Rudy's dog aggression update (repost)
______________________________________________ We saw a behaviourist yesterday to look at Rudy's leash based dog aggression. I was really hoping that she'd tell us it was a messed up play invitation but she brought one of her very large, strong dogs over and let him go further than we'd ever (no one was hurt, bitten, or made contact...I want to stress that), and it's aggression...no doubt about it. It's out of control when my hubby is nearby. It's less so for me, but still there. She feels he's guarding us. He flipped when a calm, respectful dog came near to sniff his bum. He looked like he would have jumped out of his skin. So, we've got a list of homework and she's coming to our home Monday night to work with us further. She's confident he can overcome it, and in the hour and a half we were there I saw a huge improvement, so we're going to do everything she says. I can't let this issue continue. It will only get worse... Ironically, she let Rudy play with her children, including a three year old (with careful supervision of course) and said he's one hundred percent perfect with people. No issues, and completely trustworthy, so that's at least great news. Since we've been home he's actually been more respectful of us. We're being absolute on who makes the decisions here. I've finally gotten Gordon to agree that there's no more letting Rudy climb all over him. (Something I don't allow...and Rudy is more respectful to me.) The pulling of rollerblading is out until Rudy's settled, which she's confident that we can do in a very reasonable length of time...he'll still have lots of rollerblading in his future...just not now. So no more adventures/pictures for a few weeks. He'll also be missing a few obedience classes. The dogs make him crazy and she doesn't want him to go back and practice that behaviour until we've made inroads. Makes sense to us, and since we alternate dogs, Hudson's going to be thrilled to get all the turns for a while. In other totally shocking news...she really thought Hudson (AKA Evil Puppy) was a nice, balanced dog. He did great with all her dogs, and her kids, and strangers passing by. She says he could use a little more manners tweaking (she's very kind) but he's a.......I am not making this up.......and this came from a professional....who knows stuff......about dogs and everything.....honest......she said that......Hudson.......is .......a (gasp) (wait for it) Very Good Dog. I really needed to share that last bit as I'm feeling pretty down over the Rudy situation at the moment. He's a great dog, but this behaviour HAS to stop. It's a non-negotiable. I am confident we can do it, but won't feel any better until we have. |
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Sorry you're feeling down.  I'm know you will get things sorted with Rudy, the hard part is that it takes time, patience and perseverance. Keeping working with your trainer and it will come right. He most likely just needs time to settle in. Sorry I dont have any words of wisdom, just wanted you to know that I'm rooting for you guys. |
| hang in there i know rudy will show you what a great dog he can be |
| Miracles don't happen overnight. Hang in there. |
Haha ....This is Hudson ...  He's done a really good job of fooling the lady. Just kidding! Well done to Hudson, at least you have one angel, I reckon that's good going! It won't be long before you guys have it all sorted- It's AMAZING how quickly they adapt to new ways. Just remember it's like dieting, you need to have a lifestyle change rather than a 30 day fix. You will be fine  |
| Hudson knows how to turn on the charm. Hang in there with Rudy, I am sure that in time he will will show you what a good boy he is too. |
| Oh Rudy will get there , he's SO gorgeous and there were bound to be some issues after the disruption he's had in his early life , there's no wonder that he wants to protect you now that he has a family who really love him .....I'd rather have a dog I could trust around kids and people and work on the other dog thing than vice versa too . Good Luck , Julie X |
| Thanks for all the support. Rudy is a great dog, and is totally worth the effort, so we're happy to do whatever he needs. I am also thrilled that he's so good with people. That would be a horrible thing to have to deal with (if he wasn't). Seeing her trusting him with her three year old was awesome. It reaffirmed that he is, fundamentally, a great dog. We've gotten him a gentle leader and ordered the Illusion collar. (I'm sure it's spelled differently.) When he wore the one she had his whole attitude changed, so I'm happy enough to get him one of his own. We'll use the one we have now first, until the super duper one arrives. She feels it shouldn't take more than a few weeks of intensive practice with him to correct this (and of course, remembering to follow up with the overall changes for life). We're all in, so it will be fixed. It's just so hard to believe that Happy go Lucky, thrilled just to be alive Rudy could be so different once he settled in, but I do believe that he's never had a family before and is just being hypervigilant in an attempt to ensure nothing takes that away. |
It sounds like you are doing all of the right things to correct Rudy's behavior. I'm sure that he will learn to settle down. Hooray for Hudson! Rudy will also learn better manners from his big brother!  |
| Sounds like you've found someone who can really help you with Rudy. As for Hudson, it's been his evil plot all along. Get into all sorts of trouble until you bring a new dog in. Show the new dog the ropes. Then sit back and watch the new guy get into trouble.  Who would have thunk it??????Laurie and Oscar, an angel.....NOT!!! |
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