Hi everyone,
We are new to the discussion forum. I have been reviewing this site for help and am ordering a couple of DVDs and the basket muzzle. We have a foundling dog - we took him in off the streets. He appeared undernourished, battered, had a broken leash lead and many cuts and bruises. We posted signs and internet postings about this lost dog...no takers. That was about 4 years ago. He has been with us since then as a housedog (we have a fenced back yard). We believe he is an Akita/Lab mix, but have never had any type of DNA test. He exhibits a great deal of "Akita" behavior from our limited research - very protective of territory, not very dog friendly (we have another rescue GSD), has bitten people who've come to visit (we learned to keep him isolated during visits),and not much of a barker until he truly believes something is wrong.

He has begun to attack us and bite us with little warning. We have learned not to touch him while he is sleeping (he bit me several times when I accidently woke him) and we have learned not to break up dog fights. My partner has been seriously bitten by him several times from trying to do this. So, we learned he bites when startled and he bites strangers (bit our security guy - got loose, we thought we had him secured in the backyard). now he is biting us with no warning.

Yesterday I was doing some positive reinforcement training - just trying to get back to basics with sits, stays, downs, watches and providing treats at each response. He was doing great and was very responsive during a series of these. When I was done I said "good dog" reached to pet him on the chest and he lunged. I have bites in my stomach, arm and leg and then he just stopped and walked away as if nothing had happened. My partner was badly bitten a couple of days ago when she tried to stop him from chewing on his tail - he has never done that before. I don't want to lose this dog. It is like he has multiple personalities. He can be the most sweet, loving dog and is as cute as they come. He is very obedient...has had basic training. But his behavior is erratic. He is on Prozac and has been for some time for anxiety.

Does anyone have any experience rehabilitating a dog such as this? As I said, we are ordering a couple of Ed's DVDs on aggression. I just hope we can turn this around. We are both fearful of this dog but are trying to not let him know this - trying very hard to assume "alpha" status and get back to some basics (leash in house, no petting or "sweet talk", always walking in front of him, etc).

Thanks for reading this long post.

Steph

A fair number of years ago we took in a foster dog from the local shelter who was a true abuse victim. He came to us a shattered broken creature with road rash head to tail, cigarette burns on his inner leg and ears, skinny, and frightened. So we did like a lot of people do with these dogs and coddled him until he was well. Boy, what a mistake that was.

First off... drop targeting the breed to excuse or explain the behavior. It won't help. All dogs behavior from chihuahuas to wolfhounds and every mix in between can display the entire spectrum of dog behavior. All you need to know is that you have a dog who is biting people including you and is of size to do a lot of damage very quickly.

Second, admit when you are out of your league and need professional help. I suspect that this is a fear based issue but I could be completely wrong. This could be conditioned behavior or even aggression. There is no way to tell from your post which it is. Find a qualified dog trainer who specializes in aggressive dogs or a qualified behaviorist to help you. I suspect that prozac is not the answer for this dog. Structured existence I suspect will solve 90% of his issues. Question is to me is that really the life you want for yourself with this dog?

Third, what is the big picture for this dog? Are you just planning to rehab this dog for the rest of his days? Does this dog realistically need a radical change in the short term to stay with you? If this is unrealistic (sometimes it just is) seek a sanctuary who will take aggressive dogs now since there is a long waitlist or accept that you may have to euthanize this dog. Rehoming IMO is not an option once a dog has a bite history, there is too much liability associated with such a placement even to the most dog savvy of homes.

Fourth and most important YOUR SAFETY is priority over the dog. The last thing I ever want to hear about on this site is someone losing a limb, hand, or life because their dog mauled them. This means that this dog should not be exposed to people unless he is muzzled and leashed. Please only handle him with a second person present and do not let this dog sleep outside of a crate or kennel since he is a biter when startled from sleep. If he is out IMO he needs to be muzzled and directed as in fluffy is going for a walk, fluffy is working on sit, fluffy is going out to potty. He can eat and do whatever he wants inside of his crate or kennel.

Four years is a long time to put up with this.

He sounds VERY touch sensitive. Have you had him checked by a vet? Is his vision and hearing normal? I know it's a long shot and not very likely the source of the issue but I'd feel better knowing it's not any physical issues. I've seen some very nice dogs that were losing hearing snap at people accidentally waking them up.

Four years and you saw no signs aggression towards you or your partner? Has anything changed around your household? Are his living arrangements and routines the same as they were before the attacks?

And this question is mostly for my own curiosity: how intense are these attacks? Have bites (besides breaking up fights) required medical treatment?

 Quote:

He exhibits a great deal of "Akita" behavior from our limited research - very protective of territory, not very dog friendly (we have another rescue GSD), has bitten people who've come to visit (we learned to keep him isolated during visits),and not much of a barker until he truly believes something is wrong.

I would ask the same questions as Chip, and ditto to what both Mike and Melissa posted.

Steph,

PROFESSIONAL HELP IMMEDIATELY! To be honest with you I would not attempt to muzzle this dog without the guidance of a professional. I suggest you call your vet or if there is an Akita rescue for recommendations for trainers/behavorists who deal with aggression.

Don't wait.

P.S. Welcome

 Quote: Steph Troncalli

... We are both fearful of this dog ...

That's a deal breaker.

I do have experience (much less than many here), and I would join with the experienced folks here in giving suggestions, but the responders on this thread are right. You are over your head.

Nothing wrong or shameful in that -- unless you don't face it and get professional help.

It's good that you came here and posted.