Growling/Biting Issues
I'm on the search for a trainer but I'm looking for anyone who has gone through this and how it has worked out. I've not dealt with an aggressive dog before really, I've always lucked out in the past! Thanks! |
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| Were you pulling on his collar or anything during the times he growled? |
| I've not dealt with much in the way of aggression issues no matter what the basis, and I won't - it's beyond my abilities. Best advice I have: let DH deal with him for now if you can, leave a tab on him so you don't have to reach for his collar and find professional help ASAP.
Some of it may be his physical state. He must feel awful. Certainly some of it could be fear based. But the problems you were describing having vis-a-vis him are a little disturbing. Just take a deep breath and plan what you need to do with him ahead of time so as to avoid further confrontations to the best of your ability until you have a game plan. But you definitely need professional help and not just a run of the mill trainer. Do you have any good behavioralists in your area? As an aside, are they sure it's flea allergies and not mange? I'm not saying they're wrong, but whoa! That poor dog. Honestly, what the former owners did to him does amount to criminal neglect. 
What do they use to treat for HW these days? Keep in mind that a certain percentage of OES can have bad (as in potentially fatal) reactions to high doses of ivermectin. You may want to mention that to your vet. You already know that it's going to be a long road, between his health and behavioral issues. Baby steps. Keep us posted. Kristine |
barney1 wrote: Were you pulling on his collar or anything during the times he growled?
No. This morning he had his paws on top of the kid gate in the kitchen. I told him off and was standing probably a foot away. He just stood there and when I told him again is when he began growling. Other times he's perfectly fine, I've pushed him off of me and set him down without any problems at all. I think that's what worries me most is that I can't predict anything. I'm calling around today to find a trainer. Sorry to vent, just very concerned. Thanks |
| I am currently reading "Final Hope-gaining control of your aggressive dog" by Stephen Joubert. Some pretty good dtuff in it, maybe it will help you. |
| Definitely get a professional trainer or behaviorist to check this dog out. Get a second opinion if you feel you need one.
We often forget that some OES are actually surrendered because of behavioral problems. We had two shelters contact us recently because they had OES that did not pass their temperament test. Would we take the dogs? Sorry, we cannot take a dog that is a known biter and cannot place such dogs in good conscience. The shelter euthanized the dogs. 
We've been fortunate that the majority of dogs that have come into our rescue have been very nice dogs. One that's not-so-nice, we still have (Sassy) because she's unpredictable and bites without much provocation.  We're in a position to deal with her idiosyncracies.
If your trainer/behaviorist believes your dog has promise, give him time to feel secure and loved in your home. It sometimes takes weeks, even months for a dog to come out of its shell. Good luck but be careful! Nita Indiana-Midwest OES Rescue |
| Please provide a bit of his background. You mentioned he is a rescue, but he was not neutered? What kind of a place did he come from, under what circumstances was he re-homed?
If in the matter of only a couple of days you have been met by unprovoked biting, I would be very concerned. Yes, he could be in pain, but let me give you an example of what my dogs do when in even a bit of pain...Bosley cries like a baby, and tries to get away...Dixie usually just submits, but has been known to do a quick air snap and run....Big difference in the reaction, don't you think? Any bite contact is serious. Dogs have very good control over thier jaws and if they make contact generally they mean it. A growl is good, as it is a warning, but why? What is the reason for the growling? Shelters and foster homes temperament the dogs, and that means putting them through things to gauge a reaction. That is part of the assesment. Unprovoked biting is not acceptable....and if contact is made that means that the dog does not have a soft bite. That in itself is dangerous. It is much less dangerous to have a dog that bites, but does no harm, than a dog that doesn't hardly bite, but when he does, it does harm. |
Bosley's mom wrote: Please provide a bit of his background. You mentioned he is a rescue, but he was not neutered? What kind of a place did he come from, under what circumstances was he re-homed?
. He was bought from a breeder in White Settlement in 2002 as a puppy. The same lady had him until this past week when she decided to rehome him because they couldn't care for him any longer. He has been living in an outdoor 10x10 pen for the last couple of years. She said her husband "didn't have the heart" to neuter him. He was severely neglected, his skin/coat is in horrible condition and almost all of his front teeth are gone. He is waggy and happy most of the time except for these incidents. He will be neutered ASAP and since he is heartworm positive will be starting that treatment too. I have good intentions but I'm wondering if I'm the best family for him. I just don't know and I'm so upset about all of this. I just knew I had to get him out of the situation he was in. |
| I have been looking for different trainers in our area as well. Let me know what you find out. So far I found one I like the best that is real close to you. He has been around more than 20 years and the police dept. uses him as well. I can't say he is the best cause I have not used him but I love his facility and there were 4 beautiful oes there when I visited. He does free seminars on Saturdays at 2pm. If you want to visit there pm and I will get you the info. |
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