attacked the post man :-(

Hi help please.
I heard my mum shouting on me this morning and the dog growling and when I went down he was jumping up and growling at the post man (it sounded like a vicious growl) the post man was holding his bag out and going round and round in circles trying to get him away but he just continued jumping and growling I quickly grabbed her took him in to the house gave a stern no and put him in his bed.
When my mum cam in she said he started with his usual jumping up and trying to get his sleeve (he does this) but the guy has short sleeves so Sanny was just getting his wrist. she told the guy to stand still as this is what we are doing to try train him out this behaviour but he continued and when my mum tried to grab him he snapped at her and growled! He's never growled this like before help!

Hmm just when u said he was improving ! It's a long road with many bumps.

I'd leash him when ppl visit, this way it's easier to control or remove him from the situation.

I haven't dealt with ant issue like this personally but I'm sure u will get some good advise just as ur other thread about mouthing, it takes a lot of patience, repeatition and consistency.

You and your mother must remain calm assertive all the time.

Could you not keep him in the house until the postman has been, then let him out.

When people visit us we get Rocky to go in his crate while the front door is open, that way he cannot get out onto the road. Do you have a crate you could use in the same way ?

hubby built a stair gate going across our hallway and fixed onto the stairs so i can open the door in peace without having to worry about over excited doggies

That is what postmen are told to do, hold their bag in front of them and keep it between them and the dog, they have to keep moving to do this, this often makes the dogs worse.

Sorry but your dog should not be out were she can do this to anyone, the post office may refuse to deliver your post now, someone will have to go and collect it, you may be given a warning first, I hope so.

when my mum tried to grab him he snapped at her and growled!

This is normal dog behavour, you should never grab a dog especially when they are hyped up like she was this morning. To a dog grabbing them is an aggressive act especially if it is the collar which is round a very sensitive part of the neck, she growled and snapped to protect her neck.

Before you start any training you first have to "Manage" this type of problem to keep everyone safe, that means the dog should never get the chance to do this to anyone, she needs a closed door between her and anyone who comes to the door.

Please can you tell us when she does this and how you are trying to stop her? Also her age, what she is fed on, this is very relevant because some foods are like E additives with children and what training are you doing generally.

I'd keep him in until the postman has been or put him on a lead so can't get near to them, plus you still have control and won't need to grab him in these situations

He has never behaved like this before and he isn't usually out when the post man comes the open was open and he ran out. he will be two in October and is fed on dry food from pets at home. rarely gets wet food and the occasional scraps of meat left over.

When people come in he is over excited I used to put him in his cage but he would cry and jump to get out when he calmed get would get out but immediately started jumping. now I guy people to ignore him and stand with their arms crossed some times it works sometimes it doesn't.

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victoria87 wrote:He has never behaved like this before and he isn't usually out when the post man comes the open was open and he ran out. he will be two in October and is fed on dry food from pets at home. rarely gets wet food and the occasional scraps of meat left over.

You have a teenage hooligan Everyone makes a mistake but we have to learn by them so make sure he can't get to or through the door.

Have a look at the ingredients in his food, if their first ingredient is wheat or cereal then consider changing it, you may find that some form of cereal is in the ingredients further down as well.

When people come in he is over excited I used to put him in his cage but he would cry and jump to get out when he calmed get would get out but immediately started jumping. now I guy people to ignore him and stand with their arms crossed some times it works sometimes it doesn't.

It isn't working you need to find something else for him, for it to work it has to work every time. Try teaching him to go to a mat, blanket or something similar, once he will go and sit on it make him wait. gradually get him to wait longer and longer. The next stage is when someone comes send him to his mat/blanket/etc and tell him to wait. It will be very poor at first but keep at it, make sure when you get to doing this when others are their that you use much higher reward treats. It will take time though, in the meantime can you keep him in another room, either behind a closed door or gate until he settles, take him through on a lead, if he reacts out he goes again. You can get your friends to help you with this.

Cyril baby wrote:That is what postmen are told to do, hold their bag in front of them and keep it between them and the dog, they have to keep moving to do this, this often makes the dogs worse.

Sorry but your dog should not be out were she can do this to anyone, the post office may refuse to deliver your post now, someone will have to go and collect it, you may be given a warning first, I hope so.

Firstly, I agree with this. You cannot expect the postman to know what to do - you have to control your dog. This will probably mean making sure that he cannot get out of the door at any time unless he is with you & on a lead.

victoria87 wrote:He has never behaved like this before and he isn't usually out when the post man comes the open was open and he ran out. he will be two in October and is fed on dry food from pets at home. rarely gets wet food and the occasional scraps of meat left over.

When people come in he is over excited I used to put him in his cage but he would cry and jump to get out when he calmed get would get out but immediately started jumping. now I guy people to ignore him and stand with their arms crossed some times it works sometimes it doesn't.

What specific food to you give him, I mean the brand name?

One way of addressing over excitement (apart from food-related hyperactivity) is to put your dog on a lead whenever people visit you, and make sure that he receives no fuss whatsoever until he is calm & sitting nicely. It may take a while, but he'll get to understand eventually!

He is a hooligan! Lol He just won't listen when he's occupied with something more interesting. I will try these ideas but its hard when people appear unexpectedly you can't get near the door from him he's too excited and just doesn't listen.

And its pets at homes own stuff its the only thing he will eat he's quite fussy.

victoria87 wrote:He is a hooligan! Lol He just won't listen when he's occupied with something more interesting. I will try these ideas but its hard when people appear unexpectedly you can't get near the door from him he's too excited and just doesn't listen.

Get a slip lead & keep it near the door. If anybody rings/knocks on the door, immediately slip the lead around his neck & remove him from the doorway. Put him in another room until your guests are comfortable & then put a proper collar/harness & lead on him & take him in to see them. If he acts up, remove him. Tell your guests not to touch him or look at him until he's calm.

These leads are strong & well made, and are reasonably priced...
http://www.styleash.co.uk/ourshop/prod_553413-Show-Leads.html

Will the lead not hurt him if he pulls?

Yes, it will hurt him when he pulls unless the slip lead has a stop on it to stop the lead getting to tight round his neck, the work the same as a choke chain but is a lead as well. The are useful if you have a lot of dogs in kennels. I used to use one to transfer dogs on a transport run as the can't escape them like they can if the lead is clipped to the collar. Didn't like using them but it was for the dog's safety.

victoria87 wrote:Will the lead not hurt him if he pulls?

It won't actually hurt as long as you're only using it for a short period to keep him from charging the door. It's far quicker to slip a slip lead on than to muck about with a buckle collar & lead or a harness & lead. If you don't like them, then you can try leaving a collar on him all the time & just clip the lead on when someone comes to the door, but I really don't like leaving a collar on indoors.

All you need to do is slip it over his head & take him out of the way, maybe to another room. You could then let the visitor in & if you want to introduce your dog you can put a normal collar/harness & lead on.