I adopted a mix-breed dog (who was about 1 y.o.) 5 years ago from a no-kill shelter. Her behavior has always been a problem, but continues to get worse and worse. She is agressive towards other dogs, strangers, my friends and even myself. Her outbursts occur with little provocation. (For ex: she snarled and tried to bite me this morning when I passed by on the way to the bathroom). She has bitten me many times before. She barks ferociously and snarls in a way that makes Cujo look cuddly. I've tried training classes (we were asked to leave on account of her behavior), consulted the vet, read books, followed The Dog Whisperer w/ devotion, etc. All of my efforts do not pay off. My dog has NO respect for me or anyone. I love her dearly but she is starting to scare me! I really worry that she will hurt me or somebody else. I know I will be riddled w/ guilt if I bring her back, but I also fear lawsuit and injury. Help! Any advice?
2007-07-28 14:23:46 · 21 answers · asked by Courty 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I know you are asking this because even with the worst of behaviors, we still love them. This dog does have some very serious behavior and/or mental problems. It has to do with however she was socialized/not socialized, abused, neglected, etc. before you got her. It may be too late to help her at this point. My best recommendation would be to contact a board certified veterinary behaviorist for opinions and/or help, or have her humanely euthanized. Taking her back to the shelter and possibly having her hurt someone else is just not an ethical option.
2007-07-28 14:28:37 · answer #1 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
That is a tough thing to have to go through. And I do believe that there are some dogs that, no matter how hard you try, you cannot fix their aggression. Have you ruled out any medical problems with the vet? Also have you tried a behaviorist? Sometimes a behaviorist can get better results than your regular trainer.
If all else fails, talk to your vet. Sometimes they can use meds to help. But if her aggression is not fixed, unfortunately you are right about someone getting hurt. If she is really that bad, and you have no other choice, I would have to say that euthanizing would be better than giving her back to the shelter. If she goes back to the shelter, she is either be put down by them or they will adopt her out to someone else. I think adopting her out would be a disaster waiting to happen.
I never like to tell any one to put their put their animal down for any reason. But I do feel that there are some dogs that just are too aggressive and can't be fixed. And in order to keep you and everyone else around you safe, it may be the best thing for her.
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Additional: I see some people are going with the "possible abuse" issue. I honestly don't feel that was an issue at all. Seeing that you got her at only 1 yrs. old and yes there could have been issues before you got her. But you stated it has been happening over time even with training. It is very possible that your dog could be suffering with some type of chemical imbalance and I seriously don't think it was anything you did or didn't do.
2007-07-28 14:37:19 · answer #2 · answered by eskie_mama2 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wow sorry you have to go through this. Sounds like your dog is suffering from some serious mental issues. Sounds like you've tried everything. The next thing you could try doing is getting medication from your Vet called "Closicalm" I think that's how it spelled. Anyways i knew of a Bull terrier that was extremely dog aggressive and he was on that medication and he was in a yard off leash with multiple dogs at the dog resort i worked at and he didn't attempt to attack any but then the dog ran out of the meds and then the dog turned aggressive.
If you do plan on returning the dog to the shelter don't be surprised if they do euthanize it. Even if you were to return it to the "No Kill" shelter they may need to euthanize as well as it will be a health risk to adopt it out to anyone.
At this same resort there was a dog there for anti aggression training they tried everything to train that dog but the dog had some kind of chemical imbalance and the dog had to be euthanized because it was completely untrainable as it bit 4 people including me causing enough damage that i had to go to the hospital.
It's not your fault the dog is the way it is. Don't feel guilty with whatever decision you need to make.
2007-07-28 14:39:52 · answer #3 · answered by Cavalier KCS mom 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just because one trainer couldn't handle your dog doesn't mean that no one can control her. Females, btw, are much easier than males.
I trained one dog with one trainer with lousy results. I found my next trainer from word of mouth..the dog park..the pet store...the vet's.
It was night and day. There was one terrier in class that nipped the other dogs during free play. The trainer tried a few things and then fitted him for a gentle leader(It looks like the harness you put on a horse's heads) before he was allowed to play again and it worked out nicely.
Talk to your vet. Maybe they have ideas. I had a rescue dog that my vet referred to a veterinary psychopharmacologist We didn't get him there in time. He bit my mom and he had to be placed in a different home. He was placed in a new home right away. He was just such a cutie.
Cesar Millan has a show called The Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. He's the last resort for some of these dogs. Their behaviors have gotten so dangerous that the owners are ready to put them down. Cesar calls these red zone cases. He's also has a book and a DVD. I learn so much from him.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/
And if you want to read about a dog that's a real handful, read Marley and Me. It was funny, heartwarming and bittersweet.
I don't think you've exhausted your options yet.
2007-07-28 14:58:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's very odd that the shelter would let a dog like that be adopted out. Did they have any history on her? Possible abuse from a prior owner? And was she aggressive at all when you got her? I hate to say return her to the shelter but as someone who works with shelters I'm very surprised that they would have adopted this dog out if there were obvious aggression issues.
Oops just read you adopted this dog FIVE years ago. And these probablems have happened all along or did something happen to cause this behaviour?? Is their possibly somebody in your household that has been abusing her?
2007-07-28 16:11:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have had her for 5 years, at this point taking her back to the shelter is not an option, with those kind of problems she will be put to sleep. If that is going to be the end results, better you take her to the vet and have it done yourself. but before you do that, make an appointment with your vet and discuss the options. there are many good medications that can help calm her down and I don't mean keeping her sedated. there are also trainers that help with such dogs as yours. too many times people want to blame it on abuse that the dog may have suffered before they got them, you have had for her for 5 years, that part of her life has long past. with training, love and even medication, it can help, I know I adopted a dog that WAS abused and very sick, he turned out to be my best friend for 13 years.
2007-07-28 14:45:56 · answer #6 · answered by Dee M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You know, Courty, I love animals and particularly dogs and I would never wish any to them harm. You don't say how large she is, but I guess that doesn't really matter. I think you really need to tell yourself you did your best, but you need to take her back for everyone's safety. If she doesn't respect the one who feeds her, etc., then I don't think there is any hope. It's too bad because I think she must have been put through some really bad stuff to turn out like this, but you didn't do it and you can't undo it. I also think it's your responsibility as a good citizen to remove her from where she can get out and really harm someone. Then you'd be faced with all kinds of charges, law suits, liability. Peace.
2007-07-28 14:33:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like she might have come from an abusive home in the past. Guy that was friends with my boyfriend had a dog like that, that he rescued, but instead of opting for help had him put down. It hurt me so bad, because I knew deep down there was a good dog in there.
Its good that you're trying to help. Perhaps you could see if you can find a trainer or a dog behaviorist that will spend some time just one on one with you and your dog since she is dog aggressive.
I know it might be heart breaking to consider giving her to another home, but clearly she's a special needs dog. If you can't give her the proper home that she needs, it would be in her best interest to put her with someone that knows how to handle a dog like this.
I hope that you can keep your dog and can some how manage to find a way to work on her behavior. Clearly she's in a state where she's not happy, and its not your fault, she just needs some special time and energy.
Good luck with this and I hope it all works out for the best.
2007-07-28 14:29:53 · answer #8 · answered by skye_blue_05 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I know it is a very difficult decision to make. I see that you have tried everything. If you feel like you have done your best for you pet and nothing helps, you don't have to feel guilty. you said you have taken her to vet, I'm sure he checked her out for any physical aches or pains, Try talking to your vet about putting your pet on anti-depressants. They have helped aggressive dogs in some instances. If that doesn't work than you might have to make the choice of taking her back and for that I am truly sorry. I think you have a good chance of the medication working. Good Luck to you and your pet
dlwderby
2007-07-28 14:41:09 · answer #9 · answered by dlwderby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried one-on-one training? Our dog was abused and was terrified of people. When he lunged at a little girl (to bark, not bite, though) we decided to suck up the cost. In only 3 lessons he is a different dog! Do you live in the NYC area? If so, I recommend Tyril Frith www.tyrilfrith.com Private lessons aren't cheap, but worth the money if you have a good trainer. Maybe your dog will never be 'friendly', but you could make her safe. Also, don't act scared around her, as she'll take advantage of that.
Taking your dog to a shelter will most likely result in her bring put down.
Finally, maybe your vet could prescribe Prozac. I know it sounds crazy, but dogs can have chemical imbalances in their brains, just like humans. Talk to your vet, s/he may be able to prescribe something to calm your pooch down.
Good luck-- let us know how it goes!
2007-07-28 14:34:38 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋