Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Help, agressive ddog

12 replies

Skrowten · 02/04/2018 09:03

I've posted before about my reactive dog but it is not getting better. He snaps and young children and any strangers that approach him. He had bitten my husband and snaps and children without warning. I have done one to one training and do everything I am supposed to do. He is never aggressive with my own children and if I was to have him PTS they would be heartbroken. He us 19 months old, mix of collie lurcher.

OP posts:
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 02/04/2018 11:04

I, too, would be very worried, particularly with regards to the biting DH and snapping at the children; it could escalate with devastating consequences. I don't have the experience to be able to advise you properly (my own dog's reactivity is very much at the mild end of the spectrum), but I do know this facebook group is very good and specialist - repost there and they will be able to offer you support and practical steps to take www.facebook.com/groups/1633448230248202/

Re the 121 training, not all trainers are equal - indeed, you don't need any qualifications to call yourself a trainer or behaviourist. What methods did they teach you? It may be that you need to find a trainer who actually knows what they're doing with reactivity (many / most don't) - again, that facebook group can provide recommendations in area.

Wolfiefan · 02/04/2018 11:12

19 months seems very young for such extreme behaviour. What is his history and what were you advised to do? For now I would use safe spaces to exercise him and seek an APDT trainer for behavioural help. Consider using stairgates at home and be VERY wary of anyone coming to the house.

honeyroar · 02/04/2018 11:21

Do you know what's making him aggressive? Strangers fair enough, but in the house - is he protective of you or the children? Guarding his food/toys? Startled?

I agree with exercising him in a safe place or otherwise having him muzzled and the stairgate is a good idea.

Raven88 · 02/04/2018 11:25

You could try taking him to the vet because they may have something that could calm him down. Sounds like fear and his reaction is to defend himself. I would muzzle him so he isn't at risk of bitting a stranger.

kingjofferyworksintescos · 02/04/2018 11:35

Something in your situation isn't working, I think he would be better rehomed with a more experienced person who gave him more training and set boundary's, he's only young and needs to be busy and have his mind occupied .

Wolfiefan · 02/04/2018 11:36

Some dogs are worse muzzled and if he's scared then getting a muzzle on him could get the OP bitten.

LEMtheoriginal · 02/04/2018 11:37

He sounds scared and unhappy. That is no reflection on you but I think you should rehome him.

Original poster
Skrowten · 02/04/2018 11:48

Yes to muzzle. Will be visiting my local pet centre tomorrow. We have a stairgate. He goes mental when anyone comes in the house

OP posts:
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 02/04/2018 14:04

How much exercise is he getting? I ask because
(a) collies are notorious for needing a great deal of mental and physical exercise, and
(b) my dog's reactivity is awful if he isn't walked to the point of exhaustion each and every day. I thought for ages that it was all the training I'd put in that was helping him get better, and then realised that it was mainly the exercise when circumstances meant he only got a short walk for two days and he was back to his old self. If he was my teenage son I'd be sending him to the local boxing club and thanking them for the structure and exercise he was getting.

You don't say if strangers are an issue out of the house, or if he's just primarily guarding his territory, or if other dogs are an issue, but if they are you can hire secure dog walking fields where it will just be you and your dog www.dogwalkingfields.co.uk

On the topic of mental stimulation, you can achieve it in a variety of ways, in addition to what he gets on walks. Trick training is always good - mine has learned everything from play dead to beg, which are all functionally useless but make good party tricks and most importantly keep him entertained. There are also all sorts of toys you can use - Kongs, snuffle mats, etc. This group has lots of excellent ideas www.facebook.com/groups/canineenrichment/

Has he been checked by a vet to make sure he's not in pain? Sometimes pain can manifest itself in dogs and humans as grumpiness to the point of snappiness.

Muzzles are a good idea for everyone's safety, but you have to train the dog to accept it www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/dogs-and-muzzle-training

Original poster
Skrowten · 02/04/2018 15:13

Thanks all

OP posts:
Original poster
Skrowten · 02/04/2018 17:32

I brought him on a 9km walk today and he is lovely and chilled just now, it's when other people(children especially) are around is the main problem

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 02/04/2018 17:45

For now keep him away from other people and good luck finding a behaviourist.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread