[Kaitlin1227]

Ok my mom and step dad have a male Papillon, they've had him for almost 2 years and he turned 3 this month. He has a very bad behavior problem, he seems to be ok around other dogs but people he is not. He will come up to you, rub on your leg or arm wanting you to pet him and there has been times he'll just snap at you. He's bit quite a few people including my mom and step dad numerous times. I dont know if the breed is known to be like that or what. I do know before they got him he was treated very poorly by a child but I just figured after being in a safe home so long he would get better. He isnt always trying to bite people but he acts like/tries to more than he doesnt. Any ideas would be greatly apprciated.

[lange]

Originally Posted by Kaitlin1227

He will come up to you, rub on your leg or arm wanting you to pet him and there has been times he'll just snap at you. He's bit quite a few people including my mom and step dad numerous times.

Are you sure that means he wants you to pet him? If I had to guess (which I do have to guess since I don't know your parents' dog) It sounds like he may actually be marking you with his scent, not inviting you to pet him. Some dogs mark with their bodies similarly to cats. Which can be a sign of dominance in a dog.

Does this dog follow commands on a daily basis or does he pretty much do as he pleases and not listen? If he doesn't listen, he may be biting and acting badly because he needs to put you in your place since he is, what I would consider, the alpha in that house. It happens more often with dogs that are small. It's called small dog syndrome but really it comes down to the owners being at fault for not properly training the dog.

If on the other hand this is a out of the blue, new behavior, you'll want to take this dog to be checked by a vet. When strange, new behaviors crop up they can be the result of illness in a dog. So, keep that in mind.

I'm going to add...some smaller dogs can also get intimidated by people constantly reaching for them, touching or picking them up when they don't want it. If you can start paying attention to his cues, body language and when the snapping is happening it can give you more insight.

[Kaitlin1227]

Well no I guess I dont know for sure if he's wanting to be petted it seems like it though. If you have your hand down by your leg where he can reach it he get under your hand (I guess that how to explain it) like hes trying to get your to pet him if that makes sense. He usually uses his head not body thats why I was thinking it was because he was wanting to be petted.
I do have to say they do baby this dog, even when he does bite, its like a quick "bad tucker" a swat on the behind and then I've seen a couple times when they have given him treats right afterward.
This is nothing new either, he's been doing it since they got him they figured he would grow out of it since he was still young and had been mistreated before.
I know theres been a couple times when hes bit either my mom or step-dad when they didnt even know he was there, they would reach for something and not realize he was laying near it and he would bite them.

[piratekitty]

Sounds like your parents have not been trainning him, and are rewarding bad behavior, by treating. Dogs dont know what they have done, and means nothing to them when you swatt them on the butt. First off good basic trainning, come, sit, down is very useful for letting your dog know who is pack leader. And only reward good behavior, with a excited voice, good boy, some treats or toy play time. Other trainning would be when feeding make him sit and wait when putting his food bowl down infront of him, then you say when he can eat. Don let him up on the couch with you till he sits in front of you and its your idea to let him up, not his. Make him sit and wait till you go thur the door first, then release him to go thur. These things may sound harsh to your parent, but your parents need to take control back. Also make time to play and walk the dog, use lots of praise. Most people think little dogs are oh so cute and dont need any trainning, they are the same as big dogs, and need training. Make training fun for the dog It will take time to break bad habits, but soon your Parents dog will look to your parents as pack leader and what to do and how to act. I have a small dog, and take him to trainning twice a week, and work with him were ever I go, its on going, but I have a happy well balanced Min Pin.

[Lara's mom]

This is a behaviour that needed to be corrected right from the get-go. It is going to be a lot harder now since the behaviour has been allowed for so long.