Hi. We adopted a dog from a local UK rescue centre about 6 weeks ago. we were told that he was from Bosnia and would need some training re walking on the lead etc but assured that he had a great temperament and would make a good family pet (which certainly seemed to be the case when we met him several times at the centre). He is 3 years old approx.
We are making progress with getting him to walk without pulling on the lead, sitting when told etc. However, he barks and lunges at some people (mainly men) and dogs. We have managed to carefully introduce him to some visitors (women) by meeting the outside the home first but when we have tried the same with a male friend he barked a lot and seemed very aggressive. I am currently choosing walks/times carefully to avoid people and ensure I can keep a distance if we do encounter any men. Interestingly, if we are somewhere busier he does seem to be more accepting of people but from what I have read this is probably just because he has shut down with all the possible triggers around.
I am in the process of training him to accept a muzzle but due to his unpredictability I dare not have visitors round and I am worried when we are on walks. I am looking for a 1:1 dog trainer and have spoken to one who seems quite worried by what I have described and I have to say so am I.
Has anyone got any experiences of turning around behaviour like this with a rescue dog? I am starting to think that I need to decide whether I am prepared to put up with this behaviour for the rest of his life or return him to the rescue centre. I really don't think I have the mental strength to accept that for the next 10 years or so I cannot have friends over without worrying and to have to walk him at 5am or in empty fields every day. But I know that my children will be devastated if I send him back and I will feel incredibly guilty for failing him.
Any thoughts or advice? I really think I need to make a decision sooner rather than later to avoid everyone getting more attached and making things even harder.
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The doghouse
Rescue dog from overseas- any good experiences- really worried
31 replies
wheresmymouseorgan · 15/01/2020 12:04
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