Oppinions on an agressive dog

[Bird]

I always loved dogs and never liked harming them but a 12 year old has to protect himself.

Did you ever carry a water pistol filled with ammonia?

 

[N80]

I'm afraid that's a generalization that's usually true of both people and dogs (and other animals), but not always true.

Of course. I did not mean to suggest that there were no exceptions.

 

[tallyho8]

Did you ever carry a water pistol filled with ammonia?

No, I couldn't afford ammonia back then.

 

[Sigarms]

Did you ever carry a water pistol filled with ammonia?

Actually, with some dogs, you don't even need ammonia. We found out a long time ago that dogs USUALLY don't like water being squirted on their nose.

Now, I've never tried "the water treatment" for an agressive dog, however, for a simple negative stimulous for bad behavior, we use a small red squirt water bottle.

I had a customer who actually kept his boxer at his office. He loved that dog, but boy, was he hyperactive. Dog always had an issue with wanting to jump on you ALL THE TIME (and this dog was pure muscle and strong). I consider myself a "dog person" and can tolerate (for short periods of time) bad behavior from someone elses dog when I'm the guest, but it got to the point where I couldn't tolerate it anymore (and having dogs wanting to jump on you is bad behavior, although it could be sign of insecurity). Brought in that small red water bottle, couple of squirts on his nose (with his owners permission of course) and as long as I had that red bottle in my hands, that dog didn't want to jump on me (although I could tell it was killing him).

Some may argue that dogs are color blind, but they always seem to know the difference between that red bottle and other colors.

Ironic, this technique works wonders with our yellow lab if she gets "to playful", but the Aussie mix just wants to drink the water up and will stand there being squirted.

I'm afraid that's a generalization that's usually true of both people and dogs (and other animals), but not always true. There have been good people who were raised by bad parents, and vice versa. And there have been dogs that were "properly" raised and trained, but have suddenly attacked people without provocation.

It seems that the concurrence of opinion is that all will be well with your kids and your dogs, if you only understand them and properly raise and teach/train them. That's certainly what we hope for and it's true in the majority of cases, but not always by any means. That doesn't account for differences in personalities, genetics, instincts, etc.

Even within the same breed of dog (or horse, or cow, or other animal) or even within the same family of humans, there may be huge differences in personalities and actions. Just because you raise and train two or more dogs of the same breed as much exactly alike as you possibly can, doesn't mean they'll always react the same in the future.

Amazing Bird, I agree 110%

When training, if a dog gets aggresive, he will throw it on its back and bite it hard on the lip or nose. Yes, it sounds gross but he says that it will teach it who's boss of his pack.

You need to know your animal before you attempt this and NEVER do this with a strange animal.

There is a big difference between an aggresive dog and a protective dog.

To some extent, yes, but it can be a VERY fine line which without proper training, can lead to some serious issues which dosen't bode well for the animal. The basic question to ask yourself if this behavior can be a potential problem is at what point is the animal showing agression for "protection"?

True. But so is urine marking. My dog is not allowed to do either one inside

With every dog that we've found a home for, every one has left our place house trained. Fact is, to find better families for dogs, you increase your odds of finding good homes if the dog has "house manners". I find it funny when some people are amazed that we do a home visit for placement of an animal. Yes, to some it's just a dog, but if you spend the time and work to train the animal, well... lets just say you'd be AMAZED at some of the people who want a pet.

Their behaviors reflect their upbringing. Either one, left to its own devices will behave like wild animal.

And the sad fact is that domesticated pets are like children in that you normally don't need a license to have either.

But Cesar is not a deity and he cannot fix every dog.

You're kidding, right

The best "reality show" for dealing with dogs with mulitple behavioral issues I can think of is to tour the Best Friends Animal Sancutary in Knaab (sp?) Utah. They do have a remarkable program.

As far as dogs chasing children on their bikes or the mail carriers, the question I would ask is where were the owners? Dogs should be supervised if they are not in a controlled area.

 

[LBrown59]

Did you ever carry a water pistol filled with ammonia?

No. But me and my cousin carried BB guns on our bikes.

 

[CDsdad]

I'll start by clarifying that I'm not a pet "lover". I won't see one abused or mistreated in any way, but most dogs are indifferent to me or shy away.

My kids have 2 dogs. A female cocker spaniel and a male border collie. The cocker spaniel was 3 years old when we brought home the border collie puppy and she made it known she was the boss. 6 months later the collie is twice her size and he is the boss of the two, and they generally have peace together, but both love my kids and my wife. We also have a cat which can whip either dog.

The collie is a typical hyper puppy and in about 3 months will go from a "he" to an "it". If either had/does ever show aggression toward my family they would be/will be gone. Somebody said you can have more kids. Well, we can't and I'm partial to the ones I have.

I don't hesitate to eliminate strays or unknown dogs that come around. We live very rural and anybody nearby knows which dog belongs where, and so do the dogs. So one roaming is generally a stray or one somebody has thrown out to fend for itself.

I wouldn't keep an aggressive dog around. Either someone willing to take him and tolerate or train him could have it, or the other solution.

 

[Dargo]

Did you ever carry a water pistol filled with ammonia?

Actually, yes, back in the mid 70's. That was after I received just over 100 stitches after I discovered that I couldn't out run a dog on my bicycle while delivering newspapers. I never had to use my 'special' squirt gun though. While I was still getting around in a wheelchair that dog died from a 'close range' shotgun blast to the facial area. That was after the owners refused to submit the dog for rabies testing and I was going to have to begin treatment. I've never asked, but I have a suspicion either my dad or one of his friends may have had something to do with that. Either way, I was happy because it tested negative for rabies and I didn't have to have all those shots.

 

[LMTC]

Actually, yes, back in the mid 70's. That was after I received just over 100 stitches after I discovered that I couldn't out run a dog on my bicycle while delivering newspapers. I never had to use my 'special' squirt gun though. While I was still getting around in a wheelchair that dog died from a 'close range' shotgun blast to the facial area. That was after the owners refused to submit the dog for rabies testing and I was going to have to begin treatment. I've never asked, but I have a suspicion either my dad or one of his friends may have had something to do with that. Either way, I was happy because it tested negative for rabies and I didn't have to have all those shots.

Wow, that's surprising. I know where we live, at least since my teen years (because of an incident in our neighborhood), the law provides for the health department to take and quarantine the animal after a bite if the owner doesn't provide satisfactory assurance to confine and isolate it for the observation period.

 

[N80]

They either observe it or kill it and examine the brain tissue. A shotgun blast to the head could have made the brain biopsy impossible. There are other tissue samples that can be used but brain is the standard from what I remember.

 

[LBrown59]

Actually, yes, back in the mid 70's. That was after I received just over 100 stitches after I discovered that I couldn't out run a dog on my bicycle while delivering newspapers. I never had to use my 'special' squirt gun though. While I was still getting around in a wheelchair that dog died from a 'close range' shotgun blast to the facial area. That was after the owners refused to submit the dog for rabies testing and I was going to have to begin treatment. I've never asked, but I have a suspicion either my dad or one of his friends may have had something to do with that. Either way, I was happy because it tested negative for rabies and I didn't have to have all those shots.

Here the owner has no say in the matter.