Winston is a male 3 yr old short haired red Dachshund. He loves everyone. He's good with other animals and all people. His issue is that if we're in bed or on the couch and someone walks into the room or walks by the door (family or not) he freaks out. He will start barking and grab onto the blanket with his teeth and "kill it"! If there is no blanket, he will do this with whatever is close. A piece of furniture or a stack of folded clothes.
This behavior is getting worse. He jumps down and runs toward the moving person barking and acts like he's going to bite them. He is extremely affectionate. His best friend is our female Lab and we dubbed him the cleaner. He licks and cleans her face, ears, nose, and mouth daily. He is a sweet, loving dog except for this one issue. I fear that he is going to eventually bite someone and I do not want that to happen. I do believe it is a protection issue just not sure how to address it. Help!
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This is unacceptable behavior. The dog feels his territory is threatened. He may be doing this to prove he is dominant, or because he is anxious. You, as his owner, must prove that you are the dominant person. You can do this with a muzzle, with obedience training, with giving rewards when he does the right thing.
The complete article can be found here: www.petplace.com/
a muzzle really would be a last-resort if doing so is the only way to safeguard everyone's safety. This indeed sounds like a dangerous situation, or, a 'red zone' case, as Cesar Millan of Dog Whisperer would say.
His premise is that the dog for some reason has decided that he is the ALPHA, and that it is his job to protect the pack. To be honest, this happens a lot with smaller breed dogs because people BABY THEM so much.
In the dog world, always cooing and being affectionate and sometimes even the act of dressing him up and carrying him around makes YOU the submissive and him the dominant.
if you want to turn the tables, you need to establish dominance, simply by acting firmer around him and encouraging him to take more exercise. I reference Cesar millan because he specifically gives practical ideas on how to do this, more than I can
The dog simply needs training. You have to teach him to sit and stay when anything comes by the door or window. Tell him to "lie down" until the other dog or person has passed.
If he runs to the door barking when someone knocks, make him sit and stay or lie down and stay. Make sure there is a place nearby where he does this like a bed on the floor.
You have to take control of this situation. He is looking to you for leadership and guidance.
www.cesarsway.com/
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