Quote:
Originally Posted by DarinBongo  Gina -
I normally agree with almost everything you say, however I have to go the total opposite direction here.
To suggest that the OP should make his dog "see stars" is the complete wrong thing to suggest. To use aggression on aggression will only accomplish the dog potentially turning around and REALLY snapping to harm. This is the LAST thing you should do SergeantMajor, and I'm very glad to read you didn't do that.
Also, the OP posted that this is a sudden mood change and otherwise has not had a problem with growling and snapping. To say that he's been "getting away with it", is clearly not possible, considering #1 - it has never been an issue and #2, the OP was concerned enough to go to the vet and even post here looking for help. To suggest without knowing the history that the OP "must just not be following" NILF is a totally pointless sentence, because it is very likely that he IS following NILF and the dog is just showing the typical adolescent behavior that comes up around this age. Dogs are not perfect and there is not one person on here who can say that they have NEVER had a dog act up, formal training or not.
Simple reinforcement of old training and stern rules will be the solution to help him get through this phase. And there may be a few phases of this behavior. Also if you did not get him fixed because you want to show him, then DO enroll him in formal classes, as an intact male IS harder to control with just training at home.
Best of luck! |
Well...that's fine you don't agree with me.
I've been a member here for almost 10 years....and I've never posted about any aggression problems with any of my own dogs or the many dogs I have fostered. Because, I think a good severe correction for snapping at the owner is much better then doing much of nothing. If the OP's dog had been given hell the first time, I'm sure he would not have even tried it again. Putting the dog away in a crate...is not the solution to aggression problems.
After years of experience, just from what the OP is writing...I can see this dog is running the show.
He's not following NILIF because the dog would be treating him like a leader if he was. The dog did just not turn...he's probably been giving signs that he is taking over....doing commands slowly, grumbling when given a command or ignoring commands...these are usually the first subtle signs that most people don't get.
I can honestly say that I've never had my own dog ever growl or snap at me...and that's after having many dogs in the last 32+ years. They know what I expect....and I think I am a fair, consistent leader. When I means "seeing stars"...I don't mean beating them up. I mean a "come to jesus meeting".....grabbing them by the jowls on both sides and lifting them off of their feet and adding a few choice swear words to boot
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One good correction, is far better then 20 little corrections. The dog understand that it did wrong and they better not try the behavior again.
I think it's far better then letting the behavior escalate ,and having the dog euthanized for attacking someone.
We are not talking about a poodle here...we are talking about an intact, mature male Rottie......and I would hope the owner is not afraid of his own dog.
Gina