What should I do with my annoyingly loveable dog?

Question

My 1 year old dog is part chow and german shepard and has a slight temper. He is very loveable to people and LOVES to be outside but can easily pull the chain out of the ground and if I tie it any where else he either jumps the fence or slips out of his collar or hangs himself. The pound has been called on him several times and luckily has not taken him away from me. Whenever he gets out of the backyard he terrorizes the dogs next door, barks at my neighbors and scares them and fights with the little dog next door. I have never seen him bark at my neigbors or charge at them but they say he has. I have also been threatened on several occasions by his bad behavior and been threatened to have to come home to a dead dog. Should I keep him or give him away to the pound? By the way, does those invisible fences really work?

I never thought that he just needs to go on walks with me. I take my other dogs out for walks every day and night but not him cause he stays outside and it literally feels like he pulls my arm out of the socket cause he tugs SO hard. I've gone to training classes with 2 of my dogs and know what to teach them about some things but can't get the tugging under control with any of my dogs. My arms are sooo sore all the time. I know my dog can learn cause I've already taught him to sit, shake, stay, give kisses, etc. So, what exactly does the harness look like? I could just ask the people at petsmart, right? I love my dog soo much and picked him up as a stay when he was about 3 months old and he doesn't deserve to die at the pound but I have just been so frustrated and upset dealing with him and my neighbors. I'm going to do a lil bit of shopping tonight to get the harness and then me and him are going on long walks and visiting the neighbors. I think that would be the best first step..

Answer 1

What your dog needs is obedience classes, where he will become socialized to other dogs and people, and you will learn the methods to control him..
It would be a shame to send him to the pound, as they will not tolerate a dangerous dog, and he would be put down.
It will save his life, and make life so much better for the both of you, if you enroll him in classes.
He is counting on you!

Answer 2

So sorry to hear of this..
If you love the dog, first of all you have to train it!!! YOU..not the dog, are the alpha of the house.
You can try using a pinch collar on the dog. They seem cruel but they WORK!!!! and the dog will learn that pulling on that collar is not comfortable and it will stop the fighting being tied out.
I might also suggest getting a kennel for the dog to be in when you are away or even just when it is outside. If the kennel is high enough and has "proper" shelter for the dog, this will stop ALL of the yard problems (except digging)
As far as what to do about it threatening you...leash it (let it drag the leash around the house if need be) , give firm tug corrections and flip the dog on it's back, hold your hand firmly yet GENTLY on it's neck and stare e it down telling it NO!!! This shows the dog that it's actions are NOT allowed and that you are the alpha.
If none of these work, take it to the pound and let them know it has alpha issues. Good Luck!

Answer 3

NOOO to invisible fences -- it shocks the animal ( hurts them ) when the animal gets neer to the border it has no clue is there - dogs just become fearful & don't understand whats going on - - most dogs just make a bad dash & are long gone over & pastthe invisible fence - plus it doesnt stop other animals or humans comming into the yard & teasing/ abusing your animal... your best bet is to get a 6 foot fence Or keep him inside and take him for lots of on leash walks - don't use a tie out chain - most dogs get MORE agressive on them & have even more issues if they ever getloose - plus death by strangulation if he tried to jump a fence etc isn't nice
Another option although not as good as a fenced yard / keeping him inside when your not walking him is to use a washing line - 2 largemetal poles in the ground usually VERY sturdy - have a lead of adiquate length sohe can exercise the lengthof the leash & the length of the washing line ..... If your dog slipps out of harnesses get him a good harness they are safer to leave on a dog .
good luck

Answer 4

Have you considered training classes? i dog will nto learn to be well behaved on his own and it sounds like you really don't want to lose the dog. Look into local training classes. The dog will learn specific skills, but it also teaches the dog overall obediance. You dog is also kind of still a puppy and in the "teenage" stage of his life. With a little time I'm sure he'll mellow out. But I'd look into classes - at the very least you'll feel like you have more control over the dog if a tough situation ever arises.

Answer 5

This can be a problem for you and your neighbors! They have every right to be upset, but then, I understand your frustration! I, first, would suggest obedience training! In the mean while you could visit your local pet store for some suggestions as well...... I use a gentle leader on my dog when my kids take her for a walk, as she can pull them if the leash is attached to her collar. It stops her from pulling. This might be effective in your case as well, since it greatly reduces the dogs ability to pull. As with your question about the invisible fence..... my brother's neighbor has one for his german shepherd and it works very well... however, if other dogs cross it, they are in trouble.
Obedience training though is a must!!
Good luck!!!

Answer 6

You may also want to consider a harness instead of a collar...if nothing else, he won't hang himself, he will just hang until he is rescued...like the above person said, he needs quality excercise and obedience training...too easy to dump him at the pound to be destroyed...if you truly, honestly do not have the patience for this poor animal, do him a favor a find him a home who will--he shouldn't be destroyed because you don't care...

Answer 7

Get a bark collar for him, Petco or Petsmart has them. Also, sigh him up for obedience classes. That should help, think of a 1 year old dog as a child, you need to teach him how to behave. There's no shame in getting help.

Answer 8

Instead of just leaving him tied up in the backyard so that he becomes bored and becomes a nuisance, take him to some obedience classes and also take him for walks on leash for exercise, and keep him in the house whenever he is in the yard go outside with him to supervise and play with him.

That would solve all your problems

Answer 9

Put him on a leash and take him for a walk. If you do this often enough, like very day, he'll get use to seeing other dogs and people, and he'll start to become socialized. Socialized dogs do not behave like your dog is doing, so he needs to be socialized. Take him to obedience class too, can't hurt. Chows can be agressive, so they really need the obedience and socialization.

Answer 10

invisible fences do work but probably not on your dog since he is stubburn. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND OBEDIENCE COURSES FOR YOUR DOG. or rather then tieing him up outside take him on a walk to help with his energy. You cant tie him up and expect him to be able to get his energy out. take him to a dog run area with a retractable leash and let him run some.