Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello! Two weeks ago I made myself the proud owner (or should I say humble servant!) of a darling, nearly two year old Llasa Apso who I named Artinsus, Tinny for short. I adopted him from a shelter in Connecticut, knowing that he tends to be nippy.

He and I like each other very much, and although I am his 5th home, he has no reason to believe that I'm his forever mom. So, when he's happy, he's a warm, loving little charmer. But, he's awfully agressive toward me when I try to get him to do something he'd rather not do. The only issues I've found so far are grooming(I don't attempt any without gloves on, and now he's getting grumpy over me approaching him with gloves!), and getting stuff away from him that he picked up on the street. (garbage, etc)

We'll be meeting his obediance trainer in a week, who's aware of the agreession issues. Tinny has a hair appointment later this week, (He's had a history of cooperating with groomers) but in the mean while, a chain of events happened that's left me at my wit's end! He came down with a case of diarrhea a couple of days ago, and I'm not sure of the cause. I'm treating him according to my vet's instructions. I somehow managed to bathe him yesterday, but his stools are still loose, and he got poo all over his paws. I can't very well leave him with poopy feet for the next five days. I have some bathing wipes that would work out perfectly, but he snaps and snarls so bad I can't get near his paws!

So, my questions are, how tough is too tough? If I hold him firmly, he'll struggle and bite as much as he can, but I can get a little grooming in here and there ... with dirty paws, though, that's something I'd really like to take care of as soon as I can, without having a major battle of wills.

I really have no idea what to do! I think I can hold off on cleaning him until his digestive problem clears up, probably by tomorrow, but then what? Should I wait to go to the groomers, or should I chance another bath? I suppose I could also walk him in the snow, but that won't do enough good.

This guy's a tough little monster! I know this is a dominance issue, and I guess I really need to learn how to be the Big Boss, and the sooner the better! Any ideas would be appreciated! Thanks!

I have a feeling that exerting dominance is not going to work. At least, not dominance in the sense I think you mean. He needs to see you as leader, but absolutely not to fear you.

How about putting a wet towel under his feet and moving it around? If you can, have somebody give him continuous treats while you work on him. That's one tiny piece quickly followed by another, another, another, until you're done. And praise--look for every possible chance to praise.

Hopefully the expert you're seeing with him will be good at reading his behavior and what is going on.

Also, friendly bacteria will help that diarrhea. Diarrhea causes the loss of more friendly bacteria from the dog's intestines, which leads to more diarrhea. A real vicious circle. Antibiotics destroy the friendly bacteria in the dog's intestines, too. I get good results with multidophilus (or similar name) purchased from the human health food store refrigerator unit. It needs to go in your refridgerator, too. It tastes good, so you can often just dump the powder from the pill right onto the dog's food.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thanks for your quick reply! I will try that trick with the wet towel. You're right about him seeing me as his leader -- it's figuring out how that I need to accomplish! And thanks for the tip about the bacteria -- would plain yogurt help?

I've not been hitting, or anything like that, but I have been offering at least a bit of insistance that he cooperate, and I always praise him anytime he's been good. It's SO tricky, though, because I don't want to praise snappiness, but at the same time, if I stop once he snaps, I do just that.

Another suggestion I read in a book is to withold social interaction until I feel sure he will cooperate. This involves giving him what he needs, but with limited talk, petting, and eye contact. I'm trying this out as far as I can bear it, but I don't want him to feel rejected, either, since that's been the story of his life. So, I always behave cheerfully, maybe singing to myself or talking to the cats ... and at least on occasional "are you a good boy" type comment. And truthfully, I can't withold ALL petting ... if it would make a difference, though, I'd try harder. Have you heard of this? Does it work? Today it's easy due to the feet issue, but I could make it a short term life style change if it would help! At feeding time I make it a point to eat something first, and make sure everyone sees me -- (I have Tinny, and three cats. I'm the only human!). The "Pack Leader" always eats first! I don't know if this is helping, but I doubt it can hurt. This guy's a challenge, but I know it'll all be worth the effort!

>>Thanks for your quick reply! I will try that trick with the wet towel. You're right about him seeing me as his leader -- it's figuring out how that I need to accomplish! And thanks for the tip about the bacteria -- would plain yogurt help?

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Yogurt doesn't contain enough friendly bacteria to do the job. Dogs need a lot, and in cases of diarrhea, they need it quickly. Plus, eating the yogurt, especially in the huge quantity needed, could make things worse.

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>>I've not been hitting, or anything like that, but I have been offering at least a bit of insistance that he cooperate, and I always praise him anytime he's been good. It's SO tricky, though, because I don't want to praise snappiness, but at the same time, if I stop once he snaps, I do just that.

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It is the timing of the praise that does the trick, and it's very, very quick. Praise good behavior INSTANTLY. With practice, you can avoid the problem of praising aggression.

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>>Another suggestion I read in a book is to withold social interaction until I feel sure he will cooperate. This involves giving him what he needs, but with limited talk, petting, and eye contact. I'm trying this out as far as I can bear it, but I don't want him to feel rejected, either, since that's been the story of his life. So, I always behave cheerfully, maybe singing to myself or talking to the cats ... and at least on occasional "are you a good boy" type comment. And truthfully, I can't withold ALL petting ... if it would make a difference, though, I'd try harder. Have you heard of this? Does it work? Today it's easy due to the feet issue, but I could make it a short term life style change if it would help! At feeding time I make it a point to eat something first, and make sure everyone sees me -- (I have Tinny, and three cats. I'm the only human!). The "Pack Leader" always eats first! I don't know if this is helping, but I doubt it can hurt. This guy's a challenge, but I know it'll all be worth the effort!

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I don't think eating first makes any difference, truthfully. At my house, we feed the dogs first so that we can relax with our food! What you probably should avoid is giving him your food as you're eating. If you want to share with him, wait until you are done and then put it in a dish or otherwise some distinctive format.

As far as avoiding giving affection--voice and touch--until he gives what you want, I have doubts about this, too. I groom dogs daily at my house, on my lap, covered by a sheet and my legs stretched out in front of me, the dog on the sheet over my legs. This gives a structure to touch, but is very loving, too. And of course they look like a million dollars!

Make sure whatever you are using to groom him doesn't hurt. He could certainly have sore skin if grooming has been neglected. I like REALLY good combs, like Greyhound, Chris Christensen, and #1 All Systems.

I have a dog at my house right now, visiting to keep me company until my breeder finds me a new assistance dog, a big Belgian Tervuren male whose coat needed lots of TLC. I've been using the #1 All Systems wide-tooth, long tooth comb on him exclusively, and it has done a great job.

There may well be pain going on for the dog in grooming. If that is the reason for the growling, well, what a mess! I would suggest you back up to a point where he does not react that way, and approach him positively. See what you can accomplish!

I have a grooming article in the Canine Behavior Series that might help. Just look under "Grooming" in alphabetical order at the link with my signature below.

I would also focus on getting him to enjoy your touch and your voice. I just don't think withholding those things is going to help him.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47