Aggressive Dog help

[crz4mm2]

I have a 3 yo Jack Russel that is very aggressive. She has always been the alpha and it has been a challenge convincing her that we are her alpha
Anyway, we have now added a lab (1 yo) and a boston terrier pup to our home. The Lab can hold her own with the Jack, but the pup can not. I am very afraid she is going to be seriously hurt.
Anyone have any hints to help them get along better? I watch them like a hawk. Never (ever) feed them together. Keep chew toys etc apart. they do not room together (have separate kennels etc).

I need help. Really could use the dog whisperer.

 

[texasthree]

Honestly, unless you want to live in fear for the rest of your days......I would find a new home for the puppy or the aggressive one. I am not one to give away animals and I absolutely understand that they are probably all your little "kids" but having an aggressive dog is an everyday struggle. If shes aggressive towards other animals she may turn aggressive towards people or small children at some point. I always said our lab just didnt like other animals but loved people until she bit my son in the face. You cant watch every second and its not a fun way to live. I hope it all works out for you.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I would ask your vet for the name of a good dog trainer and bring the dog for a private session or 2 with a trainer. Let the trainer know that it is for agression so they will be ready to work with you on those issues. We had one 2 hour or so session with our aggressive dog and learned so much. She's agressive with other dogs (fine with us and our dog and cats) but we learned what to do with her and it was a world of difference!

 

[Poohbear123]

Call Cesar! The guy on the Discovery Channel. Or, anytime your Dog shows Aggressive towards the other, take your 1st and second fingers, place it on his neck, on either side, and go "Psst'. That lets him know YOU mean business.

 

[crz4mm2]

T&B thanks. I will do that. I had thought of a trainer, just didn't know where to start.

pb, LOL I HAD thought of calling Cesar! I watch his show all the time. I have tried his tricks and they do nothing for this dog... LOL. He would die if he came here. She is the most stubborn dog I have ever seen. Really.

Thanks.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Just make sure your vet knows that you need a place that deals with aggressive dogs, not regular dog obedience (even though the place would likely do that, too). You don't need a Pet Smart kind of place. I brought our dog to them, but I would think it would be better for someone to come to you since the problems with your dog happen in your house. They can tell you that, though. You don't happen to live in the Washington DC area, do you? I didn't like the person who I saw (NO people skills), but she did help a lot with the dog and the place was good.

 

[chrissyk]

We have an extremely aggressive cat. We eventually took him to an animal behaviorist (the one who goes on Dateline NBC), and he put him on Prozac. It works! We can always tell if he sneaks and spits out a pill, though. If you live in New England, this behaviorist is the one at Tufts School of Veternary Medicine. He's worth the 6-month wait time for an appointment.

 

[crz4mm2]

Just make sure your vet knows that you need a place that deals with aggressive dogs, not regular dog obedience (even though the place would likely do that, too). You don't need a Pet Smart kind of place. I brought our dog to them, but I would think it would be better for someone to come to you since the problems with your dog happen in your house. They can tell you that, though. You don't happen to live in the Washington DC area, do you? I didn't like the person who I saw (NO people skills), but she did help a lot with the dog and the place was good.

No we live in BFE Illinois... Nothing around here but corn and beans I doubt very highly that there is a behaviorist anywhere around. But, I am sure there are trainers.
Thanks.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you watch Ceasar then you know you are doing everything to foster Alpha behavior. It is your toys, your food, (not his) and the Jack is not allowed bratty behavior. You have to correct him. If you don't know how then get professional help.

Do you do "the walk"??? It is key critical for you to do so. You have to exercise this dog at a heel, 45 mins a day. Trust me, this WORKS!

Remember it is exercise, discipline, affection. No petting of the dog at all unless he earns it. The dog has to earn everything.

Go hire a behavorist...It sounds as if you need guidance.

 

[crz4mm2]

If you watch Ceasar then you know you are doing everything to foster Alpha behavior. It is your toys, your food, (not his) and the Jack is not allowed bratty behavior. You have to correct him. If you don't know how then get professional help.

Do you do "the walk"??? It is key critical for you to do so. You have to exercise this dog at a heel, 45 mins a day. Trust me, this WORKS!

Remember it is exercise, discipline, affection. No petting of the dog at all unless he earns it. The dog has to earn everything.

Go hire a behavorist...It sounds as if you need guidance.

Yes, we exercise the dogs. Yes, I know it is my toys. My treats. She is disciplined. This is a new pup (just brought her home on thurs) and I have never done this before so...... THAT is the new experience.
Thanks.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes, we exercise the dogs. Yes, I know it is my toys. My treats. She is disciplined. This is a new pup (just brought her home on thurs) and I have never done this before so...... THAT is the new experience.
Thanks.

I am confused then. What are you trying to do?

 

[crz4mm2]

I am confused then. What are you trying to do?

The Jack will attack the pup for no reason. NO treats involved, no toys involved. Nothing else around. For instance, We had arrived home last evening after shopping. I had unloaded the car and was in the kitchen putting things away.
The dogs had been let outside (the Jack and the Lab) the pup was in the kitchen with me.
The dogs came back inside and the Jack came over where the pup was and just attacked her.
No provocation. No reason. Just attacked her.
I want to be able to trust them to get along.
That is what I want to do.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have 2 dogs, they are 1 now and Butters has the Alpha thing going on as well. We are doing "backyard" training. He thinks he owns the backyard.

When the Jack came in he saw that the pup got to be with you and takes it as a threat. So he gives the correction to the pup to let him know who is boss.

I would have the Jack on a leash in front of the pup eating, playing with toys, etc...That way you can correct as the Jack behaves badly and assert yourself as leader.

 

[crz4mm2]

Thank you. THat is an excellent idea. I have her right here beside me now. I will give that a try and see how it goes.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

I would ask your vet for the name of a good dog trainer and bring the dog for a private session or 2 with a trainer. Let the trainer know that it is for agression so they will be ready to work with you on those issues. We had one 2 hour or so session with our aggressive dog and learned so much. She's agressive with other dogs (fine with us and our dog and cats) but we learned what to do with her and it was a world of difference!

I agree 110%.

 

[DisTeach1]

Good luck, but it's very hard to "cure" an agressive dog and you will probably have to be on alert for this dog's entire life. You can't change a dogs nature/temperament. Just like a wild animal, you can train it, but you can't permananently change it.

We had two lab/mixes-a brother and sister combo. The girl was extremely dog aggresive. She ruled her brother, but would always try to attack our elderly cockapoo. Taking her for a walk was a nightmare-If she saw another dog, she would go berserk. Finally, she started trying to bite us to get to the other dog. I worked with a trainer, and she actually bit me hard on the thigh right in front of the trainer, trying to get at the trainers dog. It was just too difficult to deal with. Then she tried to attack a friend of ours. We put her down. The vet said agressive dogs do not change their spots, so to speak, and she was a time bomb waiting to go off. A hard decision, but she had already bitten me.

 

[kayeandjim00]

Good luck, but it's very hard to "cure" an agressive dog and you will probably have to be on alert for this dog's entire life. You can't change a dogs nature/temperament. Just like a wild animal, you can train it, but you can't permananently change it.

I COMPLETELY disagree with this statement. I am not speaking to your specific situation but dogs can absolutely change and be balanced and happy. I know many dogs myself who have done just that. A lot of issues with a dog are all about the alpha situation, once that is resolved you have a calmer dog. It's not an overnight fix but over time it can be done. We have a lab who's dominant and we are currently in obedience training. We found a place that subscribes to what I call the "Dog Whisperer" mode of thinking. We are first - ALWAYS. First in and out the door, first to eat, etc. She can no longer get on beds or couches, there are certain rooms she can't go in "just because", etc. It's a lot of work for the "parents" but it helps immensely. We have really seen a change in her. I'd suggest looking for a place who does focus on becoming a pack leader. That can be a big help. I feel like now I really "get" what he's saying on the show because I have someone who's helping me make that apply to my life. Good luck! This can be done.

P.S. I'm so jealous - our boston terrier passed away about 2 years ago at 14 and he was just a great dog. They are so much fun with tons of personality.

 

[crz4mm2]

She has never bitten me... yet. Has never acted like she was going to either. I would not tollerate that either. Right now, I have her on a leash sitting on the floor next to me. She is just sitting. very calm while the other two play. Kills me that she can't play, BUT, it is for the safety of the pup so I will do it.
I hope it never comes to the point that I have to make the decision to put her down.

 

[crz4mm2]

I COMPLETELY disagree with this statement. I am not speaking to your specific situation but dogs can absolutely change and be balanced and happy. I know many dogs myself who have done just that. A lot of issues with a dog are all about the alpha situation, once that is resolved you have a calmer dog. It's not an overnight fix but over time it can be done. We have a lab who's dominant and we are currently in obedience training. We found a place that subscribes to what I call the "Dog Whisperer" mode of thinking. We are first - ALWAYS. First in and out the door, first to eat, etc. She can no longer get on beds or couches, there are certain rooms she can't go in "just because", etc. It's a lot of work for the "parents" but it helps immensely. We have really seen a change in her. I'd suggest looking for a place who does focus on becoming a pack leader. That can be a big help. I feel like now I really "get" what he's saying on the show because I have someone who's helping me make that apply to my life. Good luck! This can be done.

P.S. I'm so jealous - our boston terrier passed away about 2 years ago at 14 and he was just a great dog. They are so much fun with tons of personality.

Thanks for the encouragement. Sorry about your Boston. I hope this one is as great a dog as the ones I have known in the past. We had friends that raised them when we were younger and they were all great dogs.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I'm with kayeandjim00, at least in our experience. Not to say that I won't be on guard with Sheena, but she is night and day different in her behavior. She went from a dog that went crazy when she was in our house and saw another dog walk by our house (which happens many times a day) --she would not stop barking no matter. Now, she will bark at passing dogs, come get us to go look, then we give her the quiet command, and she will not bark again. Drives her crazy, but she knows it's not something to bark at.

When we are out walking she used to snarl and bark and would try to lunge at other dogs. Now she doesn't even wimper. She wears a prong collar and knows that, outside of our property it isn't proper to bark at another dog (she knows that's it's ok to bark on our property vs off our property) and she knows that it's our roll to protect her when we are out vs her protecting us.

This was all learned in that 2-2 1/2 hour session. Here's the place that we went to, just to give you an idea of the type of place. http://www.dogsenseunlimited.com/ They do regular obedience training and aggressive dog training.