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Date Posted: 11:35:26 11/04/09 Wed
Author: Ron
Subject: Re: Aggression issues
In reply to: Michelle 's message, "Aggression issues" on 15:39:33 10/28/09 Wed


I actually don't even have time to read your full post, and I have to run into a meeting in a sec so I surely cannot do this topic justice, but I have dealt with this issue a couple times.

First off, BE CAREFUL. A 14 m/o doesn't know the sort of self control that an older dog may (or may not) know, so if he gets into a scuffle with your GSD, it could get very expensive. His intentions may not be bad, but he may just chomp down too hard or throw in a head shake, and suddenly you're into serious surgury. My poor old GSD had some significant vet bills while I learned first hand to deal with teen Boerboels. Good news is dogs heal up really well, typically. Unlearning is harder than learning, so every scuffle that ends chaotically is couple steps back.

Second (I love lists, apparently :) ) don't give up -- it can take a month or two but you can typically get through it.

Third, the basics are to start with keeping them separate, and VERY SLOWLY increase proximity to challenge them to get along in closer and closer quarters. Each meeting should either be positive, or at least not a disaster. For example, it's easy to have dogs that hate each other not fight outside when they are both on leashes, with corrections when they are being jerks. Eventually you can bring them closer, etc. and move towards off-leash. If they get along outside in neutral areas, maximize time there. don't think you don't have to praise whenever they are near each other, constantly, but I took a bit of the opposite tact and yelled at them when they were jerks. My BB's were from SA and I assumed that would be a typical correction there, and it did seem to work. You CANNOT let your guard down. If you're in the house, it's crates or closed doors. If the phone rings while you're in the middle of a "we're learning to get along" moment, you have to actively decide the risks. It's a hellish amount of work for that month, but it should pay off.

Now remember some dogs just hate each other. I actually allow hate, but I don't allow them to act on it. Just last night someone told me they couldn't accept a rescue because he was "dog aggressive" and I said, "well, that's a matter of how much you want to work on that -- my 'dog aggressive' Boerboel is currently sleeping on a bed with another dog." If they don't like other dogs they can avoid each other, or, if I need to shove them in the car together, they just have to suck it up. :) We had a dog here that was a working dog, and his energy level was so high he pissed everyone else off. They learned to hate him quietly. :)

Not much help, maybe, but there ya go with a bit of hope, anyway.

Ron

http://boerboels.ca

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Replies:

  • Re: Aggression issues -- Kerie (Kind), 23:23:10 11/04/09 Wed
  • Re: Aggression issues -- Michelle, 02:25:56 11/05/09 Thu
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