Dixie Cup, violent, unpredictable

[YorkieSue]

Here is the shorter version of the new thread that I TRIED TO POST on this frustrating site but lost...again. A nice woman responded and suggested that if I am going to be longer than two or three minutes writing on the site that I first write it elsewhere and then copy and paste it as the thread when I get to the site. Doesn't this seem ridiculous to have to do? What is the matter with the Webmaster or whomever on this site that after two or three minutes, your effort to submit is totally lost!! This is THE MAIN REASON I have stayed away from YorkieTalk--I cannot stand the frustrations on this site and I am surprised that others don't complain bitterly. They should because half the time I cannot even get onto the site from aol..I have to go to Firefox. What is wrong with this picture and how can so many people support nonsense like this??

Having said the above, I wrote earlier about a Yorkie I have had for eight years. Some of you may remember or think you do, my writings about a little dog called Dixie Cup. She was going to be the Apple of my eye after the death of the most beloved dog I have or will ever own again. When Phoebe Snow died, I died a little. But my hopes soared when Dixie Cup become available in S.C. (I live in NY). I drove there, got her, the day after I bought her, on the way back home, I knew I had trouble. Dixie has been "off" for eight and half YEARS and I have agonized over her temperment. And she doesn't just have a tough terrier temperament either...she's damaged or something akin to this. She truly seems schizophrenic as she can change on a dime. I've been bitten (twice badly) about six times and threatened by her so many times I have lost count. I"ve had in trainers, been to umpteen vet appts, written to scads of people, worked with her for hours on end FOR YEARS and still she is untrustworthy, aloof, sometimes vicious, and very dangerous. Every time I let my guard down I get hurt. She is a resource guarder (I am her prime target, her dog bone if you will) bar none. She is territorial, possessive and dangerous when guarding whatever it is she finds to guard. It is not just one object and sometimes it not an object at all--it's a space or section under the bed.

Last nite as I walked by her as she was chewing her treat WHILE TETHERED (i ABSOLUTELY NEVER leave her free in the house at night..she's too flaky and she hates my two little boy dogs I rescued who are so sweet it is unbelievable. They do not deserve to be injured by her and two trainers have warned me that she will do more than just hurt them...she is vicious)she suddenly growled and before I could blink had her teeth in my left thigh. I am so depressed over this little dogthat there are no words. She is not a pal or companion at all as I have learned over the past 8 1/2 years and my heart is broken. Even tethered I have to be careful around her. When she is not tethered she is muzzled as I will not have my two boy dogs hurt or killed if I Need to shower...and sometimes I do need to take care of me!! Yes, yes, I use crates too but basically, Dixie would spend 24/7 in a crate if anyone but me had her...she simply cannot stop guarding and attacking...doesn't matter what it is. Last nite really destroyed me. I have tried everything but a shock collar. I've crated, gated, separated, muzzled, tethered, tranquilized (prozac)and shot off air horns at her. NOTHING BUT NOTHING MAKES A DENT. sHE is dangerous.

The suggestion is always the same. Give her up, why bother keeping her, get rid of her etc. etc. etc. WEll, my response to this is, "would you get rid of your child because she was emot. disturbed or autistic?" I suppose some would, but I am not some. No one would keep this dog, this I know. She would be euthanized or worse...abused terribly. It wouldn't take her two seconds to bite a kid in the face if a family, swayed by her cuteness, adopted her. Nope, she stays with me because I couldn't live with myself if I gave her to a shelter or family (who would not keep ker after the first bite) and well, I can barely live with her either. This is sickening and I am close to being emotionally destroyed over this gorgeous, once show dog. She is a mess and I am lost for any remedies to EVEN JUST CALM DOWN THE SITUATION. I have no life at night because she won't stop barking at ME, attacking the boys (even tethered) and 'killing' the leash she is tied with. She is hurting her throat now because she is violent with her leash now that she has damaged her trachea and is now coughing. I am without hope.

Anyone ever had a dog like this? One that you can barely enjoy and that takes 24/7 monitoring??? Dreadful....thanks for listening. YorkieSue

[EsmeeKimme]

I did. I had a pretty little cocker who was crazy. So bad even doggie boot camp refused her, said she had a psychological issue so they couldn't help her. I took her to see a psychologist and she was put on prozac. It helped her though enough to live with her.

I kept her and loved her but I won't ever won another cocker (even though I do know she was not typical of the breed and they are wonderful dogs).

Best of luck to you, my heart goes out to you, your family, her and her fur brothers. It upsets your whole life when it gets to that point.

[jencar98]

I know of one member on here that could possibly help. I know she has worked with dog aggression. Please send her a private message and perhaps you could even have a phone consult with her.

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/member.php?u=35755

[DvlshAngel985]

I do have a few questions for you:
-Where did you get her?
-How old was she when you got her?
-Has she ever bonded with you?

[Ringo1]

Ah, what a tough situation. It's probably too late for this but have you tried the "Nothing in Life for Free" training philosophy?

It really helped with my dominant Westie. I'll try and find a link.

[JESSY_RN2B]

I have no useful advice so I will refrain from giving you my opinion. Im very sorry, very heartbreaking. I pray you find a solution.

[AlicetheYorkie]

Really quick before I get to your dog, regarding posting on YT - I've never ever had a problem like that. I take a really long time somtimes to post because I'll have to stop in the middle of it to attend to something, or open another window to access a link for someone, never had a problem. Maybe it's your virus protection software or something giving you an issue - idk, maybe addministration can help you, but we definatly don't all have that problem.

Ok, your dog - there are 2 possibilities here - she's either extremely insecure due to possibly abuse or neglact BEFORE you got her, or she has some sort of neurological disorder. A veterinary neurologist can determin if this is the case (and it's very possible, I've seen a very bad case in a Boston Terrier, nothing could be done for this dog).

If you can have a vet specialist rule out an imbalance, then training by a highly skilled professional is in order. If this dog is so vicious that you have to do the things you do every day (muzzling etc.) there's is just no way I'm comfortable having you handle this on your own.

How does this happen? Dogs NEED leadership, they are pack animals and packs have orders of hiarchie (there's a "pack leader" and the rest are followers). You're dog is definatly ment to be a follower, I know it probably seems the oposite, but leaders in the dog world are calm and sure of themselves, your dog is definatly NOT. I'm not trying to sound mean here, but you're dog does not feel that you are a strong enough leader to trust and follow and has taken his insecurity to the extreme. It takes someone VERY confident who can keep all emotions in check to deal with a dog this bad. The techinques involved are difficult and not for the inexperienced, and some people are not cut out for it no matter how much they learn.

That being said, I know you said you've used trainers, well the thing is, sooooo many "dog trainers" are just self proclaimed and can not deal with cases like this. The way I see it you have two options if a neurological disorder is ruled out - keep searching for a GREAT trainer who is proficiant at handling cases like this. Option 2 - find a reputable Yorkie rescue to take her and help her.

I'm sorry, but if you are this emotional and distressed (which is 100% understandable) than you are not in a position to handle this dog. I know you want to help him (or her, sorry I can't remember), but the best thing you can do is get a professional to help or take the dog off your hands. It's what's BEST FOR THE DOG. He's sooooo extremely stressed every single moment if he's behaving this way, that he is not having a good life right now. I wish I could direct you to a good trainer or rescue, but I don't live near you, so hopefully someone else can. Good luck and just remember, you have to do what's best for the dog, not you, and giving him to a rescue with experience people who rehabilitate dogs all the time may if fact be what's best for you both.

[Bella Mae]

I too had a dog like that, it was a female westie. I had two of them, sisters, one was very sweet and the other was like a devil child. I had hired personal trainers, etc but to no avail. When my husband got sick, I couldn't do it anymore. I contacted the westie rescue and they had a behavior specialist for dogs take a look at her and agreed that she needed to be in a home with no other pets and only one owner. The rescue found the perfect match, my husband and I drove this westie to its new owner to make sure I would like him, It was a match made in heaven. So my opinion is don't think you are giving your child away, think of it that you need to find a home where the pup is an only pet etc....
You never know what a different environment can do.
In my case, the new owner stayed in contact with me for several months updating me on how my westie was doing.
God Bless you and Good Luck

[AlicetheYorkie]

Originally Posted by EsmeeKimme

I did. I had a pretty little cocker who was crazy. So bad even doggie boot camp refused her, said she had a psychological issue so they couldn't help her. I took her to see a psychologist and she was put on prozac. It helped her though enough to live with her.

I kept her and loved her but I won't ever won another cocker (even though I do know she was not typical of the breed and they are wonderful dogs).

Best of luck to you, my heart goes out to you, your family, her and her fur brothers. It upsets your whole life when it gets to that point.

Some cockers have what's called "rage syndrome", it's not super common, but a generaly accepted psychological diagnosis. Not to get off topic here - just though I'd let you know as an FYI

[107barney]

I think you need to stop blaming the dog. It is never the animal's fault, and always a person's. This dog is suffering with your lack of leadership and ability to train her with a kind hand and consistency. Dog's don't train themselves. If you are not willing to make the time and financial commitment to this dog, seriously, spare her this fate. Dogs thrive on mental stimulation, gained through consistency in training with positive reinforcement methods not a stressed out owner with no skills who blows airhorns in its face.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by AlicetheYorkie

Really quick before I get to your dog, regarding posting on YT - I've never ever had a problem like that. I take a really long time somtimes to post because I'll have to stop in the middle of it to attend to something, or open another window to access a link for someone, never had a problem. Maybe it's your virus protection software or something giving you an issue - idk, maybe addministration can help you, but we definatly don't all have that problem.

Ok, your dog - there are 2 possibilities here - she's either extremely insecure due to possibly abuse or neglact BEFORE you got her, or she has some sort of neurological disorder. A veterinary neurologist can determin if this is the case (and it's very possible, I've seen a very bad case in a Boston Terrier, nothing could be done for this dog).

If you can have a vet specialist rule out an imbalance, then training by a highly skilled professional is in order. If this dog is so vicious that you have to do the things you do every day (muzzling etc.) there's is just no way I'm comfortable having you handle this on your own.

How does this happen? Dogs NEED leadership, they are pack animals and packs have orders of hiarchie (there's a "pack leader" and the rest are followers). You're dog is definatly ment to be a follower, I know it probably seems the oposite, but leaders in the dog world are calm and sure of themselves, your dog is definatly NOT. I'm not trying to sound mean here, but you're dog does not feel that you are a strong enough leader to trust and follow and has taken his insecurity to the extreme. It takes someone VERY confident who can keep all emotions in check to deal with a dog this bad. The techinques involved are difficult and not for the inexperienced, and some people are not cut out for it no matter how much they learn.

That being said, I know you said you've used trainers, well the thing is, sooooo many "dog trainers" are just self proclaimed and can not deal with cases like this. The way I see it you have two options if a neurological disorder is ruled out - keep searching for a GREAT trainer who is proficiant at handling cases like this. Option 2 - find a reputable Yorkie rescue to take her and help her.

I'm sorry, but if you are this emotional and distressed (which is 100% understandable) than you are not in a position to handle this dog. I know you want to help him (or her, sorry I can't remember), but the best thing you can do is get a professional to help or take the dog off your hands. It's what's BEST FOR THE DOG. He's sooooo extremely stressed every single moment if he's behaving this way, that he is not having a good life right now. I wish I could direct you to a good trainer or rescue, but I don't live near you, so hopefully someone else can. Good luck and just remember, you have to do what's best for the dog, not you, and giving him to a rescue with experience people who rehabilitate dogs all the time may if fact be what's best for you both.

Awesome advice!

[yorkietalkjilly]

YS, I don't think your posting problems are related specifically to a problem with this site as I take an hour or more to post some things for one reason or another. You might google your problem and visit some computer forums and get some answers that way. But if the problem were with this site, you would likely have lots of us complaining about the problem.

When I first got a new email service via DSL a few years back, I had the problem writing a long email - if it were too long it just - poof, disappeared once I hit send. I got no help from the email service but googled my problem, visited some forums and found out the problem was 2 - fold, did the things it took to correct it and my long emails went through.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I've worked with dogs such as you describe over the years and I agree with posters above that the problem is not with the animal unless it is ill in some way. Illness aside, the problem is a lack of leadership, boundaries and positive affirmation. It will take a total commitment to this dog to correct your serious problems with Dixie Cup once vet clearance is obtained and you may not be a person who can or wants to go that distance.

The problems you describe are usually ones that can be corrected but you will have to change almost all of your thinking and dealings with her. I would suggest that you start by getting some advice from a professional trainer and then start reading all that you can on positive reinforcement training, rehabilitation of the dangerous dog, etc. After enough research, you will begin to see that this dog, if not ill, is the product of a lack of training skills, no boundaries or appropriate rewards and if you are willing to change everything, you could be the one to help her.

Not many people are very effective with the viscious dog as it takes a world of relearning, patience and persistence but there are those out there who can turn this dog around! You might look into a no-kill shelter who has a trainer who deals with aggessive/dominant dogs and see if he/she could give you some direction with Dixie Cup. If I lived closer and could, I would love to help you with Dixie Cup. My son might be able to give you some email pointers, if you want to PM me. He rehabs vicious dogs.

[Perrella]

Oh my, I'm so sorry you are going through this very difficult situation.

Here's the but....I believe this dog is extremely tramatized at this point. If it is acting out, attacking your other dogs, you etc, it is obvious this dog is not in a good situation, the stress level has to be unreal for this animal. All the things this dog has went through day in and day out is truly inconceivable to me. The only thing the dog is relating to is that it is being tortured every single day.

I too believe it needs in a home with no other pets and one ower, to start from the beginning......building trust with this dog, at this point is going to take some time and work up patiently from there. It will take some work, but I do not believe this dog is not a lost cause.

I am in no way putting you down. You have reacted to not having the love and companionship that comes from a pet and you have responded irrationally because of the difficult dog, which has only intensified the whole situtation. Please step back, take a deep breath and truly assess what needs to be done to give this dog some quality of life. Once you face that fact and move forward you will all benefit in the long run.

Think how miserable this is making you, it's not fair to your other dogs, they too have to be stressed everyday. Most of all this dog should not have to live this way. It's not a failure on your part, it simply is the entire home needs to change to help this dog. I give the utmost respect and admire a person that does what is necessary to provide and make the best life for a pet and sometimes that means letting them go to a better life that fits them....not you.

I beg you, please rehome this dog and give it a good life, along with yourself and your other dogs.

[Ringo1]

Nothing in life is free - NILF - dog training - Article on Pets.ca | Pets.ca