F1001

Hi all,

 

Reaching out for your collective wisdom. We are a family of experienced dog owners, including one rescue with behavioral issues. 

 

Need some help with selecting our future pup. And thought I would share some background and criteria. 

 

-We have a 5 yr old and 3 yr old. 

-Active family (daily walks, visit to the dog park, beach, hiking on weekends) not really the jogging or running type. 

-We live a house, medium size backyard (500m2 block)

-Both wife and I work full time

 

Criteria

 

Mandatory

Large breed

Minimal grooming

No/little as possible shedding

Good with other dogs (intend to get another dog in the future) 

Good with kids and family

Good protector (we have had a bad experience with a break in while a family member was home, would prefer a dog that would be a good deterrent or scare away an uninvited guest, not 100% mandatory to maul the person). 

 

Desirable

Good offlead

Good trainability

Enjoys hikes/long walks

No health concerns

 

We were thinking a Ridgeback or Doberman might be a good choice. But thought it might be good to ask. 

 

 

 

 

Hi everyone,

 

It has been a year since we adopted our 7 year old Bull Arab X from a rescue organisation. When he was first adopted we were told he had dog aggression issues but the rescue organisation was going to provide us with training and a trainer to help rehabilitate him. Being an old rescue we decided to give the guy a second chance at life. Well after a few months, the rescue organisation has disappeared and have pretty much forgotten about us. So we have spent the last 7 months living in stress and fear every time we take him for a walk. At home and when there are no other dogs around he is a well behaved boy.

 

It is a real anxious experience taking him for a walk, as he can react strongly to other dogs - sometimes he doesn't care all that much. But if a dog gets as close as to the other side of the road as us, then he looses it. We have had some particularly bad reactions recently and would like to take him to a trainer as we cannot continue like this. We haven't in the past because we cannot afford it, but we will have to make some sacrifices and work it out. We don't want to get rid of the poor guy!

 

I was hoping that someone might be able to recommend a trainer in Melbourne (preferably inner west or close to) that might be able to help - someone who has proven experience in rehabilitating dog aggression. When you google dog trainers the results are overwhelming.

 

Your help and advice would be much appreciated!