Benny bit the neighbor!

[Quercus]

@nobarkus:

I really suspect there's a physical problem going on with Benny.

I don't. He is resource guarding the chair, and his personal space. He may, or may not be fearful of strangers, but he certainly doesn't want them approaching him for whatever reason. He is completely overwhelmed by recent experiences regarding interactions with people.

I think you (his owner) need to just stop for a moment, and regroup. No one should approach him except for you and whoever lives in your house right now. If someone wants to pet him on a walk say 'no, I am sorry, he is afraid of strangers' whether he is or not. And you need to 're-program' him (for lack of a better word) that it is a great thing to have people approach him, but you have to do that slowly.

Start off dealing with the chair by teach him to be called off of wherever he is sleeping. And no one moves him physically at this point. You call his name and wave a treat around, and until he routinely jumps off the chair as soon as you call his name, then you start to fade out the treat.

There are lots of steps involved in this training, and honestly I don't have the time and energy to write them all out here….a lot of people have mentioned some great books, and there are lots of others. When you call a behaviorist (which you should), interview him or her...make sure what they say makes sense to you. Dominating this dog is NOT going to work...you have to establish trust...if the professional that you are going to be paying doesn't talk about this, look to someone else.

[nobarkus]

It doesn't help to rule out anything physical going on to start with. I would still have his thyroid checked just to be certain. Then go from there. Andrea is correct in that he's too overwhelmed right now. Bringing in a stranger that's holding him down on his back really makes him much worse. When I first got my my red and he was on the couch and I needed him to go out I never forced him or tried to pick him up as he would have tried to bite or fight. I always called him off and let him have some self determinism in getting him to do what I need him to do. He'd get right off the couch and go out without any battles. I would praise him right away. After a while I could pick him up because he trusted me. It takes time and patience.

[Benny]

Yeah, I'll make sure I get the thyroid checked asap. We're scheduling an appointment today. Benny had no problem letting me pick him up last night, but he didn't like it when my girlfriend and my mom tried to. He might just love them more than he does me, so that really shocked me, especially with my girlfriend (who is his mommy).

[Quercus]

Okay, try this school. Hopefully they are close enough to you. I have talked to Ed, and he seems to be a really great trainer…I haven't actually met him, nor observed him train...but according to their website, and the feedback I have gotten from him, I agree with their methods:

www dot northcoastdogs dot com

[Quercus]

@Benny:

Yeah, I'll make sure I get the thyroid checked asap. We're scheduling an appointment today. Benny had no problem letting me pick him up last night, but he didn't like it when my girlfriend and my mom tried to. He might just love them more than he does me, so that really shocked me, especially with my girlfriend (who is his mommy).

It doesn't really have to do with loving someone more or less…try not to put human emotion into equation. He wants to keep the things he values, and he is going to try to control the situation any way he can.

Where did you get him again? I think you said, and I can't recall.

[nobarkus]

@Benny:

Yeah, I'll make sure I get the thyroid checked asap. We're scheduling an appointment today. Benny had no problem letting me pick him up last night, but he didn't like it when my girlfriend and my mom tried to. He might just love them more than he does me, so that really shocked me, especially with my girlfriend (who is his mommy).

I forgot to mention that Ringo also had physical things going on too which made him very irritable. When I corrected that he was much calmer. So it was a combo of both mental and physical. Benny may not have anything physical going on but it doesn't hurt to rule it out. Don't give up as with your help Benny will get through this.

[Quercus]

@nobarkus:

I forgot to mention that Ringo also had physical things going on too which made him very irritable. When I corrected that he was much calmer. So it was a combo of both. Benny may not have anything physical going on but it doesn't hurt to rule it out.

It is possible that there is something physically wrong…but he is about the age where behavior problems start to become apparent...and he is pretty much too young for a failing thyroid (although it does occasionally happen in a very young adult). It NEVER hurts to rule out physical problems when behavioral problems occur.

[Benny]

@Quercus:

Okay, try this school. Hopefully they are close enough to you. I have talked to Ed, and he seems to be a really great trainer…I haven't actually met him, nor observed him train...but according to their website, and the feedback I have gotten from him, I agree with their methods:

www dot northcoastdogs dot com

That is within an hour from home, I'll give them a call.

[nobarkus]

I think we're getting Benny on the right track here. It's nice having this forum as you can get good help from experienced people like Andrea.

[Benny]

@nobarkus:

I think we're getting Benny on the right track here. It's nice having this forum as you can get good help from experienced people like Andrea.

I really do appreciate everyone's help. We have an appointment with the vet this Thursday at 11:15 am to get some bloodwork done.

[agilebasenji]

The training school that Andrea gave you has a Sarah Kalnajs seminar. I have not seen her in person, but her videos are really worth watching! You may want to look at attending. Look at the topics for Day 2.

[lvoss]

I have seen Sarah Kalnajs in person and her seminars are great.

[sharronhurlbut]

Where did you get him again?

[Benny]

Pet Land (pet store)