line frightening Australian Kelpie pup

by Margaret
(Carmel, NY)

Hi!

My name is Margaret and I gave Bo a forever home in March. My golden retriever had recently passed and I wanted another dog in the house as my mother is often home alone being that I travel all over for work.

We were told he was a lab/shepard mix. We got him at 3 months old and we gave him/are giving him all the love and and attention that he deserves and more. We have brought him to puppy training class and really all we got out of it was down and sit. I know it is 90% owner and 10% pup, but no matter how hard my mother and I try, he remains stubborn and pushy.

Recently he has been mouthy. Not a playful mouthing, but growling, lunging and biting to the point he has broken skin on more than one occassion. We try to give him a time out (if we arent too scared to grab his collar and guide him to his crate) or we do as the trainer says and simply walk out of the room. It still hasnt worked. We walk him 3 miles a day, we can not let him run because he has lost his privileges. We decided to bring the same trainer from the puppy class into our home. She taught us to speak to him as if he was a colicky baby. (*Hushed tones, soothing voice) It worked for about a week, but he has gotten back to the biting.

He isnt affectionate and doesnt seek human contact. In fact, when I do try to cuddle or pet him, he growls like he is irritated. It is starting to become heart breaking. We have always had happy and healthy dogs and Bo is just different. We did a DNA test and found out he is an australian kelpie, which arent really meant for living in homes. They are farm dogs. We feel like perhaps his aggression is due to the fact that he is pent up during the day? We have tried ProQuiet and other calming aids, but nothing is helping.

Please lend some advice!

Comments for Aggressive, border line frightening Australian Kelpie pup

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Nothing In Life Is Free
by: Adam G. Katz

Employ the "Nothing In Life Is Free" approach, so that your dog starts to view you as the "pack leader." If your dog doesn't see you as the leader, then your corrections will be meaningless. So, if you're doing subtle things (inadvertently) to undermine your leadership role around the house-- it will be counter-productive.



Be sure to sign up for our free:

Aggressive Dog Training Tips Newsletter

All the best,
Adam

Adam G. Katz is the author of, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!" -- which you can find at DogProblems.com.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to My Aggressive Puppy.

250 x 250