Advice needed. I am afraid that I may have to put my dog down.

Sarsie

Winewaiter wrote: »

Do you think behaviourists work with this type of problem?

They absolutely, definately, totally, certainly do. Am 101% sure on this one... This type of problem is the stock-in-trade of a behaviourist.



I admit I didn't see the rest of the replies before I waded in and recommended the book, so I am sorry. Had I seen that you are open to the behaviourist route I would have been straight in there backing that idea up.

So I change my tune slightly...

• Still get the book, it's important to understand him yourself.
• But get a vet appointment just to check it's not medical as soon as you can, also book the neutering in while you're there.
• Then phone a behaviourist with a good reputation as soon as you get back from the vet if the vet confirms it's not physical.

That you're scared fo him is gonna be making him worse, then you worse, then him worse and so on... It becomes a very rapid spiral downwards then. That he's not getting any walks at all is gonna send his behaviour worse too as he's not using his energy up, but I have every sympathy with your fear so please don't feel judged because I'm totally on your side inside ok. Things have got so bad that I can see why you're on the verge of destroying him, I think it's totally understandable. But he's also very savable I swear.

You need to be treating it as urgent now, vets then behaviourist (and also read up on dog thinking).

I'm so sad you both are going through this but there is hope, I promise there is hope. Many many dogs are as bad as him or even much worse and turn back into loving civilised "people" with the right handling and advice. Keep hope in your heart for now and get a good behaviourist as soon as you can (as soon as the vet confirms there's no illness).

I've had worse, and I've changed them into better. It's all about dominance with dogs but none of the rules are obvious at all, someone has to teach you. You will learn, and so will he. Hopefully bfore he does anything unforgivable.

Sagaris

Sarsie wrote: »

Hope this helps, but that book is a good place to start, and there is a woman who does TV programs whose name escapes me. She is a slightly-built and fairly pretty lady with a habit of dressing retro (I think she drives a classic car too but I'm not sure). She speaks very quietly, she never gets excitable and she retrains problem dogs... If anyone can work out who I'm talking about please do watch any of her programs, they are really useful in beginning to understand the world your dog thinks he lives in.

Good luck with him, I'm sure you're both just misunderstanding each other and that it'll be really easy to sort out when you can see what he sees and how to get through to him.

Victoria Stilwell is her name, if you look on the TV listings website and type in 'It's Me or the Dog' you will find lots of repeats on at the moment - I think Sky 3 is showing the USA shows which are just as relevant to us. I've got her book and it's very good - it's helping us with our 5 year old dog, anyway!

tankgirl1

Sarsie wrote: »

Hope this helps, but that book is a good place to start, and there is a woman who does TV programs whose name escapes me. She is a slightly-built and fairly pretty lady with a habit of dressing retro (I think she drives a classic car too but I'm not sure). She speaks very quietly, she never gets excitable and she retrains problem dogs... If anyone can work out who I'm talking about please do watch any of her programs, they are really useful in beginning to understand the world your dog thinks he lives in.

Victoria Stilwell
http://positively.com/

Sarsie

Sagaris wrote: »

I've got her book and it's very good

I didn't know she had a book, I would like to read it she's very insightful, what is it called please?

Mutter_2

Winewaiter wrote: »

Well I am just about to book him in for an appointment for the vet mainly to be neutered and will ask him to check him out. He doesn't seem unwell and it's not such a sudden change. There has been one small incident after another with him initially barking at friends/family. Then the electricity man, then the drunken man. Just seems to be getting worse. Do appreciate all the advice and help from this forum. Thanks

Hope to save you some money.

Many good behaviourists ask for a referral from Vet. i.e to discount any medical reasons for their behaviour. Get it at same time as neutering to save a further fee.

I so sympathise as I am going through similar, though mine is wonderful at home but has bad dog aggression.

ali-t

I believe the stats are that the majority of dog bites are from un-neutered males but there is the chance that neutering your boy could make him worse (if he loses his confidence through the removal of testosterone). I would second what the other posters are saying about a vet check. If your insurance has cover for behaviourists you could get a referrel through your vet and this would indicate that you are keen to resolve the issue. this will potentially go in your favour if the drunk man or meter reader want to take any action.

A behaviourist would also be able to identify if your boy is trying to take over the world or is exhibiting a fear response and these both require very different approaches to tackle them.

I would wish you good luck but relying on luck in this situation would be foolhardy- it requires consistency, patience and a concerted effort on behalf of yourself and your family.

mrcol1000

I think its very stupid to leave a dog that you know is aggressive towards people and has even bitten someone tied up outside a shop! Muzzle or no muzzle! What if it had been a little child that hasn't be taught not to go up to dogs it does not know to say hello??? I think thats awful and really irresonsible.
As for your problem just because the dog is aggressive does not mean it needs to be put down. You just need to find out if its medical and if not get some proffesional help. Find a trainer or beahviourist and in the meantime just be very careful about taking the dog out. You don't have to keep him locked in the garden just try and walk him at quiet times in quiet areas and if you think he is to react towards someone then without fuss or making the dog alarmed just cross the road or change direction.

cazcox

Is there any chance that the dog could of been played up or tormented when you have left him outside the shop on other occasions?

Winewaiter

Sarsie, thank you.

Still get the book, it's important to understand him yourself.

I will look up the book.

But get a vet appointment just to check it's not medical as soon as you can, also book the neutering in while you're there.

I have booked an appointment to have him seen and be neutered on Tuesday morning.

Then phone a behaviourist with a good reputation as soon as you get back from the vet if the vet confirms it's not physical.

Will definitely do this.

That you're scared fo him is gonna be making him worse, then you worse, then him worse and so on... It becomes a very rapid spiral downwards then.

I understand.

That he's not getting any walks at all is gonna send his behaviour worse too as he's not using his energy up, but I have every sympathy with your fear so please don't feel judged because I'm totally on your side inside ok.
Things have got so bad that I can see why you're on the verge of destroying him, I think it's totally understandable. But he's also very savable I swear.

This is what we want. Thank you so much for your advice.

Thank you to everyone on here who has offered advice. I am now feeling more confident about the future.

Winewaiter

Sarsie wrote: »

I didn't know she had a book, I would like to read it she's very insightful, what is it called please?

I looked this up. There are a few books by Victoria Stilwell on Amazon:

"Its me or the dog" or
"Its me or the dog: How to have the perfect pet[FONT=&quot][/FONT]