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dbank999
Puppy
Joined: 10 Mar 2010
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 3:51 pm Post subject: Aggression? |
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| My parents decided to get a Amstaff Lab mix from a rescue last Saturday. I was not there for the event since I attend college and was not home. She is 8 months old and is very obedient and seems to have had some prior training since she learns quickly. I was extremely excited to hear that we had a gotten a new dog, unfortunately when I returned home for Spring break, we found out that she is very standoffish when I enter the house alone. Her hair raises on her back and she charges while appearing to try to bite, we are unsure if she would actually bite or not since the situation was avoided. Did my parents make a mistake by bringing the dog home while I was not there? I understand that she may have taken the house as her territory, but will she ever accept that I live there or will this be a reoccurring problem? Its been 5 days and I still have the problem entering the house. I have spent many hours after playing/training with her, but she still has a problem with me entering the house. For example today she was in her cage since my parents went to work, when I got home and came in she growled/barked and tried to bite through the cage, I spent nearly 20 minutes to try and calm her so i could let her out, but with no avail. I am a little worried that she will become more dominate of the house since I return to school in a few days and won't be home until the first week of May. Slightly frustrating since she is an awesome dog otherwise. Does anyone know if this can be fixed? |
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AmstaffTaz
Shamans
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 735
Location: Montreal, Quebec
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds like the pup still might be a little uncertain about you, I think you need to do more to take on a leadership position. If you take part in the feeding ritual and on-leash walking of the dog, I think it will help improve matters and create a solid, trusting basis for the future! Food and walks are the way to a dog's heart  |
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Meadowbrooks
Alpha Dog
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 3853
Location: va
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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| This is why I don't always agree with rescue dogs. You don't the history behind them. And That dog would be put down if it was me. You will never be able to fully trust that dog.. I know Harsh but IMO.. |
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Chianti's Mom
Shamans
Joined: 11 Jan 2010
Posts: 591
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:44 pm Post subject: |
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It's true you don't know the history, and it may even be true that this dog has a real problem. But 5 days is nothing - the dog's world and routine have been flung upside down. You won't really know the dog you have until at least 6 months after it moves in, and this is a young dog who might be just having trouble adjusting. If it's only when you are arriving alone with no one else there, I would suspect she is wary of 'strangers'.
I would definitely talk to a trainer who can assess the dog properly and help you to decide what is the appropriate course of action. It might be something that will be overcome easily with some training. It might be more serious and you may not be either equipped or prepared to deal with it. Until you get in touch with a trainer, your parents do need to work on some re-ranking with this dog. Here are the very basics of a re-ranking program and a trainer should be contacted to help.
Humans control food. The dog should be working for all of her food for now. Sit stay at first while food is prepared and placed down, and only allowed to eat when told. Start adding more commands and expecting more. In fact with this dog, after someone gets home AND the dog has calmed down is likely the time to feed. Calm being the cue to feed her. No free treats or food at all. Ever.
Humans control walks. Leaders lead and followers follow. That means at all times from the moment you decide to go for a walk to the moment you get back including getting the leash on and going through the door etc. Stay calm and make it happen.
Humans control space. Move the dog's crate / bed / whatever around in the house. No space will belong to her for now, and no toys either. Space and toys belong to humans who are willing to sometimes share with dogs who are behaving. This dog is NOT allowed on furniture.
There is more, but that gives you the idea. To soft-hearted dog owners this sounds harsh, but a program of re-ranking that lasts a few months and establishes a relationship where the humans are in control can rehab a dog with ranking issues. It's not mean, no one gets angry, it's just a completely unemotional way to put the dog in her appropriate place, where quite frankly she will be much more happy and secure.
As to the very specific situation of you entering the house, is she fine when your parents are there, or is she just as standoffish / aggressive then? Again, consult a trainer, but since the bulk of aggression comes from fear, some counter-conditioning combined with the re-ranking program and with settling in might help. Did the rescue divulge any details of the dog's history? |
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30 Seconds to Bob
Pack Members
Joined: 22 Feb 2010
Posts: 316
Location: sunny, west central florida
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| Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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| If you can, take her to a few obedience classes, YOURSELF, when you are home for the summer. She needs to recognize you as one of the alpha "dogs" in that household. Lessons away from the house will help with this. In the meantime, as Cesar Milan would tell you, be calm, but assertive around her and don't give in to her aggression. (Don't do anything stupid and get bit either!) That age is a little trying for these breeds and they often "test" you to see how much they can get away with. Another thing they usually grow out of with proper training when they fully mature? P.S. Meadowbrooks, haven't you ever seen the dog whisperer's pack of "rescue" dogs or read his books? In the thousands of dogs, he has dealt with, (hundreds being pit bulls) he has only come accross two he felt weren't capable of being rehabilitated. One was a pit bull, the other, a golden retriever. Bob |
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Meadowbrooks
Alpha Dog
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 3853
Location: va
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| Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:48 am Post subject: |
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| 30 Seconds to Bob wrote: |
| If you can, take her to a few obedience classes, YOURSELF, when you are home for the summer. She needs to recognize you as one of the alpha "dogs" in that household. Lessons away from the house will help with this. In the meantime, as Cesar Milan would tell you, be calm, but assertive around her and don't give in to her aggression. (Don't do anything stupid and get bit either!) That age is a little trying for these breeds and they often "test" you to see how much they can get away with. Another thing they usually grow out of with proper training when they fully mature? P.S. Meadowbrooks, haven't you ever seen the dog whisperer's pack of "rescue" dogs or read his books? In the thousands of dogs, he has dealt with, (hundreds being pit bulls) he has only come accross two he felt weren't capable of being rehabilitated. One was a pit bull, the other, a golden retriever. Bob |
Hey this it my opinion. This person isn't the dog whisperer is he??
If I don't trust a dog 100% around me or my kids then the dog is not here. I am not saying it is a law for everyone to do. It is my opinion.. |
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Chianti's Mom
Shamans
Joined: 11 Jan 2010
Posts: 591
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:39 am Post subject: |
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| Meadowbrooks wrote: |
Hey this it my opinion. This person isn't the dog whisperer is he??
If I don't trust a dog 100% around me or my kids then the dog is not here. I am not saying it is a law for everyone to do. It is my opinion.. |
And working with aggressive dogs requires the help of a skilled trainer. People get bitten trying to play dog whisperer without the skills. I'm all for rehab IF the people are willing and capable of doing it but not all people are. It's better to be realistic about that at the outset, before someone gets hurt. I agree that most dogs CAN be rehabilitated, but it does take a huge commitment and a lot of skill and the ability to manage the environment during rehab so that no one gets hurt. |
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asti-chateau
Shamans
Joined: 16 Jul 2009
Posts: 587
Location: central Illinois -
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| Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:27 am Post subject: |
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I would really like to see a picture of this "amstaff X lab" mix, while entirely possible, the nature of these two breeds aren't to be 'snappy' (for lack of a better word) and the information on the "rescue group"
Groups I work with do temperament testing before any placements, if they *think* there might be an issue, said animal goes to someone experienced in the breed for fostering while further evaluations are done, and if they don't make the grade, they don't go any further.
Sad as it is, they can't all be saved, and some should not be... |
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Meadowbrooks
Alpha Dog
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 3853
Location: va
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| Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Chianti's Mom wrote: |
| Meadowbrooks wrote: |
Hey this it my opinion. This person isn't the dog whisperer is he??
If I don't trust a dog 100% around me or my kids then the dog is not here. I am not saying it is a law for everyone to do. It is my opinion.. |
And working with aggressive dogs requires the help of a skilled trainer. People get bitten trying to play dog whisperer without the skills. I'm all for rehab IF the people are willing and capable of doing it but not all people are. It's better to be realistic about that at the outset, before someone gets hurt. I agree that most dogs CAN be rehabilitated, but it does take a huge commitment and a lot of skill and the ability to manage the environment during rehab so that no one gets hurt. |
But I am being realistic!! There aren't many people that is willing to go those extra steps. Then our breed ends up in the newspapers. Then there is someone bitten and the dog is put down.. I am not saying some can't be saved in the right hands but I think if they don't pass certain things then they should be put down and not passed onto some else to deal with.. JMO |
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AmstaffTaz
Shamans
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 735
Location: Montreal, Quebec
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| Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree, adopting a dog is a lot of work in the beginning. Don't write this 8m old pup off just yet, she is young and has her entire life ahead of her! I applaud anyone who adopts an unwanted pet, it sounds like you are taking it seriously and are willing to put the time and effort required into molding your young pup into an awesome dog There is some great advice posted by Angela and Bob, we look forward to hearing how it goes! |
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Chianti's Mom
Shamans
Joined: 11 Jan 2010
Posts: 591
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Meadowbrooks wrote: |
| Chianti's Mom wrote: |
| Meadowbrooks wrote: |
Hey this it my opinion. This person isn't the dog whisperer is he??
If I don't trust a dog 100% around me or my kids then the dog is not here. I am not saying it is a law for everyone to do. It is my opinion.. |
And working with aggressive dogs requires the help of a skilled trainer. People get bitten trying to play dog whisperer without the skills. I'm all for rehab IF the people are willing and capable of doing it but not all people are. It's better to be realistic about that at the outset, before someone gets hurt. I agree that most dogs CAN be rehabilitated, but it does take a huge commitment and a lot of skill and the ability to manage the environment during rehab so that no one gets hurt. |
But I am being realistic!! There aren't many people that is willing to go those extra steps. Then our breed ends up in the newspapers. Then there is someone bitten and the dog is put down.. I am not saying some can't be saved in the right hands but I think if they don't pass certain things then they should be put down and not passed onto some else to deal with.. JMO |
I wasn't disagreeing with you. I think people really do need to be realistic about the measures they are willing to go to before deciding whether to proceed with rehab. On the upside, this dog is very young, so there is likely good potential WITH the right owners. I agree with the questions regarding the breed and the rescue organization too, as normally dogs with aggression are not placed. |
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dbank999
Puppy
Joined: 10 Mar 2010
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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We got a trainer to come to the house and she (the dog) had no problem with her. And I have spent more time with the dog and I do not have any problems of agression anymore, but she still is weary of people entering the house. We are very strict with obedience training (no lovey dovey bull crap, but also not abusive) such as making her sit as a way of asking for things, which she does very well. We also hope that the trainer's experience with specializing in training aggressive dogs (11 years of training police dogs for Boston and Milford police) will help greatly in rehabilitating this dog.
The part about her being an Amstaff - Lab mix was solely what the rescue had said, but she has a predominant "Pit" look and as we found out from the trainer, the dog is about as close to American Pit Bull Terrier as they get. We have nothing against this except that we do have neighbors that have dogs (dachshunds none the less) and the fact that the rescue lied about the breed.
Regardless my parents are willing to take obedience classes and they start next Thursday, I'm hoping to return from school with a well trained dog without house entering issues.
Thank you all for your replies, everyone has their right to an opinion and I am glad that they were expressed. |
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dbank999
Puppy
Joined: 10 Mar 2010
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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[/img] [img][/img] |
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30 Seconds to Bob
Pack Members
Joined: 22 Feb 2010
Posts: 316
Location: sunny, west central florida
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| Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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My own sweet, beautiful, Amstaff girl had what we thought were aggression issues right around that wonderful age of 8 to 10 mos. She would growl menacingly at my wife whenever she would try to move her off the couch to put her to bed at night. Not at me or the kids, just the wife. Had I taken the advice of the majority of the members of another Amstaff forum I belonged to, I'd have put her to sleep, given her away, or at least had to hire a professional behaviorist. Thank God for one knowledgeable breeder who sent me a private email, assuring me that this situation was minor and could be fixed by having my wife take her to a few obedience classes, herself. Eight years later, my girl has never bitten, attempted to bite, or acted aggressively toward my wife, my kids, any human, small animal or non threatening dog.
My daughter volunteers at our local SPCA and when I pick her up, I often visit and help socialize only the bully breeds. Dogs that look like they want to rip my face off when I first enter the room are licking and eating out of my hand, by the time I leave. I'm not the dog whisper either, just have a soft spot for poor bully dogs that were "thrown away" or given up on too easily. You just have to know how to approach them. I also contribute to the support of two local "no kill" shelters and a national group called Dogs on Death Row. I feel it is truly a human atrocity how many dogs are put to sleep every day. JMO. Bob |
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Chianti's Mom
Shamans
Joined: 11 Jan 2010
Posts: 591
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Glad you got some help. Assessment by an experienced trainer can really help you know how serious (or not) the problem is. Good luck! |
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