How To Train A Dog

Question: Can you suggest how to train a dog who seems to want to attack a child?

(Posted by: Aunt Laya on 2009-08-20 12:48:47)

My neighbor has a dog who has a pretty mean bark and she's very intimidating, lunging at people (she's fenced). We live in a townhouse situation where all our front doors are within a hundred yards or so, so it's really an "in your face " kind of situation. I'm comfortable with dogs so I spoke with the neighbor and told him he could give me some of her treats so I could help train her to be friendlier. It's worked and she's much better. She's happy to see me and is fine with the older kids in the neighborhood. I've taken the youngest child in the neighborhood who is five and through the fence, her hand in mine, we have fed the dog together. OK, we're making progress it seemed. Just now the dog owner was going to take the dog for a walk and the dog lunged at the little girl. It was very scary! The owner reprimanded the dog. I got the treats out to try to teach her that the kid is good etc. The owner said the dog barked because I held the girl and that the dog was jealous. I don't trust that dog but I don't see the guy getting rid of her any time soon. My goal here is to teach that dog not to bark or God forbid anything else at any children. The owner is pretty open to advice from me. We live in a very small town and there aren't any dog trainers around. I've trained all my dogs to be gentle with kids (and I've had a pit bull mix, a doberman, and a chow mix!) but this dog is not mine so I'm not sure the best way to do that. All help is appreciated, so thanks in advance. Yikes! The two answers so far are both out of my control. It's such a delicate situation being a neighbor and all. I am afraid that the dog could hurt someone but she's not mine to train or euthanize. Training techniques or links to training techniques anyone? (I tried a search)

Posted by: DJL on 2009-08-20, 13:01:14

There is an EXCELLENT training solution for a dog like this. Guaranteed to work the first and only time you use it. Its called a trip to the vet and an injection of Euthanol. Problem solved.

Posted by: Memphis Belle on 2009-08-20, 13:30:26

Either the dog has been incredibly poorly obedience trained & not taught that lunging at people is unacceptable behavior or nature has given the dog a character defect that no amount of training would be able to cure. A dog should always be securely contained by a fence when it's on its property & its behavior should never be allowed to pose a risk to children who may try to pet/ feed the dog. If the fence is not tall enough on the front of the property, it should not be left unsupervised. Ask the neighbor to keep the dog in the back yard or tied out, so that the dog cannot reach the fence. It either needs training or if it has an unstable temperament, possibly euthanizing if it's behavior cannot be controlled.

Posted by: bluebonnetgranny on 2009-08-20, 13:32:54

A dog like this needs strong handed training. It is very dangerous & should not be allowed near any child. Most people with a dog like this has to have it euthanized cause they don't have time or don't give a damn about the dog. It could & will maul or kill a child. This dog needs specialized training by a trainer that has lots of experience with aggressive dogs. It is not good to feed or pet a dog from the outside of his territory. I get really pissed if anyone tries this with any of my dogs. My dogs are fence dogs & they are supposed to raise hell at the fence & if someone starts petting or feeding them they won't continue to do their jobs. I don't think you have the experience to work with a dog with this much aggression directed at children. This dogs needs more than what you can do. don't get me wrong but aggression is a tricky thing & you might get hurt in the process. The dog needs a one on one trainer.