I might lose my dog!

[Mordy]

to me it looks like this dog is seriously undersocialized and developed behavior problems due to that.

your best option is to have this dog evaluated by a behaviorist, who should be able to make recommendations on whether a strict training regime will be able to solve problems down the road.

do have his thyroid levels checked, it could be a problem, but in my opinion lack of socialization is more likely.

here's an article about the situation a friend of mine was in recently. she's a professional dog trainer, but that didn't save the dog either, unfortunately.

http://www.ourdogsonline.com/index.php?section=34

 

[poeluvr]

i dont get why you guys arent having someone come an see if he ha rabies you cant just walk him everyday if he has them.....ummm..i think dogs with rabies have to be put down?

 

[oliver]

i dont get why you guys arent having someone come an see if he ha rabies you cant just walk him everyday if he has them.....ummm..i think dogs with rabies have to be put down?

I am trying to explain he is on quarentine, he isnt allowed outside of our house for 20 days, he is only allowed to go in our fenced in yard to do his business, and even than he has to be supervised by an adult.

We want to find him a new home, and ofcourse its going to be hard with a dog that has a history of biting, but if anyone knows of any rescue groups or anything, please let me know.

My mother and I love this dog, we are talking about a wonderfull dog here, he is very sweet and almost harmless until he just goes insane. Its hard to explain, but thats how these cases are apparntly.

We hope we can find a home were they will take care of him for donations a month, we'd be glad to pay.

We've even considered sending him to one of those agression boarding places.

I really could use more advice here, anything would be appreciated.

 

[Renee750il]

I've e-mailed CreatureTeacher.

 

[Emmie-Lou]

Unfortunately, I've never heard of a rescue willing to take in a dog that has aggression issues. They have too many "normal" dogs waiting to get on their list. And the first thing a shelter would do is put him down.

Your dogs well cute what is its name!

 

[Emmie-Lou]

Hi,

Recently I've been having trouble with my dog, firstly I will explain a little bit about myself so you get an idea of my dogs life. He is a American bulldog, about one and a half years old now. Im a 18 year old guy, who doesnt go to school or work and lives with his Mom, and i am pretty much a lonely nobody, I dont live a very social life, and I dont like to get out much. my dog, Capone, loves the outside, and I let him out to run in our big yard and he also has full acess to a fenced in yard area throughout the day to do his business. I was never really serious with training him, he knows sit, down, come, and all the basic stuff. Now, I have to admit I have been angry with him, even though I shouldn't, and I have yelled at him before, when he does bad. Hes always been scared of me when I get angry, and sometimes when I'm not angry and just being around him he gets scared, and cowers, for example, if I pick up a pillow, he is scared and runs away, or hes scared of nail clippers (and thats my fualt because I did accidently clip his skin before) hes scared of sticks, newspapers, anything really. Now you are thinking that I hit my dog, wrong! I love my dog, and I'm not the perfect owner, so I will admit I have slapped him once, but i felt horrible after that and I vowed I'd never do it again (there i said it). And I give my word to anyone its only happened once, I guess that makes me a bad owner. But I truly love my dog to death. He hasnt been around people much, a few cousins, and my sister. Usually its just my Mom and I, and hes fine around us. It started when my cousin came to visit, my dog was great a first with him, he would sniff him, watch him, you know nothing serious, but the second day my cousin was here, during a conversation with my mother he snapped at my cousin and ripped his shirt, he didnt hurt my cousin but he ruined his shirt good. I wasnt maybe taking this as serious as I should of been, because It didn't seem like capone was that angry, or he looked mad, I just think he took his playfighting a bit far. Usually if he saw someone for example near our yard or driveway, he would run at them bark, and than run away. Another day he was outside and barking at our neighbor, and than neighbor had the nerve to spray him in the face with insect killer. Now he isnt allowed to fun outside in our yard becuase he chases cats and wonder off, hes really starting to get out of control. A few days ago he got out of our fenced in yard and bit some old man on the ankle. We didn't know or hear about the attack until we got a call from the game warden, the man went the emergancy room for the bite but it wasnt serious no bleeding or stiches. Than the scariest thing happened earliar tonight, my sister who has lived with us before capone and recently moved out, came to visit. my Mom was watching him at the time, and as she answered the door he attacked my sister, my mom pulled him off, than he licked my sister like it never happened, than attacked her once more, finally I was called to come and get him, and he seemed relentless and angry as hell and I pulled him off, he was after blood, he didnt bite me or anything, he sorta just got scared tucked his tail inbetween his legs and took off in the basement when he saw that I was angry with him. My sister was bleeding, but and there were holes in her pants, it wasnt anything severe.

Now, my Mom is taking the one thing I love most, the thing that keeps me from sleeping all day and night, my dog. The game warden is visiting in 7 days from now to come meet my dog, and with the way he has been acting it seems like hes gonna attack her and sign his own death sentance. My Mom is discussing maybe he needs to find another home temporary until he gets his problems worked out, shes mentioned putting him down but I am not letting anyone kill my dog, they have to take him from my dead hands I wont let anyone take him, I love my dog, he isnt a bad dog, I feel responsible for all of this, somehow I know its my fualt, I'm not a good caretaker, I feel like I ruined his life, and possibly ended it, just because for being a poor caretaker. I dont know what to do!

One of my questions was, do people take dogs that haven biten before, not for adoption, just temporary to train them and get them to like people again, I dont want to kill him or get rid of him.

Im really sorry to hear about your dog.
Here is some advice I would give:

Everytime he does something wrong put a muzzle on him and leave it on for an hour.
If he dosent seem to have changed with the muzzle then squirt him with water on his bum or on his neck and he will stop but DONT LET HIM SEE YOU SQURIT HIM OTHERWISE HE WILL THINK THAT IT IS A GAME!

We were going to get rid of our dog but we gave him a week and used the advice above and he is now a totally different dog!

When you said that he put his tail inbetween his legs that means that he is very scared. Have you ever thought that he was miistreated by a stranger and that is why he has a go at them?

Keep me informed on how everything goes and give Capone a hug from me.

 

[oliver]

Well,

there was that incident with the old man in the insect killer, capone was barking at him and the old guy said he was scared and sprayed him.

Hes scared of the unknown, when he was a pup I used to take him over to my grandma's house, which is next door.. and there is always realitives over at her house, he would act the same way, he would run from people with his tail between his legs, even other little dogs. Well when he was a pup he was scared of everything, even the other animals our house, we live with 4 cats and another dog. It used to be he would run away from our other dog (which is a pug mix) now its like he is relentlessly picking on him, biting him, mostly play biting, he does the same thing with the cats, constantly chasing them all over the house, stalking them. He is hard-headed, I tell him no, and I pull him away, and he stops for 10 seconds, than goes at it again. I've only seen him get serious fighting our small dog bugsy 3 times. Both of the times chewing bones were involved. And yesterday he was playing fighting with bugsy and I told him No, pulled him off, and he went at it again, and I said no capone! and than his ears dropped to the side, he looked at me and growled, than started going after bugsy. for a 60 pound dog hes tough to get under control, and relentless when he attacks, I had to basically put all my weight on him to get him to calm down, I yelled at him bad dog and he ran downstairs with his tail between his legs. Sometimes he refueses my commands by laying down.

My family keeps telling me that his problem is just going to eventually get worse, and we need to put him down. But it doesnt seem fair to Capone, just because a dog is agressive doesnt mean he has to be put down, there has to be a way to make things fine again.

I know I cant keep him, I have to find him a home, or someplace where he will be trained properly and treated good.

 

[Renee750il]

Do not - DO NOT start spraying Capone with ANYTHING! He's already had one traumatic incident with being sprayed. That will make him infinitely more frightened and infinitely more uncontrollable.

You've got a real problem - but you know that. For the immediate future, have you considered asking your vet if there is an anti-anxiety drug you can use while you are trying to rehab him? I very seldom advocate using medication, but this is a serious problem. This is a fearful dog who has turned into a bully; you're going to need real help. When CreatureTeacher gets back I'm sure she will have excellent advice for you - she's our resident professional and she is amazing.

 

[poeluvr]

this is what im tryin to say

 

[poeluvr]

I am trying to explain he is on quarentine, he isnt allowed outside of our house for 20 days, he is only allowed to go in our fenced in yard to do his business, and even than he has to be supervised by an adult.

We want to find him a new home, and ofcourse its going to be hard with a dog that has a history of biting, but if anyone knows of any rescue groups or anything, please let me know.

My mother and I love this dog, we are talking about a wonderfull dog here, he is very sweet and almost harmless until he just goes insane. Its hard to explain, but thats how these cases are apparntly.

We hope we can find a home were they will take care of him for donations a month, we'd be glad to pay.

We've even considered sending him to one of those agression boarding places.

I really could use more advice here, anything would be appreciated.

but what im saying,, i understand if hes on quarantine, but u cant walk him if he might have rabies, if yiou think he does that puts other people and animals in danger, you cant find him another home if he has rabies either...i dont think, im not trying to be mean i g am just saying when you can check out the rabie thing do it and dont walk him, until u know

 

[oliver]

Yeah, well I'm not allowed to even take him for a walk, he can only be in our fenced in yard.

He hasnt been nuetured, they say it adds to agression.

I have this gut feeling that this isnt going to end happy, I have to accept that I might have to put him down, I dont think anyone is willing to work with him, or I wont be able to find a home, I will try, but no one wants a dog who bites, and is agressive, period. It hurts so much just thinking about it, and I cant even take him to be put down for 15 more days, I know my Mom is going to end up wanting to do this, she will make me take him to be Put to sleep, and I have to watch him for the next 15 days knowing his time will be up, and its so sad, and I cant stop thinking about it!!

Even some state laws say its illegal to give away a dog that has been bitten
that some home insurence companys will drop you for having one.

They make it so hard, if your dog is aggressive and has bitten you either can work with him, or put him down. Theres no way you can give him away. My Mom wont let me keep him! its not fair!

my poor capone, he acts so normal like nothing happened, he acts wonderfull around me, so happy. I feel horrible! I want to help him, but whomever I call, where-ever I look, they tell me they dont take dogs that have bitten, that hes better off being put down.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Everytime he does something wrong put a muzzle on him and leave it on for an hour.

How the heck is that supposed to help? And spraying with water everytime the dog does something bad makes him scared...

Is taking him to a professional trainer an option? As for the neutering, there are low-cost programs out there (there may even be one at your local shelter) that spay and neuter for free or for a low price.

 

[oliver]

The nuetering isnt a problem, its just that, my Mom isn't going to let me keep him, now that he has attacked my sister! She wants to find a home, but no one wants a dog that has bitten, not many will even work with one that has been bitten. she wont consider behaviorists or dog trainers because she doesnt want me to keep him, and she doesnt believe that I can help him get better, she keeps telling me to put him down, everyone does. I know I have to, it would be the responsible thing to do, but its like a world of pain for me, time is going by so slow, and I have 10 more days before I can put him down. 10 more days I feel like im gonna die of heartbreak! its not fair! I want to help him, but theres nothing I can do for him.

 

[mrose_s]

take him to a proffesional training. He seems protective. Try taking him to neatral areas... a park, or something

 

[mrose_s]

dont give up pn him. All dogs have a bit of good in them, you have to find his x-factor, what is his drive?
If you want to, i suggest, an animal comunicator, some will even do it over the phone

 

[bridey_01]

Agressive dogs CAN be fully rehabilitated. Please do everything you can to convince your mum not to put him down, as this is unecessary. It sounds very much like this dog has some serious socialization problems. The first step would be to open up a channel of communication with this dog via some very basic, very positive training. If you are not too scared of your dog, you might want to try some bite inhibition excercises, though i wouldn't recommend it since it seems like Capone has little to no bite inhibition if he is drawing blood. Maybe if Capone could do a few nice sits and downs, maybe shake a paw in front of your mum she might be more inclined to let you keep him. Giving him away to a shelter would probably be signing his death warrant, but you might want to contact some breed rescue shelters which may be willing to rahabilitate him.

 

[becca_4321]

I think you might want to contact a rescue shelter. Let someone with experience rehabilitate him if they will.

 

[Doberluv]

Please STOP using punishment to cure aggression or anything else. Your dog is already afraid and defensive. You need professional help from a certified behaviorist with a reputation that you research first. It does sound like not only lack of early socialization, which is vital for a well balanced dog. It is hard to re-coup that lost time as a pup if he didn't have it. You need to find out HOW to train, because this flailing around, not sure how to handle situations is not going to get you anywhere. You need help.

Any bite or attempt to bite IS serious and dangerous. I would not keep a dog like that if I couldn't be assured he could be rehabilitated by a professional.

Don't blame yourself for his personality. You may have done some things wrong, but there are usually many factors that play into this type of thing. That creep spraying your dog ought to have been reported. One horrible incident like that can ruin a dog's trust in strangers.

There are all kinds of things you and your family should know about canine behavior and how to handle this dog. It's too hard over the Internet to see for sure what's going on. You need a reputable trainer to evaluate and help you. I do feel for you and hope you can help this dog you love. If not, you'll have to be brave and do what is responsible. A dog like this who can't be rehabilitated is not a happy dog and it is just too dangerous.

You need to be strong and you need to be brave, not only for your dog, but for yourself. It is your duty to be happy and find the good in you and in the world. A job can do wonders to make you see what you're capable of and you can build from there. Lose that attitude that you're nobody. Of course, you're somebody and I bet somebody special. You obviously care about your dog.

Best wishes!

 

[oliver]

We have tried calling American Bulldog rescues, and a few others, they arnt willing to take him. Earliar today he attacked my other little dog bugsy, and nearly killed him, he had him by the neck and was dragging him around, my other dog was squealing for his life, and he even messed himself, I was out mowing the lawn, and I heard the screaming I quickly rushed in a pride my dogs teeth out of his neck. My Mom panic'd and all she could do was cry and throw water at him, she told me that the little dog bugsy was just licking my moms shoulder and Capone just went off. I think that if I hadnt of came to pull Capone off bugsy he would of killed him. Its like one minute he is completely normal, his loving self, always wagging his tail and looking happy, than the next he goes crazy. He has the taste for agression now, and he knows its power to him, and he will use it to get his way from now on. I've looked into programs were they claim to treat aggressive behavior, and even than they dont gaurentee to fix your dog, and the expenses are outrageous, even than there is a 40% chance that he will be fixed. MOst trainers we've talked said that they've never been able to sucessfully rehabilitate Protective or Dominent agression, which is what my dog clearly has. Only fear agressions can be worked with, because its a case of mistrust and fear of the owner that is the problem. MY dog doesnt cower around me, he acts completely normal and loving around me, and my Mom, its anyone else he considers hostile and he will use his agression to protect us. I am sure this is the problem, but its not an excuse I'm using to tell people that this wasnt my fualt! Somewhere along the line, I screwed up being a good owner, or maybe it was from day one, I'm sure a good trainer good have prevented this problem from the start. I'm very sorry and very very sad that it has to come to what it his. No one feels worse for this dog than me, and thats a fact, because I love him to death! And if I could keep him I would. He is a great dog, hes just in the wrong society, a century ago, if your dog attacked people who came into your house unannouced or walked on your property, he would be praise, now and days they're a put down. I say that I have to put him down, now.. But when the day comes (the 13th) I dont think I can do it, I pray I'm strong enough to see it to the end with him completely.

 

[Rose's Gal]

Has he been evaluated by a vet to rule out medical issues? You said that he is fine most of the time, but other times he is a lunitic. That kinda sounds like Rage syndrom to me. But anyways, I hope you make the right decision, whether that be putting him down, or trying to work with him.