Serious Trouble with WESTIE BEHAVIOUR:

[23790954]

As this is my first post on this forum, may I say hello to all the members:

I would like some advice on what to do in the follow situation.

In May 2006 I purchased my full pedigree West Highlsnd Terrier, registered name, Snow White Jackson, pet name Monty, who was then only a few weeks old. At 7 months old, the vet thought that he was so vicious that he would castrate him, at that age, instead of waiting the usual year, hoping it would calm his temper. This did appear to work, as although he has nipped my grandchildren, on the odd occasion since then, he has never broken any skin with his nips. I must say at this time, I thought he was the best thing I had ever had in my 70+ years of life, and treated him as my very best friend. He was never ever mistreated or abused, and was treated in every way, with the utmost respect. He sleeps on a duvet, which I bought him when we got him, on the sofa in the lounge of our bungalow. He has a food allergy re rice and chicken, so he gets fed on fresh lamb, or beef and vegetables. Sometimes fresh fish.
Now comes the problem which to me is serious, but I am sure I am not the only one to be in this position, and I would like some advice and help on what to do, as he is our very first dog, who we love dearly.
Every night before I retire, he sits on his bed in the lounge, and as he does not really like being alone, he always sits up and watches me as I begin to retire. Each night, without fail, ever since we got him 3 years and 3 months ago, I go to him, give him a quick kiss on the forehead, a gentle small hug and say goodnight to him. However last Friday night, he was again sitting on his bed, watching me, so I again went to him, gave him his usual kiss on the forehead, but before I could even consider a small hug, he turned so vicious, and grabbed my ear, and my head around my ear, making it bleed heavily. It was so bad in fact, that I had to go to the local accident and emergency ward at our hospital, where a female doctor who attended me, actually stated that he had had a real go at me. A nurse then washed out the bite marks, put some strips over them to hold them in place, covered them in a watertight gell, gave me a tetenus injection, a weeks supply of anti-biotics and allowed me to go.
Since then I have completely ignored my little dog, who tries to jump up on my knee as before, and appears to be very stubborn when I tell him to go away, sometimes remaining put beside me although I am trying to make him go away. He used to lie at my feet in my office, before he bit me, and since he bit me he came into my office, and when I tried to chase him, he just growled and showed his teeth.
As I said I loved this little chap to bits, and I do want him to be my friend, but I find I cannot trust him anymore. Some advice on the matter would be appreciated e.g. am I doing right ignoring him? Is ther any action I can take to make him less vicious? Any advice or suggestions would help me greatly, as this is my first dog, and I am now over 70.
I must also state that he gets walked by my wife and I, at least twice a day, and although my wife prepairs his meal, he regularly gets titbits from me several times a day.
Many thanks for any help given.

[nick_j007]

Originally Posted by 23790954

As this is my first post on this forum, may I say hello to all the members:

I would like some advice on what to do in the follow situation.

In May 2006 I purchased my full pedigree West Highland Terrier, registered name, Snow White Jackson, pet name Monty, who was then only a few weeks old. At 7 months old, the vet thought that he was so vicious that he would castrate him, at that age, instead of waiting the usual year, hoping it would calm his temper. This did appear to work, as although he has nipped my grandchildren, on the odd occasion since then, he has never broken any skin with his nips. I must say at this time, I thought he was the best thing I had ever had in my 70+ years of life, and treated him as my very best friend. He was never ever mistreated or abused, and was treated in every way, with the utmost respect. He sleeps on a duvet, which I bought him when we got him, on the sofa in the lounge of our bungalow. He has a food allergy re rice and chicken, so he gets fed on fresh lamb, or beef and vegetables. Sometimes fresh fish.
Now comes the problem which to me is serious, but I am sure I am not the only one to be in this position, and I would like some advice and help on what to do, as he is our very first dog, who we love dearly.
Every night before I retire, he sits on his bed in the lounge, and as he does not really like being alone, he always sits up and watches me as I begin to retire. Each night, without fail, ever since we got him 3 years and 3 months ago, I go to him, give him a quick kiss on the forehead, a gentle small hug and say goodnight to him. However last Friday night, he was again sitting on his bed, watching me, so I again went to him, gave him his usual kiss on the forehead, but before I could even consider a small hug, he turned so vicious, and grabbed my ear, and my head around my ear, making it bleed heavily. It was so bad in fact, that I had to go to the local accident and emergency ward at our hospital, where a female doctor who attended me, actually stated that he had had a real go at me. A nurse then washed out the bite marks, put some strips over them to hold them in place, covered them in a watertight gell, gave me a tetenus injection, a weeks supply of antibiotics and allowed me to go.
Since then I have completely ignored my little dog, who tries to jump up on my knee as before, and appears to be very stubborn when I tell him to go away, sometimes remaining put beside me although I am trying to make him go away. He used to lie at my feet in my office, before he bit me, and since he bit me he came into my office, and when I tried to chase him, he just growled and showed his teeth.
As I said I loved this little chap to bits, and I do want him to be my friend, but I find I cannot trust him anymore. Some advice on the matter would be appreciated e.g. am I doing right ignoring him? Is there any action I can take to make him less vicious? Any advice or suggestions would help me greatly, as this is my first dog, and I am now over 70.
I must also state that he gets walked by my wife and I, at least twice a day, and although my wife prepares his meal, he regularly gets tidbits from me several times a day.
Many thanks for any help given.

Interesting post thank you.
Sorry to hear of the aggressive event...that must have been very upsetting for all.

You state at length throughout your post how much you do for him, how you give him the best of your time, love and that you are best friends and so on. That's nice , really it is, but there is no mention of rules for him to follow. I sense you have tried so hard to make a companion that there is a lack of respect for you and therefore balance. A relationship cannot thrive this way. Your dog's attack may have been brewing for some time (taking into account the nips you refer to).

To be utterly safe I would carry out a vet visit and explain the behaviour and incident as you do here to ensure the dog is healthy and free from discomfort and so on. High chance that the vet will give the 'all clear' so you're looking at behaviour basically.

Ignoring a dog will not hurt it. In fact in doing so recently you may have seen an improvement in his behaviour?
I would suggest you wholeheartedly instigate a simple programme here given that I can't see you and so on: Nothing in Life is Free.

I share a great deal of my life with my border terrier, but there are a number of rules to maintain the balance here. For example, as I type this in the office she is outside behind the carpet separator looking at my back waiting to be asked in. I don't want her in currently as she was whinging a bit earlier so she stays outside. She never comes up onto the sofa unless asked...though most nights she is asked. Access to most places in the home is upon invite and so I retain control, the dog is calm and well behaved and the feeling in the home is nice and relaxed as a result.

With a dog that is rather 'out there' in its behaviour as yours currently is frankly, I would remove such privileges as the sofa, bed, lap or similar for at least a month and then review the behaviour. Stop treating your dog with food freely. It would seem that not only have you made your dog like you, he has accelerated past you up the ladder. He disciplined you when attacking you (I suspect).

It's hard for me to offer advice blind like this, but in some ways I can see what has happened and why. Please bare in mind that dogs thrive on order and guidance call it discipline if you like. It leaves them secure, relaxed and happy that you are leading allowing the dog to follow. I hope that resonates with you.

Follow the simple programme in the link as above and report back. Would love to know how it goes.

Good luck!

Nick

[23790954]

Many thanks for that information Nick. I have printed off the webpages you recommended, and will read them with interest. It is nice to find a dog trainer/behaviourist who actually extends a helping hand when needed, and I can quite assure you it is very much appreciated. I still love my little Westie to bits, even though he has bitten me. I do accept that it is mostly my own fault, as I have always been afraid of hurting his feelings, as I think the world of him, being my first little dog, although I am 70+. When he was under 1 year old, I did take him to obedience classes for several months, and treated him the way you say, but unfortunately I let this fall by the wayside a couple of years ago, thinking I was being to strict with him.
Anyway many, many thanks Nick, take care, and all the best for the future.

George Hardisty

[nick_j007]

Thank you George.

I'm only sorry I never saw your post soon after it was posted.

Best wishes.

Nick

[23790954]

Nick,
Just to you you up to date. I have started walking my little Westie,(Monty),
again. I am NO longer ignoring him, but I have returned to carrying out instructions to him, that I used to do, after attending obedience classes with him. He now sits before I open doors, before he is allowed to cross any roads, and stays in the sit position, as long as I tell him to stay. He also sits before I allow him in the car, but the only time he has shown any anger, is when I instruct him to get out of the car, when we get home. He then growls very aggressively and shows his teeth. He really does love sitting in the car, and does so for hours on end. Due to his love for the car, I do not use force to remove him, due to the fact he loves the car.
When I am going to retire for the night, I NO longer make a fuss over him, and, although he does like a small treat before I retire, I make him come to me for it, and make him sit before I give him it. I then instruct him to get on his bed, and he does it without any fuss.
To be honest, he is a very obedient little boy, and does exactly as you tell him, other than getting out of the car.
I still love him to bits, and would not swap him for the world, even though he bit me.
All the best Nick.

George Hardisty

[nick_j007]

Well George, that all sounds very sensible to me
What you describe is something I maintain for life (yes really) with all my dogs. I only have the one presently, but my new dog coming is currently 4 days old! Fancy that.

You may well find that this more instruction based approach is enough to bring him round.

Despite what many TV progs might have you believe, dogs are not looking to take over the world-they can simply become confused as to what their role is in the home when you don't remind them of the respective roles. This can be done in a nice calm manner free from stress....but it needs to be done.

I love my 10 year old daughter to the end of the earth and do just about anything for her, but I still remind her that I'm the parent and she is to do as I ask As a result we have this all sorted and have a wonderful relationship. We did rolly-polies on a flat playing field last night - nearly broke my glasses and back in the process!

I could offer a similar analogy to my border terrier.

In an ideal world George I think you would benefit from some one to one help. Where are you please so I can best direct you?

Nick

[nick_j007]

I wrote these and they would help I'm sure:

1) Dog Leadership ~ A balanced guide ~ Pt.1.

2) Dog Leadership ~ A balanced guide ~ Pt.2

Enjoy.

Nick