Porky goes ballistic?!

doxielady5569128 · May 07, 2008, 07:50:09 PM

Porky usually LOVES new people and we have never had a problem with anyone before. My brother had a friend come over (who by the way doesn't know how to knock!)

So...they just walk on in and Porky went NUTS!! I'm talking growling, snarling, barking, snapping at anything that moves kind of nuts. He has NEVER acted like that except with this person.

I'm trying to understand why this person bugs Porky so much. I know the no knocking thing is one of the issues, but even after we show Porky the friend is welcome in our home Porky still tries to bite him. I have tried to ask him to knock. HA! I have asked him to call at least 5 minutes before he comes over so Porky can be outside when he comes. That doesn't happen either.

I don't want Porky to learn to bite people, but isn't it kind of his own fault for just barging in? What should I do here??? Even after Porky is "calmed" down if the guy moves Porky starts to bark and growl again. Its so frustrating since he won't listen to anyone about not barging in.

Doxherding Karen · May 07, 2008, 09:50:37 PM

Time for Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer, to spring into action.

If this friend thinks he's one of the pack, he needs to take the role. So have this turkey, er buddy, walk in the way he should as pack leader - no talking to Porky, no touching Porky, no eye contact with Porky. He walks in calmly but assertively. it is IMPORTANT that he not feel intimidated or afraid of Porky - dogs can smell the pheromes humans give off.

Don't acknowledge Porky's alert, his barking. If he lunges and snaps, step in between and assert yourself at pack leader. Don't let him get away with it.

You should look at this as a good opportunity to work with Porky - how often do you have a total stranger willing to be bait in dog training?? SSLOL!!

Karen

papbouv · May 07, 2008, 10:24:46 PM

Sorry I disagree Porky may feel this person is a threat besides being rude that should be a hint if he will not follow your requests I simply would tell him that he cannot come over. Or as soon as he shows up I would put Porky on a lead ask the visitor to not interact with Porky in any way. Excuse me if I'm being rude but why in this day and age is your door not locked very dangerous nowdays.If you absolutely must deal with this I would be doing the NILF ( Nothing in Life is Free training) with Porky it shows Porky that you are the leader as leader he Porky should do at least a sit stay when this fellow is over.You can find NILF on the internet.
Papbouv

doxielady5569128 · May 07, 2008, 11:16:13 PM

I love your thinking Karen!!

I agree that if he wants to be bait, go for it!! I really think he is afraid of this guy. This guy is an avid hunter and always has an odd smell so I think that may be what is setting Porky off.

Also, to clarify a bit more....the guy barges in when my brother has invited him or when my brother is following him. He has a hoodie on a lot when he comes in too, which makes it hard for Porky to see who he is. Once again, he won't quit that either!!

Once he sits down in a chair, Porky seems to do okay. I think you both had great ideas to fix the problem. Thanks Karen and papbouv. :apls:

Doxherding Karen · May 08, 2008, 08:59:51 AM

You've got a very good point. Too bad Porky won't qualify for guard dog training - it's like the rides at Disneyland: there's a minimum height requirement!!

Karen

papbouv · May 08, 2008, 09:06:53 AM

With a hoodie on he comes across as a bad guy to Porky so doxies are watchdog & he is doing his job. If you tell him it is ok he should back down work on sit stays it can be done. I had a American Staffordshire Terrier that would do a sit stay in front of a squirrel on the ground.She shook like hell but stayed she really wanted that squirrel but she stayed.
Papbouv

doxielady5569128 · May 08, 2008, 10:49:23 AM

Quote from: Doxherding Karen on May 08, 2008, 08:59:51 AM
You've got a very good point. Too bad Porky won't qualify for guard dog training - it's like the rides at Disneyland: there's a minimum height requirement!!

Karen

You crack me up Karen! I will try getting him to sit and stay when this guy comes over. I can just picture your American staffordshire sitting in front of the squirrel shaking and giving you those eyes. "Can I eat him, please!!!"

Leslie · May 08, 2008, 10:52:25 AM

Quote from: doxielady5569128 on May 07, 2008, 11:16:13 PM

He has a hoodie on a lot when he comes in too, which makes it hard for Porky to see who he is. Once again, he won't quit that either!!

Loki has bitten two servicemen on the pants leg when they have come in the front door. (DESPITE reminding DH to "secure the dawgs"!!!!) This door is rarely used. Also, she dislikes men in hoodies. Anyone else on the street or sidewalk is her new best friend, but watch out if ya got a hoodie. I think it's the hoodie and the odd hunting smell, too. Dunno what to tell ya?

doxielady5569128 · May 08, 2008, 11:01:46 AM

I agree Leslie. I think the hoodies really set Porky off. I also think if I were a dog and met someone that smells like dead things I would be freaked out too!

I love that command "Secure the Dawgs!"

David C. · May 08, 2008, 11:45:56 AM

Is it possible the friend may have done something to Porky on a previous visit? Before I adopted Max, his former owners had was one young nephew that he would bare his teeth at all the time. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it, Max was always such a sweetie, it seemed illogical. It turned out the cousin may have hurt Max, albeit inadvertently, and Max never let him forget it.

sollysmom · May 08, 2008, 01:52:52 PM

Do you think that Porky might sense something emitting from this guy. When I had Heidi she loved everyone. It was here I am pet me, pet me kind of thing. Then there was this 1 guy I was dating that she detested. She would growl, bare teeth, etc. every time he came over. To make a long story short---she was right about the guy. He was into drugs, etc.

So Porky may be trying to tell you something.

Darcel

Dee Dee and Hallie · May 10, 2008, 11:36:46 AM

Is this behavior something new for Porky or is it typical for him? You also mentioned he acted aggressive toward the new pup (Hallie says who can blame him...puppies are stinky! They jump on you and make you yipe if your Mom doesn't hold you up high and fight 'em off! :thumb:). It sounds like he may be being overly protective which is not uncommon in doxies. It's too bad you can't get "hoodie" to cooperate, there is a lot you could work on. My method would be to first teach Porky to "sit" if he doesn't already know it. Then have a leash on him when "hoodie" came into the house, have treats ready and as soon as Porky starts to go off on "hoodie", gently restrain him and show him the treat and ask him to sit. Give him the treat and praise if he does sit and redirect his attention and focus onto the treat and off of "hoodie". Use a word associated with it, like "watch". If he then goes off on him again, do not punish him but redirect his focus again. As he gets better at it you can lengthen the time between getting his focus and giving him the treat.

Eventually you would want "hoodie" to come give Porky the treat, etc etc but it sounds like that will never happen since he's not interested in cooperating. A friend of mine had the same problem with her terrier and she was amazed at how quickly she calmed down when company came, and she can now let her loose after a couple of minutes and everything is much calmer.

doxielady5569128 · May 10, 2008, 07:19:13 PM

That's a great idea DD! This protective thing is new for Porky. He has never been like this before. I think watching his "cousin" Bandit is having a bad effect on him. Bandit is VERY protective of my mom and his things. Porky likes to imitate Bandit and since he got away with the barking part, he figures he can try this. I guess its my fault for not noticing him copying this behavior earlier.

I think the leash idea will work really well. That is what is working for the puppy interactions. If we could just get "hoodie" to call first then it would work great. I also noticed the other day when Porky was sleeping on the floor, "hoodie" came into the room. (from my brother's room) Porky just looked up at him and laid back down. Then "hoodie" jumped back and acted afraid so Porky went for it. If he comes in and sits down immediately, Porky is totally fine with him.

I think Porky is afraid because "hoodie" is tall???

Anyway...we'll keep working on fixing the problem. Porky is a fast learner so I'm sure he'll get it soon!

Doxherding Karen · May 11, 2008, 12:47:35 AM

Quote from: doxielady5569128 on May 10, 2008, 07:19:13 PM I think the leash idea will work really well. That is what is working for the puppy interactions. If we could just get "hoodie" to call first then it would work great. I also noticed the other day when Porky was sleeping on the floor, "hoodie" came into the room. (from my brother's room) Porky just looked up at him and laid back down. Then "hoodie" jumped back and acted afraid so Porky went for it. If he comes in and sits down immediately, Porky is totally fine with him. :dontknow: I think Porky is afraid because "hoodie" is tall???

Anyway...we'll keep working on fixing the problem. Porky is a fast learner so I'm sure he'll get it soon!

Here are a few things:

Put a note on the door "Dear Friends: We are training our attack dachshund.

Please knock and be patient."

Porky is like every other dog - he can smell fear, anger, anxiety, rage, any human emotion that causes a person to emit pheromes, which dogs intuit. I remember when I was a kid, adults would always says, "Don't show fear to a dog." Now a-days it's "Poor poor poochie, he must have been abused by a tall/short, white/black, Christian/Jewish/Muslim, German/Spanish/Italian/Russian-speaking man/woman/teenage-boy/girl/extraterrestrial - take your pick." :verdict:

I Say: Hoodie is a pain in the rump. Fixing him is impossible. Fixing Porky will be a breeze by comparison.

Karen :thumb:

P.S. Is Hoodie actually afraid of the Porkmeister?? Or is he just being a bigger pain??!?!?

That's O.K. though. The comment about the attack dachshund is very tongue-in-cheek, but I'd tell Hoodie, "We want to work with our dog so you can overcome your irrational fear of our dachshund."

Dee Dee and Hallie · May 11, 2008, 12:58:54 AM

QuotePoor poor poochie, he must have been abused by a tall/short, white/black, Christian/Jewish/Muslim, German/Spanish/Italian/Russian-speaking man/woman/teenage-boy/girl/extraterrestrial

ROTFL. Well put Auntie Karen!

doxielady5569128 · May 12, 2008, 06:13:36 PM

I agree with Dee Dee. That was funny Karen! I honestly think he is actually afraid of Porky. That's ridiculous I think. All he has to do is sit on the floor and Porky is licking him to death! Hoodie has gotten better about at least knocking before he barges in. Thank God!!

papbouv · May 12, 2008, 09:42:08 PM

Another of my 2 cents I do not think Porky has to love or lick hoodie just like people their are some people you like and some you do not like same with dogs. The only thing is the dog has to accept you as leader and at least restrain himself when you allow this person in your home. Porky should be allowed to sit between you and hoodie Porky can watch him all he wants too just not bark or growl at accept visitor. I think Dee Dee has some wonderful ideas to give Porky treats when behaving around hoodie some small dogs are just as dangerous as big dogs about biting small dogs even more so you just do not hear about it that often.
Good Luck
Papbouv