I have a dog who’s about 10 to 11 months old. Recently, my family has been struggling with his excessive energy, and it’s reached a point where it sometimes feels hard to manage. Initially, we thought it wasn’t a big deal, but things got serious when he began to act aggressively towards my mom, especially when my sister or I were around. I looked online and found that this could be linked to territorial behavior or fear. There was one incident where he launched at her, which made things really concerning. I wasn’t there at the time, so I didn’t see the whole thing, but I wondered if he was being playful or aggressive. We’ve scolded him for this behavior because he can’t be acting out like that towards my mom. But the attacks have happened two or three times now, and my mom has become scared of him. She has even asked us to choose between her and the dog. I love my mom, but my dog is like my son to me—he’s my emotional support and my best friend. Now they’re talking about giving him back, and I’m lost on what to do. What should I do?
Have you tried training the dog? They need guidance to learn how to behave. Just scolding won’t fix the issues. You really need to consider extensive training or rehoming if no one is willing to put in the effort.
@Cleo
I get that, but it feels overwhelming. I don’t want to abandon him.
It sounds like nobody has taught this puppy how to behave. You’ve really done him a disservice. If you don’t have the tools or knowledge, it’s not fair to expect him to act right.
Is anyone making sure the dog gets enough exercise? That could really help with his energy.
Lenox said:
Is anyone making sure the dog gets enough exercise? That could really help with his energy.
My dad takes him out when I’m at school, and when I’m home, I usually spend time with him exercising. I think I’ll try to increase the time we spend out.
If you can’t provide enough exercise and proper training, rehoming might be the kindest choice for him. He deserves a good environment to thrive.
Vanya said:
If you can’t provide enough exercise and proper training, rehoming might be the kindest choice for him. He deserves a good environment to thrive.
I know, but I really don’t want to lose him. It just hurts to think about.
This dog doesn’t sound like a good fit for your family right now. If he’s becoming reactive, that’s a serious issue that needs a lot of time and dedication to resolve.
Merritt said:
This dog doesn’t sound like a good fit for your family right now. If he’s becoming reactive, that’s a serious issue that needs a lot of time and dedication to resolve.
I’ve been looking for advice on how to manage it. I’ll check out more training resources.
Definitely consider professional training. It sounds like he needs someone to help you both communicate better. Plus, he might need more exercise overall.