Jax

[babsterrojax]

I have had Jax since he was 8 wks. old. I got him from someone because he had Parvo and the owner could not have him treated and was going to let him just die. I raised him in a crate when I was not at home. He is obedient and very loving. But lately if he is being made to do something he doesn't want to do he wants to growl and snap at my hand. He doesn't bite it but he wants me to think he will. (I guess) I need to know what to do in this situation. He is now 31 mts. old.

[RealPitBull]

What kind of things are you trying to make him do?

What sort of methods have you been using to train him and what do you do when you need to punish him?

[babsterrojax]

When I am playing with him he wants to take my hand (by his mouth) and pull me in any direction (just pulling me playing , no bitting). When I want to put him in his kennel (leading him by his collar) he starts growling and snaping at me (not biting me).
Playing, when he grabs my hand I stop playing with him tell him no and it ends, then resume playing.
Putting him in his kennel if he doesn't react bad I give him a treat if he does I let the situation cool down and still put him in his kennel with no treat.

[RealPitBull]

Ok, for the first issue: try to predict when he's about to grab your hand and prevent it from happening by crossing your arms and walking away. END playtime. Period. See if that, rather than stopping and re-starting, lessens the behavior from happening.

As far as the crate, how much time does he spend in it? If he spends a lot of time in there, or if he spent a lot of time in there as a sick puppy, he might have a bad association with it. So keeping him out of it as much as possible and making sure he gets lots of outdoor exercise is the first course of action.

Second, help him learn a better association with the crate. Keep the door open. Try feeding him treats in the crate. Toss some in there, and let him go in the crate and come back out. Put a favorite bed in there. Feed him his meals in there. If you have a Vari-kennel type crate (one with solid walls), switch to a wire crate. Switching the crate completely to something new might help, as well. Oh, and set the crate up in an area of the house that is well-trafficked.

I like to avoid forcing dogs to do anything. In other words, I want hands coming towards a dog to mean good things - if you are grabbing a collar and trying to drag him into his crate, you're setting up an opportunity for a fighting match. Teach him to go in his crate on cue.

A simple way to teach a dog to go in their crate on cue would be this (important, while you are doing this do NOT force your dog into his crate):

1) Have the crate open
2) Get your dog used to going in and out of the crate by tossing cookies in the crate, letting him come out, and tossing more cookies. Do this a LOT - 20, 30, 40 times. Do this every time you see your dog near his crate. Get him used to going in and out on his own.
3) When you have this new game down pat, and your dog happily goes in and out of it to get his treats, begin trying to "predict" when he enters the crate. When you see him starting to move towards it and go in, say "Crate!" or any other cue word you'd like to use. Practice practic pratice. (Important, do NOT say the cue word unless you are SURE your dog is in the process of running into his crate.)
4) Now test out your cue word. See if your dog understands it. Set up a situation in which you are pretty sure your dog is ready and willing to get into the crate for his cookie. Say the cue word, "Crate!" (also use a hand motion that simulates the motion your hand made when you tossed a cookie. Dogs read body language really well!) and when he goes in, give him his cookie.
5) Now, begin to require the dog wait inside the crate to get his cookie. If he runs in, wait a few seconds, THEN give him his cookie. If he runs out before you can count to 3, don't give him his cookie. Gradually increase the time you make him wait.
6) Now begin shutting the door, and THEN give him the cookie.

This whole process shouldn't take more than a few days, especially if you do not undo your work by forcing him into the crate before he's going in on his own on cue.

[babsterrojax]

Jax doesn't go in his crate very often but when he was small and sick he was in it alot. When I reach for his collar he cringes. What you are saying makes sense. He acts like it is a punishment instead of a pleasureable experience. I don't like to make him get in it anymore than he likes going in it. I will definately try this. When he grabs my hand playing if I walk off he stops I just wasn't wanting this to become a problem. He is normally quite, gentle and very loving as we know they can be. I take him out playing every night when I get off work and at lunch we go walking and then I take him out playing before I go to work. In our room (the basement) he has balls, toys, the couch, chair, bed (etc.) he is free to roam. Thanks for your help I will let you know how it goes and if you can think of anymore things I can try I am up for suggestions. (P.S.) Never do I hit my Jax. I never hit my children. Discipline does not have to be physical.