April 22, 2011
A week ago my dog attacked another dog (he did $618.00 in damage). Is it true that he will be more aggressive now that he has tasted blood?
Full Question:
About two years ago I rescued a large mix-breed dog from a veterinarian. The dog had been abused and tossed out the back of a pick up truck and left to die, until it was brought in to the veterinarian's for care. Since the rescue, my dog has demonstrated mild aggressive behaviors and has displayed few dominance problems. He has occasionally nipped at certain people, but never broke skin . He had responded well to correction. He shows similar behaviors when playing with other dogs, and again has done well when corrected. But, all of a sudden, out of no where, about two weeks ago my dog jumped out of the car to attack an older dog which was walking by my home. He took this dog by the neck and punctured a blood vessel. The event is costing me $618.00 in bills. Ever since this has happened I can not expose him to other dogs, while on or off leash. He attacks without warning. I find this disturbing. I want to put the dog since the behaviors are unacceptable and are increasing in frequency. The dog has recently reached the point of growling at me when trying to correct him. My fiance loves this dog and wants to keep him. Although my fiance has declined to help me pay the vet bills and has declined the offer to take obedience classes with him. Do you think there is hope? If a dog tastes blood does he ever recover?Thank you,
KH
Ed's Answer:
The taste of blood has nothing to do with anything. That is an old wives tale.
I have never heard of a dog jumping out the window of a car. Interesting. But then when I travel with my dogs they are in dog crates. I guess you need to leash the dog (if you cannot put a crate in your vehicle) and then close the door on the leash so the dog is secure when riding.
Dog aggression is not going to be cured. It can only be controlled. This control begins with obedience training - with a prong collar.
This is not rocket science. Here is the concept that EVERY DOG understands. The level of aggression that the handler uses to correct the dog when the dog becomes aggressive needs to be higher than the level of aggression that the dog shows. If you do not or cannot do this then the dog learns nothing and it wins.
The dog should NEVER come in contact with other dogs. You should also use a dog crate in your home and not allow anyone other than your family to pet the dog.
I have never heard of a dog jumping out the window of a car. Interesting. But then when I travel with my dogs they are in dog crates. I guess you need to leash the dog (if you cannot put a crate in your vehicle) and then close the door on the leash so the dog is secure when riding.
Dog aggression is not going to be cured. It can only be controlled. This control begins with obedience training - with a prong collar.
This is not rocket science. Here is the concept that EVERY DOG understands. The level of aggression that the handler uses to correct the dog when the dog becomes aggressive needs to be higher than the level of aggression that the dog shows. If you do not or cannot do this then the dog learns nothing and it wins.
The dog should NEVER come in contact with other dogs. You should also use a dog crate in your home and not allow anyone other than your family to pet the dog.
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