My new dog -- Mr. Jackel & Dr. Hyde

[njean]

Well I found out some traits in my new doggie that I'm not happy with!

I adopted this little dog a little over a month ago from the shelter. At the shelter she was docile & seemed friendly enough towards everyone in general.

Well, last week we had a guy repairing our concrete irrigation ditch & when he was done, he came into our fenced in area to grab a cold drink from the ice chest we had set out there for him. When he entered the area, my new dog went ballastic. She started growling, baring her teeth & making advances towards him like she was going to bite him. He was a bit startled & I was absolutely astounded by her surprising behavior! When the guy turned around to leave, she ran after him & took a bite at his boot from behind! I yelled at her to stop but she wouldn't let up! Finally she turned around & came back & I scolded her loudly & told her what a bad girl she was! She just hung her head & moped around for a bit. I figured that perhaps she was started by him when he came into her territory and/or perhaps she been abused by boys when she was a stray.

Well, this weekend when my hubby & I left town for a few days, I asked my dear neighbor to keep an eye on them & gave her instructions on the feeding & what not.

On our way out on Friday her husband was cutting the grass & we stopped to say good-bye & I told him to keep an eye on our new dog's behavior & proceeded to tell him what had happened with the worker. I honestly didn't think the dog would behave like this to my neighbor.

Boy was I wrong! Last night when I called them to tell them we were back & to thank them, she told me the new dog had been simply awful to her! She said that she growled, barked & bared her teeth at her & that she had to practically throw the food at her because she couldn't get close!

So now I guess I'm SOL if I want her to take care of them again when we leave town!

I know that taking her back to the shelter is NOT an option anymore because she's very loving to us & we've grown fond of her. So short of enrolling her in "anger management" classes or calling Cesar Millan, I'm not sure what to do??

Any ideas??

 

[Glenda]

It really sounds like she is just protecting her territory. Poor little thing, no telling how she has been treated before. Maybe a dog training class would help. Good luck in training her temper.

I've never had a dog that has been aggressive so I wouldn't know what to do. I did have a little one that would bite at my smaller grandchildren because she was afraid they were going to pick her up so when they came over she would have to go to the bedroom. If she had bit one of them my husband would probably have killed her on the spot. He doesn't like mean dogs, and she wasn't mean, she was just protecting herself from getting hurt. They finally got where they just wouldn't pay any attention to her and then she was okay.

 

[Bina]

Norma, I understand your frustration......I am going to PM you something.

 

[njean]

It really sounds like she is just protecting her territory. Poor little thing, no telling how she has been treated before. Maybe a dog training class would help. Good luck in training her temper.

I've never had a dog that has been aggressive so I wouldn't know what to do. I did have a little one that would bite at my smaller grandchildren because she was afraid they were going to pick her up so when they came over she would have to go to the bedroom. If she had bit one of them my husband would probably have killed her on the spot. He doesn't like mean dogs, and she wasn't mean, she was just protecting herself from getting hurt. They finally got where they just wouldn't pay any attention to her and then she was okay.

See, that is what worries me right now. My little grand niece is suppose to be coming over to spend the day Thursday with me & probably the night & if the dog acts this way, I'm afraid my husband will act just like yours!
He won't put up with that stuff!

I'm just going to make sure my niece doesn't go near her.

 

[Bina]

I used to have a Bouvier des Flandres....Big boy.....Fantastic dog, but he hated it when little kids would try to hug him, so I played safe and put him in my bedroom when my daughter had a friend over. The kids were able to pat him and say hello when I supervised. The safety of children must always be top priority.
Norma, can you put your little scruffy in the garage for a while on Thursday?

 

[njean]

I used to have a Bouvier des Flandres....Big boy.....Fantastic dog, but he hated it when little kids would try to hug him, so I played safe and put him in my bedroom when my daughter had a friend over. The kids were able to pat him and say hello when I supervised. The safety of children must always be top priority.
Norma, can you put your little scruffy in the garage for a while on Thursday?

Oh yes, I can keep dog & child away from one another if I have to.

It's just too bad that she can't be friendly & loving like my Petrie!

 

[Bina]

She has some past issues that need to be resolved.
Hang in there.

 

[catwoman]

Norma:

Have you consulted your veterinarian? Has he/she examined your dog since you got her? Best to rule out anything physical, although since she's fine around y'all but not others, that's probably not a physical problem.

Seems your dog may need some one-on-one consult with a vet specializing in animal behavior, or at the least, some obedience courses.

Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor at the Texas A&M Veterinary School, specializes in animal behavior and is a member of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a certified specialty. She has several books on animal behavior, one for dogs (I have the one for cats).
You might ask around with vets to see if they have a copy of the book and if anything might be helpful. You can purchase a copy at amazon.com (over $50).

We don't always get background on cats that come into our rescue program and we've often found that information we do get is often wrong. No doubt the same holds for any other rescue program.

From a liability angle, I would be hesitant to allow this dog around others until you get some help from a vet or behavior specialist. You may need to kennel the dog while others are at your home, board her with a vet when you go out of town.

 

[njean]

Norma:

Have you consulted your veterinarian? Has he/she examined your dog since you got her? Best to rule out anything physical, although since she's fine around y'all but not others, that's probably not a physical problem.

Seems your dog may need some one-on-one consult with a vet specializing in animal behavior, or at the least, some obedience courses.

Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor at the Texas A&M Veterinary School, specializes in animal behavior and is a member of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a certified specialty. She has several books on animal behavior, one for dogs (I have the one for cats).
You might ask around with vets to see if they have a copy of the book and if anything might be helpful. You can purchase a copy at amazon.com (over $50).

We don't always get background on cats that come into our rescue program and we've often found that information we do get is often wrong. No doubt the same holds for any other rescue program.

From a liability angle, I would be hesitant to allow this dog around others until you get some help from a vet or behavior specialist. You may need to kennel the dog while others are at your home, board her with a vet when you go out of town.

When I took her to the vet 2 weeks ago, he said that she appeared to be much older than what the people at the shelter had told me. He thought her to be about 4 or 5 years of age instead of 2 years old that I had been told at the shelter.

And for liability sakes as you say, as much as I hate leaving them at a boarding facility, that's probably what I'll have to do if we leave for an extended period of time & I don't take them with me!

You see she's fine when she goes somewhere, like at the vets --- all the staff, the vet, were loving on her & she was fine with it. I just think she just has some territorial issues here at home.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

When I was growing up, my neighbors were adopted by a young German Shepherd. After having him checked by a vet and trying to find his family, he became theirs. He was a great dog as long as he knew you or if he was on a leash outside of his yard. But if anyone came into his yard that he didn't know, he could be quite aggressive, more so if the person was in any type of uniform. They assumed he had been trained as a watchdog, but were never sure why he especially disliked those in uniform. When work men needed into her backyard, they always knocked on the door looking frightened and said, "Ma'am, could you lock up that mean dog?" She always got a kick out of sending her young son out to call the dog and bring him indoors.

Just be careful and keep her on a leash or inside when people need to get in your backyard. Our neighbor's dog had no problem with us going over to feed him while they were gone, but wouldn't have let anyone else in the yard. So perhaps get her more acquainted with the neighbors while you are there and she is leashed to see if it gets better.

 

[njean]

Thanks everyone for you suggestions & advice! I will certainly work with her & try to get her used to the neighbors around us & perhaps eventually she'll overcome the aggressiveness she exhibits, I hope!

 

[hall]

I hope you can resolve the issue Norma. I know that has to be a worry. I had a dog, we grew up with, and the neighbor fed it while we were away and the dog was very mean and growling and showing teeth ect., like yours. Our dog was not aggressive at all that we saw. That was the only time I am aware the dog acted like that. Maybe fear and protecting it's territory. I would keep children and the dog separate though. Best of luck to you.

 

[Dennis S]

Maybe this will put me squarely in the "doghouse", but I am very leary of aggressive dogs. As a lawyer and prosecutor I was forced to see too many pictures of what a dog can do to children, or even adults. Often times there is a fear some innocent child may carry for a lifetime. I am a dog lover--we have three of our own. But I won't take any chances with my grand-children, neighbors, etc.

My son had two large dogs. One was a Rottweiler, the other a mix of boxer/pit bull. The Rottweiler was, and has always been a great dog. The boxer/pit showed signs of aggression early on. One evening when my son was gone & both dogs were in the house when the battle started. The boxer/pit seemed to be prepared for a fight to the death. There was blood flying in the bedroom. My very small, very beautiful daughter-in-law couldn't get past the dogs to the door, and her terrified screams are something I will never forget.

It became apparent the boxer/pit was going to rip the throat out of the Rottweiler. (I know a lot about dogs, and I am absolutely sure this was going to happen). It was stupid of me, but to save the Rottweiler, (I really do love dogs), I speared my right arm between the teeth, snagged the collar of the boxer/pit and drug it out of the room, slamming the door shut with my leg. The boxer/pit marched crazily back and forth across the room while I shielded my little daughter-in-law with my body. Eventually it calmed down and I got that dog into a crate. The Rottweiler required hundreds of dollars of vet bills, and has never really been the same as before that evening.

I won't tolerate aggressive behavior from a dog, especially aggressive behavior towards people.

 

[catwoman]

Norma:

I'll put a query on some of the animal lists I'm on for leads on dog behavior groups online. Yahoogroups has some wonderful lists.

 

[Dennis S]

Just a quick follow-up. Someone reading my earlier post might wonder why someone would want dogs of those breeds (especially two of them). Both were shelter dogs, and the boxer/pit mix was going to be put down (as a puppy) because no one wanted such a breed. My son felt sorry for it, and it was always under control in it's presence.

I also want to hasten to add that I have no idea what is appropriate for any specific dog, such as Norma's. As a society we have become much more humane to our animals, and that is a great thing.

I had written a much longer post, but decided to delete most of it. As a lawyer let me just say there is a very big, and horrifying, potential down side to keeping aggressive dogs.

 

[perrypiratesdad]

Sounds like she/he needs some doggie socialization. We had a dog that was sort of like this, but was a Lab, so he was bigger and more scary. I would suggest taking her to Petsmart (or any other place that does training) and just doing the basic obedience class. This will help bond her with you (sounds like you have that under control, but still it is good) and will get her used to other people. The trainer can also help you with the territory issues.

 

[njean]

One more thing..........

One more thing..........

Two weeks ago when I took her to my vet to get checked out, I had them do a comprensive blood test on her because ever since what happened to my beloved Bridgette, I just wanted her to get completely checked out.

Anyway, her liver, kidneys, heart all checked out okay. But, the blood test noted a rather high potassium levels & that that was found in a disease called Addison's Disease which is the opposite of Cushings in dogs.

I know...here we go again! He said, it's indeed very rare & he had only diagnosed one other dog with this disease in his years of practice. He said too that it could have been just a flaw in the test so he wants me to take her in this week for a BUN test. (I guess it was a good idea that I decided to purchase Pet Insurance for all three of my pets just a month ago!)

Anyone heard of Addison's?

So I have to schedule her for this test this week & I am going to mention her behavior to the vet & see what he recommends or perhaps it has something to do with what may be going on with her physically. We'll see & I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for listening.

P.S. and Dennis, I too totally dislike aggressive behavior in dogs especially my own pets. We have many friends & family with young children & I have never had to warn them to stay away from the dogs because I've always had sweet, sweet dogs, so this really saddens me!

 

[Bina]

Norma, I'm sure that if you google Addison's in dogs.... you will find much info.

Regarding her behaviour, don't freak out too much.
She is not being aggressive with you, only strangers. And the fact that she came from behind and snapped at the man proves that she has fear issues.

You don't need a run of the mill dog obedience class (but it's good to take one), your doggie needs professional help with this.
The right help can save her, the wrong help can ruin her.

 

[njean]

Norma, I'm sure that if you google Addison's in dogs.... you will find much info.

Regarding her behaviour, don't freak out too much.
She is not being aggressive with you, only strangers. And the fact that she came from behind and snapped at the man proves that she has fear issues.

You don't need a run of the mill dog obedience class (but it's good to take one), your doggie needs professional help with this.
The right help can save her, the wrong help can ruin her.

Thank God because if she had done this to my husband, it would have been the last time...if you know what I mean!

I think she was definitely abused & so does the vet. In fact, her right ear is very crinkled which was either caused by some sort of injury or a very bad infection that went untreated according to what the vet told me.

She needs love, lots of it & I'm here to give that to her now!

 

[Bina]

Yes, she needs love. ( not spoiling though)
Keep common sense rules, for her especially.
You are the pack leader: you go through doorways and gates before her, feed her last, make her sit and be calm before putting the dish down, etc. etc.