Is it time to bring in a trainer?
I need help. I have a two y/o male pitbull that doesn’t know the difference between normal body language (pointing, hugging, standing close by) and actual threatening behavior because my family thinks it’s funny to tease him.
Numerous members of my family think it’s funny to tease our dogs. This has resulted in behavioral issues that manifest as physical aggression, and after the last incident I think they finally understand they need to stop the teasing. They pretend to punch or slap each other while screaming to get the dogs riled up, or they’ll hug each other and say “mine, mine, mine.”
Today, my sister bent over my mother to check her stomach to see how it was healing after surgery, and my pitbull immediately went into defense mode and had her hand in his mouth. He did not bite her, but he was growling and essentially issuing her a warning. Before this, he was just chewing on his toy and behaving normally. She didn’t do anything to rile him up; he simply saw her do this and immediately went at her. This is now the second time he’s done this to a member of my family. How do I unfuck his behavior? Can it even be done?
I have advocated for him and will continue to do so, so please don’t think I just let this happen and didn’t try to stop it. I have tried and still am, but I live in an abusive household so getting my abusers to listen to me has not been easy. They’re finally getting it through their heads that they have to stop the teasing, but only because his behavior is escalating. I don’t want him to hurt anyone. Please help