I have a super agressive Weimaraner. He bit me once on the leg and never bit me again. This weekend he bit my face. Now I have a problem that no shelter will take him since hes so agressive. The only option that has been suggested (called many vets and shlelters) they say I should put him to sleep. Now hes not nuetered if I get him nuetered would this help at all? I could also try training. Any suggestions?
Big Weimaraner problem
- Thread starter FatGuy
- Start date
Absolutely! Neuter and train! Just remember, when looking for a trainer, to take CreatureTeacher's advice: Never pay someone to do to your dog what you'd prosecute them for doing to your child! A heavy hand and aggressive, domineering techniques - especially with a dog that's already shown some agressive behaviour (there are very few dogs that are actually naturally aggressive) will only make the problem worse. Think back and examine every detail of what happened leading up to the bites.
When he's getting neutered, have the vet check him over thoroughly to make sure there's nothing physically wrong that needs to be addressed. There are times that perfectly lovely dogs will snap because they are in some physical pain or discomfort.
When he's getting neutered, have the vet check him over thoroughly to make sure there's nothing physically wrong that needs to be addressed. There are times that perfectly lovely dogs will snap because they are in some physical pain or discomfort.
Yeah the training was a big brain fart on my part. The problem is that when he was younger he was never agressive , potty trained fast, and followed basic instruction (sit , stay) and such so I didnt really think to have him trained. I would take him for walks and take him to the store to get him used to people. When he turned two years old is when the you know what hit the fan. Hes super agressive barking at anyone that walks by. When people come over we have to put him away in a closed room. I would hate to have him go through nuetering and training only to have to put him to sleep anyway. I'm 6 foot 200 lbs so I could handle him being the way he is. My mom is living with me and is an older more fragile person and the neighbor hood is full of children. I don't want him to be a danger to people. I'll look into training but most of the vets and shlters thus far have pretty much suggested to put him to sleep (which is not a great option but he almost took my eye out)
Okay. That really says neutering and checking for a physical problem are priorities. If he was fine as a pup then something very fundamental has changed.
How is he with your Mom? Does he feel very protective of her?
Also, it sounds like you did do some socializing when he was a pup. Any chance someone might have been teasing him when you weren't around?
And I'd find another vet. It doesn't sound like this one is going to be much help in the process. You'd expect most shelters to react that way; re-socializing a dog is a lot of work and they have to worry about liability issues if it's adopted out and bites, but a good vet should be actually concerned about the welfare of the dog and finding the problem. He should have strongly recommended neutering as well.
How is he with your Mom? Does he feel very protective of her?
Also, it sounds like you did do some socializing when he was a pup. Any chance someone might have been teasing him when you weren't around?
And I'd find another vet. It doesn't sound like this one is going to be much help in the process. You'd expect most shelters to react that way; re-socializing a dog is a lot of work and they have to worry about liability issues if it's adopted out and bites, but a good vet should be actually concerned about the welfare of the dog and finding the problem. He should have strongly recommended neutering as well.
He had growled at my mom before. Its mostly when you try to take something from him. As for him biting me I was sitting on the couch and I think he was sleeping at my feet. When I got up I must have startled him and woke him up and he bit my face (tooth mark on my cheek and another in the middle of my forhead to let you know his mouth was around my whole face) I have a boston terrier I guess I should mention and within the two of them the boston is the Alpha male for sure. Hes never agressive towards the little one.
Okay. That's not aggression. That's more of what is now being called "resource guarding" and just getting frightened when startled. If your Weim were an aggressive dog he probably wouldn't tolerate the Boston being bossy for very long. 
These are problems that can be dealt with.
First things first: New vet, check up and neutering. And have his hearing checked. If his hearing is diminished he's going to be more sensitive to being startled from sleep by movement.
There's a good thread here dealing with the same kind of problem over taking things from a dog. I'll find it and post you a link.
This really is very fixable
These are problems that can be dealt with. First things first: New vet, check up and neutering. And have his hearing checked. If his hearing is diminished he's going to be more sensitive to being startled from sleep by movement.
There's a good thread here dealing with the same kind of problem over taking things from a dog. I'll find it and post you a link.
This really is very fixable
Well he is agressive with strangers. The two times he has bitten me it is more of me scaring him. The thing is I don;t want to walk around on eggshells with him. These bites are minor either hes gone all out both times. I will definatly look into the nuetering/training. Sounds like it could be worse.
There are some good threads on desensitizing dogs to strangers and strange dogs here too. It takes some patience, but it's not major drama, lol!
Definitely get his hearing checked. A dog with a hearing deficit will tend to be much more defensive - which is what you have; not an aggressive dog, just a defensive one.
Definitely get his hearing checked. A dog with a hearing deficit will tend to be much more defensive - which is what you have; not an aggressive dog, just a defensive one.
Here's a good thread on the resource guarding issue. There's also a link to CreatureTeacher's website on it, where you'll find all sorts of information that will help you and your Weim. http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6093
Maybe he was having a nightmare when you got up and that's why he got scared too. One day I had one where my husband was cheating on me and I woke up and hit him for real before I realized it was a dream, so I wouldn't be surprised if it happened to dogs, too.
You did basic instruction and socialization so it's not bad really. Maybe there is a female in heat around too and neutering should definitely help. Definitely try NILIF, it won't hurt, I think everyone should do it with their dog anyway. Make him sit/down for everything you do to him - give him food/treats/opening the door etc.
Let us know how it goes.
You did basic instruction and socialization so it's not bad really. Maybe there is a female in heat around too and neutering should definitely help. Definitely try NILIF, it won't hurt, I think everyone should do it with their dog anyway. Make him sit/down for everything you do to him - give him food/treats/opening the door etc.
Let us know how it goes.
Friday at 5:00 I have an appointment at the vet. They also gave me a couble web sites of 2 local dog trainers that deal with problem animals.
I seem to like this one
http://www.dogtrainingbyfrank.com/
I seem to like this one
http://www.dogtrainingbyfrank.com/
I really like the fact that his classes are open to be observed. Remember, though, as soon as you see a trainer advocate the use of force or aggression on a dog, take your pup and clear out! This guy sounds like he isn't that sort, but you never know until you've seen a couple of classes. I'd take advantage of being able to observe and do that first and maybe call him and ask for a one-on-one meeting to get to know him and tell him about what you're trying to accomplish.
Let us know how things go!
Let us know how things go!
It sounds like you did train him, somewhat. From your description, he's a confident dog (quick housebreaking, learned basic commands easily, barks very agressively at people) and and sexually mature and very aware that in his experience, obedience and good behavior means only that he should sit when commanded. If he was a more laidback dog, you wouldn't be having problems of this magnitude.
Neutering is a pretty simple operation for a male dog, though I understand it's apparently agony for their male owners and training would probably be to this dog's liking. He'd resist being told what to do, but he'd probably embrace a true partnership with a human.
I think you should get rid of the dog. I'm sorry, and I know it would be very painful for you, but while you could manage the dog closely enough to keep him safe for neighbors - secure fence, kennel, etc. - your mother is at risk from the dog. The dog's already growled at her and bitten you - the larger, stronger, younger man - twice, pretty bad. Retraining could make this dog manageable and a workable pet for a conscientious owner. Nothing will make him safe.
Neutering is a pretty simple operation for a male dog, though I understand it's apparently agony for their male owners
and training would probably be to this dog's liking. He'd resist being told what to do, but he'd probably embrace a true partnership with a human.I think you should get rid of the dog. I'm sorry, and I know it would be very painful for you, but while you could manage the dog closely enough to keep him safe for neighbors - secure fence, kennel, etc. - your mother is at risk from the dog. The dog's already growled at her and bitten you - the larger, stronger, younger man - twice, pretty bad. Retraining could make this dog manageable and a workable pet for a conscientious owner. Nothing will make him safe.
Thats the thing. No one will take this dog. The option is get him fixed and try training or have him put to sleep. The fact thats hes fine one minute but will snap with no warning is what makes me nervous. The fact that my forehead is in pretty bad pain doesnt really help the matter. Being in pain kind of clouds your judgement and makes me want to take the easy way out. I will wait till I see the vet and talk to the trainers before I make any decisions.
I'm assuming when you meant going through the neutering and training you meant cost wise...right? We had a similar situation with our husky and we spayed and went through some big bucks training her, and I found the NILIF program that I tried with her here worked better than ANY of the training the trainer did with her. I'm not saying that trainers are bad, just that some dogs respond better to their owners than to strangers. Although her aggression stemmed from a health problem though, as well.