Aggression

hmclean19 · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:04 am Post subject: Aggression

I adopted my guy from a rescue organization about two years ago. He has been great with other dogs at the dog park and in other social settings (although very excited! - but this I expected) including training classes, dog daycare and while visiting friends dogs. About a year ago while at an obedience class out of nowhere (for what appears to be for no known reason) he cobra snapped at another dog. Since then, this behaviour has continued and in some instances become more severe. I had a Weimaraner breeder and trainer consult on his behaviour and he offered a few suggestions which I have put into place, but they do not appear to have worked. He still goes to daycare once per week and they find he is dominant at first and then usually snaps out of it. It is now to a point where I do not feel comfortable having him in an area off leash where we may run into another dog. This of course, creates a problem because it then means it is difficult for him to get the exercise he needs on a daily basis (as we all know, a walk on a leash is not enough for this breed). I am wanting to get another dog, but have been putting it off because I want this problem corrected before I do so. Any suggestions???

sterlingsmom · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:09 am Post subject:

I'm assuming he's neutered since you got him from a rescue. How old is he? Have you had him physically checked out to rule out pain? Lots of people don't look to this first. I learned this being around horses, believe it or not....when a horse is in pain, it's not a snap you get...you can get killed!
I would start there.

hmclean19 · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:11 am Post subject:

He is neutered. He just turned 3 in October.
Vet has ruled out any health problems.
He's an amazing boy - this issue aside. This problem however, is rather frustrating Sad

PamK · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:13 am Post subject:

A dog (not weim) has the same issue in my dog class. Snaps at other dogs, never people. The owner puts a muzzle on the dog when it can come into contact with other dogs. Not the best solution but at least she doesn't worry about her hurting anyone.

krisnkaipo · Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:59 am Post subject:

Well I went through a lot of trainers with my old boy, years of frustration. I loved that dog and was wonderful at home and with people, absolutely never worried. Other dogs, other than black labs which he loved, were a problem.

We tried everything from the gentle leader, prong collar, sirius puppy training, group classes, private lessons, hard exercise, no exercise, a psychic, animal behaviourist, holistic vet care, veggie diet, raw diet, anti-depressants (yes a vet tried to convince me it was all due to clinical depression), full x-rays, blood-panel, and allergy testing..... I felt that if he had a mental defect I could live with that, but if there was something physically wrong I could rectify.... I explored all options and spent tons of money.

What finally worked for him was a trainer willing to set him up. This trainer works with the local police department training very strong minded/tough dogs. He put a shock collar (I know it sounds cruel, but after years of frustration and a "severe" incident, I had played out my options) on him and had him walk on the opposite side of a chain link fence. We started with mellow dogs on the other side and worked into dogs that would get him agitated. It was amazing. Within a few minutes he was ignoring the other dogs and after a few sessions he was able to be of leash with them. I would never take him to a dog park, but out on trails he was great.

That being said, after he died last year and I adopted the new boy, I took Wilson to the same trainer...disasterous. Different personalities respond very differently and that form of training was not right for Wilson. Wilson required a lot of love, trust, and patience......plus lots, and lots, and lots of exercise. Plus I put cookies in everyone's pockets. Now he thinks strangers carry cookies in their pockets....cargo pants wearer's beware!