Have you ever watched the Dog Whisperer? That guy really knows how dogs think! Before I watched several episodes of that show, I was like you---I didn't understand dogs. Oddly enough, people are a lot like dogs too.
Dogs are exceptionally aware of body language; they can read people better than most people can read people. And they are constantly watching us. Haha!
It sounds like your dog is insecure and aggressive (in spite of his size). Your reflex of giving him a little punch was not the proper reaction, but it was better than doing nothing---in that it let the dog know he's not allowed to bite you in order to dominate you.
He needs a leader; he needs to know who is in control and once he does, he will feel better and not confused about his role in your pack (you, you're girlfriend, and him).
You can establish your leadership by taking him for daily walks--never letting him lead you. Also, correct his bad behaviour immediately with a firm "no" (don't say his name, that will only confuse him). Eye contact, touching, and food are all rewards/attention for a dog, so never give these things unless they are deserved. For people, the eye-contact is a hard one.
Start small and basic with the training, so he can start to feel confident in his understanding of what's good and what's bad. Always give him lots of praise and attention when he's crapped/peed in the rights spots, but don't do anything (negative or positive) when he does it in the wrong spots.
The barking is difficult to correct, but will probably subside once he starts feeling more secure about his role as a follower and you the leader. Dogs interpret people talking/yelling as barking, so yelling at a barking dog will only make them bark more.
Watch some Dog Whisperer shows and maybe take him to a few obedience classes. But, I think you're pretty normal to feel like the two of you don't click because you aren't getting along. You live with each other and, as the human, it's up to you to make it a more comfortable relationship. Good Luck. :)
I want to kill my girlfriends pet sometimes, is it normal?
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Have you ever watched the Dog Whisperer? That guy really knows how dogs think! Before I watched several episodes of that show, I was like you---I didn't understand dogs. Oddly enough, people are a lot like dogs too.
Dogs are exceptionally aware of body language; they can read people better than most people can read people. And they are constantly watching us. Haha!
It sounds like your dog is insecure and aggressive (in spite of his size). Your reflex of giving him a little punch was not the proper reaction, but it was better than doing nothing---in that it let the dog know he's not allowed to bite you in order to dominate you.
He needs a leader; he needs to know who is in control and once he does, he will feel better and not confused about his role in your pack (you, you're girlfriend, and him).
You can establish your leadership by taking him for daily walks--never letting him lead you. Also, correct his bad behaviour immediately with a firm "no" (don't say his name, that will only confuse him). Eye contact, touching, and food are all rewards/attention for a dog, so never give these things unless they are deserved. For people, the eye-contact is a hard one.
Start small and basic with the training, so he can start to feel confident in his understanding of what's good and what's bad. Always give him lots of praise and attention when he's crapped/peed in the rights spots, but don't do anything (negative or positive) when he does it in the wrong spots.
The barking is difficult to correct, but will probably subside once he starts feeling more secure about his role as a follower and you the leader. Dogs interpret people talking/yelling as barking, so yelling at a barking dog will only make them bark more.
Watch some Dog Whisperer shows and maybe take him to a few obedience classes. But, I think you're pretty normal to feel like the two of you don't click because you aren't getting along. You live with each other and, as the human, it's up to you to make it a more comfortable relationship. Good Luck. :)