What's wrong my dog is getting mean?
By free_man
@free_man (7330)
United States
February 22, 2010 12:30pm CST
We treat our dog like he is a kid and take him everywhere we go. He has a good life. But lately he has been growling and acting like he is going to bite. He is pit bull and cockapoo. The vet said he would get mean but didn't believe her. But sure enough he is starting to act real mean. What should we do? What would you do?
2 responses
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
22 Feb 10
I would take him to the vet to see if there is something they can do for him. I also would never have a pitbull because they can turn on you when you least except it. I know any animal could, but pitbulls seems to have this trait more then others. This would make me very nervous especially if you have kids in the house. If the vet can't do anything maybe a trainer would be able to help if not then I really don't know except the inevitable which I don't want to mention.
1 person likes this
@free_man (7330)
• United States
22 Feb 10
Hi Lelin. The vet told us there in nothing we can do. Have had him since he was a baby pup and have been training him ever since.Thank God we don't have children in the home. He don't get too mean with me he just does it to my husband. And that shocks me cause my husband treats him like he is just a baby. My husband treats this dog with great care. We have thought about the inevitable thing too. We know if he gets any meaner we will have to put him down and that isn't a thought that we take litely. We did build him a pen out side so if he gets meaner we will try that for awhile but something is making this dog start to act like he will bite my husband. And that really shocks me. My husband has never been mean to this dog. This dog is like our child. He has taken to not minding him. Thank God I inherited something from my mom that will put a dog to crying. I can growl at him and he knows better then to growl at me. I am not mean to him either. Just something in my eyes tells him not to get mean with me. My mother could look at a dog a certian way and they would lay down and let her pet them. I have seen her do this many times. I don't know what else to do at this point. The only reason we got a pit was cause the people we got it from was going to let him die and we didn't want him to die. I don't know what is going on at this point.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
22 Feb 10
To have this dog since a pup and to see what is happening now is very sad to hear.
Maybe he has become jealous of your husband did you ever think of that. I know that may sound strange after treating him like a baby in the house. However, as they get older things will change in their feelings for certain people. Maybe he his so connected to you he doesn't want your husband around.
@xcammiex (272)
• United States
26 Feb 10
He has aggression issues. They can be easily fixed. I suggest getting either a trainer, or at least a very good training manual. If you look in my profile, I have a
good one listed under "website"
In the meantime, you can try a couple of things.
1. Exercise him more. 30 minutes of jogging/running daily helps with tension and reduces aggression.
2. Control his food. Make sure you eat before him and he sees this. The leader eats first. When you put down his food, don't let him eat right away. If he tries to get the food, push him back gently and say "No". Repeat until he stops trying to get the food. Make him wait at least 10 full seconds before giving him permission. Work up to a full minute eventually.
This should at least get you started until you can get a trainer or a manual.
1 person likes this
@free_man (7330)
• United States
26 Feb 10
Hi Xcammiex. We have always made him wait till we eat. We do work him out daily. He isn't greedy he don't go after his food right away. He just started getting a little mean with my husband. And I don't understand this my husband and I have never been mean to this dog. We treat him like a spoiled child. We started training him when he was just a pup. The vet said he would be mean. We have been good to this dog but the vet said it was the mix he is that will make him mean. There are days when he is just plain sweet and then there are days where he just don't like to do anything. He knows the word no very well. Thanks.
