I'm a dog walker and need advice about an aggressive Maltese?

Tigerkitten

New member
This 3 year old Maltese behaves exactly like his owner. Self entitled, Alpha, thinks he's running the show. I get it, i've seen it BUT i've been a dog walker for 11 years and normally i'm able to get all dogs to like me after spending some time with them. Not so with this dog and i don't know what to do to get him on a leash. Here's the scenario: He's kept in a crate. I walk in, he barks at me. I sit down until he stops barking. I stand up, he starts barking again but b/c of time constraints, i let him out of the crate. He barks at me and doesn't stop. I get treats out, stops the barking but it's not causing us to bond at all, he just looks at me as a treat dispenser of HIS treats, not mine. I understand he believes he owns everything in the apt. I go to touch his collar to put the leash on and i get that look of death. I got the leash on him but it was luck the way i managed. Tomorrow's my second day, any advice? He is a biter, i know that. I just need to be able to clip the leash on the collar without him biting me. And don't call me a baby b/c it's just a Maltese. I'm trying to form a bond with this dog and am looking for new ways i may not have heard of.
 
Nix the treats until he behaves correctly. I know it's tough, but I wouldn't try to appease this dog at all. Do what you can to get the leash on, whether it's a muzzle or covering his head with a towel.. whatever you have to do. Walk him like you walk the rest of the dogs, and treat him when he behaves well. In time, he'll learn to respect you.
 
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