Advice Needed

[smdent]

Hi my fiance and I rescused a gorgeous boy, Ridgeback X Mastiff, approx 3 years old, about 8 months ago. Not an "official" rescue but more like "Hi we think we can take better care of your dog than you, would you like to give it to us?" situation (the dog was underfed, kept in a drug den pretty much, never taken to the vets etc).

Now he is a big boy, about 50kg, and i'm not much more than that! He's actually very willing to please, sits stays and drops in the house, not agressive towards us, will tolerate us taking his bones from him etc. But obviously, being a big dog, I (or my fiance) need to walk him everyday, and while its not a "nightmare" its quite difficult! He will pull quite hard, and god help me if he see's a cat cause I'm lucky to be able to hold onto him. I can't trust him off the leash if other dogs are around because he will fight male dogs that bark or growl at him (he plays well with other female dogs or dogs that are submissive to him). Obviously that's quite scary - though it always seems more bark than bite.

We don't have much experience training dogs or anything, would we be right to take him to a dog training school ? Or is that only for well behaved dogs already? We're in Alexandria so I have considered Eastern Suburbs Dog training school...

i guess i'm worried about the following:

1. him starting a fight with another dog

2. Him being generally very naughty - at him 50kg and me being 60kg, he generally goes where he wants to go

Also, he's not desexed :-( Is this a problem? I would like for him to be desexed but cost is an issue (and so is the fiance who seems attached to his balls).

thanks guys!

[Guest pupylv]

Smdent,

Taking your pup to dog training school is a god idea. The trainers can help you gain control of your dog and how to deal with your boy when he misbehaves. Look for a dog training school that will take all types of dogs, not just the "well behaved ones" and will also take the time one on one if necessary to help you when problems arise.

[Jey]

The cost of not getting him desexed is more expensive in the long run. I think it's less that $100 anyway. I understand finances might be tight but this is something you should definitely try to save up for.

Bless your fiance and his precious masculinity. Tell him to worry about his own balls and not the dog's!

Edited June 13, 2008 by Jey

[Mushaka]

Your OH needs to stop and think for a second...how would he like to NEVER EVER HAVE SEX !!!! Ask him how that would make him feel...OFF WITH THE NADS,...give this boy a break fromt he frustration.

This will help! Trust me. Look around,some vets are cheaper than others. Some councils even do days where they do it really cheap.

[ruthless]

I train there, they accept all dogs, don't worry! Chopper was a full on nightmare when I started, now he's a good boy Joining day is this Sunday. Turn up at 8am with his vaccination cert. Class starts at 9, finishes at 10.

Are you walking him on a flat collar? Maybe you need to invest in a martingale. They sell them at the club and they'll show you how to use it.

He's a big boy. He needs you and your husband to step up to the plate and be strong leaders. Cesar's Way is a good starting book. Good luck :D

[smdent]

I train there, they accept all dogs, don't worry! Chopper was a full on nightmare when I started, now he's a good boy Joining day is this Sunday. Turn up at 8am with his vaccination cert. Class starts at 9, finishes at 10.

Are you walking him on a flat collar? Maybe you need to invest in a martingale. They sell them at the club and they'll show you how to use it.

He's a big boy. He needs you and your husband to step up to the plate and be strong leaders. Cesar's Way is a good starting book. Good luck

Okay I might come along! if you see a small girl being dragged around by a large dog please come up and say hi!

[ruthless]

I train there, they accept all dogs, don't worry! Chopper was a full on nightmare when I started, now he's a good boy Joining day is this Sunday. Turn up at 8am with his vaccination cert. Class starts at 9, finishes at 10.

Are you walking him on a flat collar? Maybe you need to invest in a martingale. They sell them at the club and they'll show you how to use it.

He's a big boy. He needs you and your husband to step up to the plate and be strong leaders. Cesar's Way is a good starting book. Good luck

Okay I might come along! if you see a small girl being dragged around by a large dog please come up and say hi!

Cool, I'll be there with Angel ... the little fat one in my sig

[Jessca]

Hi my fiance and I rescused a gorgeous boy, Ridgeback X Mastiff, approx 3 years old, about 8 months ago. Not an "official" rescue but more like "Hi we think we can take better care of your dog than you, would you like to give it to us?" situation (the dog was underfed, kept in a drug den pretty much, never taken to the vets etc).

Now he is a big boy, about 50kg, and i'm not much more than that! He's actually very willing to please, sits stays and drops in the house, not agressive towards us, will tolerate us taking his bones from him etc. But obviously, being a big dog, I (or my fiance) need to walk him everyday, and while its not a "nightmare" its quite difficult! He will pull quite hard, and god help me if he see's a cat cause I'm lucky to be able to hold onto him. I can't trust him off the leash if other dogs are around because he will fight male dogs that bark or growl at him (he plays well with other female dogs or dogs that are submissive to him). Obviously that's quite scary - though it always seems more bark than bite.

We don't have much experience training dogs or anything, would we be right to take him to a dog training school ? Or is that only for well behaved dogs already? We're in Alexandria so I have considered Eastern Suburbs Dog training school...

i guess i'm worried about the following:

1. him starting a fight with another dog

2. Him being generally very naughty - at him 50kg and me being 60kg, he generally goes where he wants to go

Also, he's not desexed :-( Is this a problem? I would like for him to be desexed but cost is an issue (and so is the fiance who seems attached to his balls).

thanks guys!

if you dont mind me asking do you know where he came from??

i'm just wondering if he's related to our mastiff. could you post a piccy by any chance please??

thanks. good luck with him.

Edited June 13, 2008 by Jessca

[smdent]

Hi my fiance and I rescused a gorgeous boy, Ridgeback X Mastiff, approx 3 years old, about 8 months ago. Not an "official" rescue but more like "Hi we think we can take better care of your dog than you, would you like to give it to us?" situation (the dog was underfed, kept in a drug den pretty much, never taken to the vets etc).

Now he is a big boy, about 50kg, and i'm not much more than that! He's actually very willing to please, sits stays and drops in the house, not agressive towards us, will tolerate us taking his bones from him etc. But obviously, being a big dog, I (or my fiance) need to walk him everyday, and while its not a "nightmare" its quite difficult! He will pull quite hard, and god help me if he see's a cat cause I'm lucky to be able to hold onto him. I can't trust him off the leash if other dogs are around because he will fight male dogs that bark or growl at him (he plays well with other female dogs or dogs that are submissive to him). Obviously that's quite scary - though it always seems more bark than bite.

We don't have much experience training dogs or anything, would we be right to take him to a dog training school ? Or is that only for well behaved dogs already? We're in Alexandria so I have considered Eastern Suburbs Dog training school...

i guess i'm worried about the following:

1. him starting a fight with another dog

2. Him being generally very naughty - at him 50kg and me being 60kg, he generally goes where he wants to go

Also, he's not desexed :-( Is this a problem? I would like for him to be desexed but cost is an issue (and so is the fiance who seems attached to his balls).

thanks guys!

if you dont mind me asking do you know where he came from??

i'm just wondering if he's related to our mastiff. could you post a piccy by any chance please??

thanks. good luck with him.

He's from Sydney, but other than that i'm not sure. the past owner seemed to think the Dad was a rotty but I have trouble seeing it, and I'm not sure how much to trust his judgement anyway. I definately know he's got ridgeback and mastiff in him!

I'll get a pic and post it in the next day or so!