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Adopted Boy Showing Some Aggression Please Help

Discussion in 'Training & Behavior' started by WeekendWarrior, Dec 6, 2009.

  1. WeekendWarrior

    WeekendWarrior Big Dog

    After leaving my last dog with my parents when moving out because of there connection with her me and my girlfriend decided to get another. I really was thinking about getting a puppy from a kennel I found on here but after looking at some of the rescue sites I really felt like I wanted to save a dog. I was very lucky and found a beautiful 8 month old brindle boy. He was an owner surrender, house broken and was said to have had some training. He was there favorite dog there. We got him home yesterday and everything started off great. He took a nap with us in the bed and loved to cuddle up. Went with us to my girlfriends moms house were he was very good even around her four month old niece. We kept a very close eye on her but he exceeded our expectations. I had a few people over to watch the fights last night and my friend unknowing to me brought his four year old daughter over. But yet again he couldn't have been better. Laid right up on everybody and just took a nap.

    When we put him up in bed last night he laid next to my girlfriend and she had her arm under him. Whenever she tried to move it or pull it our he started growling. When she pulled it out he snapped at her. We put him on the floor and he slept there all night. This morning he seemed to be in a great mood. When he was laying on my lap with his bone my girlfriend was petting him and he started to growl again and had his ears back. He seemed to quickly get over it and is laying on her lap now. The whole situation has scared both of us a little bit. I have always had pits from pups so this is a little new to me so I'm turning to you guys for help or suggestions. Thanks in advanced
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 6, 2009
  2. Michele

    Michele CH Dog Super Moderator

    You need to start NILIF immediately. Here is some information on it:

    http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm

    It sounds, from what you are describing, that the dog is testing his boundaries. Do not let him sleep with you on the bed. He needs to learn who is the boss. The dog must earn everything.

    I'm assuming the dog has a clean bill of health from the vet?

    IF, after implementing NILIF, the dog is still growling, you might want to look into a behaviorist.
     
  3. WeekendWarrior

    WeekendWarrior Big Dog

    Yes he has a very clean bill of health. You right I was a little iffy about letting him in the bed in the first place, but he will not be in there anymore
     
  4. Michele

    Michele CH Dog Super Moderator

    No bed, no couch, no anything until he learns that you are the boss. :)
     
  5. WeekendWarrior

    WeekendWarrior Big Dog

    Yeah I really think this could be the problem. He has a real problem walking on the leash that makes me lean this way. He takes the leash and bites and and pulls and tugs until you let him walk you instead of me walking him. But you dont think the aggression and the growling are anything that we should really worried about his temperment ?
     
  6. synno2004

    synno2004 Top Dog

    OH YEA!! TRY THIS SITE WWW.DIRTNAPTIME.ORG ..............only a matter of time.


    GOOD LUCK!!
     
  7. WeekendWarrior

    WeekendWarrior Big Dog

    Not sure if your being a smart ass or not but the link doesnt work just incase you were trying to be insightful.
     
  8. Michele

    Michele CH Dog Super Moderator

    Invest in a behaviorist and have the dog evaluated. Take it from there. I'm only giving you my opinion, based on your thread. It sounds like the dog is testing his boundaries. Again, this is what I'm getting from your post.

    The aggression and growling is something that needs to be corrected. I can't tell you if this dog is genetically unsound or just testing his boundaries. A behaviorist would be able to tell you that. :)
     
  9. Michele

    Michele CH Dog Super Moderator


    That was really good advice. How old are you?:rolleyes: If someone comes here looking for help, I would think you would be adult enough, if you are going to give out this kind of advice, to do it a little more adult like.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 6, 2009
  10. WeekendWarrior

    WeekendWarrior Big Dog

    We live in a small town in MD I doubt there is anything like that with in a couple of hours but I will have a talk with my vet. Any other helpful opinions are welcome
     
  11. Michele

    Michele CH Dog Super Moderator

    Good luck!:) And thank you for coming to the forum trying to look for help and answers.

    Can I ask why the dog was surrendered?
     
  12. WeekendWarrior

    WeekendWarrior Big Dog

    We were told that the owners moved and were not allowed to have pets.
     
  13. HighCoastHiker

    HighCoastHiker Top Dog


    However, Michelle, with all due respect-if I had to choose between the NILF advice that you gave, and the DIRTNAP.ORG/DO IT NOW AND QUICK- ;based on the understanding the orignal poster seems lack, and the problem the dog seems to have,...I would also vote PUT THE DAMNED DOG DOWN. Like I said, I respect the advice that you offer, and the way you usually offer it, however this dog's behavior is troubling-mostly bacause of its random unpredictability coupled with owners who seem intent on making a dog feel like he is either baby or boss----both very dangerous occupations for a bulldog in a home, especially on the first day. Period. I would rather have an all out rabid nut-dog in my house, than one that growls, snaps, and acts squirrily for no damned good reason. But, then again, that's just my own limited experience with the breed. Sorry.

    If they don't want to put the dog down, they need to take him back and explain the problems. They dog acts growly, posessive, and unpredictable,...and they just don't really understand why you don't give dogs more trust and priveleges than they deserve. Hell, the damn dog didn't even give them a one day honeymoon period before letting them know what he was all about. Even some of the nastiest I've know gave a sucker a week on its best behavior before vying for king of the hill. NILF? Now? Seriously? With the misunderstanding of the problems that the OP shows? Really?
     
  14. WeekendWarrior

    WeekendWarrior Big Dog

    I think she was saying he could have put it a different way. I think he should have. I respect opinions and dont have a problem hearing the truth but there in no reason to be rude. I have been a member of this forums for many years and thats why I came here for advice
     
  15. HighCoastHiker

    HighCoastHiker Top Dog


    I hear ya. I understand what you're saying and where she is coming from. I apologize if I'm not so kind when it comes to this subject either. I appreciate the fact that you did come and ask for help instead of burying your head in the sand and hoping things would get better. However, you took way too many chances with other people, their children, and yourselves with a dog you do not know. Sorry. The unfettered access to everyone and all things on the first day was inappropriate, considering your lack of history with or personal knowledge of the dog. You got lucky. You are lucky that the dog has given you a few gentle warnings in the first 24 hours instead of just putting you in your place because you failed to put him in his from the start. Clearly, this dog has not been screened as well as it needs to be before being adopted into a situation such as yours. Do yourselves and the breed a favor. Either take him back to the rescue and explain the situation truthfully, or demand in-home training for you and the dog. NILF is all well and good. However, it is more lifestyle than training method. I don't know anyone who has been able to carry out the program completely, as described. The ideas are sound, and they work-WITH TIME and consistency. However, with strong willed, independent breeds/terriers etc, that do not need human praise for every little thing and are quite content to praise themselves, the NILF process takes even more time and consistency. Good luck either way. Whatever you do, be fair, be prudent, and keep the dog under the control he deserves and requires. It only takes one accident.
     
  16. PurePit19

    PurePit19 CH Dog

    I'm on your side, i never been a fan of rescues anyway. This dog is showing to be more then what the new owners can handle. No disrespect, but in my opinion, you made the first mistake by giving to much trust to the dog right off the bat. By you doing that, you just told the dog that your not fit to lead him and he is now taking the Boss roll away from you. And him being around a child shouldnt have happened that soon, although everything worked out ok, it could have just as easily gone bad. In my opinion, you should at least give the dog back and get a 8wk pup, that way you wont have any surprises. You were blessed with a subtle sign of instability, you could've just gotten bit. And now that you were shown a sign, if he bites someone, it will be your fault for not removing the dog. Is this one dog potentially more important then the safety and health of a person..... JMO
     
  17. Michele

    Michele CH Dog Super Moderator

    I know that there are a few people who would say to put the dog down immediately. I always tell a person to vet check the dog and then get a behaviorist before taking the action of putting the dog down. I respect if someone wants to give the option of putting the dog down.

    The dog being discussed in this thread is still a puppy (8 months old) and I still think this dog is testing his boundaries.


    This is why I think the dog is testing it's boundaries. The owners are letting this dog get away with it, that's why I suggested NILIF. NILIF is just a tool to implement for positive training.

    Could the dog be genetically unsound, sure...could the dog be testing it's boundaries, sure......
     
  18. HighCoastHiker

    HighCoastHiker Top Dog


    Like I said, no disrespect. As I also said, I appreciate the way you take the time to put your point across in a positive way. My only feeling is that if you're going to suggest NILF in a case like this, it is only fair you explain the limits of the program and let folks know that it is more a system for teaching owners how to set fair boundaries, reward appropriately, and act like leaders without having to put a foot in a dog's ass. The dogs just usually respond to the owners behaving more appropriately. And actually, the fact that the pup is so you and acting a fool is why I feel the way I do. A certain about of posessiveness and mate guarding/training can be more expected in older, untrained males.
     
  19. WeekendWarrior

    WeekendWarrior Big Dog

    I'm trying to take into account that the dog is just a pup and in all fairness is prob a little confused and scared. In the first 8 months of his life he has been passed around and for the last month been stuck in a kennel. I deff agree I made some mistake that I shouldn't have the first day. I did get very lucky and am not taking that for granted. I do have experience with this breed but my girlfriend doesn't and I think I was a little influenced by her. I'm not going to give up on the dog just yet with all that being said. Everybody thank you for the advice and I am taking it all in.
     
  20. Michele

    Michele CH Dog Super Moderator

    Fair enough and you are right. I should of explained in more depth:)
     

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