BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness

Subject: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: Amergin
Date: 17 Aug 10 - 07:22 PM

Well, my sister has a pug, a young pug almost a year old. Recent;y, it has been showing signs of aggressiveness by attacking one of the other dogs. My sister is one of those that when a pet gets difficult, with old age and whatnot to suggest putting them down. I would prefer that to not happen. For her faults Luna (the pug) is an adorable creature. Could this be an attention getting device on the pug's part? This has only been going on for the past couple of weeks. Are there any proactive training methods we could utilise to leach the violence from her system?

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Aug 10 - 07:36 PM

Is she spayed? Have there been any changes in the environment, i.e. new people, pets, moving, furniture moved around, new food, etc? And, are the other dog(s?) neutered or spayed? Any change in sleeping arrangements or work hours?

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: Gurney
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 04:42 AM

There is an American TV programme called 'The Dog Whisperer.' His constant doctrine is "I rehabilitate dogs, I train people."
Judging from that, most of the aggression problems stem from the wrong state of mind in the owner. "Calm, assertive" makes you the pack leader. Timid/worried forces the dog to assert itself.
You have to 'nip the behavior in the bud.'

He never acts overtly aggressively to the dog, by the way, it is all the mental state of the owner/handler and understanding the pack mentality.

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: Gurney
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 04:57 AM

Perhaps I should rephrase that. His aggression is 'pack-leader' treatment, pushing the dog down onto it's side and digging in his fingertips to represent teeth. And nudging the dog to break the buildup of bad behavior and make it pay attention to the leader.

His own pack is a joy to see. Perhaps 20 dogs, including Pitbulls, all taking their lead from him. He uses them to teach the banditos how a dog should behave.
Do try to see the programme.

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: Becca72
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 08:17 AM

Sounds like Luna is trying to show the other dogs who is boss. It's up to your sister to let Luna know the human is the boss, not her.

My sister has had pugs for years. They are wonderful dogs, full of personality. I really hope your sister learns what she needs to do to correct this behavior rather than putting the dog down needlessly.

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: Gurney
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 03:10 PM

Exactly what the TV programme demonstrates, Becca. The WAY you show her how is the thrust of the series.

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 07:18 PM

Pug is, of course, a shortening of pugilist.

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 07:45 PM

I don't have enough self-discipline to really train a dog, but I think my doges are nonetheless quite civilized. I'd second the recommendation of the "Dog Whisperer," Cesar Millan. His publications are excellent, and fun to watch.

I'm also very impressed by the methods of the Orthodox monks of New Skete in New York. It's an interesting mix of spirituality and love of animals.

Videos:

• New Skete
• Dog Whisperer / Cesar Millan

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: jeddy
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 07:51 PM

dogs take against each other for different reasons, if this pug has been put in exclusion ever since the first time it went for the other dog, that won't help or being picked up either.
any attention, even bad is still attention and gives the dog the power.

the dog whisperer is good to watch, but i prefer it's me or the dog. the training is alot easier to understand and do yourself at home.

i find it hard to believe that anyone would put down an animal just because they haven't trained it right. thats awful!

i firmly believe there are only two types of dog that cannot be trained.
1) those who have a brain disorder
2) those who have been so badly mistreated they cannot overcome it.

niether of those is the dogs fault!

what we have found really helpful, is treat dogs like 3 year old kids, come down to them, but far enough away that they know you aren't playing.
one of urs is weird with other dogs, sometimes he wants to say hello, other times stay away. the best thing we found works is to put him in time out, walk round where we are out of sight, then come back.
i am not sure if this only works because we found him abandoned and it is working on his greatest fear.

will check in later, to see if i can help more. good luck with your quest noble amerigin.
take care guys x x x x x x x

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: jeddy
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 08:02 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TD7tvc768Q

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: Maryrrf
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 09:28 PM

I'm a big fan of "It's Me or the Dog" too. It's a different approach from The Dog Whisperer, but it gets results.

Subject: RE: BS: Pug Behaviour-Aggressiveness
From: Amergin
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 11:30 PM

Yeah she's been spayed...in my family we spay and neuter all animals....Hell, they even tried to neuter me...but I made it away with just a slight nip....

thank you all for your advice. I have never heard of the dog whisperer or It's me or the dog. I will look into them both.

Certain things have changed, my sister and her long time boyfriend broke up...and she and Luna moved back home...and since then my sister has been regressing, spending less and less time with her dog...and more time out with friends.