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Why my dog barks and is mean to me?

I live with my mother and my shi tzu is at home with her during the day when I have to go to work. When I get home, my puppy who is 11 weeks starts barking at me and wants to attack me in a very mean way. I’m am very disappointed and feel at times that I don’t want to come home to a dog that doesn’t like me. Is there a reason? I am very good to him when I’m around him. Need help?

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Answer #1

If you’d said he was 3 years old, I’d think…yeah…maybe he DOESN’T like ya…but at 11 weeks…we’re talking about a baby, here… this pup hasn’t even lost his puppy teeth, yet! Sooo…I’m wondering if you’re possibly misinterpeting his behavior…that he’s not “attacking”…he’s playing. When you come home he probably gets excited…and excited puppy is usually a rough puppy…

Leave the bitter apple and stuff for later, if he doesn’t settle down. For now…when you get home, (and I’m POSITIVE he’s actually TOO happy to see you come home)… when he starts playing too rough, just get up and leave the room. Wait a few minutes to let him settle down…then try again.

The more I think about this…why not take him for a walk when you get home…get some of the “stink’ out of him…it also reinforces the “YOU leader, ME follower”…

Really…I’m totally positive that this pup really DOES like you, and his way of showing you that, at this VERY TENDER baby stage, is to have you for his playmate… he just needs to settle some.

phrannie

Answer #2

Hi,

Your dog could be barking because he can :) With the dogs, it’s good to establish dominance right away. Let him know YOU’RE the boss and the barking is NOT acceptable. When he does it, negatively reinforce him. Say NO very sternly and/or spray him with a water bottle, or a product called Bitter Apple–a bad-tasting spray they sell at most Pet Stores.

With time, he’ll learn that the barking is associated with the bad reaction from you and the water/bad taste of the spray, and he will learn to get out of the habit.

Dogs are very interesting creatures, the main thing to know about them is that everything is about dominance to them. They will test you. You need to establish yourself as the Alpha so he doesn’t walk all over you.

Hope that helps!

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