Help! Fear Aggression

[Tracyd]

Quick background. I lost my best buddy, Vladimir, last November. Our family was so sad, we decided to get another Rott. Vlad was 13. I was a breeder while in college, so I am up to snuff on attitudes, problems, good and bad,but I am having a tough time with a decision I should probably make. We got Cannon from a lovely couple<have both Mom and Dad. Parents were sweet and kind, and nice to my 6 yr old son. Cannon has major issues. We have practiced NILF from day one, my son also knows to be the boss of Cannon, does not harrass him, or play rough, etc. I would not tolerate it. Anyway, Cannon is 10 months old, not fixed. Showing major signs of fear aggression. From 8 weeks, I took him everywhere. To my son's school, stores, parks, etc. He did great. Now, not great. Took him to the pet store yesterday. A 12 yr old girl walked up, said hello, put her hand out for him to smell. He was fine, then she went to pet him. Growling, snapping, snarling followed. Good thing she was quicker than his snap. I corrected him with a quick snap of the pinch collar, and a loud no. Went to take him out of the store, and an employee said, what a beautiful boy, went to pet him, and same thing. Cannon got low to the ground, peed, hair standing up, and wild eyed. I have a behaviorist coming Tuesday morning. I'm considering PTS. I don't feel right about finding him a new home. Not responsible to the breed. His brain may just be lacking a connection somewhere it seems. Just looking for some advice. Am I doing the right thing, or should I attempt to work with him? Will this be a 10 year struggle to keep him from biting someone? I also don't trust him with my son. He's very skiddish. Thanks for any input.

[Judi W]

I could and would not live with the liability.

[Tracyd]

Thank you for your input. Hate to just give up, we've put so much into training, socializing, etc., and it will break our hearts

[Tracyd]

Vet said to keep him home, no new situations, etc. UUGH!!!

[Tracyd]

Any advice from you Denise?

[Judi W]

You will find many people who will recommend changing the world to accomodate such dog. I am not one of those. A fearful dog lives a pretty restricted life and a very stressful life (as does its owners). A fearful dog that has the response of using aggression to deal with its fear is a danger.

It entirely depends upon your willingness to be hostage to an unstable dog. I believe that the family dog should be a joy.

[pazzo]

I am curious as to why the change? Why now? I know that this is the age where they start sexual maturity, but such a sudden personality change is confusing to me. he never showed any weaknesses in character before? Understand I am just asking questions, not judging, just trying to learn more.

[Denise L.]

Originally Posted by Tracyd

Any advice from you Denise?

I don't know if I am the "Denise" you are asking but I have never owned a fearful dog. I have heard many stories of folks trying behaviorists with differing results.

I do believe, however, that a fearful dangerous dog is not a happy dog and doesn't have a good quality of life. Not to mention the quality of life for the owners!

[Tracyd]

I too agree that a family dog should be a joy, and yes he would have to be held hostage in my home, and for what? Because I feel guilty about the alternative? I don't know why the sudden change. He's always been a little nervous, but has never shown aggression to anyone coming into my home or yard. He did show aggression to my son one time, but he was given a quick and stern correction. He was on the floor with a bone any my son sat down next to him. No excuse for aggression as far as I'm concerned, but it happened.

[Tracyd]

Well, I guess the general answers so far are to PTS. It's probably the most responsible thing to do. This does not change my opinion of Rotts. I still firmly believe that they are the best family dog, smart, and beautiful. Maybe I'll give it another try in a couple years. My heart still hurts for my old guy, and for Cannon too.

[StephanieandToby]

Your dog might be in pain. I went through a similar thing with my dog and after taking him back to training, etc....I found out he had an enormous abcess under the skin of his neck and shoulders. You couldn't see it to look at him, but he was in agony and became aggressive from one day to the next.
You can imagine my guilt.
Please take him for a full check-up.
If everything comes out fine and healthy, then I agree with others...you should not have a dog that is such a liability.
Good luck!

[Tracyd]

He had a thorough vet check last week. Needless to say, he had to be muzzled and went absolutely nuts. They gave him a blood test, stool test, general whole body exam to see if anything could be wrong physically. Nothing was found.

[Sargeant_C]

I had a dog who was fear aggressive. I tried everything and decided a life with a very short leash and a muzzle on her everytime we walked out was not a dog's life.
I know it is hard but I had to put her down and I held her until she passed and I did recieve a kiss right before she went. So in my mind I did the right thing. I released her from a world of fears and onto a world of happiness and peace.

[JeanT]

I did live with a fear aggressive dog for three years. He was six when I got him from the shelter (owner had not time for him anymore). He was not nearly as bad as some I've read about here, but there were changes I made to have him living comfortable and safely that I did not even really realize I was making. I loved him, I know I gave him a good life (my goal), but I felt guilty after he died to realize that I not only was very sad but also felt relief.

I will say that since you let this happen:

He did show aggression to my son one time, but he was given a quick and stern correction. He was on the floor with a bone any my son sat down next to him.

that there were probably other earlier signs of problems that you missed and the behavior in the pet store was just too obvious to miss rather than being a sudden change.

[Judi W]

As the fearful dog matures and feels bigger and stronger, it believes it then has the strength to take care of that which frightens it. It is not uncommon for the aggression to come to the fore at that time.