r8chl

Yeah Megan, finding a place to exercise could be a problem, depending on where R8chel lives. I was lucky to be able to find a place near me that was perfect (that said I didn't have to worry about my girl being aggressive toward people, only other dogs).

R8chel, there is a very interesting thread on this forum that deals with the exercising of dogs with aggressive tendencies. One of the things I've realised from this thread is that sometimes it's NOT the owners fault the dog is so difficult. All the owners in that thread are dedicated, they put in the time, research and the effort to do the best for their dogs. The fact is that dogs are individuals and sometimes it's not the owners fault (ofc sometimes it is) the dog may simply have bad genetics, it may have had a bad experience that warped it's psychology - sometimes accidents happen, we can't control everything in life. Anyway, you might find some useful ideas and conversation there - I'm particularly interested in some of the training methods like BAT & LAT people use in this thread.

It may be a good thread for you to find helpful practical solutions to some of your problems, appropriate training programs and discussions with people who are understanding of your predicament.

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/232274-exercising-reactive-dogs-thread/

In fact that entire Training subforum is a great section to read, so many interesting discussions about dog training there. There are also a few very good behaviourists and trainers who post there too, and they regularly give very good advice to people.

http://www.dolforums.com.au/forum/9-training-obedience-dog-sports/

And of course that forum section is home to the absolutely amazing Triangle of Temptation thread, which I'll link again because IMO you can never link it too often. It's such an easy to do training program that produces outstanding results.

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/64101-triangle-of-temptation/

I would urge you to look beyond the people here who are criticising you in this thread, and take into account that there is a community here that can be very helpful. There is the odd prickly personality or two and disagreements will happen - but they happen in every community, both online and offline. Overall though, the discussions and information you can get here can really make all the difference to the way you approach your dog's issues, and help you end up with a great dog that you're proud to own. The amount of knowledge about dogs in general, and my own dog I've gotten from this forum is huge, and I'm profoundly grateful for it.

I do hope you will continue to post here and let us know how your appointment with the behaviourist goes and how things are progressing. Will you see Jane Harper? It's actually pretty exciting to get the opportunity to work with an expert professional behaviourist, it's a really fantastic opportunity to learn about dog behaviour and psychology from the best in the field. It's worth every penny when you can get a really good training and behaviour expert to teach you the ropes.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I will read through these also :)

Oh and he is fantastic with our children, he plays with them really well, he does jump up on them but my girls give him a stern no for that :) They sometimes dress him up and he is fine with that, so I don't think he is all bad and he is good with our cat, tries to play with her even though she wont have a bar of it - while we are looking that is :laugh:

I don't think there is a huge choice up here, but there is a lady up here that trained police dogs for years and now does training and behavior problems, I was going to give her a call tomorrow. I am not interested in just taking him down the park to one of the dog schools at this stage, firstly he would carry on like a nut and I think he needs more specialized treatment.

I am not a fan of just getting rid of pets if they become too much trouble, that is why I came on here to ask someone for help, also what about de sexing? i would prefer for him to be done will it make a difference now at this age?

I had a very dog reactive dog that was 60 kilos and I couldn't walk her without quite a bit of risk involved, so I set up a course in my backyard with jumps and tunnels and seesaw things, it wore her out and she didn't have to see other dogs. I still use it now (although slightly adapted) when I'm not well enough to walk my current dogs, it's very useful.

Thats a great idea :)

Thank you so much for the helpful information. he is not aggressive towards people if we are out walking, I am wondering weather he has become yard territorial maybe. I don't think he would actually hurt another dog, for example when I take him to the vet and another dog comes in the waiting room, he will just bark like mad at it, when walking he will bark at other dogs but I can usually distract him. My main concern is the barking and nipping at children (he doesn't actually bite them)I don't know why he does this now and what if he does hurt someones child? That is mostly what I am worried about, he probably has the potential to be a great dog but he needs a lot more time put into him at this moment I have been pretty unwell with morning (ALL DAY) sickness and my other half is here week on week off, there is a couple of trainers in the area that come to your house but they do cost alot and they want you to pay upfront, which does make it hard. I am in Rockhampton QLD

I put mine in his run and we go for a good hour walk each morning and afternoon, he is then tired whilst I am at work and he sleeps most of the day. I think in your dogs case just basic training isn't enough. I also take rogue to obediance training and agility training through the week so he gets out with other dogs and we socialise and burn off energy. I think the behaviourists are a great way to go. I had a trainer come out for 5 sessions spread right out when rogue was 14 weeks , he was fantastic in the early days really set us up.. All dogs are different some quiet little lambs others have more drive, bigger personalities more dominent which means more work, time and patience.. It can be done, I work full time and have 4 children you just have to make time and be committed.. Rogue tries it on but it doesnt take much to remind him who is boss so to speak and he is 11mths old also. Let us know how the behaviourist goes would be interesting what tools he /she gives you :-)

Thank you :)

The dog certainly does have problems and it's an owner problem, a lack of training and socialisation. It gets put on the chain, not enough family time, attention or exercise to meet the dogs needs.

Not at all helpful, as stated in earlier posts I have been the same training exercise wise with previous dog and he was fine. I have to chain him at times otherwise he will stand at the fence and bark!! It not like he is chained all day and don't other people that work have dogs?? What do they do, take them to work??

Thank you so much wobbly you have given me some great helpful advice. I will try a behaviorist and go from there.

Oh he's an APBT! I don't know any farmer that would take on an unruly pitbull unless he did pig hunting on the side.

Yes, pig hunting. He knows what my dog is like he would be a pet to him not a working dog

I am not sure what else to say, are you reading my replies?? The dog gets daily exercise he has had puppy training, no I don't take him to a school as such any more I try my best to train him at home and get my children involved in the training aswell. I have had dogs before and I worked full time with them too they were at home by themselves too and I have never had these problems, this dog is nuts. So try a behavior therapist???? Thats all I wanted to know and what I cam here for, advice on what to do to fix the problem

Obedience training and problem fixing through a behaviourist are two very different things. Training teaches a desired behaviour, behavioural therapy fixes an undesired behaviour and this takes someone with a uni degree in Veterinary Behaviour, so it's a bit different from what you are probably thinking. What is his daily exercise? Walking? running? How long etc?

I do agree that he is not getting enough people time, he seems to be the kind of dog that needs constant attention and company, my partner and I have had this breed of dog before and it was nothing like this one, this dog is way OTT

OK... so , has his breeder any advice to you?

Has he had a full vet check?

if he has not been castrated ...a youngster full of hormones may be more prone to some behaviours ...

Once again..getting him assessed by Jane Harper would be the best way to find out exactly where things have gone wrong :) THEN you know in which direction to head ...

Thank you. He is not from a "breeder". Yes he has vet checks, immunizations etc

I am not sure what else to say, are you reading my replies?? The dog gets daily exercise he has had puppy training, no I don't take him to a school as such any more I try my best to train him at home and get my children involved in the training aswell. I have had dogs before and I worked full time with them too they were at home by themselves too and I have never had these problems, this dog is nuts. So try a behavior therapist???? Thats all I wanted to know and what I cam here for, advice on what to do to fix the problem

I do agree that he is not getting enough people time, he seems to be the kind of dog that needs constant attention and company, my partner and I have had this breed of dog before and it was nothing like this one, this dog is way OTT

my partner says to give him away

..and unless you do have a LOT of time to now spend with this dog , working on your relationship, and the unacceptable behaviour , I would almost agree with him. EXCEPT giving away a dog who has snapped at people, before it has been assessed by a professional is a fairly irresponsible act

It really sounds as though you have your hands way too full ..and with a new baby on the way , you will not be as free to educate your dog and your family on what needs to be done.With a partner working away and you working ..this dog is just not getting the exercise, training and company he needs .he is now adult ..and needs to be using his body and brain for some hours every single day .

I do urge you to contact someone like Jane Harper - a professional who can come to your home and discuss your worries - see how the dog behaves , and then give you some options on what can be done .

I would NEVER rehome an agressive dog to just anyone.

How much exercise does he get, what sort of training does he get and how often? Is he entire or desexed? Was there a reason he now hates other children? When did the barking start and can you find a trigger for it? Rehoming an aggressive dog is very dangerous. I suggest a behaviourist.

He gets daily exercise, he is entire (that wasn't my choice) I have no idea why he hates other kids, he bark at anything that walk past if the kids over the back come to the fence, the lawnmower - he bites the wheels, if the kids are swinging on the swings he barks at that too. He was hit by a car at about 4 months old so I don't know if that has had some impact. He shows agression towards other dogs. If he is rehomed it it to a friend that lives on property with working dogs so thats not an issue. Our dog is an APBT

He wont be getting put to sleep, if he doesn't stay with us he will be going to a friend, He has had training when he was younger and we continue to do basic training with him, I don't recall saying he was an untrained dog he never used to have a problem with other children that has only started in about the past 2 - 3 months. He sits when told. have had him since he was 10 weeks and if he knows how to behave with my children why would I expect he wouldn't know how to behave with others?? I certainly didn't teach him to behave in that manner. I have come on here to get advice not just a lecture from someone that "Thinks" they know what I have or have not done

I have a male almost 1 year old. He has a lot of issues, he barks at everything, people and dogs walking past, and our neighbours only the kids and dog though. He has an aversion to other children he is fine with my kids but doesn't like other children he barks and snaps at them, so our children can't really have friends over because I don't trust him and if my kids sit and the back fence and talk to their friends over the fence he sist there barking like crazy. He is always jumping up on the kids and me I have tried walking away, ignoring him and pushing him away when he does it but to no avail, he is really really hyper. If he barks too much i will chain him up for a bit and when I went to chain him up the other day he growled and snapped at me. I really don't know what to do with him, I work full time and my partner works away so maybe he needs more attention or something?? My main worry is I am expecting another child my partner says to give him away as he can't be trusted with other kids so how will we trust him with a baby / toddler?? Appreciate any advice.

The reasoning behind having the three vaccinations:

Pups are born with Maternal Antibodies (MAB) - this will protect pup in the early stages.

Depending on the health and immunity of the bitch and pups will depend upon the timing that the MAB last within the pups system. At some time between 8 weeks and 16 weeks the MAB will drop out, however we dont know unless we titre test the pup and this is expensive. If the pups MAB is still high then the 8 week injection may be counteracted, the same applies to the 12 week injection. This may be the reason that some puppies around 5-6 months or so, have had parvo even tho the owners may have had them vaccinated.

In those cases perhaps the MAB was high at the 12 week and rendered the vaccine useless.

Research has indicated that by 16 weeks the MAB has gone - (therefore as a precaution) having a vaccination at this point should be pretty definate to provide the pup with the new antibodies to protect against these diseases. Then the recommendation is to have a top up at about 14-16 months and then every three years after.

Hope this helps

I wonder about the 3 yearly vaccine, breeders have told me every 3 years but vets always argue that with me. I have a ragdoll cat also which is strictly an indoor cat and the vet pretty much had a go at me for not vacc yearly some boarding places also wont take her cause of not vacc yearly.

Thankyou all fro the response, I will be getting the 3rd one I would rather know I have done all I can to prevent pavo.

Hi all, new to this forum, have a 3 month old puppy Took him to the vet today for his 2nd needle and the vet said that they are now recommending 3 vaccinations for puppies, apparently pavo is really bad in this area (Rockhampton QLD) has anyone else heard of the 3 vacc thing??