TheRedQueen wrote:I forgot to ask...did the rescue/shelter know any details that might explain this behavior? What have they said about it...do they have anyone to refer you to for help?
HappyPuppy wrote:So we saw the vet today - she muzzled him when I told her about his behavior in class.... We got antibiotics for his toes and some soaking solution AND had a full blood panel taken - will get the results tomorrow.
mnp13 wrote:HappyPuppy wrote:So we saw the vet today - she muzzled him when I told her about his behavior in class.... We got antibiotics for his toes and some soaking solution AND had a full blood panel taken - will get the results tomorrow.
Has he acted up while at the vet's office before? Does he have a history of problems there? If not, find a new vet while you're looking for that new trainer.
call2arms wrote:Just my opinion, but when there's dogs that have attitude problems and bite their owners, there's no reason not to muzzle for safety when taking blood at the vet's.
A vet's job is not to get bitten (although it happens), it's to try and get the animal better. As someone who sees the dog a few hours a year perhaps, it's possible to get a good idea of the general behavior, but if there's behaviorial issues currently ongoing, the dog will not get "ruined" by being muzzled for tops 5 minutes while you poke.
If you suggest not to bring him in public in case he redirects at someone, although a vet exam might not trigger the behavior, why would the vet staff not be allowed to protect themselves when they have the dog 2 inches away from their faces?
mnp13 wrote:ok... just read your next post....
If you don't have the resources to work with him and/or if you will not be comfortable with him, then there is only one solution for the problem.
If you feel that working on it is a reasonable short term goal then I would give you one piece of advice - dogs that can't breath can't bite. Lift up on the leash and wait for him to calm down. Grabbing him around the neck, pinning him and/or rolling him is extremely dangerous. For your own safety, and the safety of your husband please NEVER do that again. The damage to you and the dog could be extreme - in both the physical and emotional areas.
Don't feel trapped by this. You have options to work with him, however it will not be easy, it will not be fun, it will not be fast. If you can't make that commitment (for whatever reason) you will NOT be judged here. There is no easy solution to this. Whatever you decide we'll help you as best we can.
TheRedQueen wrote:Okay, I'm going to be completely honest. I don't think this is a good match for you guys. I'm not sure at this point that he's a good match for any family/individual. This is NOT something that you have done. I'm guessing that when he was turned in to rescue/shelter, that this was already happening and that his history was lied about.
Honestly, he is going to be a life-long project. He is most likely always going to need management at some level. He is not going to be a dog that you can trust around people...at least for a long time to come. This level of training and management is not going to be fast, easy or cheap, especially considering that you're coming into this with a small training toolbox. It's going to be a long road, and no one will blame you if you decide that this road is not one you want to travel. Having a dog with aggression issues (of any kind) is not for the faint-hearted, and you have to be completely committed to working on his behavior 24/7. Ask anyone here that has "problem" dogs, and they'll tell you the same thing.
And please, like Michelle said...be EXTREMELY careful about doing any sort of "wrestling" with him...no neck holds, no rolling, etc...this is just too dangerous for the humans involved.
call2arms wrote:Just my opinion, but when there's dogs that have attitude problems and bite their owners, there's no reason not to muzzle for safety when taking blood at the vet's.
A vet's job is not to get bitten (although it happens), it's to try and get the animal better. As someone who sees the dog a few hours a year perhaps, it's possible to get a good idea of the general behavior, but if there's behaviorial issues currently ongoing, the dog will not get "ruined" by being muzzled for tops 5 minutes while you poke.
If you suggest not to bring him in public in case he redirects at someone, although a vet exam might not trigger the behavior, why would the vet staff not be allowed to protect themselves when they have the dog 2 inches away from their faces?
mnp13 wrote:Cleo had a lot of fear issues, and the vet made me put a muzzle on her once. Beforehand, she was a jerk in the waiting room, but was perfectly fine in the treatment room, after the muzzle she was a nightmare.
The vet isn't Ruby's favorite place, when I have a tech that is uncomfortable with her, I hold her head and blood draws are done with no issue. If I muzzled her to do it, her anxiety would go through the roof - making a somewhat easily handled situation nearly impossible (and I know this based on other issues that we have "forced" her into.)
I suppose I would have taken him home and gotten a sedative before going back.
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