Dog Aggression (fear)

reetpetite

Hi All, I'm looking for a pet behaviorist in Scotland, Glasgow area if poss. My Baffo is 18 months old and is beginning to show signs of aggression. He has never bitten me but I think I am in real need of Dog behavior Therapy. Can anyone out there tell me of anyone they have used or herd of that are good at what they do.

Thanks Anyway

foreign_correspondent

Hi,

I dont know of any in Scotland but I am sorry you are having problems but glad you are looking at a behavioralist for him. With aggression you do need to choose carefully as it needs to be dealt with by someone who really knows their stuff.

I am sure someone will be along with a recommendation soon, and I think there is a body that some trainers/behavioralists belong to which assures quality, but I cant remember the name, sorry!

What sort of dog is he?

Raksha

Why not ask your vet to refer him? Many behaviourists are members of the APDT, some are also APBC or PACT members.

scheming_gypsy

If your dog is showing signs of aggression i don't think its a behaviour therapist that you need but to work more on the pack order. It sounds as though he's the pack leader in the house and is trying to put you back in your place below him.
You need to show him that you're the pack leader and he's at the bottom of the pile (after human family members at least)

foreign_correspondent

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

If your dog is showing signs of aggression i don't think its a behaviour therapist that you need but to work more on the pack order. It sounds as though he's the pack leader in the house and is trying to put you back in your place below him.
You need to show him that you're the pack leader and he's at the bottom of the pile (after human family members at least)

He needs proper assesment first and its impossible to advise without observing the dog and knowing more about him alltogether- he may be showing signs of aggression for a whole raft of other reasons, such as fear or even pain (a vet check up can be a useful starting point and s/he may be able to advise a behaviouralist) - using the wrong technique for the individual dog could make the problem worse, and in the case of aggression its not worth the risk of getting it wrong, for the owners sake as well as the dogs.

If well meaning but misguided attempts are made at changing this behaviour and they backfire the dog may end up biting someone, injuring them and possibly being PTS.

adandem

I agree with the last poster, you really need to find your dogs trigger.

As your dog is 18 months old, is this a recent thing?

Sagz_2

Try contacting Dogs Trust in Glasgow - they should know people in the area than can help - or have you tried asking your Vet to refer you a Behaviourist?

pboae

Please do not take advice over the internet for aggression. No Half decent trainer or behaviourist would risk offering advice without seeing the dog first.

I would suggest you register on dogpages http://www.dogpages.org.uk/ and contact a member there called traceymcl

She is based in Stirlingshire, has a huge amount of experience and has successfully rehabilitated her own aggressive dog. I don't think she is actually a tranier, she does T-touch, but if she can't help you herself, she will be able to put you in touch with someone who can.

reetpetite

Thanks everyone for your advice. Baffo has been checked out by his vet and is in good health, I have asked my vet and various other professionals for there advise over the phone, but every time I ask, there is not one of them who has said "Yes, She/He is the person for you, as they always get great results". I know that there is someone out there that can help me but it's just getting the right person. As far as pack leader I think I'm getting there, as they say it's 24/7 non stop. The only thing I didn't mention about Baffo is that I have only had him for the past 7 months as his previous owners were moving abroad. His previous owners had never walked him on the leash, and just let him out the back garden, which was very small. He now walks to heal, comes when he's called and in general a pleasure to be with, apart from these outbursts.

Thanks again for all your advise, the more the better.

pboae

Don't get hung up on the pack leader stuff, a lot of it is nonsense, and can make things a lot worse when applied to a fear aggressive dog.

I think the registry that FC means is http://www.apdt.co.uk/ APDT

You won't get a definitive answer on trainers or behaviourists, it's not a one size fits all thing. Get as many recommendations as you can, speak to the trainer/behaviourists yourself, and choose one that you feel will understand and relate well to your dog. Ask them about the sorts of methods they use with fear aggression, if they talk about check chains, water pistols, rattle bottles, throw chains or spray/shock collars, then run a mile.

If you want a chat about the joys ;-) of living with a fear aggressive rescue dog, feel free to PM me.

foreign_correspondent

pboae wrote: »

I think the registry that FC means is http://www.apdt.co.uk/ APDT
.

thankyou, it is! I have a muggy head cold and am quite unable to think!:rotfl: