Dog problem aarrrrggghhhh

[cosmicgirl]

No, he was put out of the back door.
Do you think I should get a cage? x

 

[Hope81]

I am not do sure. If he hasn't been crate trained by now I see no point? I think you shouldn't use the crate as a punishment. Removal from the room is probably as good.
do you have any toys like balls that fill with food and thinks like that to help burn some mental energy?
Also go the kids walk him every day?
I think it needs perseverance.
Btw do you do any obedience training with him?
My puppy learnt incredibly easy the leave it command.
Get some treats that he loves and every time he starts bother the other dog tell him leave it. When you get his attention praise and give a treat.
Though I m not an expert so no idea if giving him a treat in front of the other dog is ok?

 

[cosmicgirl]

Maybe you're right about the crate.
We walk him twice a day, the whole family walk him at night, he's fab with the other dog when they are walking.
I'm carrying treats and teaching him to 'swap' when he has something I don't want him to have.
The dog behaviourist is coming on Monday and he starts an 8 week training course on 30th Aug x

 

[cosmicgirl]

The chihuahua has never been interested in treats, even when offered, so that helps x

 

[dyscochick]

i think you are doing all the right things cos, its just going to take time and consistency. You are having to break habits he's been allowed to get away with and speaking as someone who has a rescue dog, we got him at 4 years old (albeit my first dog so i'm certainly no expert) it takes quite along time to break a habit. We are just really really consistent with ours, punishment is always the same, being told off, ignored and not allowed near us. He's no angel but much better than he was.

He's gorgeous btw! x

 

[cosmicgirl]

Thanks dysco
I have tried to read as much as I can and have made sure that all family members follow the same 'rules'.
I think we'll get there in the end, he will be a joy once he learns some manners x

 

[dyscochick]

He's lovely, and i'm sure he'll come round eventually, it will just take time. He looks like he's worth persisting with though. Just had my own dog problem and mine was attacked on the way home from the park by a bitch bull terrier on heat who wasn't under control! owner was a complete waste of space!

 

[cosmicgirl]

Just read that! That is awful
Some dog owners are downright irresponsible and annoy the shit out of me honestly.
Hope your doggie is ok x

 

[cosmicgirl]

Not great news tbh.
So the dog behaviourist came to see Bertie.
He was not happy that the dog should be around the kids.
He said he is showing lots of subtle aggressive signs and after biting me the other day he said that although he was doing himself out of money (the training was going to cost around £500) as a father he would not trust this dog around small children.
He said he could train him within an inch of his life but could not say that when this new baby toddles and falls on him by accident or does something he doesn't like that he won't snap at the baby like he did to me. He said once they have bitten someone then this is a big red flag.
He says he should go back to where I got him from and I shouldn't take a risk.
I'm gutted
I'd already grown attached to him.
He said that this isn't new behaviour but as we only got him at 7 months he's been allowed to behave in this way.
All of the other behaviour can be rectified but he was genuinely concerned about the aggression.
I must admit, after he'd bitten me I was constantly on edge and was always saying to my teenager "where's the dog? Where's the twins", not good.
Anyone else been in this situation?
I'm not one to get animals and get rid of them lightly but this has really rattled me x

 

[Hope81]

Sorry to hear that Getting a dog at that age though you have luck it's potty trained can be quite hard with behavioral problems. U should probably listen to the specialist and get it back

But how about a small puppy though this is too much work...
Or to adopt an adult already checked for aggression dog?
So sorry cosmic
What does your oh thinks?

 

[cosmicgirl]

OH is as sad about the situation as I am but we both want our kids to be safe.
I keep thinking if there is something that can be done but I know I have to take the advice from the professional.
I just want this not to have happened. He's such a lovely dog otherwise, yeah he needs training and to learn a lot but I had no intention of sending him away.
I'm doing the right thing aren't I? x

 

[dyscochick]

oh cos thats an awful dilemma to have! i guess it really boils down to your instinct with the dog too. Our jack russell has bitten a couple of times in the two years we have had him (from a rescue centre), only when hurt, shocked or provoked. We will keep him, even with the baby, but he'll never be left alone with it. I guess it depends how easy that is for you to do with your house layout etc. Tough choices hun

 

[Hope81]

Yes cosmic I would do the same and I would go for a puppy that's tolerant with kids to grow up together with the twins and the new baby.
I have a golden doodle it's such a family dog

 

[cosmicgirl]

That's it though, he wasn't particularly provoked, he just snapped.
When I push him down off the soda he puts his mouth around my forearm, has done since day one. I thought this was a cute puppy thing but apparently it's a warning and an aggressive sign.
I know you can't trust any dog with children but I cannot follow all 5 kids around the house and be constantly checking on the dogs whereabouts iykwim.
I don't want this, I wanted him to be trained and everyone be happy but now I'm being told he can't be trusted and I'm so upset.
On the other hand I don't want to be constantly worried about the kids around the dog. I want them to enjoy the dog like I do. To be able to play with him, run about outside with him etc xx

 

[cosmicgirl]

He's beautiful hope.
I feel like I've lost two dogs in two months x

 

[dyscochick]

aw hun xx

 

[cosmicgirl]

He's just pottering around, so lovely and sweet looking. I'm gutted x

 

[Hope81]

I wish you were in Norway the family that we got the puppy are so caring and they do such a fabulous job with all of their puppies.
I wouldn't be comfortable with a puppy that a professional said that can't be trusted.
I want the bean to enjoy her company not me to worry every second.

 

[cosmicgirl]

That's what I want too.
I really thought he'd come around and say "we need to do A, B and C" do I was really shocked when he said he wasn't safe.
I know he's boisterous etc but I never expected that.
It took a lot emotionally for me to get another dog after losing my best friend and now I feel sadder than ever x

 

[dyscochick]

is it worth getting a second opinion? He sounds like he knows his stuff and of course with that opinion you'd always be cautious, but if it was an option to spend £500 would it worth another opinion before you make a final decision?