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Biting Dogs

Testimonials and Case Histories from Clients

Tess - a people and dog aggressive Jack Russell, a real ankle biter that had to be muzzled when visitors arrived. Cured.
Benji - a biting Miniature Poodle with possessive aggression of toys and nipping the owner, drawing blood. Sorted.

Tess the Jack Russell

Lower Tean near Uttoxeter is home to Jo and Dave who have a six year old Jack Russell Terrier called Tess. Tess has a few problems, she goes bonkers at passing lorries, especially in the wet, and also at other dogs, visitors and postmen.

She has to be muzzled when visitors arrive otherwise she goes straight in for some ankle biting. She trembles in the vets, pulls a lot on the harness and pays no attention to the handler on a walk. They have had to have an enclosure made to block her from other dogs. Tess tends to be better behaved with Dave. This is quite normal behaviour as dogs tend to try it on to see if they can get away with things with different people.

I showed Jo and Dave some simple methods of getting the dog to pay more attention and walk to heel. After a while I introduced Pip and showed how to correct the aggression that Tess was displaying.

She really wanted to attack him. Pip decided he would rather keep out of her way and started showing classic avoidance behaviour. After some success with correcting Tess we all went on a pack walk and Tess started to calm down. I then introduced Buster the Airedale Terrier as well. We did a few more exercises in and out of the house to reinforce how to take back control and become her pack leader.

By email:

Hi Ade, thank you so much for your time yesterday, I still find it difficult to believe how much progress you made with her. I have done the dog walking since then, she is actually walking to heel which is fantastic. Not come across any dogs yet on the walks so will wait to see how that pans out. Passed a couple of joggers, rather than lunging at them, she did a funny yelping noise - not sure what that was about but hoping it's slight progress? I was also able to talk to another passer by without her trying to lunge at him. I think half my problem is that I'm always nervous when taking her, but last day and half has been much better. I will forward the pics to you shortly, and will keep you posted on the she devil, fingers crossed things can only get better.

Thanks again
Jo & Dave.

Ade says: The yelping is just a little vocal excitement, nothing to worry about. Keep up the good work.

(photo above right: Jo sent me this picture of Tess looking through the stairs before I arrived. Do you think she knew her life was about to change?)

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Benji the Biter

Derek and Maureen contacted me about their rescued Miniature Poodle, Benji. They had only had him for two weeks from a rescue centre and he was guarding things such as a toy, a sock, a glove or tea towel and reacting with a growl and a bite to anyone trying to get them away from him. He also jumps up a lot, and barks at the gate, from where he can see the road and passers by. Derek and Maureen also wanted to be able to recall him when he was off the lead as they were off to France on holiday shortly.

When I arrived Benji was jumping up in a friendly way. I demonstrated a few different ways of stopping jumping up and after a couple of jumps he decided to keep his paws on the ground. Next to be tackled was his excessive barking at the gate. I showed how to use a blocking technique to make him move back and after a couple of minutes he gave up and lay down. I call it the Sentry and General exercise and it can be used at the front door as well to give visitors a bit of space when they call.

Maureen had already been bitten a couple of times by Benji and was keen to see how I would tackle his aggression with toys. Benji challenged me straight away with a growl, so I showed how to claim the toy, or any property in fact, without risking fingers being bitten. I demonstrated a couple of ways of using this technique and then invited the owners to try it themselves. Benji started to understand that giving up the toy did not mean he had lost the prize forever and he calmed down. We moved on to practice Benji's recall in their back garden. Using the techniques I showed them, Derek and Maureen were soon calling Benji from out of sight and he was reacting beautifully, recalling immediately and sitting obediently in front of Derek, much to his delight.

By email:

Hi Ade, thanks for your July Newsletter. Benji today had his op - and has now been bricked! Poor little chap is not very well, and all we can do is to stay as close to him as poss. We are told that the op was absolutely necessary, as the missing nut was somewhere up near his stomach - so long as we can believe this then our consciences are clear!

We love our little big dog with the dreadlocks- thanks again for the session - we will keep in touch.

Best regards,
Derek & Maureen.

Ade says: He certainly has those film star looks when he is in front of the camera!

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