patterdale bite other dog :(

CFC

Exactly, Bethie. Those rather 'know it all' posters insinuating I have lost my mind and am giving out advice that should be reported do not seem to be aware that there are classes that are NOT for cute puppies!

:rotfl:

Most older dogs that are going to basic obedience classes are going because they have a problem, not to learn to Cruft's standard! Sometimes that problem is non stop barking, sometimes the problem is aggression towards other dogs, the problems can be of any kind. A dog aggressive dog wearing a muzzle and controlled by its owner is not a danger in a dog class providing it is correctly controlled and the trainer is happy with the situation.
I have been in a basic obedience class where we all had to ensure that we kept our dog away from the aggressive one and that the aggressive dog was controlled. On occasion the dog was worked with separately by the second trainer, on occasion the dog was kept with the main class (under control). One other dog was judged too extreme by the trainer, and too large, to be safely part of the class.

Obedience class training can cover a wide extremes of behaviour, it doesn't hurt to attend a class and discuss the behaviours with the trainer (obviously having discussed the behaviour with said trainer at the point of making arrangements to attend).

Some of you make dog keeping into a religion and yourselves into High Priests, judging from the way you post!

But then, I guess you have to take that approach if you want to make a living from being 'a dog behaviourist' instead of a 'trainer' I suppose - something we had never heard of 25 years ago.

sarabe

CFC wrote: »

OP, an individual behaviourist is extremely expensive, however it might be worth muzzling him and taking him to obedience training class. You will not only get advice from the trainer but he will have the opportunity to socialise despite himself. It is certainly worth a try, you have nothing to lose and the lessons will only run you about £8 for two hours.

CFC, a dog with issues does not need to go to obedience training classes.

FYI I run a reactive dog class and the dogs do not need to be muzzled. They are never put into a situation where they would want to bite. They are kept below threshold.

catkins

Another one with a problem dog here! He was the perfect dog and loved all other dogs big and small, played with them all, until he was attacked by a labrador. He was on the lead so could not get away and did not retaliate in any way. He is now wary of others dogs, mainly labs and usually male but has been funny to other dogs, puppies, !!!!!es etc.

I have been to behaviourists with no joy, mainly because there is no pattern to his behaviour. He can be fine with a dog, sometimes for months, then one day he is funny to it. He has not bitten another dog but he snarls and looks frightening and I just do not trust him. He loves people and children though.

My solution is to muzzle him if he is off lead. He has to have time off lead because he is a big dog and needs to run.
I spent ages working on his recall and now if he is off lead and I see another dog I call him back to me. If my dog seems as if he wants to play with the other dog I will ask the owner if they mind my dog playing with theirs. I just tell them that there is no way he can hurt their dog because of the fact he is muzzled and they are nearly always ok with that.

I would suggest muzzling your dog at least for a while whilst working hard on the recall. You will be able to see when he is muzzled what his reaction to other dogs is. It may have been a one off when he bit the other dog but by muzzling him you can ensure it will not happen again and give yourself time to ascertain what he is really like.

ali-t

suki1964 wrote: »

What is the point of putting a dog that has dog aggression in a class full of dogs?????

This is why these threads need to be reported to admin - dangerous advice is given out all too freely

Suki, sometimes that can be the way to do it. An aggressive dog can be in the class observing from a distance to help the dog see there is nothing to fear or that other dogs don't pose a threat. It isn't necessarily about putting the dog in as a regular participant.

fly_dragon_fly

its interesting to read the replies to what people think about classes.

i spoke to at least 5 different dog specialist and 3 of them have said to bring the dog to a class for behavior problem dogs and go from there.

we took him for a walk in the woods the other day on his lead and he came across 4 other dogs so we put a muzzle on him when these dogs were near and told him to "leave it!" in a firm voice whilst holding him next to us, which he did and once they'd passed we took the muzzle of him again.

x

sarabe

http://www.k9aggression.com/Aggression/aggression_main.html

Padstow

suki1964 wrote: »

What is the point of putting a dog that has dog aggression in a class full of dogs?????

This is why these threads need to be reported to admin - dangerous advice is given out all too freely

The odd thing is, mine is perfectly behaved in the Vet's waiting room full of dogs!
I saw a GSD on TV, cured of his obsession with a tennis ball. Instead of throwing one ball, he was thrown dozens all at once. Poor dog looked so confused and walked away.
Maybe mine thinks the same when faced with a lot of dogs. "Good grief, I don't know where to start.":D

CFC

sarabe wrote: »

CFC, a dog with issues does not need to go to obedience training classes.

FYI I run a reactive dog class and the dogs do not need to be muzzled. They are never put into a situation where they would want to bite. They are kept below threshold.

Sarabe we will have to agree to differ.

a) I actually think that all dogs need to go to obedience classes and that dogs with problems need to go more than most, unless a trainer determines that they are too dangerous to attend a class

b) Whether or not you would feel a dog might want to bite, personally if I had an aggressive dog I would want it to be muzzled in a class unless the advice was to unmuzzle it. At the very least, there is the usual milling around in the car park waiting for the class to start in which it could come near to another dog and start off. Muzzle = peace of mind, not cruelty.

Dragonfly - best of luck, I do really hope it works out well for you.

fly_dragon_fly

we'll he hasn't improved at all still tries to eat dogs / cats and all other animals. think we may have to re home him ourselves x

sarabe

fly_dragon_fly wrote: »

we'll he hasn't improved at all still tries to eat dogs / cats and all other animals. think we may have to re home him ourselves x

Have you sought any professional help?