concretegurl | 02-24-2011 12:20 AM | Quote:
Originally Posted by roseylovestosho
(Post 3440205)
I cannot begin to understand how difficult it must be to train an aggressive dog. Teddy's only issue is that he is stubborn (and smart) so I find it difficult to train him because he is constantly outsmarting me because, well, he's my first dog. I've seen muzzles on dogs and I've never really known how to react to them, mainly because I didn't know what they were used for...but quite frankly if I had an aggressive dog the last thing I'd do is hit them--putting aside whatever ethical concerns anyone might have...an 80lb dog is stronger than I am. Two 80lb dogs were definitely stronger than that person I spoke of in my earlier posts. That can easily turn out in tragedy when one day after the owner has tried supressing the barking/growling through physical force, in my opinion the dogs are just going to snap one day without warning...and then they're going to be put down... | Thanks, I didn't get him based on his history or fully understanding it before I fell for him...I had been looking for a hypoallergenic dog from rescues for quite some time and one of the things I marked was I was interested in a schnorkie-not just a purebred. He was listed as a Yorkie mix and I saw his picture and that was that... Now I don't want anyone to get detoured from a rescue dog because of me-most are not damaged, special needs or remotely like Scoobers was-I took him knowing he was special needs and that he barely passed the behavioral assessment-but they felt he was young enough that he had a very good chance of rehabilitation-I was well informed of the risks, issues and situation with him. Plus I knew the adoption coordinator from a mutual interest.
Unfortunately I had no idea how to deal with his issues and how to modify behavior or a dog like this, even how to approach the specialty training he needed, and WOW if I knew then what I know now...three trainers and two behaviorists later...not to mention one bitten groomer, and vet tech.
Everything you listed about Teddy is my Princess, and well was step two in Scoobers evolution :D I'm so lucky Scoobers is such a great dog and not completely damaged from my learning process and curb in his training...not sure anyone should take in a rescue like him without specialty training or being mentally, emotionally or researched enough to know the training isn't the same. Like I said though we went through three trainers before we found one that identified and understood his needs, and two behaviorist before we found the same there too.
Having said that my Scoobers is the most well trained, naughty dog on the planet! He's super social now, with children, other dogs from his two best buds, one a chihuahua and one an America Staff. etc...well he's still terrified of cats and a specific type of person will still cause him to hide behind me a little...
If I contributed to even part of how he is now...anyone could have...it was all a matter of effort.
Lovetodream makes a really important point above also... |