Okay the reason I am so urgent about this is that I want to start working with the dog immediately, because if he doesn't show signs of improvement soon, my mother will be getting rid of him.

I have three dogs: Holly, Spike, and Jackie. Jackie is a pure bred Jack Russel Terrier, also the mother of Holly and Spike, though we do not know who their father is. Many people, including vets, have pointed out how well behaved Jackie is for her breed. She is sweet and gentle, and good with kids, strangers, other dogs, and cats. Holly, though she is hyper and overwhelming often, is pretty much the same way,though she likes to try and "play" with the cats, and ends up chasing them around. Neither of them are that big of a problem, in fact I am training Holly currently, for she is my dog. Spike however, is my sister's dog, and he is a very sweet dog, but only to the family. When it comes to strangers he snarls and barks and growls at them. He sometimes even snaps at them. Just today, and teenage boy was walking, and he bit the boy in the leg. (Hence why my mom wants to get rid of him) This was the first time he actually but someone. He drew blood and got him pretty good, but not so bad as he needed to see a doctor or anything. He is also very good with our dogs, and two of the other neighborhood dogs, but all the others he tries to fight with. Two rather aggressive dogs down the road, he likes to taunt when they are locked away on a porch, by jumping at them and barking aggressively. We try to keep him leashed, but he sometimes slips through the door, and then we have to go find him immediately. The thing is, he will not listen to "come" when he isn't in the house or on a leash. When you kneel to get him, he will tease you, by coming near them jumping back, or running circles around you. We usually have to lure him in with treats, which can take up to a half hour-45 minutes.

I really need tips on training a dog like this, because I don't know what else to do for him, and he is my sister's best friend as well as a loved member of the family. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me!

P.S. Jackie, the mother, is about 5 years old. Holly and Spike are maybe 22 months or so.

hey, are you online now?? i can help. please PM me. xx

The OP isn't online. New users cannot use the PM function. Could you not post your advice here so that they can read it when they do come online?

ok i'll try, this is a manual on dog psychology which i am attempting to write........

Before you begin to train your puppy or adult dog it is important to understand part of your dogs basic psychology.
The problems I regularly hear from dog owners are:
“I’m telling him to come, sit, or heel but he just wont listen”. “He ignores me all the time.”
The main problem is that the dog simply doesn’t understand what you are trying to tell him/her to do. In other words if you are more intelligent than your dog it will be easier for you to learn to speak “dog” then for your dog to speak English! Once you get this concept into your head you’ll soon have an obedient and reliable dog who will understand and obey your commands and will be a pleasure to live with.

The dogs you meet on a walk and visitors in your home all become part of the pack in your dogs eyes. Many dog owners have said to me, “I thought a dog was supposed to be faithful, yet he will not walk by my side, he disappears with any other dog on our walk and he will not return to me”. The secret is that dogs are faithful and loyal, to their pack leader, but if he is the dominant one in your relationship he’ll be happy to change packs whenever it suits him. This is because instinct tells him to run with the strongest because they will ensure his survival.

You may read this as a new dog owner and may think that it doesn’t sound like your puppy as he isn’t dominant, controlling or obsessive. He may not be yet. I aim to show you how to limit your puppies’ dominance and to prevent problems from occurring as he grows because prevention is better than cure. By understanding your dogs’ basic emotional needs and applying this throughout your dogs training, his routines and life the communication between you will be endless. You can teach him to carry out pretty much anything you ask him to.

A Pack Animal;

Dogs evolved to live in a pack, just like wolves, and when we bring them into our families, the dog becomes a member of this pack. Human behaviour defers enormously from that of a dog pack. We as humans assume that because we have paid sometimes hundreds, or even thousands of pounds for our pet, they will automatically understand that they are the dog and you are in charge (the Alpha). As a dog they must obey you, just like children know that you are the parent, so you are in charge. But this simply isn’t the case. If your dog feels that you are not a strong pack leader, he will simply decide that he would be a better candidate and put himself forward for the job.

The role of the pack leader :

With the role of pack leader comes major responsibilities. Your dog will assume that he has to protect you all because he sees himself as the strongest in the pack (obsessive barking at neighbours, aggressive behaviour may result). Your dog may even knock you over to get into a room before you. However he is not being rude, or disrespectful to you, he simply wants to make sure that the room you are entering is safe and free from predators. This is because its natural for the Alpha dog to ensure that the territory is secure. In the wild his natural instincts are essential for survival.

In order to maintain a strong and healthy pack, the Alpha, has to be the strongest member. The other members help to ensure his survival, they will allow him to take their food, eat first and they will happily live on whatever is left from the kill or whatever they have scavenged. At feeding times the alpha will always eat first, allowing puppies with his strong genes, to eat with him. He ensures his own survival as well as the survival of his genes through his young. The other members will all wait for the alpha to finish his feed and allow them to eat. Therefore it is important to eat before your dogs meal times. This can be difficult, but even eating a biscuit or a piece of fruit before preparing your dogs meal will do wonders for asserting your dominance over him.

When eating your meal, never pass scraps from the table to a begging dog. Not only does this encourage bad manners but it also raises him up inside the pack. Instead wait until everyone has finished then put titbits or leftovers into his bowl if you want to.

So when we want to change behaviour we have to think like a dog and assume the role of Alpha Male/Female. As a result our dogs can live a more stress free life. Being the head of a household comes with its stresses that your dog will take on if he feels he has to be the dominant one in your household. I aim to teach you how to stop your puppy becoming too dominant and placing him/her in his rightful place inside your pack.

Confusion between Human Families and Dog Packs;

Here are some examples of how we humans can make mistakes when it comes to levels within your puppy/dogs world. When we take a look at pack behaviour, we will see that the alpha dog will sit on a higher level than any of the other dogs in the pack. This is so that he can observe the pack, keep watch for predators and has an advantage over any other pack members who try to take over as Alpha. We humans behave differently, we may cuddle and kiss our children, pick them up, share our beds with them, showing them love. Dogs do not cuddle each other because this is not normal behaviour for them, and it is something that we humans have taught them to tolerate. Us humans think that having a cuddle up on the sofa in the evening with our beloved pet is cute but to a dog you are inviting him to take over your role as pack leader. When your dog comes and sits on your lap we may think this is cute assuming he wants a cuddle. In fact, within the pack, the Alpha dog will lay with his head upon another dog, restricting the other dog’s movements and ultimately asserting control over the other lower member of the pack.

When another dog or stranger approaches your puppy (or small breed dog) in the park or at the front door, many owners immediately fear attack by the bigger older dog and so they scoop up their puppy into their arms, high out of the reach of harms way. This teaches your puppy that he is more dominant than all other dogs that approach (after all you lifted him up into that dominant position). For a confident puppy this tell him that when another dog is in the vicinity, he is automatically the dominant Alpha, this will result in unwanted behaviour as your dog will not learn social skills. When your puppy becomes too big to pick up out of harms way, you may find that your confident dog will then begin to challenge others, fights may break out if the other dog is also a dominant dog and you may find that your dog is simply too much for you to handle. It best to allow your dog his natural place, on the floor, socialise him well with friendly dogs that you know (I found that walking in the park at the same times everyday, not only helped my dog to establish a routine, but also helped as we met many other dog owners who also walked at that time). Many training classes offer puppy parties, or pup socialisation classes, although these will prove beneficial, try and get your puppy to meet older trustworthy dogs, and don’t panic if your pup gets told off for rough play or boisterousness, the older dog may just be teaching him manners. It is vital to the emotional balance of your dog to meet as many different dogs as possible, keep the first meetings short and sweet, ending on a positive note, if both dogs are engaging well its best to end on the positive note rather than prolong the play and allow a fall out to happen.

Dominance;

Another way dogs assert dominance over each other is by a good game of tug-o-war. Who ever wins proves himself to be the biggest and the strongest, therefore the best candidate for the Alpha position, you may also experience a toy stealer on your walks, when another dog is more dominant than another he will assume all toys are his own- regardless of what owner brought and paid for them! You’ll generally find that your dog may happily accept this. My own dog will give up his toy for a more dominant dog that he knows. That said it’s best to be careful when dogs that you don’t know approach you as your dog may defend his toys resulting in a challenge that may lead to a fight. Therefore it is crucial that you train your dog to return to you on command and to leave his toy so that your dog has no possessions that the other dog may wish to challenge him for.

Many dog owners feel that when playing tug-o-war games they should let the dog win- “because it pleases him!”- Don’t always let your puppy win when you play games with him, you’re enforcing the idea that as he won, he is stronger than you and he will naturally challenge you for the position of pack leader. That said allowing him to win sometimes will boost his confidence if your dog is naturally submissive.

Body Language and Positive Energy.

Dogs communicate through a variety of different ways, mainly through body language and also through different energies. When you are training your puppy or dog always try to muster up a positive calm assertive energy. Try to visualise yourself as a very powerful respected person. But never be aggressive. Hold your head up high, your shoulders back and make yourself look as confident as possible. The more confidant you are that you can calmly teach your pup to do whatever you ask. Bearing in mind that if your puppy doesn’t understand straight away, with plenty of patience and practice you will succeed. Just always remember – your puppy doesn’t speak English! You have to tap into his mentality to get the results that you need. There is no limit to what you can teach your dog to do, so long as you keep calm, work at it and give plenty of rewards and praise when your dog has done well.

this is still in a really rough form, but try and put yourself as pack leader, your dog thinks he has to protect you all (i assume he is not neutered?) this could be adding to the problem and it would be well worth having it done.

when you have visitors, who the dog doesnt know, i assume that you lock the dog away?? if you are doing that, then your dog may see them as a threat, when other people come on to his territory, he is shut away. instead try putting up a baby gate. (if he can jump over it you may need to make it A bit taller with bamboo sticks tied to the bars) then he can see guests. give them a couple of his favourite treats. as them not to look at him directly. and offer the treats to him when he is calm. do not give him attention for barking (even scolding him), for this will only encourage unwanted behaviour - he'll think that when you shout and he is barking you are joining in or that when people come in you shout at him.

Good luck, feel free to contact me if i can help anymore. xx

I got my copy of 'Your Dog' today and theres a piece in it about fear being mistaken for aggression ... its a good read, id recommend the magazine

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Seriously, you are writing this now? I've heard all that a million times and it's a seriously flawed theory. The well mannered dog sat next to me with his head on my lap would also beg to differ.

we all have different methods, it really has worked with my dog. i think that its the best way- for me. if other methods have worked for you - my grandad trained his dogs by hitting them with a newspaper and swears by it- we all have different methods. some people havent read things like this before, everything ive read has been long winded, very in depth, ive tried to write it simply, giving examples.

too many people are ignorant (not that anyone here has given me that impression) some people do little research on dog training. i started writing this because after i moved, (my last local park was full of behaviourists, trainers and people really into dogs) my new park is full of weekend owners who have no idea, this is just for them.

if you dont agree thats fine, but in my experience, it works. and it has worked for the many people who i have met. please feel free to offer your advice to this young lady if you feel your methods may work.

after all we're all her to help not criticise each other???

My advice would be too blunt and to the point for this poster to accept.

I agree , I never learnt to speak 'dog' yet Toffee understands me completely and does what I tell him to

as for the aggression , from what Holly wrote and what ive read online and today in that mag , it all points to Spike being fearful
If im wrong im sure someone far more competent than me will be along to correct me

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