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Thread: Dog help
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20th June 2009, 05:26 PM #1
Dog help
G'day, we have a bull mastiff cross who is a very good natured dog. But when he gets out of the yard and the kids are outside, he becomes aggressive toward people he doesn't know.
He just bit a bloke up the road and this isn't the first time. Last time it was a teenager and he didn't break the skin, but today he took out a large chunk. He's been desexed, but we dont know what else to do, short of keeping the gate shut. Maybe a running lead, but that wont stop it, just assist keeping him in. Does anyone have any advice to help us out. He's a good guard dog and good with our kids, but if this keeps up we'll have to put him down. He's 1 and a half. Until a month ago we had another dog, 8 years old who was the alpha male, but he disappeared, and since then this one has been acting out, and these 2 incidents have occurred. Help please!Mick
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20th June 2009 05:26 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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20th June 2009, 05:55 PM #2
G'day Mick,
I'm not a Dog Whisperer by any means, but I'd get another dog quickly. He's lost the boss, and probably doesn't know what to do.
The other dog will distract him enough for a while until he works it out.
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20th June 2009, 11:51 PM #3
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20th June 2009, 11:55 PM #4
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21st June 2009, 12:21 AM #5
I too would have any dog destroyed that bit anyone once.
If he bites again and the injured person sues (the dog, having a prior record of biting), the judge will throw the book at you. Your insurers won't want to know and you could lose a substantial amount..
I know you believe you understand what you think I wrote, but I'm not sure you realize that what you just read is not what I meant.
Regards, Woodwould.
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21st June 2009, 10:07 AM #6
We can't do that, it would break my baby girls heart, particularly after losing the other dog. I think he was trying to protect them but he didn't realise he didn't have to. Dr Dog maybe worth a try, and 40 bucks is better than the alternative.He's only 18months old so that's not too old to train properly, surely.
He has a very, very strong protective instinct; he doesn't sleep on his bed (Hessian bed) at night, but on the ground outside our window.Mick
avantguardian
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21st June 2009, 11:24 AM #7
it may break your little girls heart... but imagine the hearts of the next little girls parents that it bites. and imagine the mental scaring of two people so far... and irreparable scaring of the victim.
sorry i have seen a mates 7 year old daughter go through 5 lots of surgery. and my mate and his wife are absolutey destroyed. yes i am very opinionated about this. i used to breed bull Arabs so i know a little about dogs and a little about attacks.
do your self ..and your family...and someone else's family a favor and get it sorted. i know exactly what i would do in your situation. i just hope it's not going to take another incident(the courts have a different word for it) to a stranger or FAMILY MEMBER to make you make a decision.
i feel for you, i'm glad i'm not in your boots. you have allot to think about. and yes the comment on the tv all to often is "it's never been like that before. he normally loves the kids!"
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21st June 2009, 11:36 AM #8
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21st June 2009, 11:39 AM #9
Mick what if its your little girl he has next bitten its the bread
With laws such as they are here in NSW once would have been to often not sure about QLD
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21st June 2009, 11:51 AM #10
Sounds like the dog is missing his companion and going overboard 'protecting' his family, what used to be a 2-dog job.
My suggestions:
1. Get another companion dog
2. Talk to a qualified and experienced dog trainer to see what you can do to re-train your beloved dog.
If you get help fast, hopefully you won't have to go the path of getting rid of him.
Good luck
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21st June 2009, 05:50 PM #11
I think that might be right.
I also got a number from the pet shop and got this bloke to come round and see if he could help. By god there is a difference already. He responded so well to some appropriate firm guidance. I took him to a park / playground this arvo and walked him around past people, I checked him a few times with the choker but not much. He walked just beside or behind me and behaved better than ever. We keep this up and we will have a safe dog very soon,
Thanks for all your replies.Mick
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23rd June 2009, 11:29 PM #12Senior Member
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Mick,
What everyone has said about your responsibilities and liabilities if the dog bites again are all true.
It sounds as though the dog was insufficiently socialised as a pup. but at 18 mo, it is not too late.Was it just "play biting" ( a dog his size can do a hell of a lot of damage even when "mouthing" something),or was the dog defending his pack or territory??
The trainer seems to be doing some good, so keep it up, and reinforce everything that he is doing.
I would be wary of getting another dog as it may cause more problems than it solves.Your bloke has suddenly become #1 dog and may not be prepared to give up the title.
Dogs are pack animals, and your bloke is exerting his new fouind dominance, so you and the rest of the family have to put the dog in its place---LAST in the scheme of things, and subservient to other humans of any size!!
I spent 35 yrs in Vet practice, and with few exceptions,rarely found a dog that couldn't be trained, although not all could be trusted.
Invest in a Halti collar and a muzzle, and keep the gates LOCKED until the dog learns some manners.
Good luck,
Jim
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23rd June 2009, 11:35 PM #13
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23rd June 2009, 11:40 PM #14
It sounds like its trying to be the boss of the pack and protecting everyone. Don't let it sleep under your window if you think it is doing that to protect you. I had to put my little dog in the laundry at night (even though she is "only" a jack russle, they can have dominence issues. Now she won't sleep anywhere else at night. I think she feels liek she is officially "off duty" when she is in there.) Taking the dog out is prolly a good idea too, so it can know that people are OK. Good luck. It is a big dog not to have under control.
anne-maria.
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(White with none)
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24th June 2009, 01:29 AM #15SENIOR MEMBER
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It is a serious problem, but your dog seems to be acting out of fear. Possibly less confident since the companion went missing. The only thing that could help is some intensive training, or possibly another dog.
I know this may sound a bit off beat, but we had similar problems with our British Bull dog. We called a professional trainer who really changed everything, and in a very short timeframe.
The bull dog is still a bit of a bugger in that he likes to be the centre of attention, but he doesn't bite now and he comes when he's called.
I think that if you know that your dog doesn't have a naturally vicious disposition, then training (by a real pro) could help.