I have had my BT for about 2 months now (he's 4 and had several homes) and I think he has become progressively more aggressive outside the house since I've had him. I've had people tell me he's being territorial over his "bit" and over me probably but it's got to the stage where "if it moves, he wants to kill it". My mum has told me to get rid of him as even walking him round the block has become a major drama. But I can't bear to part with him as he is such a lovely dog when there are no distractions and I don't want to think that I am just another owner giving up on him. He truly is perfect when its just me and him.

So, people, this is what I have done. I now muzzle and short lead him before I leave the house and he keeps the muzzle on when we are on public streets. He still strains and barks at dogs but he is more controllable (he is very strong and I am not!). When we get to the fields, I keep him on a long lead to start with and take the muzzle off and if there are absolutely no dogs/people about I let him off for a little run around. He seems to be OK with this although obviously he prefers to be running free. He had recently begun chasing/barking at people as well as dogs although not biting, but still being intimidating. And running a hell of a long way to do it to boot!

My friend has taken the dog away for a couple of days as her father has a lot of land and he can probably run around a bit (the dog, not the dad!). This I think is a bit more for my benefit as the last couple of days out walking has been a bit stressful. But I worry this will do more harm than good as the dog might expect the same when he gets home (I live on a housing estate with limited dogwalking experiences). Should I be being consistent?

I just want to do what is best for both of us and would welcome any comments on whether my new walking regime is OK or might just be making matters worse. Also, is it OK for the dog to go on little "holidays" now and again (he usually goes to the kennels when I've been away for a few days and hasn't enjoyed that although has been overjoyed to see me when I pick him up). Incidentally, when he has been at the kennels and there have been loads of other dogs barking and jumping up in their pens, my dog is totally silent and just sits there, which is the complete opposite to what he does if he sees dogs in the street/park. Thanks in anticipation and I would really appreciate anyone's advice.

CG

why dont you try contacting a behaviourist and also when you take him out ake some treats and when he's well behaved reward him and also use them to distract him from whatever he is distaracted by and when he is more intrested in you give him his reward also you could find a training class muzzle him and take him and just sit there and reward him for good behaviour we have a rottie that comes in like that and he's doing really well ring round a few and see if they'll let you sit him in there.
it could be fear assotiated (spelling)

I have made enquiries into behavioural therapy but its quite expensive and I can't really afford it. I have taken some biscuits out on our walks to reward him but sometimes he just goes into this "mode" where he just struggles and struggles to get away to attack another dog and isn't interested in anything else. I take on board your point about just going to classes and watching with the dog being muzzled. One of the reasons I have put off taking him to classes is because I thought he would wreck the class but if they allowed us to sit in then it would get him used to being around other dogs. My mum is taking her dog to a class so I shall go along and watch.

I have no idea why he is like this because I have no idea of what kind of life he's had before I got him, although I do know he is a pure pedigree dog from a line of champions and won prizes as a pup. There surely must be a reason why he has ended up with me from a rescue and maybe his bad temper is all it is.

And my friend has just phoned to say Copper is settling in famously and she can't understand what all the fuss is about. Dogs! Who'd have em!

Thank you for your advice, I will certainly try the class watching.

CG

Hi,

Sounds like you have got your hand full there!!

You have done the right thing with the muzzle, he can't do any harm to anyone and you feel safer, which will transfer down the lead showing you are more confident.

I think maybe the going away was possibly a bad idea, but don't worry too much, I am sure you will be fine.

Do you use a headcollar? These can be used in conjunction with a Baskerville muzzle with the holes in the side, this will give you more control and help to calm him down.

Do you use treats to praise good behaviour? I would suggest trying the following:-

Get a Gentle Leader and fit it as directed, poke the bit the lead clips onto through one of the holes in the side of the muzzle (in a confortable place) and attach to a double action/combi collar (the ones made to look like a figure of 8) for extra security.

Take some VERY tasty treats out with you, such as liver or liver cake and as soon as you see a person/dog/distraction that he is likely to bark at, make him sit and reward with a treat. Keep him there and keep rewarding the sitting quietly until the person/dog/distraction has gone past and then walk on as normal.

This will take a little time, but i think it will make your life a lot easier and your problem much more controlable.

Good luck :)

manda
x

Thanks Manda!

I keep seeing references to liver cake and I haven't seen it to buy anywhere. I usually take dog biscuits but now that I think about it, his favourite thing is sausages (only one cooked on a saturday morning usually). Perhaps I should take some out and reward him with those if he is good. In the house he would balance a chair on his nose just to get a bit of sausages.

I will check out some headcollar types in the pet shop as I think the extendable lead I have him on at the moment is not very controllable when its on a long lead. He can't use the baskerville muzzle as his snout/nose just isn't the right shape! The vet got me this muzzle that I have and although he hates it, he is beginning to understand why he has to use it.

I intend to persevere beyond the point of patience and I think its still early days yet. I just get upset when he attacks other dogs and then of course the owners (understandably) verbally attack me. That isn't an enjoyable walk!

I'll let you know how I get on as I'm sure I can't be the only one with these doggie problems.

CG

you can't buy liver cake you have to make it, but your dog will go mad for it. Mine tries to grab it from the oven when i am taking the cake out.
Cordelia

why don't you try cutting hotdogs up into small pieces i pay 19p for mine in kwick saves for training

how do you make liver cake?

Ah hah - probably liver cake is in the ownership of doggie trainers??? But honestly - how do you make it?? I can't even make toast so its probably pointless me asking!! My dog tries to grab sausages from me wherever and whenever so maybe I should just try a pack of sainsbury's best and save me the hassle!!

TD

If you do a "search" for 'liver cake' you'll find recipes ...
:)

LIVER CAKE RECIPE.

8ozs Liver [preferably Lambs]
4ozs S/R Flour
2 Eggs
2 Cloves Garlic/ or 2 tsps garlic puree.

Put all the ingredients into a blender until the mixture is smooth, pink and runny [not too rigid a requirement if you prefer to make it a bit chunky' Pour into greased swiss roll type baking tin and place in the oven [Gas Mark 4] for around 30-40 minutes.

Leave to cool and cut into bite size pieces.

It can be frozen into individual bags [enough for a show] and makes enough for 4/5 shows.

Melody :)

i so admire those brave enough to blend liver - just the idea makes me want to be very ill LOL - so my poor dog never gets liver! :D ;)

Lindsay

Put a teatowel OVER the blender and you dont have to watch it ;) :D :D

Actually, once its blended, it doesnt look bad - its looks exactly like chocolate sauce! :D

We had a dog aggressive BT bitch a few years ago. She was okay with people, not babies or toddlers, and certainly not woth anything with four legs, feathers or gills!!!!!!
She could not be let off the lead in public places as any passing dog would be for it, not that would i ever let a dog off in a park or similar.
We accepted her little problem after consultations with behaviourists and trainers did no good. If its the dogs personality to hate most thing mamal then so be it. These dogs were bred to hunt, its in their nature and cannot always be changed. I wouldn't want to.
Personally i would forget the re-home idea. He will be confused enough as it is after having had several homes already. Can you imagine being pushed from pillar to post, not knowing who to trust or whether your new family would get fed up like the last and kick you out? Its not fair on the dog. I always look at it as though it were a foster child, being passed from one home to the other because the families 'can't cope with the bad behaviour'. Such children can end up so messed up, its the same for dogs.
Carry on with the muzzle, for his safety, public safety and your piece of mind. If you insist on letting him off
the lead make sure you are in a very secluded area and be positive that no other dogs will come along.
If you feel that a trainer or behaviourist can help then find one and make an appointment.
Good luck,
I hope everything turns out well.
Take care
Caz xx :-)

it might be worth thinking about castration !!! it might help settle those rageing hormones, -----at this sttage i think it might be worth talking it over with your vet,
id not let him have a free run ever unless he was still muzzled!!! you cant be sure someone wont pop up, and it could be hoffific,

Oh Copper Girl, I am in the same position as you with my 9 year old lurcher. We got him from a rescue aged about 2. He went mad when he saw another dog, slipping his lead on many occassions, was aggressive towards strangers, and chased anything that moved. Its a long story but we got the services of a behaviourist to give us some help, it was expensive but we actually got to a point whereby we could walk past another dog without him throwing a fit on the end of his lead. However, in my case this happy state of affairs only lasted 2 months, as whilst out on a walk ( on his lead), he was attacked by a loose dog. This incident and another which followed it was enough to end all the hard work we had put in. He reverted back to being aggressive and going completely loopy when spotting another dog.

We tried again, several times,before deciding to handle him our way. We bought a muzzle and always take it out with us when he goes for a walk. If no one is around he goes muzzel free, but still on lead, if there are people and dogs around he wears his muzzel. I take a pocket of tasty treats with us. If he sees a dog, I get him to sit and I stand in front of him so he cant see the other dog. He is so interested in the treats he forgets about other dogs!! However, if the dog comes closer, on goes his muzzle and I tell him firmly to LEAVE IT!, and we briskly walk in the opposite direction, still with treat in hand close to his nose.

He is also muzzled if my grandchilden visit or strangers are invited into the house.

He was castrated before we got him so in his case castration did not help. I would advise you to try a behaviourist or someone qualified in dog training to help you one to one, yes it is expensive, but it did help, and you may be luckier with your outcome than we were!

To everyone that replied - thank you so much - so many very very helpful tips and I am glad that I am not alone in my problem. For an update - Copper had a lovely few days with my friend's father (who lost his own spaniel to old age), so much so that he has offered to take him again when I am on holiday, which I think will be to both's benefit rather than going to the kennels. Copper was over the moon to see me again I am happy to report and has displayed much better behaviour in the last couple of days.

I am now taking on board the fact that my dog just does not like other animals although to be fair he has become slightly more tolerant of my cat. I am going to continue with my muzzle/lead routine as he seems to be accepting this and is behaving much better. I agree about passing rescue dogs from pillar to post and hand on heart I never intended to give up this early in the game although I was becoming disheartened a touch which is why I thought you guys could help me.

On the liver - yuk - going to try it though as I can't pass by the "cure" just because I can't stomach it.

On the point made by the lurcher owner (sorry, I can't see your name as I type), I agree that loose dogs are a nuisance when you are doing all you can to train yours. Mine hates this one dog who we see every morning and the owner recognises me now. I always stop my dog and make him sit but he allows his to run up to sniff mine and it just ends in a brawl. And I end up getting the mouthful. I intend now to walk the other way as soon as I spot them. One godsend is that I am much more observant than my dog!

Sorry for the long post but I am much more confident now that we will work out.