aggression

[igghy]

My 8 year old male dachschund is getting aggressive. He is not neutered. He runs around quite a bit and had not have any problems until recently. He often stays in my daughter's room. He is barking at anyone entering her room. He got quite upset this morning for some reason while I was talking to my daughet in her room. He tried to bite me. Is that normal? Should we allow him to stay in my daughter's room?

[igghy]

Ghilly, Thank you for the concern. It's been a few days since the incident. We assumed that it was a domination isuue and approached accordingly. It's alomst back to normal. I think we got through this one. For future incidents, we will keep in mind there could be medical reason for sudden aggression.

[Ghilly]

If he has never been this way and has only recently started showing signs of aggression, you need to make an appointment with the vet to rule out any possible medical reasons for his actions.  It can be due to anything from pain somewhere in the body to a brain tumor, and since he has already bitten you, you don't want to wait any longer to do this since there's a possibility that your child could end up being bitten also.

It's not a pleasant thing to have to think about, but this situation needs your immediate attention.  Please keep us up to date on how things are going.

Ghilly

[igghy]

Thank you for all the suggestions. That's so cute about the pekingnese hiding things and getting worried about them. I think getting too much free attention sounds like what's happening. My daughter had been away. she was glad to see her dog when she came back and petting and hugging him all the time. We stopped keeping him out of her room after the first night. He looked a bit cowered the next day. He is better behaved now still growls but submits himeself more readily.

I'll try to get hold of Cesar Millan's book. I am sure things were a little out of order in my household however briefly. thank you

[kimpton]

Hi.  I suppose any dog breed can be territorial.  It just sounds to me like your daughter's room is his self declared domain.  His howling is probably separation anxiety.  If you're going to ban him from the room try doing it in smaller increments, building up to all night.  The immediate changes cause anxiety.  In terms of the biting...I would say it's normal but not ok.  My dog will get territorial of any place where she gets too much free attention.  If he's leash trained try going in the room with him on a leash.  Ask him to sit, down, stay so that he knows that you're the boss.  He's just challenging you.  I learned a technique that is really helpful.  It's explained in a post (aggression towards other dogs May 28).  You slowly shorten the leash under your foot to bring them to a down/stay position.  & sit/down before meals really helps as well.  

[ginger899]

See if you can get hold of the Cesar Millan DVD's "The Dog Whisperer" or read a couple of his books. He has a very good way with dogs, really understands how their minds work, and I have learned a lot from his methods.

It strikes me he is considering you a little lower down in the order of things than he should. And that he is being protective of not only your daughter, and what he has claimed as 'his space', but what he perceives as his 'position' in your household.
He needs a little discipline. But it's important that discipline is done right, and doesn't make things worse, and isn't harsh, but is understanding.
A dog who knows his place in 'the pack' is usually a happier, relaxed dog. So it is worth getting to the bottom of this, and sorting it out.
Good luck, and best wishes.

[chasha33]

Could there be anything in her room that he has hid and is afraid of someone taking it away.My pekingnese hides things all through my house and gets beside herself when we go near where she has placed it.But she is also really protective of my son as well.You could check and see what it is that is setting her off.What about if you touch your daughter does she het ill then?Good luck Maybe you can get to the cause of her aggression by trying these things....Chan

[igghy]

Thank you for reading my post. Yes, he gets a lot of exercise, ball chasing for an hour or two while i do yard work and two walks daily. He is often exhausted before coming inside. There was no change in the amount of exercise recently. I didn't let him in my daughter's room last night. He howled all night. I didn't get much sleep but he seems to behave better.

[margypops]

Does he get enough exercise or is he inside a lot I have noticed that dogs that stay in a lot and dont get out walking get frustrated , he is being protective of your daughter from the sound of it but he shouldnt be trying to bite you, it is possible he should be with her in a living room more with all of you and not just her. Get him outside playing and having fun, dogs do well when they go out and have company.