Oh dear things are much worse...

Cruz's mama · #1 28-02-2010, 07:51 PM

Hi guys

Not posted in a while, for those of you who dont know, my pup Cruz is 16 months old.
We have had few problems in the past with his dominance and slight aggression towards strangers.
Over the last week he has suddenly become dog aggressive too.
I took him out to a dog park today (muzzled) and he full on attacked every dog we met, which was 5 dogs.
I cannot walk him on the street either as he lunges and screams at traffic, pushbikes, motorbikes, people, dogs etc etc.
What a handful.
So now I am at the stage of thinking there is nowhere i can take him for exercise at all without a drama of some sort so we are housebound.
I been to a few local dog trainers all of whom used differnt methods and none of which have been successful. I have now been recommended a trainer from my vet who is a good bit away from us (2 hours by car) but he is willing to travel here to try and help us.

I have been at my wits end this weekend, I feel a huge mixture of emotions, dissapointment, embarrasment, heartbreak, oh its awful.

I just wanted to let you know how things are going, and sometimes you feel better when you get it out in the open too eh?

Cruz's mama · #2 28-02-2010, 07:54 PM

what i forgot to add is that this dog trainer told me on the phone, he knows of the bad breeders I got my dog from and is worried this may be genetic/psycological and if so there may not be a lot we can do with him...

Weehev · #3 28-02-2010, 07:57 PM

hi there

sorry to hear about your problems with cruz. i hope the new trainer will be able to help. you're not alone, everyone has different issues with their dogs and feel those emotions that you described from time to time. it will get better.

keep us posted with his progress.

*********sending cyber hugs to you and cruz*********

charlie · #4 28-02-2010, 07:58 PM

Can i ask has he always been like this and what training u have done with him from when he was a puppy?

Also what have ur previous dog trainers suggested and tried with ur boy?

Cruz's mama · #5 28-02-2010, 08:06 PM

Hi Charlie
the first batch of dog training we did was just obedience but he didnt have these issues then so that went well. it was positive dog training with treats etc. which i have tried to use outdoors and he wont even take a wiff of the sausage or cheese when he is in that state
once the issues started to show I consulted 2 different trainers, both whom sent us home with rules on how to be pack leader or how to shift hierarchy, which we stuck to and it works a treat in the house but once we step outside he turns into the incredibe hulk, a complete nutcase with anything or anyone who comes near us, 2 legs 4 legs, or wheels doesnt matter.
he had never been dog aggresive until this weekend and nothing triggered it either, he just stated to show bad body language then every dog we passed it got worse until he was attacking every dog we passed! it was horrible. Even if the dog was submissive he wanted to attack it.
I am really distressed, as every morning I wake up and think, how can i exercise him, there is nowhere I can go!!!

Tookey · #6 28-02-2010, 08:08 PM

Sorry to hear your having problems with Cruz. I can completely understand the emotions you are feeling and I agree it does feel better to get it out in the open. Unfortunately I cannot advise but will be keepig an eye on this thread as my boy has similar issues that I don't want to escalate as he grows.

Hope this trainer can help.

GypsyGSD · #7 28-02-2010, 08:10 PM

Sorry to hear you are still having problems I wish I could jump in the car and help , lets hope the new trainer can sort things for you both dont dispare there is aways light at the end of the tunnell xx

DelsMum · #8 28-02-2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruz's mama

what i forgot to add is that this dog trainer told me on the phone, he knows of the bad breeders I got my dog from and is worried this may be genetic/psycological and if so there may not be a lot we can do with him...

sounds like a bit of an excuse to me..............not you, the trainer, kind of backing himself up incase he doesn't know what to do.

Cruz's mama · #9 28-02-2010, 08:15 PM

not that he doesnt know what to do but he knows of a few bad eggs (his words) which have come out of the puppy farm where i got cruz and is worried that the issues he has are psycological and down to interbreeding or bad breeding and not fixeable really.. He has 30 years experience in training dogs and said he wont judge until he meets him but I think was preparing me for the worse. eg rehoming him or worse...

Poly · #10 28-02-2010, 08:22 PM

Im so sorry you are having problems....I wish I knew how to help as I know how disheartening it can be...
when you say you have seen trainers - are these just club trainers? for example teaching sits, stays, heal work, recall etc? Have you used a behaviourist at all? only reason I ask is that they cover two very different things...
As for the genetic problems - I certainly wouldnt rule that out as in my opinion is really important to breed from stable well adjusted dogs with great temprements - if the breeder has not been doing that then I do believe this can pass to the pups...BUT this is where the behaviourist comes in - to help you work through these issues and address what needs addressing to help make life not only easier for you....but for your baby too...

Good luck Sarah...you can do this xx