Post that Female Dachshunds are "Snappy" and need a "pack leader"
In a comment to one of my recent blogs someone posted a very disturbing comment that female Dachshunds have a tendency to be "snappy". This is a dangerous comment for several reasons, the first is that it is not at all a factual statement. The other part of the post that was inaccurate is that the owner needed to "be the pack leader".
First, aggression is not more common in female dachshunds (or females in general) than males. In my practice as a professional Certified pet Dog Trainer I see both females and males with human aggression issues. Further, I have lived with, bred, shown, owned, trained and rescued countless dachshunds (and other breeds) and have never seen a trend towards aggression in the females. The fact that one person may have met many female Dachshunds with aggression issues, does not make this a fact.
Secondly, "pack theory" model in dog training has been disproven long ago. Dogs are not wolves and evidence has shown that wild dogs do not pack. So, social hierarchy and status have nothing to do with this dogs issues. Trying to treat aggression with punishment will not work, in fact, it usually makes it worse.
The advice that I give on this blog is based in science and factual information. All of my training advice and the actual methods I use in my business are based on current, factual and science based information.
If you have a dog that is exhibiting aggression, please do NOT attempt to punish the aggression out. It won't work and this is how people get hurt. Aggression (which is almost always fear based) needs to be treated with desensitization and counterconditioning, NOT being a pack leader or attempting to use force with the dog.
The best thing that anyone with a dog that is exhibiting aggression can do is find a reputable, highly skilled Certified Pet Dog Trainer or behavior consultant. You can get names of trainers by visiting the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (www.apdt.com) or the international Association of Animal Behavior Counselors (www.iaabc.org).
Your daughter definitely
Your daughter definitely needs to get help for her dog, as the situation is serious. However, the behavior can probably be modified (for the better) if she enlists the help of a qualified trainer (qualified being the key word!). The trainer has to truly know how to work aggression. In the meantime, she should not have him sleeping in her bed. He should be in a crate, or in another room. His aggression is called resource guarding (dog guards his food, bowl and space in the bed).
First, you can contact the Association of Pet dog Trainers (www.apdt.com) to find a Certified Pet Dog Trainer.
Or, the International Association of Animal Behavior Counselors (www.iaabc.org) to find a behavior consultant.
Trainers and behavior consultants can be costly, however, she must find a way to make this happen in order to help the dog. She definitely needs to steer clear of non qualified "trainers" who don't understand how to treat aggression. Anyone advising her to shock the dog, jerk the dog's leash, "show the dog whose boss" or anything like that is NOT trained in treating aggressiona nd she should not let them touch her dog. Methods like that will likely make the behavior much worse and more dangerous.
Finally, there is a website that may be able to answer some of her aggression questions at www.k9aggression.com
my one female dachshund is
my one female dachshund is my"love bug" she loves everyone; the other female is totally oppsite with some fear aggresion but just the barking part; she is very shy and backs away from strangers. we are working on it and she has gotten better; before on our walks she would bark at every one but now she can walk without alot of barking; I use the command "STOP" and make it sound sharp/louder. I have now 4 ; just adopted my first real rescue. My other 3 are all semi rescued; people gave them to me because of various reasons. My older male 2 1/2 has fear aggresion also but, towards men; except my husband; he has gotten better and now tolerates my grandson(22) and loves my great grandson, but I am still cautious with him around strangers. So my new one is 18 months male; have had him for a week now and he already knows the doggie door(have flap taped up) and ramp, runs around and loves to roll in the grass; the other 3 are ignoring him but starting to come around and play a little; he has a close attachment with his crate; but I guess that is to be normal.
My daughter has a 1 year old
My daughter has a 1 year old dachshund that she loves dearly. My daughter is a wonderful person who loves animals and would never hurt or lay a hand to her dog. However; her dog keeps biting her and showing terrible signs of agression...(WE don't know why) He bites her when she tries to feed him, when she picks up his food bowl, when she is petting him (for no reason) and most recently he bit her while sleeping in bed with her, because she moved in the bed... She doesn't want to get rid of him and have him killed. She wants somebody to adopt him that would be willing to work with him (perhaps a rescue) and then adopt him out in a loving home....
Or she would be willing to work with a trainer, but right now she is Very much afraid of him and we need suggestions.... He is very sweet, but can't be trusted anymore. She is on a limited income, so expensive trainers and organizations that cost a lot of money aren't with in her budget.
Anybody have any suggestions please contact me at: kfarmers@yahoo.com
She tears up every time she thinks of having to let him go. She lives alone and he is great company, also the only dog, gets lots of attention, very well taken care of.
Thanks