So...some of you may know we "adopted" a dog from a co-worker whose fiancee has an autistic daughter and the daughter had autism and couldn't handle the dog (he's large and overly licky). The individual we adopted him from took him for someone that (literally) found him. We are (all) fairly sure that he was abused as a puppy because he only follows directions when he feels threatened (raised voice, etc) or is interested in the food treat (he knows a number of commands, from drop, fetch, sit, down, off, etc). For the most part, he's good with the kids and with the cats (we've had some shoe and toy eating issues). He's mostly fine inside out house (though he's chewed up the blinds when we've gone outside to swim and can hear us), he's fine outside...until he sees another dog.
And then, he goes crazy. Like, lunging, snarling, slavering, insane. Like, I'm gonna rip your head off insane. Its generally not *quite* so bad with little dogs, but with bigger dogs like himself, its ridiculous. It make me wonder if the original owners wanted to fight him (he's a pit-lab mix). Its to the point where only Scott can walk him, we can't take him to the dog park during times when there might be other dogs (none of which helps get him exercise, although he's really lazy--at the dog park, he runs one lap, rolls around and then just lays there until its time to go). What can we do? Because if this gets to the point where he snaps his leash or harness or Scott can't keep ahold of him and he attacks another dog (or worse, a person trying to protect their dog), the dog is going to get put down and we'll easily be found liable.
Yesterday his response was so intense (Scott ended up hurting his knee that he's had surgery on and has problems with and barely managed to keep a hold of him) that I called a rescue group for pit bulls for advice and was basically told that everywhere was full and I might as well take him to the vet and put him down humanely, because the animal shelters in the area wouldn't even try to rehab a dog that was aggressive like that to other dogs (and I get it, its a prioritization of resources). Another group offers a free training and behavioral program that we could take him to, but we can't take him when he can't (reasonably) get along with other dogs (its a group class). In the mean time, I was told to just get him a muzzle for when we walked him so "at least he couldn't bite another dog".
I've dealt with "normal" dogs and dogs with some issues before, but this is beyond my skill set.
I know that he has some insecurity and anxiety--he chews on things if he's alone too long and he cowers if anyone gets loud, and does this weird thing where he likes to stand between people's legs (even the kids' legs, even though it means they are sitting on them)...and I'm guessing the two are connected somehow, but if we are going to keep him, we have to get a handle on the aggression--the other stuff we can deal with more easily.
And then, he goes crazy. Like, lunging, snarling, slavering, insane. Like, I'm gonna rip your head off insane. Its generally not *quite* so bad with little dogs, but with bigger dogs like himself, its ridiculous. It make me wonder if the original owners wanted to fight him (he's a pit-lab mix). Its to the point where only Scott can walk him, we can't take him to the dog park during times when there might be other dogs (none of which helps get him exercise, although he's really lazy--at the dog park, he runs one lap, rolls around and then just lays there until its time to go). What can we do? Because if this gets to the point where he snaps his leash or harness or Scott can't keep ahold of him and he attacks another dog (or worse, a person trying to protect their dog), the dog is going to get put down and we'll easily be found liable.
Yesterday his response was so intense (Scott ended up hurting his knee that he's had surgery on and has problems with and barely managed to keep a hold of him) that I called a rescue group for pit bulls for advice and was basically told that everywhere was full and I might as well take him to the vet and put him down humanely, because the animal shelters in the area wouldn't even try to rehab a dog that was aggressive like that to other dogs (and I get it, its a prioritization of resources). Another group offers a free training and behavioral program that we could take him to, but we can't take him when he can't (reasonably) get along with other dogs (its a group class). In the mean time, I was told to just get him a muzzle for when we walked him so "at least he couldn't bite another dog".
I've dealt with "normal" dogs and dogs with some issues before, but this is beyond my skill set.
I know that he has some insecurity and anxiety--he chews on things if he's alone too long and he cowers if anyone gets loud, and does this weird thing where he likes to stand between people's legs (even the kids' legs, even though it means they are sitting on them)...and I'm guessing the two are connected somehow, but if we are going to keep him, we have to get a handle on the aggression--the other stuff we can deal with more easily.
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