help with Max

[mommy of max]

ok, we got max a while ago, he is 3 years old, maltese/poodle male, neutered.
he WAS a very loving dog we could do anything with him and he would just stand there and let it be done, never growled or snapped, loved just being on someones lap and being petted,ALWAYS did his pottying outside...until he was neutered, things changed....

pees in the house where ever he feels like it, so he now wears a belly band all the time ..ok that I can deal with, what I dont know how to deal with is, he has started to growl and snap/bite at my skin son who is 6...he is gentle with all the dogs, has never hurt them in any way..he loves to hold them on his lap when he is on the floor watching tv.... now this is the 3rd time max growled and snapped at him for no reason, and I know its no reason because I was right here when it happened. scared my son, and me, didnt break his skin but is red there...max went to his crate right away after i held him to my face and sternly said NO..( ive been doing that every time he gets after peanut too rough)... I cant have this behavior not only because of my skin kids but the foster children too...I get all ages and I just cant have it.....
did I do the right thing tellin him no and makin him go to his crate?
ive done this each time and he still does it for no reason...Last month I tried to give him up, since I didnt raise him, I dont know what all he has been through, anyway I couldnt do it....I had at least 10 people who wanted him, and I told them all he was taken....but I cant have this...any suggestions? did I do the right thing saying no and putting him in the crate?...or any suggestions what I could do that I didnt do? I have to change this or hubby said he will have to go :(
if i would have known this I would not have had him neutered :(
help :(

[I Found Nemo]

Oh Elaine,
Nemo never marked until he was neutered at almost 7 months:(
The night I picked him up it started :confused: I am still confused to this day!!! He doesnt mark ALOT but he does mark.
As for nipping or growling Nemo will growl at my son if he has his toy and my son goes to take it to play , but he has never bitten my son if he did he would be gone:( I have always since he was a puppy (He is 2 now) taken his food as he was eating, put my hand in his bowl as he was eating, got down to the ground as he was eating and lye next to him to pretend I wanted some, I did all this to make sure of no aggression and I still do it.
He never once bite or nipped me or anyone for that matter. Like you said you don't know his background you got him at 3 so you don't know what he may have gone through, I think you are doing the right thing with a firm NO and punishing him, just one thing , if his crate is used for other things as well he may not be associating it with being punished (You know what I mean) if it's just used when he misbehaves then fine but if not it wont work he wont see it as a "Time Out" . I think maybe some doggy classes may help I don't know, like I said I wanted certain behaviors from Nemo and his training started the day I brought him home, I know you must be frustrated and it sounds like you are really trying, I hope someone else can help more..
Good Luck,
ANDREA

[mommy of max]

Oh Elaine,
Nemo never marked until he was neutered at almost 7 months:(
The night I picked him up it started :confused: I am still confused to this day!!! He doesnt mark ALOT but he does mark.
As for nipping or growling Nemo will growl at my son if he has his toy and my son goes to take it to play , but he has never bitten my son if he did he would be gone:( I have always since he was a puppy (He is 2 now) taken his food as he was eating, put my hand in his bowl as he was eating, got down to the ground as he was eating and lye next to him to pretend I wanted some, I did all this to make sure of no aggression and I still do it.
He never once bite or nipped me or anyone for that matter. Like you said you don't know his background you got him at 3 so you don't know what he may have gone through, I think you are doing the right thing with a firm NO and punishing him, just one thing , if his crate is used for other things as well he may not be associating it with being punished (You know what I mean) if it's just used when he misbehaves then fine but if not it wont work he wont see it as a "Time Out" . I think maybe some doggy classes may help I don't know, like I said I wanted certain behaviors from Nemo and his training started the day I brought him home, I know you must be frustrated and it sounds like you are really trying, I hope someone else can help more..
Good Luck,
ANDREA

thank you andrea for the reply. I did that too, with the yorkies and I am doing it with phoebe..i take some food out of the dish when there eating and put it back in, i twirl the water with my finger when she drinks..i even pet her when she is eating..stay close when they are eating. if they have a toy in their mouth, I pull on it a little, we play tug of war.

[Morkie4]

The only thing I can suggest is perhaps regular playtimes (supervised) with your son with you in complete control of his biting area. Perhaps allowing your son full control over touching him maybe even brushing him. If Max even attempts an aggressive action, then take Max by the nap of his neck and lay him down on the ground and tell him frimly "no" and continue to hold him there until he relaxes (or submits). It would be better to have your son do this but I feel he is too young to be able to control the situation. This is a suggestion that Ceasar Milan uses with aggression using the theory that packleader of a pack will do this to control their pack when they get out of line. Toby is becoming a little more aggressive with Kallie since Kallie has become more playful and we are working on doing that with him to show that "I" will not permit that behavior within MY pack. He is not aggressive with food but with "US." He is very jealous of attention we give Kallie. But back to your problem: It may or may not work because as you said you do not know the complete "history" of Max. BUT, I do believe nuetering him was the right thing to do.....that was not a mistake on your part so please do not feel that way.

[mommy of max]

thank you Carol, Ill try that... :)

[Morkie4]

thank you Carol, Ill try that... :)

Just be prepared that he may fight you a bit being pinned down but you have to be frim with him and just be careful. Sounds like he may be just trying to be the alpha................And is your son scared of him??? Max may sense that in him as well and is acting on that sense too. Really hard to say what the problem is.:(

[MaxJack'sMom]

Sorry to hear about Max behaving like that. Have you had him checked out by the vet for any possible problems. Sounds like some schooling might be helpful too. Ask your vet about a good dog-behaviorist in your area.
Good luck and I hope Max has a great turn around with his behavior.

[I Found Nemo]

How is Max doing, please come back and update~~
ANDREA:)

[mommy of max]

well I have been trying with max. so far I dont see any difference, but I am still trying....I'll keep ypou posted if theres any change

[I Found Nemo]

:( I guess no changes yet????
ANDREA

[mommy of max]

first let me say sorry to any typos lol i look when i tyope ( i cant ype without looking lol) anyway i lost my glasses yesterday :( looked everywhere! cant find them) so i called for replacement, anywau, no change in Max...
I changed where I have my 3 xpens hooked together out back do they can run and do there pottying, right outside my door so its easier for them to go, max still goes in the house everywhere if he dont have a belly band on.....he growls at my kids and me and he has no reason to growl at me!
I might not be posting for a week or so, my glasses had to be ordered whwm i originally got them, so i imagine ill have to wait now too :( when i read wthout them i get headachs so ill be back when i get my glasses :(

[Morkie4]

first let me say sorry to any typos lol i look when i tyope ( i cant ype without looking lol) anyway i lost my glasses yesterday :( looked everywhere! cant find them) so i called for replacement, anywau, no change in Max...
I changed where I have my 3 xpens hooked together out back do they can run and do there pottying, right outside my door so its easier for them to go, max still goes in the house everywhere if he dont have a belly band on.....he growls at my kids and me and he has no reason to growl at me!
I might not be posting for a week or so, my glasses had to be ordered whwm i originally got them, so i imagine ill have to wait now too :( when i read wthout them i get headachs so ill be back when i get my glasses :(

awwwww, Elaine, so sorry there hasn't been any improvement with Max. Is his bellyband too tight???? That could sure make a guy grumpy.
:D
Sorry about your glasses too............I need mine as well, but at least I can type without them; it's reading that I need mine for and I have special glasses I ordered to use at the pc!!! BUMMER to have to wait for the new ones.

Oh and how is Phoebe doing???? Need some new pics when you get your glasses!!!!!

[I Found Nemo]

Im sorry also Elaine, I hope you find your glasses soon:(
ANDREA

[I Found Nemo]

:confused: did u find them Elaine and how is Max doing, come back and update
ANDREA:D

[Morkie4]

Elaine, we need an update on how things are going with Max!! please??:)

[I Found Nemo]

Elaine, we need an update on how things are going with Max!! please??:)

I already posted that we needed an update:confused:

[Morkie4]

I already posted that we needed an update:confused:

I was just bumping it up.........think I will have to go to YT and tell her that we need an update.:)

[I Found Nemo]

I was just bumping it up.........think I will have to go to YT and tell her that we need an update.:)

good idea.....:p

[Morkie4]

good idea.....:p

Thanks, I get them every once in a while!:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: