Camden has progressed to biting...

[Dreeza]

well, it has officially spiraled out of control. Camden has now bitten my roomie twice & her bf once. I just feel so bad for her, cause she was just doing things she normally does (picking up a toy, etc) and thats how he reacted. She obviously now knows she cannot assume anything with him. She's called a trainer, but he doesn't come for another 2 weeks...i dunno what we're gonna do til then.

Just remove all toys/anything he can guard? You can't even come within 15 feet of him eating...I walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water, and he was in the dining room eating, and he started freaking out/barking at me...I wasn't even LOOKING at him!

Could some of this have happened b/c of Oakley? She was reading reasons why dogs get aggressive, and the only one that really applied was that there is another dominant dog in the house (aka Oakley). Oakley def bosses Camden around/barks/nips at him, but he has never once taken anything from Camden (if anything, Camden steals Oakley's toys). We have to keep them separated now though if there is any food involved, cause Camden flips out on Oakley, and Oakley in turn flips out on Camden...

::sigh:: This trainer apparently came highly recommended from her vet as well as other past clients...I think he is through Bark Busters...so hopefully he is good...

[Dekka]

No bark busters is horrible, its all about the punishment.. they like to throw bags of chains, yell, and scare your dog in general.

[AGonzalez]

Well you could do what we've done...doggy-proof the house. Which means to take up anything that they might guard. Feed him separately (in a crate maybe?) so he doesn't feel like he's competing with the other dog for his food.
Just throwing some ideas out there that have worked so far with us with Jasper.

When he gets defensive about a toy, etc...try to trade him out of it, I know it can be hard to find something of high value (what we've done is designated a specific sock for Jasper to have when he has one that we would like back) I've found that using a wooden spoon with peanut butter on it works to lure them away...

Also a neat trick I found surfing online was to use 2 wooden spoons. One with nothing on it, and the other with PB on it. Keep both behind your back, then offer the spoon with nothing on it. Let them sniff, mouth it, whatever...then say "Can I have that?" as you switch it out with the PB covered one...so they learn that when they give up one, they get something better...once they are busy with the PB on the one, stick the other in PB and when the first covered one is gone, do the same thing, and switch with another PB covered one...it's a neat trick and it's worked well here.

The nice part about the wooden spoon? It keeps your hand far enough away that you can avoid a bite.

[stardogs]

If this came about suddenly, I'd have your roomie take him in for a full physical and bloodwork. Maybe even check thyroid function. Health status is the first thing I have potential clients check if there's been a sudden behavior change.

Could you guys find a trainer other than BarkBusters? Their methodology is very punishment based, the "training" they give their franchisees is like 6 weeks long (to learn everything about dog training/behavior? give me a break!), and I've not heard much about them doing behavior issues, just basic and advanced obedience around here.

A good place to start would be the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Trainers Search (Association of Pet Dog Trainers - Dog Training Resources). She might also want to consider a veterinary behaviorist - I know several people who have gone that route with massive issues and have had amazing success.

[Maxy24]

How old is Camden? I also agree barkbusters is not good. They use all punishment and from what I've heard it doesn't work anyways. I believe these are the people who yell "Bah!" and throw a bag of chains at your dog.

[Angelique]

Dog boards are great places to chat and glean some helpful tidbits. But, I wouldn't take the advice of folks on a dog board over evaluating a trainer in person and trusting your gut.

Especially if advice on the internet up to this point has not helped.

Research some folks who are using a different philosophy or approach than what you've already tried, if what you've tried is not working.

But be careful, within every school of thought and training method, exist bad apples.

Find someone who uses a balance of methods, get references, and insist upon observing the behavior of the trainer's personal dog.

It's your dog's life and the safety of all who come in contact with that dog which is now on the table.

Good luck and trust your rationality and logic, over your emotions.



PS One of my gardening clients used Barkbusters. They said they were expensive, but were thrilled with the results. I've seen the dog in question and can confirm his progress and improved behavior. He is happy, healthy, and a pleasure to be around.

Does this mean all Barkbuster trainers are gems? Well, no.

[corgipower]

I agree...find someone other than Barkbusters.

Dreeza, what have you and your roomie done to try to work with Camden? You've posted a lot of threads recently about escalating aggression, you've gotten lots of advice. Is it not working for you? If you tell us what you've tried and what the outcome was, we can offer more suggestions.

[bubbatd]

I really pain for you . I've never had an aggressive dog so have no advise.... just concern for you .

[Dogs6]

poor u don't know what I would do but i no how terrible I would feel if 1 of my dogs started acting this way.

[OutlineACDs]

I agree on the full workup with a vet and a cencel with the barkbusters trainer. If I'm not mistaken though, Camden is just at the age where the true personality starts to come out, along with the evil adolescence.

He needs to be put on NILIF and not be allowed access to any toys or food without supervision. He needs to be HAND FED his meals. They need to ask him to do something for his food and then hand feed him every morsel.

Start trading games with a low value toy and a high value food.

Give him a wash rag and trade him for a piece of steak.