Redyre, that was a bit harsh. I think it's obvious that the poster needed help with the situation, asked and received good information, and shows appreciation because they want to improve. adding additional information is always helpful, and something you are usually so eager to do. I understand your passion...but sorry, your post here was out of line.
Aggressive Dog - Do I hit her or what?
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Rubylove, this is a quality post. You've given the message that this dog needs her psyche looked after, that you're willing to help, even by way of a p.m, that you recognize the good physical care given to the dog and given positive feedback for the pictures. You've given the o.p. the opening needed to receive help which is apparently being asked for. Good job!
We all get frustrated from time to time, myself very much included. We hate to see a dog being hurt. And we tend to get very protective about these creatures we love. When someone comes on the forums who's unfamiliar with dogs, who's asking what they should do, as much as it frustrates or angers us to hear what is happening, as long as there's a chance that the poster is receptive to getting help and taking advice, we need to try to give that help. When, after giving advice, the poster is balking at it, that's perhaps the time to step back and find someone else who needs help so we can reach more people. But up until now, I don't see that happening (this thread hasn't been going on for too long yet) so let's hang in there together and try to show the op some help.
I agree with Redyre that you are risking a lot by letting your pup off leash where other people are. You can use a long line which will let the pup run but you'll still have control over her. You can't teach the dog to come reliably if she has freedom to run off. It's not good enough that she comes eventually. We'll help you teach her a good recall....there's tons of info here and if you let experienced dog people, like Redyre and others show you how to do things, you'll end up with a much better dog who's not giving you problems. Redry really knows dogs and can be a terrific source of info. There are lots of people here experienced with handling dogs and I think you'll be so much better off if you take the advice free for the asking. And as you can tell, hitting or kicking the dog needs to come to a halt or your dog will be ruined. And I know you don't want that. We'll show you ways to deal with stuff. There's no need or good to come from losing your temper. So, hang in there.
We all get frustrated from time to time, myself very much included. We hate to see a dog being hurt. And we tend to get very protective about these creatures we love. When someone comes on the forums who's unfamiliar with dogs, who's asking what they should do, as much as it frustrates or angers us to hear what is happening, as long as there's a chance that the poster is receptive to getting help and taking advice, we need to try to give that help. When, after giving advice, the poster is balking at it, that's perhaps the time to step back and find someone else who needs help so we can reach more people. But up until now, I don't see that happening (this thread hasn't been going on for too long yet) so let's hang in there together and try to show the op some help.
I agree with Redyre that you are risking a lot by letting your pup off leash where other people are. You can use a long line which will let the pup run but you'll still have control over her. You can't teach the dog to come reliably if she has freedom to run off. It's not good enough that she comes eventually. We'll help you teach her a good recall....there's tons of info here and if you let experienced dog people, like Redyre and others show you how to do things, you'll end up with a much better dog who's not giving you problems. Redry really knows dogs and can be a terrific source of info. There are lots of people here experienced with handling dogs and I think you'll be so much better off if you take the advice free for the asking. And as you can tell, hitting or kicking the dog needs to come to a halt or your dog will be ruined. And I know you don't want that. We'll show you ways to deal with stuff. There's no need or good to come from losing your temper. So, hang in there.
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It was my mate's farm. No-one goes there except for me, him, and our dogs.
I didn’t take any note of who wrote that rather offensive message, but just to clarify things, my dog doesn’t try and HURT anyone, she just scares them by BARKING at them. She has never bitten anyone - I know that dogs are unpredictable, they could do anything, but that can applied to any animal. I have had my dog for over a year now, and she hasn't bitten anyone.
Ah that’s it, 'RedyreRottweilers'. Look mate, chill. I haven’t let her off the lead yet in a public area since i submitted this post. And in response to your question (I don’t care if its rhetorical, I'm answering it anyway) where you asked why I would be pissed off, well let me awsner it for you...
Hmmmmm.... My dog just scared the crap into someone, there was nothing I could do about it, the woman had appeared almost from no-where. My dog was ignoring me, and the woman looked kinda pissed. Am I missing something here, should I be happy?
I KNOW that I shouldn’t let my dog off when there people about, and I don’t. I constantly have my eyes on the entrance to the park, and if I see anyone approach the entrance I put her on the lead. Ever since that incident I have never let her off the lead except in my back-garden, in the house, and at my mate's farm.
[mod edit. flaming]
'Feh'
(oh yeah, get your facts straight before you start accusing me of anything.)
I didn’t take any note of who wrote that rather offensive message, but just to clarify things, my dog doesn’t try and HURT anyone, she just scares them by BARKING at them. She has never bitten anyone - I know that dogs are unpredictable, they could do anything, but that can applied to any animal. I have had my dog for over a year now, and she hasn't bitten anyone.
Ah that’s it, 'RedyreRottweilers'. Look mate, chill. I haven’t let her off the lead yet in a public area since i submitted this post. And in response to your question (I don’t care if its rhetorical, I'm answering it anyway) where you asked why I would be pissed off, well let me awsner it for you...
Hmmmmm.... My dog just scared the crap into someone, there was nothing I could do about it, the woman had appeared almost from no-where. My dog was ignoring me, and the woman looked kinda pissed. Am I missing something here, should I be happy?
I KNOW that I shouldn’t let my dog off when there people about, and I don’t. I constantly have my eyes on the entrance to the park, and if I see anyone approach the entrance I put her on the lead. Ever since that incident I have never let her off the lead except in my back-garden, in the house, and at my mate's farm.
[mod edit. flaming]
'Feh'
(oh yeah, get your facts straight before you start accusing me of anything.)
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OK...now that it's all out of our systems...on to taking note of the productive information. tainted, Redrye is someone with extensive knowledge..you do want to listen. Doberluv is awesome, as was all posts concerning help. now, do chill yourself...and let's stay on track. good job to ask questions!!!
tainted, Redrye is someone with extensive knowledge..you do want to listen. Doberluv is awesome, as was all posts concerning help. now, do chill yourself...and let's stay on track. good job to ask questions!!! - Joined
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Thanks Debi. I have learnt a lot already, especially on how dogs think.
Im sure he/she does know his stuff, and there's no denying that. But he sure as hell is a crap teacher. When I was at school, there was only ever 1 teacher that mocked their students in a way that 'RedyreRottweilers' did, and he got fired.
You say that being angry at a dog is a very bad way of teaching it something. Well use your common sense, being angry at me is also not a very good way of teaching me something. What exactly did you hope to gain by twistng my words and making me sound like an idiot? Nothing, you just pissed me off, and gave me a negative attitude towards this forum.
Im sure he/she does know his stuff, and there's no denying that. But he sure as hell is a crap teacher. When I was at school, there was only ever 1 teacher that mocked their students in a way that 'RedyreRottweilers' did, and he got fired.
You say that being angry at a dog is a very bad way of teaching it something. Well use your common sense, being angry at me is also not a very good way of teaching me something. What exactly did you hope to gain by twistng my words and making me sound like an idiot? Nothing, you just pissed me off, and gave me a negative attitude towards this forum.
Well, truth be told, if a dog is scaring someone, even if not biting, that's enough to have the authorities on your back. There was a dog in my old neighborhood who ran out onto the street and would scare the livin' you know what out of my daughter when she was younger and other kids. This dog didn't bite anyone, but barked very menacingly. These people were warned two times by the animal control people and then they had to get rid of the dog. That was it.
And you're so right. Dogs are unpredictable. If they act the way you describe your dog, barking, running up near people, this in itself is aggression and it can very very easily escalate to a bite. Don't think your dog wouldn't bite because she hasn't yet. She most certainly could.
That being said, is there a place, a ball field with a fence or some other place with a fence where you can let your dog run, fetch a ball or whatever, where it cannot get away and where no one else is? If not, you need to keep your dog on a long leash (light weight rope from a hardware store is cheap and easy) You can make it any length you like. Let the dog run but hold onto the end. (be careful though, when she gets near the end that her neck doesn't get yanked because she can get a severe spinal injury) You can even tie a short bungie onto the end of the rope. (lose the metal things) It gives her a little give at the end. But still be careful. Otherwise.....that is one way to let your dog run around, but all will be safe.
You can enforce your command to "come" easily with a long line. And reward the heck out of your dog when she comes every single time. This way, she'll look forward to coming to you. Make it really fun when she comes. If you practice over and over every day, (frequent, but short sessions) along with some other skills so she doesn't get bored, she'll get into the habit of coming. But she has to be sure that you won't get mad at her. It has to be the most wonderful thing in the world to come to you. Throw a party. LOL. Make her trust you in all you do and she'll be so good at learning new things.
Remember, letting her free where there is any chance of someone being there or if they're not there already, coming there, is a huge risk and you could end up having your dog destroyed or taken from you. And you'd feel horrible, if in fact your dog bit someone. What if it were a little kid? Kids are very often viewed as prey to a dog. Dogs have killed many a small child. So, I do hope you'll believe me in my seriousness about this. I have had and worked with dogs for over 40 years, since I was a small child. I know dogs and I've gone to school and studied canine behavior, then studied it more for several years, their instincts, the way they learn, the way they interact with people. Please take what I say seriously.
And you're so right. Dogs are unpredictable. If they act the way you describe your dog, barking, running up near people, this in itself is aggression and it can very very easily escalate to a bite. Don't think your dog wouldn't bite because she hasn't yet. She most certainly could.
That being said, is there a place, a ball field with a fence or some other place with a fence where you can let your dog run, fetch a ball or whatever, where it cannot get away and where no one else is? If not, you need to keep your dog on a long leash (light weight rope from a hardware store is cheap and easy) You can make it any length you like. Let the dog run but hold onto the end. (be careful though, when she gets near the end that her neck doesn't get yanked because she can get a severe spinal injury) You can even tie a short bungie onto the end of the rope. (lose the metal things) It gives her a little give at the end. But still be careful. Otherwise.....that is one way to let your dog run around, but all will be safe.
You can enforce your command to "come" easily with a long line. And reward the heck out of your dog when she comes every single time. This way, she'll look forward to coming to you. Make it really fun when she comes. If you practice over and over every day, (frequent, but short sessions) along with some other skills so she doesn't get bored, she'll get into the habit of coming. But she has to be sure that you won't get mad at her. It has to be the most wonderful thing in the world to come to you. Throw a party. LOL. Make her trust you in all you do and she'll be so good at learning new things.
Remember, letting her free where there is any chance of someone being there or if they're not there already, coming there, is a huge risk and you could end up having your dog destroyed or taken from you. And you'd feel horrible, if in fact your dog bit someone. What if it were a little kid? Kids are very often viewed as prey to a dog. Dogs have killed many a small child. So, I do hope you'll believe me in my seriousness about this. I have had and worked with dogs for over 40 years, since I was a small child. I know dogs and I've gone to school and studied canine behavior, then studied it more for several years, their instincts, the way they learn, the way they interact with people. Please take what I say seriously.
I really hope you can find out what to do. I'd concider a head harness for her. That may help so you can control her in public areas. She's really beutiful,by the way. Aggression really is scary isn't it? I never seen aggression witgh people, but I've delt with dog to dog aggression and I bet people aggression is just as scary. Your doing the right thing by trying to get advice. Good luck.
Hannah
Hannah
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Thanks for the luck, and I made real progress today on my mate’s farm (with recall etc)
She is obviously fine with people she knows, and she is fine with most other dogs. If someone is with a Dog, her attention will be taken away from the owner, and if she is aggressive towards them, it will be at the dog.
If I'm walking past someone, I normally put her on a short lead (I wrap the lead around my hand a few times). This seems to make her nervous, and she will make an attempt to get at the other walker-by. My mate said that she may be sensing my 'fear' through the lead getting tighter. So, recently I have tried walking past people with a loose lead. She doesn’t bother the walkers-by now, but she does try and sniff them on the way past. Maybe my friend was right in saying she could sense my 'fear', and now that she doesn’t, she wont try and 'defend me'.
She is obviously fine with people she knows, and she is fine with most other dogs. If someone is with a Dog, her attention will be taken away from the owner, and if she is aggressive towards them, it will be at the dog.
If I'm walking past someone, I normally put her on a short lead (I wrap the lead around my hand a few times). This seems to make her nervous, and she will make an attempt to get at the other walker-by. My mate said that she may be sensing my 'fear' through the lead getting tighter. So, recently I have tried walking past people with a loose lead. She doesn’t bother the walkers-by now, but she does try and sniff them on the way past. Maybe my friend was right in saying she could sense my 'fear', and now that she doesn’t, she wont try and 'defend me'.
Oh yes, definitely. She may or may not be trying to defend you. It's hard to say. But if you're nervous and tense, she'll feel that and sense it right down through the leash. Try and act like it's no big deal that there's another dog or person and just keep walking..."let's go" in a cheery voice. Try to make out that the thing she's worried about, dog or human is no big deal. It's allllll good. LOL. If she behaves nicely when you go by, give her a treat and a cheery bit of praise. Let her know that by being around these people/dogs, nothing bad happens. In fact, good things happen. Then she'll start to see them in a more favorable way. Also, if you can let her see these things from a little distance at first, get her use to them that way and gradually move closer, that should help. Be sure and not forget to praise for good behavior. Good luck.
I'm so glad you're already making progress! This makes me proud to say I'm part of the Chazhound community. You've got a lot of good advice from several different people, and I happy you found this forum and your pack is getting the help you were looking for.
Here's a command I thought might be useful for you and your dog:
Good luck, and good job! And keep the questions coming, because as that EC saying goes "Knowledge is power"
Here's a command I thought might be useful for you and your dog:
Good luck, and good job! And keep the questions coming, because as that EC saying goes "Knowledge is power"
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'If she behaves nicely when you go by, give her a treat and a cheery bit of praise'
Yeah, I always praise her when I walk past someone and she doenst bother them. She’s definitely getting better in that respect, but I don’t trust leaving her on a loose lead when walking past children. She really hates children. My next-door neighbour has his grand-children round each Sunday, and they always used to run up and down their garden winding up my dog (they are about 5 - 8ish, the annoying age!). I only realised this about a month after it was happening, but my dog has been unsure of children ever since. I don’t know if you have ever seen a Ridgeback's hackles go up - but it turns into a fully grown Mohican! It’s really easy to tell if she's feeling defensive/offensive.
I tend to walk on the other side of the road if I can see kids coming towards me. There's no point in risking it, if she jumps at one she would knock them over, and possible in front of a car (not a good scenario).
Yeah, I always praise her when I walk past someone and she doenst bother them. She’s definitely getting better in that respect, but I don’t trust leaving her on a loose lead when walking past children. She really hates children. My next-door neighbour has his grand-children round each Sunday, and they always used to run up and down their garden winding up my dog (they are about 5 - 8ish, the annoying age!). I only realised this about a month after it was happening, but my dog has been unsure of children ever since. I don’t know if you have ever seen a Ridgeback's hackles go up - but it turns into a fully grown Mohican! It’s really easy to tell if she's feeling defensive/offensive.
I tend to walk on the other side of the road if I can see kids coming towards me. There's no point in risking it, if she jumps at one she would knock them over, and possible in front of a car (not a good scenario).
Wow, it's too bad she didn't get more kid socializing as a young pup. This is clearly a dangerous situation. Can you get some professional help with her? It sounds like things might be coming along in some areas. You're doing great. But the reaction toward kids is very frightening. What if she ever escaped? I really hope you can get someone to help with that.
Absolutely. Dogs are incredibly sensitive to body language, and don't forget their noses are literally 10,000 times more sensitive than ours. They can smell how we feel, too, not just read our body language.
The best way to get your girl to be cool in a situation is to desensitize. As Doberluv said, you need to act like there's nothing at all in the world out of the ordinary going on - and pretty soon your pup will act like that too. Her attention should really be on you the whole time, and so distractions aren't as, well, distracting!!! A good way to do this is something you've already discovered for yourself - treat, treat, treat. She came to you when you had biscuits, she will start paying attention to you ALL the time if you start randomly treating during the day, on walks - whenever she does something good, whenever she's lying there being quiet, anytime at all. Just a treat, for no reason, and she'll start to wonder when the next one's coming, and pretty soon she won't be able to take her eyes off you. That's when the training can begin in earnest.
Also, she's smart - so keep it fun. Short sessions, and to the point. She'll love you for it!
The best way to get your girl to be cool in a situation is to desensitize. As Doberluv said, you need to act like there's nothing at all in the world out of the ordinary going on - and pretty soon your pup will act like that too. Her attention should really be on you the whole time, and so distractions aren't as, well, distracting!!! A good way to do this is something you've already discovered for yourself - treat, treat, treat. She came to you when you had biscuits, she will start paying attention to you ALL the time if you start randomly treating during the day, on walks - whenever she does something good, whenever she's lying there being quiet, anytime at all. Just a treat, for no reason, and she'll start to wonder when the next one's coming, and pretty soon she won't be able to take her eyes off you. That's when the training can begin in earnest.
Also, she's smart - so keep it fun. Short sessions, and to the point. She'll love you for it!