Update on being bitten

[Bigeye74]

I posted a while ago about being bitten. Well the dog in question has now attacked other dogs off the lead (and come off worse) and also snapped at my friends son (no skin broken). The owner is going to pass the dog on to a family member as he has a very young child and can't take any risks. I, being childless, would like to sort the problem out. How does one gain access to the level of expertise that is seen on television, such as ceasar milan etc. Most training classes are just factories (in the UK) suitable for dogs without issues.

[lankeela]

I am afraid I would only consider one way of sorting this dog out. If the level of aggression is so bad that it is not only attacking dogs, but also humans, I am afraid I would not consider sorting the problem out, as the dog has certainly overstepped the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. What you don't see on these programmes is how much time is actually spent sorting the problems out, and of course, the failures.

[Bigeye74]

Lankeela, sounds to me like you're advocating 'blue juicing' a family dog that has got some issues. Also, that hsn't answered my question. How do you get access to the people that can sort problems lke this out?

[winny]

Sorry bigeye but how are you going to sort it out without taking the dog in yourself. Lankeela is right the hard work and consistency needed to cure a doy with such issues is huge. Our gsd is brilliat with kids but despite our best efforts can still not be trusted 100% with visitors. However he has improved loads since having him. I have children and you certainly need to be childless to deal correctly with big issues. Modern training is good but tends to be in such a false enviroment when you get home it all goes to pot. Issues need resolving at home. Try this link This woman is amazing as she works on the wolf instinct of the dog not just teaching them to do as they are told. I have been to lecturers she has done and had a consultation by one or ther trainees. Her methods worked brilliantly and with more time on my hands I feel I could have completed the job. My old boy changed his attitude big time. She has dvds out and books and trainees all over the country you can see.
http://www.janfennellthedoglistener.com/consul tations.htm

[Bigeye74]

Winny, thanks for the link, will pass it on. I'm not looking at taking on the dog myself, even if i was my own dog wouldn't tolerate it and i'm sure that bloodshed would ensue.
Rgds
Bigeye

[kita1]

A good link for retraining dogs like this is http://www.ttlntl.co.uk they have a forum run by Gill White. There are lots of trainers on there that have dealt with (in some cases actually taken on themselves) dogs like you describe.

They will probably know of a GOOD trainer local to you. They also have alot of good articles on behaviour etc.

The other thing I would say is that alot of these trainers on TV are not as good as they may seem. You never see the dogs a year down the line for one thing, and you don't see the work they do off screen. Some of the methods they use only seem to work in the short term, or cover up more serious issues the dog has. Also, if you use some of their methods on certain dogs you can end up making the problem ten times worse! A dog will attack another dog for many reasons, it could be that it is itself fearful of attack and could be 'getting in first'.

To retrain a dog like this you have to know what you are doing. There is no quick fix.

Good luck!

[Bigeye74]

Again, thanks very much. Will forward the link to the dog owner. Looks pretty good.
Rgds
Bigeye

[Snappy]

I agree with Lankeela that its not just a case of someone proclaiming to be the best dog trainer in the world (which ceaser milan is most def not! Prong collars on a rottie with a previously damaged neck is one example) to come along and be able to work 24/7 with the dog. It will take lots of remodifying to make the dog anywhere near better than it is and most people dont have the time knowledge or expertise to do anything about it

[Bigeye74]

I wasn't trying to make Mr Milan out to be the messiah, I was merely requesting information, which you didn't make an attempt to furnish me with.
If I owned the dog in question, every avenue would be explored before giving up.

[Snappy]

You wanted advice, here goes. This dog should not be allowed off lead in public at the minute, it isnt training classes he needs, its a good behaviourist. The behaviour will have become learnt that he can get away with it and needs to be carefully remodified

Try this site http://www.dogclub.co.uk/forum/ and speak to the people on here, which i am also a member of. You wont find better advice anywhere, i can guarentee it