Rescued dog - not told it has a viscous streak, what can I do if I can't cope with it?

Question

5 year old GSD cross akita, lovely temperment inititially but has viciously attacked another dog and would not let go, also has gone into attack mode towards children.. Animal centre not interested in taking back, he really needs someone who can train him better than I can. What can I do for the best?

Answer 1

You need a behavioral trainer to eveulate this dog.
If the place you got him from will not take him back that is a bad sign. Look around and see if you can find a trainer who does behavior modification and is willing to work with a large assertive breed.
Do you really want to keep this dog? It is a hard decision to make but if you do you have alot of work in front of you and a lot of training. You are going ot have to set up routines and stick to them always. This will not be a dog who will be allowed around kids or other dogs maybe never.
Work one on one with the trainer and follow their directions and see how it goes.
If you chose not to keep the dog you can place it with a rescue but you need to tell the the truth and the whole truth about the dogs behavior. They may not want to take the dog. As then they will have to put it down. It is very hard for anyone to have to put a dog down. In our rescue when someone lies and tells us the dog is great and we put it is foster with the trainer and someone gets bit or something happens it is just as hard for us to humanely euthanize the dog as it is for anyone else.
Sometimes it is better for the dog and safer for the people involved to put the dog down. You can not rehabilitate every dog. Some have just suffer to much trauma in their lives to overcome it.

Answer 2

I don't know about the city in which you live but where I live we have a "Friends of Cats and Dogs" foundation that allows people (for free) to list photos and descriptions of the animals that they are trying to find homes for. Or you could go through Petfinder.com. My best advice, though, would be to go through a "no-kill" shelter because, unfortunately, most of the county or city run shelters will just euthanize the dog.

I don't think you should see euthanasia as the only option. I can't tell you the number of dogs that I've seen placed that are dog-aggressive and not suitable for kids. I do understand you feeling overwhelmed. My family and I rescued 2 Basenji littermates (3 years old) from a dog collector. Despite efforts at socialization, they were always stranger-aggressive (they would offer to attack nearly any stranger that tried to touch them - but we kept them on lead and they did have to be muzzled at the vet) and they were definitely aggressive towards all other dogs and cats. It was not easy, but we kept them for 10 wonderful years (they were joys to be with at home). So I can understand your dilemma and it *does* take a lot of work.

I would definitely seek out a non-kill rescue group/shelter in your area if you are feeling unable to keep him. Also do consider breed specific rescues - either for Akitas or GSDs. They will be experienced in those particular breeds and are more likely willing to work to help this dog. And don't listen to what others say - Akitas aren't all bad. Best of luck to you and your dog!

Answer 3

I don't understand that the shelter will not take the dog back. I have lived in 3 different states over the years, adopted dogs while living in each state, the shelters have all said that if things do not work out for whatever reason ( because sometimes it is not a good fit once you get home with the dog) that they will take the dog back. I would call them again. Also do you have a Animal Control Officer?? They might be of some help in helping you resolve this issue.

Answer 4

Congratulations on choosing to rescue! Everyone who said the animal center should have temperament tested the dog and should take it back is absolutely correct. Those who say that the dog should be put down if he continues to be a threat to children and others is correct, too. But the dog deserves a chance to be a 'Good Boy' - with some simple training before that decision is made. For now, the most important thing is to keep him away from uncontrolled contact with other dogs and children. If you have other dogs and children in your home, this is obviously going to be difficult.

The next step is to train the dog not to act out that way. This can be done by desensitizing the dog to these things. Take your dog to places where children and other dogs hang out and stay at a safe distance. We used to take my dog to Petsmart and hang out in the parking lot or near the door - whichever she could tolerate. Make sure you have complete control of him (training collar, strong lead, muzzle if necessary) and correct all unwanted behavior. For instance, if the dog starts to growl or lunge, say "NO!" in a stern voice and take him out of sight of the trigger for a moment. Let him calm down and praise that calmness, give a treat if you want. Then take him back and see if he acts out again, repeating the process until he can stay at that distance without acting up. Gradually move a bit closer and repeat the process. Over time, he will be able to be near these triggers without acting up and being vicious. If you are new to dogs or behavior training, consult a trainer for instruction on desensitization.

Unfortunately, you will never be able to leave him with children or others dogs unattended (but then again, dogs should never be left unattended with young children). But you should be able to have a dog that you can control and have fun with.

If you do decide that he can't stay with you, please try to find a no-kill shelter for him.

Thanks again for rescuing this boy - he obviously need your help!

Note to all: Don't breed or buy while rescue dogs die

Answer 5

Hi

Well first..SHAME on your animals center!!

All dogs going to be placed up for aoption should go through a temperment test..

This checks to see how much or if any levels of agression are there around food, other dogs, children etc..

Often if the dog fails these test by showing aggression they will be put down not put up for adoption.

You might try locating an Akita rescue fcility evn if its not in your state they may take him

Also a local non kill rescue or shelter

Here is alnik to start with

www.greenpeople.org/sanctuary.htm

http://www.petresources.net/rescue/brspec/akita.html


Hope it helps... glad yu are not just dumping it off on the street...

Also... You local ASPCA HAS to take him if you drop him off.. they can not refuse him.

Good Luck

Wismom

Answer 6

5 yrs old is probavly too old to change
aggressive behavior after getting fixed [ i assume he was since he came from a shelter]
is not a god sign
probably generated by fear of abuse
or maybe not
most shelters have a "comeback" policy
you don't want a law suit for an attack to other children or dogs
or else keep him penned
which is not why youwanted the dog probably
so call the shelter back and state your rights
he also may have a medical condition
this is not the dog for you
but if you want to keep it
then find him some dog stress ease tabs
and keep him away from the trigger situations that make him bad

Answer 7

try another rescue center that never puts dogs down.. or get a animal behaviorist in they can tell you if you can fix this problem and with what training or they might be brutally honest and say if it has gone for children then to put it down... I had an Akita when I was younger he was gorgeous but when he was 7 he injured himself and developed bad arthritis he ended up getting very aggressive we tried everything until the behaviorist told us there was nothing we could do and he wasn't happy so we had him put down... I wish you the best of luck .

Answer 8

EVERYBODY THAT ANSWERED "PUT THE DOG TO SLEEP" SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES AND SHOULD HAVE THE SAME DECISION MADE UPON THEIR LIVES WHEN THE MOMENT COMES.
If you rescued this dog he is your responsability now, he was put in your path and therefore you must work it out and make it work. Don't give up on him unless you want somebody to give up on yo too. KARMA.
Take your dog on long long walks, get his energy out there. Remember: EXERCISE first, DISCIPLINE second, and AFFECTION last. Do not leave food sitting around for him, make him work for it so that you become his pack leader and therefore you can build a relationship with this animal, believe me, it is 100% possible. Get yourself a "choke chain" and put it at the very top of his neck (right behind the ears). Make him walk right next to you, almost a little behind you on and try your best to stay ahead of upcoming situations, meaning, KEEP YOUR DOG'S ATTENTION ON YOU by interruptin his train of thought every so often with a little shake or yank of the leash...
I could go on and on, but I recomend you watch "The Dog Whisperer" or maybe even contact him (animal planet chanel)

Answer 9

If the rescue won't take him back (and that is very very very odd)

FIND A TOP FLIGHT TRAINER

THIS IS NOT PETSMART

sk your vet who he would suggest with this kind of problem

Do what that person tells you

GO here to find contacts in you area that can help you locate and obedience trainer who works with all breeds and who does AKC obedience competions:

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf...

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf... (set on all breeds)


http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cf...

Even it they are an hour or more away, they will know other people all over the state.

Answer 10

You need to get an experienced trainer to see if it can be trained.
If not take him to the SPCA. They will evaluate the dog and put him down if he can't be trained. He is a law suit in the making.