I really believe that you need to think of what you would do it it were a small child, fust standing there screaming. You would not have allowed that, and hopefulfly you wouldn't pick them up and hold them. That will only reinforce the behavior.

It's just very important in those circumstances that you let them know immediately that this behavior will not be tolerated.

I know a lot of people don't agree with the dog whisperer, but the one thing he stresses is that your dogs must see you as the pack leader, and then you should have no problem getting them to behave.

Mine will settle down with just shhhhhhhhhhtttttt and pointing a finger, and I did not have to be cruel and beat them (like some people think) to get them to do that. It's pretty much all in your body language.

We started Topher in obedience classes this week. He was beginning to show clues that he thought he was the leader of the pack and we know we have to nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand.

One of THE key important things they taught us is that if we want to be seen as the pack leader by the dog, we have to control the food. We were told to never ever leave the food out at all times but to put the food down for twenty minute increments a few times a day. After a while, the dog will learn to eat when the food is out. It's crucial that you control when he eats.

Also we learned that unless we were certain of the response we were going to get from a command we give the dog...don't give the command. ie: when you call the dog over and over and he doesn't come but ignores you.
Until that dog is trained to come when called, don't give the command. It only reinforces his power as alpha dog.

In class we are being taught how to make Topher heel, come when called, sit, stay, extended stay and a few other things.

We just started, but so far it's going well. We are working with him every day on his training as we want this to be successful. It's going to be for his benefit as well as ours as he's going to be a happier dog in the long run when he understands what we expect from him. He's enjoying the training as it's total one on one time with mom and dad and he seems to be catching on. It's going to be alot of work as he's a stubborn terrier, but we're seeing results already, so it is working.

Thank you all for your replies. In retrospect, we should have separated them and put an immediate stop to the bad behavior. Been more forceful with the discipline. I think we were both so shocked and we weren't prepared for it. Next time we'll be ready. I also agree with SnoWa that one of them was the instigator. That would be Snickers, since Baxter basically goes along with whatever Snickers does. We're keeping a very close eye on Snickers, and plan on dealing with any signs of aggression immediately. Also, the things that Tophersmom said make a lot of sense, particularly regarding the food. This has been quite an eye-opener!
Thanks again everyone for all your help and concern. All of your input has given us a lot to think about. You guys are the best!:)

One more point. As JeannieK said, they need to know who the pack leader is. They have always respected my husband as pack leader. Always respond to his commands immediately. Yesterday, they were both in a frenzy, as Cesar calls it "The Red Zone". They completely ignored him, almost like he wasn't there. This puzzles me.

I know exactly how you feel. Buddy is very friendly with everyone!
One day we were walking and a lady, who I do not know, said hello and he became nuts. I mean nuts. I never saw him like that. Yes, he did try to grab at her. I was frantic. I left embarassed and repremaned him. I had no idea what happened. A couple of days later the lady was walking again and I passed her on the oppisite side of the street and again he started. I asked several friends what could have caused such a commotion and someone suggested that her
smell could have triggered it! That could be a possibility. I mentioned this to my vet at an appointment and he said to always go by your dogs senses. If the animal is usually very good and then becomes aggressive towards someone there is a reason. One we don't understand but the dog does.:aimeeyork

I'm glad to hear mine isn't the only one that does this. She is so sweet to us and a terrior sometimes but other times will approach people and give them kisses. When we walk her in a cul-de-sac in front of our house for her to do her business, she will bark and sneer at anyone she sees, I attribute this to her protectiveness but I wish it would stop already. I've tried the no's, uh-uhs, holding her snout gently. Nothing works. I sympathize with you, we had a landscape designer over one day and she barked the entire hour but when we have friends over, she will come and play with them. Strange. I wish someone here has an answer!

Very good point. It could have been her scent. She owns a dog and a cat. A few months ago we were at her house and came home smelling of her pets. Maybe they remembered that scent and reacted. It's a possiblility.

Maybe they are trying to tell you something. Like the lady is no good. dog have a good scents on these things. When I use to live in austin and my best friends boy friend, would come over with her, and my Bunny would go CRAZY barking and growling. Which was odd bc every other person she meets, she is all over them wanting some lovin from them.. Well to come to find out, he was very mean to animals and my best friend had to put him in jail because he nocked the living crap out of her.

so maybe there trying to tell you something about this lady.

Don't you just wish you could get inside those little heads to know what they're thinking?? :)

Our last dog, a terrier mix, used to behave pretty much the same way when someone unknown to her came in the house. We knew that she was difficult, but didn't understand why. Now that we're learning so much about this 'pack leader' it all makes so much sense to me. Our instructors in class are excellent and learning about controlling the food...well, I've heard it before (on tv, etc.,) but never really did anything about it.

With our last dog and this dog...well, we just left the food out for them so that they could eat when they were hungry. We didn't realize that this was sending a message to them and that it was a message that would affect our dog/human relationship.

Honestly....we've been controlling the food since Monday night and let me tell you...the difference I see in Topher is phenomenal.

Even though Topher is learning he's not boss, he still needs to learn to come on command, stay, etc. THAT is what is going to take the time and committment...and we all know that these little terriers don't make it easy! :)

Good luck to you...it's a good post and I think it's a problem that alot of us have experienced.

Maybe this woman had a dog (or cat) and your dogs could smell them on her.

*** I really hope that we don't go so far as to believe that if our dogs growl or bark at a person -- that that person is not a nice person. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Some dogs bark at all strangers - some at men - some at women - some at children - some on Wednesdays - some on Fridays - etc. etc. etc.

My dogs bark at the yardworkers early in the spring - the first time they come - and then don't bark the rest of the summer.

My dogs will bark at any strange dog that is running around the neighborhood - but the minute they meet any dog - they become fast friends and will run right up to them and want to play.

*** Perhaps even in this case, if that same lady came over several times, the dogs would soon pay no attention to her. It may have been something simple that set one of these dogs off - perhaps she was carrying something that it felt threatened by. Did she have a briefcase or something like that?

Anyway - dogs bark at nice people too........


Carol Jean

Yes, she was carrying a large handbag and was holding papers and blueprints, etc. It's a possibility that they felt threatened by something she had with her. She will be here again, so it's gonna be another chance to test the dog's behavior. And I agree with SnoWa, that just because our dogs bark or growl at someone, that is not a reflection of that person's character.

"Honestly....we've been controlling the food since Monday night and let me tell you...the difference I see in Topher is phenomenal. "

We're gonna try this. It sounds like a very good idea.:)
Thanks!