Kingdom of Pets

Posted by lindawaghorne
Feb 13, 2009

Hi Becks
I have a springer X cocker spaniel male aged 3 called cisco( he has been neutered). He has reciently started pinching objects and growls but wags his tail when I try to take it away.2 weeks ago he attacked me when i touched his paw, I put it down to I must have somehow hurt him.but today when he had pinched something I told him to drop it, after a few attempts to get him to drop it he attacked me biting my foot and leg. It was a very aggresive attack but I didn't let him see I was frightened. He then proceeded to urinate on the carpet which he has never done before. Cisco used to be agressive when he was about a year old, He then had a friend take him out for about 2 hours twice a day and after about 2 months or so the agression stopped. We moved home in August and now I take him out for 30minutes twice a day.
Other than this Cisco is a very affectionate dog, quite attached to me and follows me everywhere.We have a younger female Cocker spaniel that is 15months old as well and they get on fine although jelous of each other.
I hope you can help me I am desperate
Linda

Posted by KOPsBecks
Feb 15, 2009

Hey Linda thanks for your post, sorry it took me so long to reply.
it sounds to me like Cisco has a problem with possessive aggression, this can occur with any possessions and is often associated with play behaviours. There is a protocol for fixing this which from experiences in the past is quite successful and I have it on my computer at home so will post it here tonight.
Cisco also sounds quite energetic and if incresing his exercise levels helped resolve behavioural issues last time then it is definately worth trying again, and not only will the extra exercise benefit him, it is extra time you can spend with your dog and you can enjoy the walks too. I suspect the urinating on the carpet was as a result of the excitement from the attack and I wouldn't worry too much about that as hopefully that will resolve once the aggression stops.
Make sure to give equal attention to both your dogs, even though Cisco is being a bit difficult at the moment. If the other dog is seen to be preferred he may start to take his aggressions out on her.

Will post again later,

Becks

Posted by KOPsBecks
Feb 17, 2009

Pick an object to work with, start with an object of no value to the dog.
Ask the dog to sit or lie down and the stay, ensure the dog is relaxed to begin with. Place the object 2 or 3 metres in front of the dog, so that they can see it. Praise your dog for relaxing. Instruct the dog to stay the pick up and quickly return the object. return back to your dog and reward for relaxed behaviour and if it did not move during the exercise. Repeat this exercise again and again each time moving the object closer to the dog in a gradual manner until the object is touching the dogs feet. Each time remember to return to your dog and reward them for being relaxed and not moving.

If at any point the dog picks up the object, instruct your dog to "drop it" and praise for obeying you, if the dog does not drop the object then leave the room, this is punishment as it deprives them of your attention and control of the situation.

Once your dog can do this exercise with an object it doesn't value, repeat again with an object of value eg. theobjects he tries to pinch. Continue to repeat the exercise with item of more and more value to your dog, eg. toys and chew bones.

Other useful exercises include getting other family members to repeat the exercise, repeating the exercise in different locations, teach your dog to "Take it" and then "Drop it"

Once your dog understands the "Take it", "Drop it" commands you can perform an exercise where you get your dog to take an object and hold it for 1 second and then ask your dog to drop it and praise if they obey. Repeat the exercise but increasing the time that you get your dog to hold the object. Once your dog can perform this with an object it does not value then try repeating with objects of value.

Ultimately you should be able to request your dog to take and drop virtually anything.

So once you have acheived this, you should never have to take anything from your dog again, you'll only need to ask him to "drop it" and he should obey.

Good luck with everything, let me know how it goes,

Becks

for Becks