Need advice about bruno (aggression)

[SizzleDog]

And he was fantastic with me and my family before because i TRAINED him, then he went away for 3 WEEKS and i have to start from square one!

IMO a dog doesn't forget its training in three weeks. Ronin was gone with his pro handlers for more than a month, and when he got back he still remembered his obedience training - even though the handlers didn't do any obedience with him.

yes i asked for help and advice before with his aggression with strangers, and i again said before i didnt have the money for a behavourist.

And we've all tried, given you many suggestions. But, some things can't be fixed with books and online training advice... just like you can't just put a band-aid on an amputated arm and expect it to stop bleeding and heal. Some things, some behaviors need a professional.

Its been an on going thing, so yeah i wanted to rehome to someone that could ok! i have since i split up, im not ideal for him and wanted a new home for him! one because of training and two beacuse of living conditions we live in!.

It has been my experience that if you really love a dog, you can make any living condition work. I live in an apartment with two Dobermans - hard? Yes. Ideal? No. Do we make it work? Of course.

Im not trying to dress it up! im no closer to finding out how to sort this out then i was then because in case your noticing, somebody has yet to give ADVICE! ALL YOUR DOING IS FLAMING ME FOR SOMETHING THATS NOT IN MY HANDS!

I don't see any flaming. I see people trying to help - maybe just not the help you want to hear.

Tell me FRIEND if i had a 5 strangers coming over for a cup of tea, they all stay in the kitchen standing to drink and talk and bruno is here with them, how do i go about preventing him from snapping, growling and barking and not letting them move around.

You crate him. Or, put him in a room where he doesn't have access to your guests. Babygate him in the kitchen.


Am I the only one who saw the episode of It's Me Or The Dog, with the aggressive American Bulldog named Jed? The dog was huge and aggressive, would lunge at guests, actually attacked simulated guests who wore bitesuits. Victoria Stillwell first had him tested for hypothyroidism... which it turned out he had. Next, she introduced a very strict guest routine where the guests and the owners walked Jed outside first so he got to know the guests (on muzzle). Once inside, the muzzle came off but the leash stayed on, the guest gave Jed a stuffed Kong or something... but Jed was NEVER allowed to approach the guest. When Jed was still happy and calm, he was babygated in the kitchen to avoid his stress threshhold being breached.

Jed's case reminds me - a lot - of Bruno's. Note that I am not giving you a formal suggestion here, I'm just referring to an episode of IMOTD that I saw last week.

 

[SizzleDog]

tell me how i can correct him, with out correcting him so to speak.

Redirect him. Or put him away in a crate or a closed-off room where he isn't set up for failure.

 

[Dekka]

Ok he is nervous. Think of a human child who is nervous. Would you 'correct' them for being scared and defensive? Not likely. I think you need to stop thinking he needs corrections. Cause he doesn't, if you are describing him accurately. He needs to be taught (corrections suppress.. you don't want him to suppress his anxiety it will only blow up after too much pressure is put on)

You need to teach him that new people are GREAT. He needs to be kept far enough away from new people while you are training him so he never gets stressed to the point of 'acting out'. Have you tried NILIF? And then had people he knows (but not really close to him like you) ask for things and feed him?

 

[hedwig]

Bruno tried to bite three people repeatedly today.

I had to take him to town today for his injection at vets. but had time to kill so went to friends shop.

By the way he was a night mare in town, pulled me everywhere, he just to much for me and wouldnt listen to me.

And anyway he tried to bite, my friend, a customer and the vet. my friend repeatedly.

yes myfriend kept putting his hand near his face and no warning nothing kept launching himself at him, witht the muzzle on of course but i just scared he will bite someone passing by and he so strong i wont be able to stop him.

even if a trainer does somehow sort this, im never going to be able to trust him.

And i dont no what to do when he does this, you no snapping at someone in a shop or street, he wont listen even if i try to do something.

How do i go about stopping that behavoiur

 

[Dekka]

Well first of all stop taking him around people down town. All you are doing is getting him to practice the behaviour you don't want. Wanting to bite the vet, is a separate issue as he has to see the vet, and the vet doesn't always do 'nice' things to the dog.

If you think you can never trust the dog (which I find sad... he is scared and upset, not evil) then your best bet is to have him PTS. I have rehabbed dogs who bite, and they have been adopted out and been fine.

If you DO want to work with him, you need to find someone to help you. Ask if they take payment plans if money is an issue. But in the mean time quit putting him in situations where he feels he needs to protect himself.

 

[hedwig]

I will post the video online later, because i didnt get the impression he was scared.

And i had no choice but to take him to town. i dont make a habbit of it. i had to get a bus to town to get to appointment but the only bus available was 1 and a half hours before, so i took him to a friends place instead of walking around on market day where it was swarming with people

 

[Chewbecca]

You're getting wonderful advice here.

My questions is, it appears that a LOT of what you're saying is that the advice given is not working or that you are not making it work...PROPERLY.

Baby steps. Don't demand that your aggressive dog be good around people, ESPECIALLY people he doesn't know, and a LOT of them. People don't typically walk before they crawl. An aggressive dog isn't going to become friendly around people he doesn't know BEFORE he's friendly to a couple people or A person.

Are you looking for us to tell you to rehome him...again? Because you already made it clear that you are not going to take him to a shelter.
What kind of dog is Bruno? Have you contacted a breed-related rescue? If you can find one willing, they'd be able (and more knowledgeable on how to) help Bruno with his issues.


As for rehoming him????
Don't EVER, EVER, EVER rehome a dog with aggression issues, EVER. If you don't feel you are qualified to help your own dog (whom you know better than some random person/people from a newspaper), then what the HELL makes you think other people are????
ESPECIALLY other people with children (and the oldest child being 6!!!)???

Do you have ANY FREAKIN' idea WTH you did by doing that??????????
Do you have ANY FREAKIN' IDEA what you risked??????? I don't care what random couple with family told you over the phone or in person about how they could handle his issues.
You risked the safety of children AND Bruno's safety by rehoming him.
I don't understand. All because you probably didn't want to take Bruno to a shelter where he would be PTS. Guess what??? When he bites a freaking human, guess what is going to most likely happen? You'll be forced to put him to sleep!

USE YOUR SENSE! And if you don't have ANY then maybe THAT'S what you should be seeking advice for, and not seeking advice on how to rehome your aggressive dog.

I'm sorry, I don't have any advice to give, the best advice has already been given. Read carefully and maybe you should ask for "how to" videos or something, because you're NOT getting it.

Is this harsh? Yep. I have TREMENDOUS issues with A.) people who cannot handle their dogs and ignore advice B.) people who try to rehome AGGRESSIVE dogs without ANY consideration for the new owners all because they THINK they are having consideration for their dog.

 

[hedwig]

I dont care how bad this sounds but **** you, all talk spaz.

you aint got a clus about me, or my life so get lost.

i dont have to explain myself to you!

I am working with a trainer now, he is willing to take bruno on, work with him and either use him as a working dog or rehome him into one of his extreme handlers homes.

sorry for mods who will probably ban me. (bows low) i like smokie x and dobermans x

 

[Renee750il]

Okay. Time to calm down . . . .

This is a highly emotional subject all the way around.

Getting Bruno into a GOOD trainer's hands is a step in the right direction, just keep your eyes open; too often trainers who are willing to take on a dog with aggressive/defensive behaviors can be someone with a power complex who enjoys "breaking" dogs to build their own egos. Not saying this is the case, Hedwig, just keep your eyes open and be aware.

 

[Sunnierhawk0]

She isnt the one who is taking a dangerous dog around town.

She also isnt the one who rehomed a dangerous dog to a family with CHILDREN

Sure its fine to say F you all when we aren't agreeing with everything you say. Everyone has tried thier best to give you the best advice, and Im sorry but this is about the best place to come for suggestions/advice or atleast a place to be directed where to go to get help.

If you didnt want some judgement/opinions about yourself/situation, why did you post it on a public dog forum?

 

[Chewbecca]

You know what, Hedwig??

There are people out there that own breeds similar to Bruno's that have to combat the reputation DAILY that people like you have created for breeds such as Bruno's.

Hell, I don't even OWN a guardian breed, my dog is only PERCEIVED as being a guardian breed (she's a pit bull) and I have to convince people that she isn't going to bite their faces off and eat their babies.

How do you think all the people with GSDs, dobes, mals, or any other guardian breeds feel when someone like you has a guardian breed and lets them go to crap because they don't go through with training for their dog or they don't have the sense to take care of a dog they took on the responsibility for when they decided to OWN the dog???? They have to FIGHT for their right to own their guardian breed because people like you set up a poor perception for the general public.

And a trainer is going to turn your dog into a working dog??? He/she is going to give Bruno over-night assignments that will work him and, what, his aggression issues will just POOF! over-night?

Do you mind giving me a little bit of that denial stuff that you're taking? My dog's dog aggression might be a little easier to combat if I can just live in the land of denial daily.

Also, yeah, I could have gotten rid of Ella when she attacked my neighbor's boxer due to a momentary slip and irresponsibility on my part, or I could have deemed her "untrainable" or at least taken on that attitude. But I used my SENSE to work with her issues and make them manageable. I mean, I guess I could've also gotten rid of my autistic son the first time he growled at someone or hit someone, but I also worked on his issues and he's gotten a LOT better. I found the RIGHT THERAPY for him. BECAUSE I LOVE HIM.


I wish Bruno a LOT of luck. The poor guy is going to need it.

 

[Chewbecca]

Okay. Time to calm down . . . .

This is a highly emotional subject all the way around.

Getting Bruno into a GOOD trainer's hands is a step in the right direction, just keep your eyes open; too often trainers who are willing to take on a dog with aggressive/defensive behaviors can be someone with a power complex who enjoys "breaking" dogs to build their own egos. Not saying this is the case, Hedwig, just keep your eyes open and be aware.

Sorry, Renee. My last post was being made when you posted this.

 

[hedwig]

edited by mod and he is going to work with his aggression first stupid then train him as a working dog! duh.

And im doing this because i love him. edited by mod
im using a different dog forum as well that i have used just as long and shock horror they are friendly! easy going, wishing me luck, not living in the past flaming people about something that cant be changed!

take a hike, you need one!

Thanks to those THAT GAVE ADVICE esp maxy, your a star love!

 

[hedwig]

CALMING............ apologises to renee

 

[Sunnierhawk0]

Wow.

You really do need to leave with that attitude. How dare you. Honestly, how dare you.

Good ridence. I doubt you will be missed by many, if any.

*shakes head*

 

[hedwig]

okayyyyyy

 

[Renee750il]

Sorry, Renee. My last post was being made when you posted this.

I know - and it's only everyone's concern for Bruno - the innocent party in all of this, that's got all the hackles up

So . . . Hedwig, there's a lot of great advice and knowledge - and a great deal of emotional involvement, even with the dogs we've never met face to face, and things can get rough, but I hope that you, and everyone in this, will step back, breathe, and recognize that there wouldn't be any if no one cared about Bruno.

It's a testament to how much these people care about dogs - each and every one they come to know - that tempers flare and there is growling and snapping

 

[Sunnierhawk0]

I do apologize for my snappiness.
I def. hope you can get the help you need for the dog. Renee is right, all I care about is that the dog gets the help he needs. Hopefully the trainer can work with you both and put you in the right direction.

 

[hedwig]

I no that, but i dont no what people expect me to do, when he lives with me, you rarely see anything bad because we never get anyone round here, the post man.

so i didnt see much of a real problem with his problem. and rehoming was a good idea to me. she seemed very confident about taking him training etc and assured me him and the kids wont ever be alone together.

he was even fine when down at my dads, just went a bit wappy when strangers came round, but he calmed when everybody settled.

But today was a night mare, it honestly scared the living daylights out of me, because i couldnt control him. and i dont want to be responsible if someone gets bitten.

Rehoming was a bad idea i REALISE now, it was for certain, but i didnt see this aggression like today.

But something really wasnt right about her anyway. But i was only trying to do whats best for him the whole time.

like over the year, i have tried to rehome on occasion, most of the i need help threads were training matters or food matters, (he a fanicky eater) with a sensitive stomach.
but i wanted to rehome because of his need for training schools, he isnt wanted by my mum here and is allowed ONLY in my room and garden.

why should he only have this when he could have a family and training.
i wasnt good enough for him, and still am not.

im nervous my self with strangers, which doesnt help, i am nervous sometimes of him (i have medical problems that make me fear normal things.)
i find it very hard to go to work sometimes, because i think they something there waiting for me, and scare the bejeezus out myself because i see n hear things that aint their.

and im sometimes like that at home around bruno, thats nt a good thing

 

[hedwig]

Anyway, i hope this man correct everyones mistake with bruno including mine own, And give hima home he deserves.

Ya no i wanted a friendly lively puppy, alap dog, and i got that yeah but with bagadge.
A first tiMe dog owner should never of had him.i SHOULD NEVER OF HAD HIM. but she lied about him till i took him away, after she said she wouldnt have him back she old me.

I never wanted this