Your advice for an agressive dog, please!! - Page 1

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iloveshepherds

by iloveshepherds on 11 October 2008 - 22:10

I have a large male German Shepherd, approximately 4-5 years old.  I rescued him from a man who kept him tied to a chain by offering him some money to let me take him.  He had a severe case of heartworms, an embedded collar and his ears and eyebrows had been chewed by flies.  He was also about 30 pounds underweight.  $3200 and 8 months later he heartworm free and a gorgeous boy about 85 pounds.  He has not been neutered yet because we had to take care of his other problems first.  He is deathly afraid of a water hose because the old bastard that had him used it as a control tool. 

He has become a most beautiful boy, however, he is unpredictable and agressive.  I can't grab his bowl to feed him because he puts his feet in it, tenses up and growls when I get near it- same with his water bowl.  He will not allow my other dogs around him anymore and when a puppy went to his fence he bit through the chain link after the puppy and I know he would have killed him.  He has grabbed my weedeater and punctured the tires on my lawnmower.  When I was brushing him a couple months ago, I pulled on his leash to turn him around and he raised above my head with his paw on my shoulder and snarled and barked about 4 inches from my face.  We got him a new automatic feeder a few days ago and now we can't get near it to refill it because he won't let us, and he cornered my 16 year old son when he tried.

I am having a really hard time with thinking of the options for this dog.  Medically, there is nothing wrong with him as we did many tests on him within the last few weeks. When he gets upset now he spins around and around growling.  I have agonized over the fact that I might not be able to show him the loving life he's been missing, however, its reached a point where I am almost afraid of him.  I have rescued many dogs and have never had this happen.  Any advice would be appreciated.


iloveshepherds

by iloveshepherds on 11 October 2008 - 22:10

Thank you


by hodie on 11 October 2008 - 23:10

Just based on what you are saying you have two options. One is to simply have the dog put down. His behavior is clearly dangerous and beyond your skill level to deal with. Secondly, IF and only IF you have someone really competent in the area who is willing to work with you on his behavior issues, you might hire them and give it a try. He should be neutered immediately, but at this late date, it likely will make little or no difference in his behavior or aggression levels. One thing that might work as correction might be the judicious use of the water hose, but this is not very practical sometimes. However, without someone who is highly skilled and experienced to help you, you will not change anything. Displaying this sort of behavior in a shelter would most certainly designate him for euthanasia immediately.

Further, if you are already afraid of the dog, as well you should be by your own description, you may be in way over your head. Dogs sense when someone is afraid and they will take advantage of that fact. Many dogs will try and take advantage of people who are not strong leaders and who do not know how to set limits. With a dog who has been treated as he was early on, you had no chance to set limits and you can bet that the limits were not set by the idiot who owned him. 

I am sure many here will write and give you all kinds of ideas about what to do yourself to try to "save" the dog. I am an experienced GSD rescuer of 12 years plus and have evaluated hundreds of dogs.  I will tell you now that advice that suggests you keep this dog probably is way off base and may, in the end, get you, your son, or someone else or an animal seriously injured. It is difficult to know if the dog could be backed down to understand he is not in charge. If I could see him and evaluate him, I could likely tell you whether there was a reasonable chance or not. But, if you can find no one to help you, my strong advice is to consider euthanizing him before he hurts someone or another animal. If you keep him, in no uncertain terms, you must learn to be the leader and be prepared to win any challenge he offers you, including physical challenges. It does not seem likely that you are able to do that and doing so, in any case, would be potentially very dangerous. Is it worth it? I have to say no, thinking foremost of your personal safety.

Sadly, we cannot save all dogs. Owners often condemn the dog long before the dog comes to the attention of rescues or shelters. Do not feel badly that you tried to do the right thing. The animal has been ruined by someone else, and may be unsalvageable.

Good luck.


Uber Land

by Uber Land on 11 October 2008 - 23:10

I have to agree with Hodie, put him down.  he is a danger to you, and to society.  end his misery before he gets ahold of a child or you have a law suit on your hands.  I have had to put down 2 gsd for this reason, 1 was severely abused before she came here, would do well for a few weeks, then basically regress back to the way she was when I got her.  She was a fear biter, HATED children(no fear there, she would go for a small child), could clear a 6 ft kennel, so I put her down before she jumped the fence and attacked one of our neighborhood kids. I did not want that on my conscience and do not think you would either

Its not worth it having a dog like that around.  just find comfort in the fact that you tried your best and did everything possible to help him.  he is just too damaged.


jletcher18

by jletcher18 on 11 October 2008 - 23:10

ecellent post Hodie, and very well stated.  i  had the same feelings when i first read this message, but im not that good with words of this nature.

john


RLHAR

by RLHAR on 11 October 2008 - 23:10

As much as I hate to say it, because you can't say it is the dog's fault -it sounds like he was in a horrible situation- but putting him down might be the only option at this point.

Though I can tell you are offering him the best chance at love it doesn't sound to me like he's a 'happy' dog or could be given the lengths he believes he has to go to to protect himself, even in a loving environment.  Please understand, I in no way mean that as a reflection of the care and love you've shown him.


tigermouse

by tigermouse on 11 October 2008 - 23:10

positive reinforcement and time

you will never be able to trust this dog ,but with patience you might get somewhere.

I agree with hodie that perhaps putting the dog to sleep is the best option, but i don't give up easily lol

i have a shepherd x malamute who sounds like your boy. he was a bloody nightmare but after 5 years of kindness and patience he is now livable with. that is not to say he is trusted and never with my kids.

if you are afraid of him this will only make things worse as he will feed off your fear this dog really needs a calm confident and above all experienced home

the food aggression is a major problem and must be addressed i got around my boy by feeding little and often and once his bowl was on the floor throwing bits of cheese ham or hot dog towards him if he growled at me i just stayed still and didn't throw anymore treats to him he soon learnt that growling got him no where lol

take everything super slow and never push him, but on the other hand don't let his bad behavior get him what he wants(to be left alone)

and please for the love of God keep your kids away its not worth an injured child.

you really need a or a professional trainer.

don't feel bad if you have to call it a day tho, you have done your best

kind regards Tracie.

ps i agree with hodie get him done ASAP!


LillyBug

by LillyBug on 12 October 2008 - 00:10

As others have said, personal feelings for this dog aside, you need to do what's best for yourself and your family. Besides, regardless what you believe where he will go in "the after life" I truly believe that our beloved animals are taken care of, if you get my drift.

You have shown him more kindness in 8 months then he has probably seen in a lifetime, so you have made his last few months worth it, but you are at a fork in the road where you can either keep him, and as others have said, never trust him, and fear him, or you can do the noble thing by him, and let him move on.

I had a Shepherd x Chow mix, named Sable, cutest damn dog, but I had rescued her as well, and she bit a relative of mine, and then when I tried to stop her from going after a visitor I had, she lunged, and bit me pretty dang good in the face. It hurt like no other to put her to sleep, but you are only putting yourself, and others at risk by having this dog around, and believe me, it ain't a joy for the dog to be acting like this either, can you only imagine the emotions that run through this dogs head? Fear? Anger? Regret?

I don't care what others say, I do believe dogs do feel a full aray of emotions.

Not sure if I can comfort, or be of assistance, but if you need someone to talk to, I am usually on the computer, considering the fact that I have no dogs of my own at the present moment. Take care,

Feel free to PM me.


iloveshepherds

by iloveshepherds on 12 October 2008 - 00:10

Thank you all very much for your time.  This is just difficult for me because I have had GSDs all my life and have never had one I couldn't get through to.  I have never questioned euthanizing an unhealthy or injured dog that was suffering- but I have never had to consider euthanasia due to this reason.  I just feel so sorry for him because none of this is his fault.  My 16 year old son by the way is 6'2", 225 pounds, and has always played nicely with him, but of course now, is not allowed in the yard with him.  My vet has recommended putting him down but I wanted to hear it from my peers.  Thank you all again!


by Preston on 12 October 2008 - 00:10

Hodie has many years of experience dealing with these kinds of problems and knows a great deal.   I think her advice is spot on.  You would be wise to heed it.  Your first responsibility is to protect yourself and your family and then other pets he may hurt.  This situation is exactly why abuse and neglect of dogs is such a serious offense. 






 


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