Protective Behavior

rockinhlabsrockinhlabs
edited December 2008 in Shiba Inu (柴犬)
Just wanting to make sure we're OK. Skippy is 6 months old and has been with us for the last 2 months. The family is absolutely in love with him and his personality and have no regrets. We've never had an indoor dog so some things are very new to us. As of the last few weeks, when someone comes to the door or he hears a car in the driveway, he rumbles and then barks a little. He gets very agitated with anyone new comes into the house until that someone starts to play with him then he realizes it's OK. He has also showed some signs of agression when he'll be lying down with me taking a nap and someone comes down the hall, he stands up and starts to rumble.

My actions towards him grumbling and little barking is to say "no" and comfort him saying "it's OK". If it doesn't stop, I put him in the kennel.

I realize and I'm thankful that he's watchful and will alert us to strangers, however, I don't want it to get out of hand. Am I doing everything OK?

Comments

  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    His behavior is natural and normal. I would strongly discourage raising your voice and saying no. If you want to discourage barking, teach a dog "speak". Karen Pryor teaches it on her website clickertraining.net As long as he stops growling when he realizes that the visitor is friendly.

    And never ever ever use his crate as punishment. That needs to be his happy place. Try distracting him with some basic obedience work instead.

    Have you enrolled him in an obedience class yet? If not that is crucial. Make sure it is a positive reinforcement only class. It will be good for both of you.
  • ZinjaZinja
    edited November -1
    How would you go about correcting protective behavior when he's in a very aggressive state?

    I'm going to talk to the obedience instructors when I get back home from the holidays.
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    I would consult a behaviorist on this one. A good starting off point is reading Feisty Fido by Patricia McConnell.


    Things to NEVER do, yell, alpha roll, or hit. Your dog will never trust you and could turn on you.

    The main thing is to get your dog away from what is triggering the aggressive state, and avoid at all costs ever letting it escalate to VERY aggressive. Positive reinforcement and baby steps are key.

    I have a food aggressive dog (toward other dogs not people). And it have taken us six months to give a treat in separate rooms where they can see each other. Without a growl or upturned lip. One day we will get there, but there are deadlines and as long as everyone is safe and happy even if it doesn't get better it is manageable.
  • BradA1878BradA1878
    edited November -1
    I agree with Jessica and don't want to distract from her suggestions as she is more an expert than me. But we have had some experience with Luytiy and our Akita with aggressive guarding and what we have found to really help is conditioning and attentive training.

    Luytiy will get very agitated with things and we have found that doing attentive training with him and conditioning him to come to us when there is a disturbance helps us to control him. He will get agitated and then Run to us and at that point we can crate him if needed or join him, in assessing the threat.

    It was simple to train him to do this, when he gets agitated we call him to us and he gets a treat for coming to us.

    just and idea.
  • rockinhlabsrockinhlabs
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the info. I did notice over the weekend that when this occurred (as long as I new what it was), I held him and calmed him. This seemed to help. I'm afraid we don't have obedience classes in our area (small rural town of 5,000 - nearest place is over an hour away). I'll try training him by calling and treat (as long as is not a real threat).
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    Do some research and check with your pet stores. Also READ READ READ, start with authors like Patricia McConnell and Karen Pryor who both also have websites.

    I can't tell you how many of us (I am totally including myself on this one) have had to UN-do training mistakes we made without proper guidance. An hour of driving for a lifetime of a happy healthy well adjusted dog is BEYOND worth it.

    You will get a lot of great advice here, but there are many many cooks in this kitchen. And it can get confusing.

    This is a great site for some basic advice
    www.positivedogtraining.org

    Also check with your kennel club.

    Also check here, this site can help you find a suitable trainer.
    http://karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer

    Remember, with luck you will have your dog for nearly 20 years, lay down the proper foundation and it will be 20 of the greatest years of your life.
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