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| | Author | Messages | |
momof2boys
Posts:75
 | | 07/12/2007 1:43 PM |
 Alert | We have a retriever mix that we have had for about 4 1/2 years. Within the past year he has changed. He growls at my 6 year old anytime he comes near me (he has never bitten anyone) and whenever people come over I have to lock him in my bedroom because he goes absolutely nuts. I just dont know how much longer I can put up with him. He has been with us for over 4 years, and he's a great security dog, but I just am at my wits end with him.
We are considering giving him up because of his attitude, but the kids are so upset that we are even thinking about it. The dog is about 5, and I dont want to take him to the pound in fear that they would just put him to sleep.
Does anyone have any advice? I just dont know what to do with him anymore.I would like to keep him, but I just cannot allow him to growl at my son. | | | |
| | pkat
Posts:1051
| | 07/12/2007 1:53 PM |
Alert | If you take him to the pound they automatically put him to sleep. I'm not trying be mean, but thats just the way it is. You are the one in control, you need to let him know that. If it takes putting him on a leash when people are over and controlling him for 15 minutes untill he calms down. Ask some friends to help by being the visitors. Don't accept the growling behavior, again, if it takes 10 minutes to get the point across to him, don't give in, Be the boss. After a few times he'll get the idea.
I'd say have the boys participate too, they need to understand if they want to have a dog, they need to be more than just playmates with him. Believe me, the dog will enjoy being told what to do, it's personal time with the family he loves, and will let him know his place in the home. | |
..... If you can dream it, I can build it.
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." -- Oscar Wilde | |
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| | Pet Social Worker
Posts:0
| | 07/12/2007 2:50 PM |
Alert | Good advice pkat.
Animal Care & Control is over capacity. Owner surrenders are barely lasting 4 days now. They actually just put down 2 dogs from RED that were found, picked up by AC&C but then tracked by the finder who was willing to take them back if they were scheduled to be PTS. She called daily to check their progress & even found placement for both dogs w/ the Humane Society (who is also now full.) She called the day she was scheduled to pick them up and was told they were PTS. No one even bothered to call her or give her an option to pick them up as she was told she could. THEY SUCK in my book right now.
Here are some local trainers to consult:
Troy Ballard - Paws for Reflections - People Training for Dogs - 602-318-0714 / 520-424-3016
Leo Reynolds - Attentive K-9 Companions - 480-703-9045 | | | |
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| | Michelle
Posts:102
| | 07/12/2007 4:19 PM |
Alert | Didn't the same thing happen to that emaciated chocolate lab from RED? My boyfriend was on a waiting list for him with four other people, none of whom were called before he was PTS. I never found out why he was euthanized, but it seemed suspicious that someone would flame the Pets section about him, condemning us for our interest (which he or she felt came at the expense of the other homeless dogs at the pound) at the same time that AC&C told me "Don't call us, we'll call you" in response to my almost daily requests for updates on his status.
The City of Maricopa needs its own shelter, preferably a no-kill with an active volunteer base. I still haven't figured out how Pinal County manages to adopt out any animals at all with their shelters open only on the weekdays during work hours .... | |
I used to be Chelle.
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich | |
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| | Takingabreak
Posts:334
| | 07/12/2007 7:12 PM |
Alert | We got the book by the "Dog Whisperer" and used some of his suggestions. It really works, especially when we stay consistent. My vet also told us that the dog must understand that it is the lowest on the totem pole.
A few things we did:
1. Exercise the dog, walk the dog on the leash and the dog must never be in front of you. (My friend had a trainer help them and was told the dog must never walk in front of you even during normal daily routine stuff like going upstairs or walking to the couch. Best place for the dog to walk is a little behind you.
2. We make our dogs sit before they can leave or enter the house. We go first then call the dog. This helped with bolting dogs.
3. If the dog growls, we make it lie down on it's back in the submissive position.
4. Always feed your dog after you eat. For some reason that worked the best for us.
Also if this just came on recently, maybe your dog is sick. My grandmothers dog got surly, turned out she had a painful hernia. Once fixed she went back to her sweet tempered self.
I think Pet Social Worker knows a trainer that might be able to help.
Let us know how it turns out, we are pulling for you. | |
Need a tax write off? Donate to the Maricopa SALVATION ARMY EMERGENCY SERVICES FUND. | |
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| | socrlvr
Posts:86
| | 07/12/2007 8:41 PM |
Alert | | Leo is a wonderful trainer and specializes with agressive dogs. Attentive k9 480-703-9045. It was expensive but worth every penny. | | | |
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|  | Pet Social Worker
Posts:0
| | 07/13/2007 4:21 AM |
Alert | | Just chatted w/ Leo (via email) today. He's avail. to take on new customers. Not sure about Troy...she probably is to but I haven't spoken to or emailed her in awhile. | | | |
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| | momof2boys
Posts:75
| | 07/13/2007 8:20 AM |
Alert | Thanks for all of the responses. I think we might check into a trainer, so thank you for the phone numbers and suggestions.
We absolutely do NOT want to give him up, but I cannot tolerate him growling at my 6 year old. He's been in our family for over 4 years, and he is a part of it, but his behavior is hard to handle.
Again, thanks for the suggestions and phone numbers!! | | | |
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| | reina
Posts:271
| | 07/13/2007 12:55 PM |
Alert | We used Troy with Paws for Reflection. We have three boxers, and they were really jumpy around our then 1 year old. They had complete disregard for her being in a room and would knock her over. After taking control of the situation, they respond to her now, and she is only 2. I was like you, I would not tolerate anything (playful or not) when it came to my child. It was good to get a trainer in the house to assess the situation and tell us how to work with it.
My suggestion - find a trainer that will come to YOU in your own house. | | | |
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| | starlaisme
Posts:55
| | 07/13/2007 3:04 PM |
Alert | | I too am having issues with my dog and I called Leo and he is coming out on Wed, thanks for his number. I am hopeful we can work out the issues with my dog. | |
25MPH in VRED: not just a good idea, it's the law. | |
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| | TheShermanator
Posts:277
| | 07/14/2007 6:31 AM |
Alert | When was the last time he was at the vet?
Patton began growling and even snapping at me for no reason, and after a trip to the vet, we found he was in pain from him leg. He has an arthritis-like condition in his hind leg, and when it flares up, and hurts him, he tends to get cranky, and growl and snap. A little round of predisone (sp?), and he's back to normal.
Whenever I hear of an animal who is growling or snapping for no reason, 'out of the blue,' I always first suggest a trip to the vet to rule out any medical issues.
I growl and snap at me husband when I have a migraine. Hee hee. | |
Formerly known as 'greytxracers'
"My greyhound is smarter than your honor student"
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| | momof2boys
Posts:75
| | 07/14/2007 10:23 AM |
Alert | TheShermanator, when this all first started up we took him to the vet and had him completely looked over. We had the vet do blood work on him to make sure everything looked okay, and he got a clean bill of health.
I think his biggest problem is jealousy. He just gets so worked up when I'm giving my attention to my 6 year old and not him. | | | |
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| | Tigg
Posts:549
| | 07/14/2007 10:30 AM |
Alert | | Being jealous of the 6 year old and reaciting like that is not a good thing. Especially since you've had him checked by the vet and know that he's physically fine, you really should give Leo a call. He is really good with aggressive behaviors and dominant dogs. | | | |
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| | TheShermanator
Posts:277
| | 07/15/2007 6:49 AM |
Alert | Jealousy? Ugh. Good luck, and definately work with the trainer
Good Luck! | |
Formerly known as 'greytxracers'
"My greyhound is smarter than your honor student"
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| | demonica
Posts:850
| | 07/15/2007 1:35 PM |
Alert | | to reiterate what others have said, and what i am sure the trainer will tell you as well, the main thing you need to do is let the dog know you are the boss! you must be the alpha, as your family is your dog's "pack". it is equally important for the dog to know that while you are the alpha, above both the dog and the children in the pecking order, the children are above the dog. the dog is always the low man on the totem pole. there are behaviors that seem perfectly innocent to us as humans that send a very different message to a dog. for example: does your dog ever stand over your 6 year old while the child is playing on the floor? in the dog's mind, this makes him dominant. does your child ever roll over on his back while playing with the dog? again, this signals the child's submission to the dog. in addition to the trainer, i would suggest reading whatever you can get your hands on about this issue. good luck, you will be in my thoughts, especially since we will be bringing a human "puppy" into our house soon and these are issues i am giving a lot of thought to myself. | | | |
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| | Tigg
Posts:549
| | 07/15/2007 2:06 PM |
Alert | Demonica is right about the pecking order - the dog needs to know that you are the alpha, then the kids, then the dog. Kuma knows that it's me, then any kids that may be around, then the cats, then her.
Kuma knows that children are not only to be respected but also to be treated gently because they are little and she could knock them over without even trying if she isn't careful. She knows that children are to be looked out for and watched over, not to be agressive with. With her this is engrained in her personality, but any dog needs to at least be taught the basics of this concept if it doesn't come naturally - that kids are higher than the dog in the pecking order. | | | |
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| | socrlvr
Posts:86
| | 07/15/2007 2:49 PM |
Alert | | Speaking of Leo, I am so sad...today was our last day of training with him. We learned sooooo much from him. The dogs picked everything up and when I slack a little I feel like there is a little bird on my shoulder telling me how I should have handled it. He definately taught us to take control. Leo does training with a passion, it is very noticeable. He will love your dog like it is his own. Good Luck!!! | | | |
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| | JillyBean
Posts:375
| | 07/15/2007 3:12 PM |
Alert | Here is an end-all-be-all article to making sure your dogs knows who's boss
http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm
and another
http://www.sonic.net/~cdlcruz/GPCC/library/alpha.htm | |
Tens of THOUSANDS of pure-bred dogs are killed in shelters in the Us EVERY YEAR!
Do your part
~Spay or Neuter your pets
~DON'T buy animals from irresponsible breeders..
~There is an adoption group for every breed of dog.. | |
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| | Pet Social Worker
Posts:0
| | 07/16/2007 7:14 AM |
Alert | | good info. jill - I just saved both to my favorites to use for the future and give to others. much appreciated. | | | |
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| | momof2boys
Posts:75
| | 07/16/2007 2:47 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By JillyBean on 07/15/2007 3:12 PM
http://www.sonic.net/~cdlcruz/GPCC/library/alpha.htm</div>
Thank you SO much for this link!! I read it, and it is our situation almost exactly, especially this part of it:
"If the dog respects certain members of the family but not others, let the others be the ones to feed him and bring the good things to his life for now. Show them how to make him obey the SIT command and how to walk away and ignore him if he won't do as he's told. It's important that your whole family follows this program. Dogs are like kids - if they can't have their way with Mom, they'll go ask Dad. In your dog's case, if he finds a member of the family that he can dominate, he'll continue to do so. You want your dog to learn that he has to respect and obey everyone. Remember - his place is at the bottom of the totem pole. Bouncing him from the top spot helps but if he thinks he's anywhere in the middle, you're still going to have problems."
Again, thank you SO much for those links! | | | |
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