advice needed asap.

orlao

zaksmum wrote: »

But how can he defend himself if he's muzzled and he is attacked?

That's MY job, not his.

If my dog is attacked I will intervene and by hook or crook breakup the fight. I have done so in the past and may have to again in the future. TBH very few dogs (even DA ones!) could 'fight off' a serious attack by another dog so it would need human intervention anyway.

The thing is that if you have a dog that will try and do damage to another animal you do have a duty to protect others until you solve the problem - a muzzle is a relatively easy, non harmful way to do that. It allows you work on training - both human and canine - knowing that your dog cannot bite. It also provides a visual clue that people should keep their dogs away from yours, believe me that is hugely helpful while you are trying to deal with a fear aggressive dog. One numptie who lets their "friendly" dog bounce up to yours can set back training by miles...

OP,

The trainer sounds great, I'm really glad that you're getting some help:T

zaksmum

Person_one wrote: »

So irresponsible. :mad:

That's your opinion.

Wellyboots6

OP sounds like things are calming a little for you now, and you are getting the support you need

My boy now brings me his muzzle when he wants to go a walk, he just sees it as another piece of walking equipment, same as his lead.

He doesn't give a monkeys about wearing it, so why should anyone else care if he is wearing it!

It will help you relax, which will in turn relax him. Remember you are using it to keep other people/dogs safe, and also to protect your dog as if he were to get in to a scrap with another dog and a human were to end up getting bitten trying to intervene it could be bad for your dog.

Ignore any comments people make to the negative, they obviously don't appreciate that you are actually being responsible! Also enjoy the fact that your walks will be a lot less stressful as people will tend to give you a wide berth, so you don't need to be so on edge looking for the nearest bush to dart in to!

My boy has a bite history (both humans and dogs) and so I do what I need to limit any risk. I love him to pieces but I know he has his problems. It did take me a while to trust him, as he got me a few times when I first had him (I did know some of his history so knew what I was taking on). I eventually learnt to read his body language which was his way of telling people he wasn't happy. That helped a lot in being able to judge risk.

He is slowly improving with the dog issues, we are at a training class now where he can be in the same field as other dogs without his muzzle on, although I would still never let him get too close to another dog. He is 100% better with people and I trust him around people that I know, and even children that I know as long as I am there to supervise. People may not agree with that, but I have learnt that he does give a very clear warning, although it may not be a growl or bark, and there are very specific trigger points for him which can be managed. Alot of that is due to his history and people assuming they know how to handle him.

My points are that a muzzle can only really be a positive (unless you are hung up on what people think of you in which case you are on to a loser owning a dog anyway as they will always find a way to embarrass you!).

You can learn an awful lot from your dog just by watching them and their reactions, and then use this to help you manage any risk.

You can love your dog no matter how badly they behave, it is their behaviour you dislike, not the dog!

There is hope! I never thought I would be able to have visitors to the house or have social dog walks, but am able to do all that now very happily

Dog walkers you see regularly will get used to any funny training techniques you have to use and will actually be sympathetic when they see you are trying to work on the issues rather than ignoring them. A few round here now shout over and ask whose turn it is to jump into the hedge when they see me, as they do try and help and it is now a bit of a comedy routine!

candygirl

neveranymoney wrote: »

I did mention thyroid and blood tests but he was largely dismissive as his temp was checked and he let the vet have a fair old hoak at him, bum, paws, down his throat, heart etc. He is a terrier mix, a bit like a tan Eddie from Frazier, mixed with a boarder terrier. Whilst the vet did comment on how he let the vet prod or poke at him without the slightest sign of aggression, he did conversationally comment on the fact that his surgery have never had a problem with staffys and humans and that he could list a hundred other dogs that they do, they all know that they aren't a great breed with other dogs and they know to make sure any staffies they have are always secured before they bring other dogs out, just to be safe. He definitely was veering on the side of sending him back to the rescue and even offered to ring them for me before we left the surgery but I was in too much of a state at the time to make a decision.

Is Eddie a staffy?I thought it was a jrt:o

neveranymoney

I am astounded that so many people seem to have similar problems to me here, as in the real world, people have tended to give me a load of blarney about their dogs. I really do feel a lot more positive about scampers as I know I am not alone and we can try and help him as best we can and HOPEFULLY overcome it.

neveranymoney

Eddie is a JRT, Scampers is a terrier x, he looks (to me anyway) like a tan Eddie mixed with a boarder terrier. The vet conversationally used staffies as an example of very good with human dogs but ones he would keep an eye on with other dogs. I am generalising the convo here but I am surprised any of my posts yesterday were even legible as I was past myself so I can see why you think Scampers is a staffie!

Wellyboots6

You don't know we exist, as us DACs (Dog Aggressive Crew) sneak around like ninjas!!

Once you have thrown yourself in to a ditch to avoid the fluffiest friendliest little pup, and have set your alarm for 3 hours before dawn so you can get a decent dog-walk in without drama you are well on your way to passing your initiation!

candygirl

neveranymoney wrote: »

Eddie is a JRT, Scampers is a terrier x, he looks (to me anyway) like a tan Eddie mixed with a boarder terrier. The vet conversationally used staffies as an example of very good with human dogs but ones he would keep an eye on with other dogs. I am generalising the convo here but I am surprised any of my posts yesterday were even legible as I was past myself so I can see why you think Scampers is a staffie!

My staffies are fine with people, but understandably not with other dogs that get in their faces, as this is threatening to them.An extendable lead is not good if the dogs can run up to other dogs like that.i think he was trying to protect you to be honest:(
I totally get why you are so shaken up, and hope the other dogs ok, but next time mention to other dog owners that he's a rescue dog that needs space:p

Soubrette

neveranymoney wrote: »

I am astounded that so many people seem to have similar problems to me here, as in the real world, people have tended to give me a load of blarney about their dogs. I really do feel a lot more positive about scampers as I know I am not alone and we can try and help him as best we can and HOPEFULLY overcome it.

I think if you get a rescue dog that is anything older than a puppy then there are usually issues that need working on. Plus all dogs have quirks and idiosyncracies, otherwise we'd all get Aibos!

gettingready

katy721 wrote: »

You don't know we exist, as us DACs (Dog Aggressive Crew) sneak around like ninjas!!

Once you have thrown yourself in to a ditch to avoid the fluffiest friendliest little pup, and have set your alarm for 3 hours before dawn so you can get a decent dog-walk in without drama you are well on your way to passing your initiation!

Been there, done that - for a while....