Ok, this topic came up on the Leerburg dog that is up for adoption in IL and I think it is worthy of a go here.

I tend to think that OB can cure MOST all problems. By that I don't mean click-do-it-if-you-feel-like-it OB. I mean in essence boot camp for ex-cons. While I don't think you can ever "cure" it. I do think that MOST dogs can go on to be somewhat normal members of dog society in the right hands.

I have done rescue for a while now and I have had everything from JRT's, Maltese, on up to Dobermans, Giant Schnauzers, and even one Irish Wolfhound (dog got too big for the owners home, go figure :rolleyes: ) Most of these dogs had some type of dominance issue created by the former owners. I have not had any dogs come back to me after placement. Which to me, says that these canine ex-cons were somewhat rehabed to live semi-normal lives.

My current SchH prospect was labeled "dog aggressive" and that was part of why he ended up here. He can be put in a platz and will not move. Does he still want to fight? I am sure he does, but he knows I will NOT tolerate it. If I handed him over to my mother, who cannot control her dominant 5 lb yorkie, you had better believe he would try his luck and win. So, no, I don't think you ever "cure" the dog of it, but I do not think it is the impossible task that others make it out to be.

I want to hear other sides of this story....

I agree although a huge pain in the but, in most cases it can be manageable.

Schnauzergirl, my dog is also dominant (to other dogs) and sometimes leash aggressive which is why is do not let him meet other dogs while on leash on our walks. In obedience class he was always fine and same with agility. Never caused a problem. He respects me too much and is way too obedient to step out of line with another dog. On the few occasions where a new dog interaction got out of hand, I called him off and it's like a light is switched off. He turned around and trotted back.
By the time he was a year old I knew I would have to watch his interactions with other dogs. I never let him free run with more than 1 dog and he does not play well with smaller dogs. My problem was always that he is very soft with people, but tough with other dogs. He does not take any $#%&. My mother and many others used to find that very hard to believe. I assume it's genetic because his mother was top dog in a house of 10 unaltered dogs including 2 gsds. In some books on standard poodles they do say "dogs play well WHEN pack order is established". But through training his behavior has been modified, restrained and under control. Cured? No I don't think so either. But it's something I can live with. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I don't believe that dog aggression neccessarily stems from a dominance issue that one has with their dog. While weak leadership does influence the development of most behavior problems, some aggression problems cannot simply be stopped, controlled, cured, fixed, suppressed, or whatever word you want to use, simply through "the right" obedience training. I wish that were so, but it's not.

It does fit nicely into the philosophy espoused by many animal lovers that no dog should be put to sleep, because he or she can be rehabilitated with the right handling. I just can't swallow that. It's also a convenient way to blame the owner for the dog's faults, when in fact, the owner may have done everything right and still ended up with the problem.

Nikko belongs in a single dog house hold period. It would be irresponsible for the shelter to do anything but. There is no reason to speculate on his dog aggtression until you actually meet the dog.We don't know what caused him to be labled, or the real reasons why he was given up.

Milt:

You are not the first one to make this mistake. It is the owner who is posting this thread on Niko not the Humane Society.

L,
I am not one of those touchy-feely-animal-lover types. I know what you are referring to and there are instances where I have had to Euthanize animals. I don't like it, but it was the best, safest choice for THAT dog and the humane choice. I just wanted to hear other sides to the story.

Milt,
I agree the dog shout NOT be placed in another multiple dog home. I also suspect that the torn ear may have something to do with his dislike of other animals, for that matter, could you blame the guy?

The owner of Niko (Peggy)is also associated with the humane society. The dog was intended to be used as a stud dog but because of a possible heriditary elbow problem; the owners neutered him.
In both cases of adoption return; the introduction time was not observed by the familys to the "letter" of instruction ie--they turned the dog loose with the other dog without any form of restraint and the people created situations of aggression that could have been easily avoided by following the advise rendered to them prior to and repeated at the time of placement.
I agree with the previous statments of the positive side associated with obedience training. I also want to add that Niko is a very protective attituded minded dog and these resulting altercations with the two previous adoption returns occured because of his protection attitude towards those people.

Schnauzergirl, I thought I was giving another perspective? Is that not what you wanted? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

At any rate, obviously, a dog with such a history should probably be an only pet, and only with someone with strong handling abilities, who has no illusions about the dog's temperament. Each time a placement fails, more harm is done. I'm no expert, and will probably never have as much experience as half of the people on this board, but I do know that without a strong and lasting bond with a capable handler, this dog really has no hope of changing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />