Dr2, I appreciate the gentler & more educational tone of your post.
I don't believe I've picked apart anyone's specific suggestions in this thread because the very purpose of my thread is to gather information without judgment. If I've done that, I apologize.
I *have* taken exception to those that have implied I'm abusing or neglecting Willie simply because I'm discussing things. I have never in my 50 year life abused any of my animals physically or mentally; the most they ever got was a slap on the butt for extreme behavoir, but I don't even do that anymore. I believe in mutually respectful relationships with my pets, and in allowing them their dignity (probably learned that from my cats).
Willie is a particularly difficult situation in that he came to me with absolutely no social skills or training in dealing with humans or other animals; AND he came to me as a young adult dog with already learned negative behavoirs. He's also not a timid or submissive dog, is guarded with a tendency to be moody, and has a very stubborn streak. His heart is good, tho, and his basic nature is very happy, which is why I decided to keep him. I believe he was probably pretty hurt, both physically & emotionally, with prior people - not to mention he was passed around like a hot potato and had 3 different names in just one month before I got him. I've worked very, very hard to stabilize & functionally socialize him without causing mistrust or any further damage to his psyche.
Dekka, what I've been doing for the last few months is the "bandaid" approach, but it's just not going to cut it for the long term when it comes to his biting. That's why I'm here to gather as much info as possible to figure out what to do.
I don't believe I've picked apart anyone's specific suggestions in this thread because the very purpose of my thread is to gather information without judgment. If I've done that, I apologize.
I *have* taken exception to those that have implied I'm abusing or neglecting Willie simply because I'm discussing things. I have never in my 50 year life abused any of my animals physically or mentally; the most they ever got was a slap on the butt for extreme behavoir, but I don't even do that anymore. I believe in mutually respectful relationships with my pets, and in allowing them their dignity (probably learned that from my cats).
Willie is a particularly difficult situation in that he came to me with absolutely no social skills or training in dealing with humans or other animals; AND he came to me as a young adult dog with already learned negative behavoirs. He's also not a timid or submissive dog, is guarded with a tendency to be moody, and has a very stubborn streak. His heart is good, tho, and his basic nature is very happy, which is why I decided to keep him. I believe he was probably pretty hurt, both physically & emotionally, with prior people - not to mention he was passed around like a hot potato and had 3 different names in just one month before I got him. I've worked very, very hard to stabilize & functionally socialize him without causing mistrust or any further damage to his psyche.
Dekka, what I've been doing for the last few months is the "bandaid" approach, but it's just not going to cut it for the long term when it comes to his biting. That's why I'm here to gather as much info as possible to figure out what to do.
