I own a small terrier and during the evenings when he is tired he gets in these funny moods and when he's in one if you touch him for a prolonged period of time he'll bite and snarl at you. When he's in these funny moods which dont seem to have a trigger, they occur usually when he's getting a bit tired, he becomes very nervous and if you move your foot and he's lying next to hit he'll growl and bite. In addition to this he's a nervous + aggressive dog and we find it difficult to groom him as he is constantly biting the comb or tring to run away. I was wondering what I should do when he's being aggressive and biting (normally I do that "shh" think that Cesar Milan does on his show and I try to remain calm and assertive, I make him sit and stand over him 'till he calms down) but also how to stop him being aggressive and getting into one of these nervous, sleepy modds.

Its a hierarchy problem. You need to assert yourself as the alpha dog, there are many tips on the internet about this.
My Dobe is also aggressive if disturbed when sleeping. If any other dog that is below her in the hierarchy disturbs her, she will growl and can also bite, but this is never the case if me I disturb her. Same thing when she is eating: I can take the food from her bowl, there is also another dog at my place who can take the food from her but if any other dog (which she considers below her) takes her food, then she will bite.
I am looking for a very interesting document I downloaded from internet about how to assert yourself as the alpha dog and I shall attach as soon as I get it.

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Brian

Here is that great document. Its gives clear steps to assert yourself as the alpha dog without being aggressive with the dog.
NILIF - Nothing in life is free

Attached Files

NILIF.pdf (61.4 KB, 5 views)

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Brian

thnx for your quick reply and I've been trying to establish myself and other members of my family as pack leaders and he has gotten better but its a bit confusing for me because, I probably should have mentioned this in my first post, when he's really tired at night and he bites your foot then straight afterwards he starts wagging his tail as if he's saying "oops, didnt know it was you" (once he bit a ball that had dropped next to him). He has been getting better and these funny moods he has are becoming less frequent (when he's in one of these moods the whites of his eyes go red and he stares a lot at you but looks away when you look at him) so really I want to know what I can do when he bites and when he's acting strange as he does.

edit- btw I can't open tht file

hummm thats very interesting. tug of war games are usualy ok aslong as you always win and not the dog though

I've tried to convert to another format. Hope it helps

Attached Files

NILIF.doc (37.5 KB, 3 views)

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Brian

Thnx but I've read a few sites saying similar things to that and I already try and practice those things

"1) Avoid confrontation. If your dog is aggressive, this is paramount for the success of the program. If the dog is continually placed in situations in which it feels the need to defend itself, aggression simply becomes a learned behavior. Example: If your dog attempts to guard a rawhide chew and you back away and say, "Oh well, just finish it then." What has the dog learned? It's learned that aggression works. If it wants you to go away, all it has to do is growl.---If the dog aggresses guarding a chewy, simply remove them from its diet altogether."

That bit doesn't really help me as I can't avoid moving when he's acting funnily and going to sleep and it doesn't say what I should do when he bites me, Cesar Milan does that alpha roll thing and I tried that on my dog when he tried to bit me but he ended up just shaking on the floor and I exerted very little force on him. I understand these methods of how to make myself pack leader but until we have him fully under control I want to know what I can do when he bites.

Hi, sounds like your little boy is suffering with nervous aggression which tells me he is very insecure, although yes you do need to make sure you become the pack leader you need to build a trust/bond up aswell.
I would advise you, for the time bein, to try your best to not bother him when he is asleep, let him find out that he can fall asleep and wake up and nothing will happen to him inbetween, with time as you become the calm assertive pack leader he should start to trust you more.
How old is he and do you have any other dogs. also does he go for walks much and if you have no other dogs at home does he have any other dogs he plays with when out for a walk or anything?

Well Brian that attachment was really interesting it has given me a few tips. cheers for that
Michelle

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Heres my website, take a look.www.freewebs.com/shellies-shihtzu

Hi,
You may find this Website useful, I did, lots of Dog Training advice and all free, Good Luck,

K9 obedience.co.uk

Dog Health Essentials to End the Anxiety of Dog Care