Medical Problem or Behavior Problem??

[Witchypu13]

Just over a year ago my husband brought home a rottweiler that he saw thrown from a truck. She was about 20lbs underweight and obviously abused (several scars, very dirty, extremely cracked pads, scars on her ears from being "pinched"). I read the article about "abused vs weak nerved" dogs, and think she may be a little of both. She is still scared of most men, loud noises, and quick movement. She barks a lot at anything she hears outside and is very protective of me. Our vet diagnosed her with Seperatation Anxiety and has put her on 50mg of amitryptaline 2x per day. At night (and only if I have gone to bed) she becomes very agressive towards my husband. It's almost as if you can see the fear in her face if she hears him outside the bedroom once I turn the lights out. Our vet just increase her amitryptaline to 50mg 3x per day and wants my husband to try some "dominance training" with her to try to correct the problem. Does anyone have any other ideas?? We don't know what to do. She's so loving towards him during the day--but goes crazy at night?????

[moondog]

I remember you....!

Any possibility she has a vision problem? And please explain the "dominance training" the vet wants done...what is he recommending your husband do? Has she gone to training classes?

[Judi W]

I do not think dominance exercises from him are going to help one bit and will probably simply make him a victim of a fear bite.

A couple of things. Keep the bathroom light on. Make sure you sing out in a happy voice "hello Sam" (or charlie or whoever), and then you be the one to correct her if she still acts aggressive towards him. Make sure you let her know in clear terms that he is under your protection, he is your dear one and is to be treated with respect and no excuses like it being night. She knows damn good and well who it is. I'd say if he has been living with being threatened in his own home for a year or so he has gone way beyond what I would be willing to do. She's been there for a year and still hasn't figured out that he belongs there and that she is not in danger, past abuse is no reason for this.

Beyond that, I would probably put her down as no one should have to live with being threatened in their own home.

[damp]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I do not think dominance exercises from him are going to help one bit and will probably simply make him a victim of a fear bite.

A couple of things. Keep the bathroom light on. Make sure you sing out in a happy voice "hello Sam" (or charlie or whoever), and then you be the one to correct her if she still acts aggressive towards him. Make sure you let her know in clear terms that he is under your protection, he is your dear one and is to be treated with respect and no excuses like it being night. She knows damn good and well who it is. I'd say if he has been living with being threatened in his own home for a year or so he has gone way beyond what I would be willing to do. She's been there for a year and still hasn't figured out that he belongs there and that she is not in danger, past abuse is no reason for this.

Beyond that, I would probably put her down as no one should have to live with being threatened in their own home.

I couldn't agree more!!!

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I do not think dominance exercises from him are going to help one bit and will probably simply make him a victim of a fear bite.

A couple of things. Keep the bathroom light on. Make sure you sing out in a happy voice "hello Sam" (or charlie or whoever), and then you be the one to correct her if she still acts aggressive towards him. Make sure you let her know in clear terms that he is under your protection, he is your dear one and is to be treated with respect and no excuses like it being night. She knows damn good and well who it is. I'd say if he has been living with being threatened in his own home for a year or so he has gone way beyond what I would be willing to do. She's been there for a year and still hasn't figured out that he belongs there and that she is not in danger, past abuse is no reason for this.

Beyond that, I would probably put her down as no one should have to live with being threatened in their own home.

In addition, it's hell for a dog to live a life with such demons.

[Witchypu13]

The vet actually suggested it may be a vision problem--but no tests yet. As far as the dominance training, he's talking about thinks like making her stay in a down position by standing on her leash until he allows her to get up--things like that. As for putting her down, I just can't give up on her like that. It makes no sense to me that this would only happen at night and not any other time.

[moondog]

Well, I can't see how forcing her into submission would do anything for her lack of confidence in your husband. If I was him, I'd be more likely to have a pocketful of treats and have her come and get 'em (for a sit, or something similar).

Are you going to have her eyes checked?

[poohbearsmom]

Many dogs are much more 'on guard' at night. It's simply an environmental factor. What you are describing is a dog with terribly weak nerve, and dog who's very unhappy in her own little world. If the medications are not helping her, then I don't know what to tell you. I'm sure she's a sweetie, but please look at the whole picture here.

Your husband exercising 'dominance' over her is a sure fire way to get bitten out of fear.

To be quite candid with you, I put down a dog because of these same types of issues. Over 7 years of trying to find answers, and I finally came to grips with the fact that I couldn't train out temperament. No one can. It's hard wired and genetic.
She got worse as she got older, and to tell you the truth, even though it was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I still tear up nearly 7 years later when I think of her, I found much solace in knowing that I released her of her demons that day.

Many dogs are abused and neglected. Those of good nerve and temperament do not suffer psychologically like this. They bounce back.

Judi is correct - she's been in your household long enough to realize your husband is a member of the family. He deserves to feel safe and comfortable in his own home.

A fear bite is the worst kind - because the dog is really perceiving that it's life is being threatened.

[damp]

Well… a night is about 8 hours and 1/3 of day and night and also 1/3 of the dog’s life. It’s pretty much (besides having a dog on med. the rest of it’s life that don’t seems to have any effect) No one in my house will have to ask a dog to go to the toilet at nights.

A mental sound blind dog would know better!!! (Even a blind hen can find a bug to survive)

[rottielover2004]

I too had to make the hardest decsion in my life. My bear was my best pal, but when things were to unstable for him, and he was constintly in fear,( aggressive). I did the right thing in the end. I know now he is much happier. I too was not able to protect him from those evil demons he had from before I adopted him, I tried everything. When I noticed his quality of life diminish, I chose the unselfish act. Needless to say I was on the phone with my vet for 3 hours crying, trying to find another way. But she was right in the end. Nothing could have helped him. I feel for you, but mostly I feel for the poor dog to be living a life so terrified.

[Judi W]

I lived with a Rottweiler who became totally blind for a while when the swelling from his lymphoma caused loss of vision. It did not make him hostile. He knew every second who anyone was.

This is not a night time problem just exaberated at night. "She is still scared of most men, loud noises, and quick movement. She barks a lot at anything she hears outside and is very protective of me." This is not a happy dog, but one that is living with fear 24-7. Not a nice life. I also do not believe that anyone should have to feel endangered in their own home and that includes the people. If your husband has any importance to you, the very least you can do is throw her butt out of the bedroom and crate her at night. I cannot imagine telling a loved one that their comfort and safety are less important to me than an unstable and dangerous dog.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I lived with a Rottweiler who became totally blind for a while when the swelling from his lymphoma caused loss of vision. It did not make him hostile. He knew every second who anyone was.

This is not a night time problem just exaberated at night. "She is still scared of most men, loud noises, and quick movement. She barks a lot at anything she hears outside and is very protective of me." This is not a happy dog, but one that is living with fear 24-7. Not a nice life. I also do not believe that anyone should have to feel endangered in their own home and that includes the people. If your husband has any importance to you, the very least you can do is throw her butt out of the bedroom and crate her at night. I cannot imagine telling a loved one that their comfort and safety are less important to me than an unstable and dangerous dog.

You're absolutely correct, Judi... I mentioned that the dark of night could highten a dog's senses, but I did not intend for that statement to be used as an excuse for this behavior.

To reitterate what I stated before, no amount of training can change the inborn temperament of a dog.

This is not merely a case of 'poor baby got abused and needs time to adjust'. She's had PLENTY of time to recover from bad treatment.