Serious aggression issue

[gimpydimp]

This serious aggression problem is not with one of our pugs, but our dachshund. I thought I would post because some of you may have faced this before with any kind of dog.

We have 2 young (4-1/2 and 19 months old) grandsons visit frequently and our 2-1/2 year old dachshund has always been a loud barker and scared them. They have never taunted, touched, abused or even come near the dog. (The pugs and our big dog are actually GREAT with the boys). We usually put the dachshund, Barney, in his crate or in our backyard when they are here but that is not a great solution because these kids will be coming over for years. Barney now not only growls at them but recently he shows his teeth. I was not as worried with the growling only because he does that as a greeting to me and my husband in the morning and it's not at all a sign of aggression, so I guess in my denial I thought maybe he was just greeting them but yesterday and today when the boys got near him, on the other side of our glass back door, he barked, growled and then bared his teeth. He clearly is not pleased with them and it would be a total disaster if he got near them.

He is such a sweetie with us and my husband is totally, totally in love with him. Re-homing would be just about impossible for my husband to do. I know he would say he'd always make sure the dog was put away when the kids were here but I am not sure that's good enough.

Do any of you know if it's possible to train a dog not to be aggressive towards children, especially after he has shown aggression towards specific children? We are willing to pay a trainer if there is hope for this, but it's always been my experience that aggression is almost impossible to get rid of. Any comments or suggestions would be helpful.

[tall grass pugs]

Jodelar showed dachshund for years, as my mother and I showed dachshund, collie and borzoi and Anne had show dogs when she was little.

Someone once described dachshunds as just sure that the world revolves around them. Seems about right. I would skip the bottle of coins, and the water bottle and move directly to taking the dog under closest of supervision to public functions, parks, and on walks. Never let a stranger reach down to pet the dog's head (bite) and always grasp the animal close to you with the animal on the side away from the strangers. Obedience classes might help, but be sure to tell the instructor why you are there. I am sure that I am going to upset people by pointing out that a dachshund carries its brains in the seat of its pants and a swat on the haunch is not dachshund cruelty. Accompanied by the stern rebuke, 'no, bad dog'. And skip the treats. Dachshund quickly learn: rotten behavior, no big deal swat, followed by treat. After the rebuke, do not make eye contact or yield to the temptation to verbalize your regret at the correction, much less a loving pat.

When the socialization is going well, end the lesson on a positive note---if the lesson goes on too long, the dachshund will surely find a way to pull a fast one, or just lose interest and your lesson will have gone in one long floppy ear and out the other.

The mini dachshund here, Dottie D Dachshund, weighs all of seven pounds and is perfectly willing to use her bite force---hence when picked up there is always a hand around her muzzle for her safety and mine.

Unhappily, I think the dachshund is going to have to go for the children's safety and emotional response to dogs in general. And if the animal is rehomed, you will have to tell them it was because it was unstable or overtly hostile to toddlers and preschoolers. Sadly, there will always be a time when the crate wasn't secured, or the bedroom door was ajar, or the kids just let the dog out by accident and if it bites them, then what.

[Hellas]

It doesn't sound like agression, it sounds like fear. I'd bring in a good trainer. However, to be honest, I don't quite see why you can't simply have the dog behind a baby gate when the kids come over.

[TNPUGMOMOF2]

If possible, reinforce kids as being a good thing. Great treats are received when those little two legged things arrive.... Not sure if Barney is food motivated, but couldn't hurt. Keep the distance and have the child softly toss a treat to Barney. Short sessions and slowly close the distance. Is he agreessive with adult strangers? If he is, start with an adult for safety.

[gimpydimp]

We're asking the vet about a good local trainer. Part of the issue may be that Barney spent his first 6 months after Mom in a small crate in a pet store. (Nobody wanted him ) We got him when he got down to $59.00!! He has not been around other people at all, other than anyone who comes to our house and they rarely go into where the dogs are allowed (the family/kitchen room). We plan to take him on more walks around people in general so he gets used to other people than us.

What do people think about muzzles?

[tall grass pugs]

Well, what if you forget to put it on him or he chews his way through it, or the kids poke their fingers in his mouth trying to figure out what a muzzle is? Is Barney the double dapple in your row of pictures? Anne, who seems to prefer dogs with opinions, even Anne speaks of double dapples as being genetically unstable.

I might find a local dachshund club or rescue and ask for some hands on help or advice.

[tall grass pugs]

Jodelar is nursing a dead laptop, but is a long time breeder of winning dachshund. This is her reply:

I firmly believe this is not a fear-based aggression.. This is simple: the Dachshund does not want the children in his house.. That is my opinion.. Dachshunds are not happy-go-lucky Pugs, but a large, (basically) working breed in a small package.. They are not shy to voice opinion and disdain.. I'm not sure if training will be an answer here, please consult a professional trainer that is not out looking for a dollar, but one genuinely concerned with your issue.. A re-homing here may seriously need to be considered..

[Pugs-R-MandyBait]

I am late on this ... but by the time a Doxie is growling - there is a major issue.
Gotta go with Jodelar on this ... intense and 'agressive' in depth training may not solve this. Doxies need boundaries and rules and exposure to the world to reinforce them.
From what I have read ... Barney is not a kid's dog, and may never be tolerant.
What is best for him, and the Grandkids?

[gimpydimp]

We took Barney on a long walk in the real world today. He was terrified. But, we will start taking him on a very regular basis.

[tall grass pugs]

Please let us know how this goes.