Question:
I have a 4-year-old female Bichon/Shih Tzu cross, Missi. She is absolutely precious, but I do have a problem.
When I take her for walks, she gets very aggressive. She has never bitten anyone (yet), but she is absolutely uncontrollable. She pulls me all over if she sees anything that moves. When I try to calm her down, she bites me. It's the same at home if she sees anything move outside. I have a harness and have tried one of those leashes that goes over the nose -- she won't let me put it on. Once she settles down, she's great with people. How can I make walking easier and more enjoyable for both of us?
K.S., Fargo, ND Jan 03, 2010
Answer:
Your dog lacks self-control (or internal inhibition), a problem that is partly genetic, but also most probably due to her being raised indulgently, over-permissively and with no boundaries being set early in life. I see her as a "delinquent" who may benefit from "cradling" therapy (gentle, repeated restraint in a trainer's arms) that should have been part of her puppy-rearing regimen. I describe this technique in my book "Dog Body, Dog Mind
." A similar therapy was developed by psychotherapists several years ago in Canada to effectively help adolescents develop trust and self-control.
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