Meeche Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 To cut a long story very short. We adopted a beautiful Golden Retriever from the RSPCA in April. He has not got along very well with our Labrador due to agression and he is very highly strung. We believe he was probably poorly treated by the way he cowers at certain things and is SOO obedient and at your feet rolled over at the slightest raied voice. My father agreed to take this gorgeous boy and look after him. When we had him with us we found him extremely difficult to walk as he was just too strong for me and almost too strong for my husband. He was always barking at a dog across the road from us and got out a couple times and ran over to their fence (an open type one) and we thought he was going to rip its head off. He was SO aggressive. He had a go at our lab 3 or 4 times where he bit her and drew blood. My Dad has been trying to train him more and today when they were on the lead there was another dog not on a lead that came up. They both sat and were good so Dad loosened the lead slightly and our dog lunged for the other dog and bit it and it yelped and ran away. My Dad is very distressed as really, he is a 70 year old man who I am worried might be pulled over and can't control this big dog. Just don't know what to do. Would a behaviourist be able to help? If so, would it take long? I mean, I am not going to lie, we do not have oodles of money and I cannot expect my pensioner father to spend too much money on trying to "fix" this boy if it doesn't help in the long run? It is so hard as he is so lovely and such an obedient good boy who just loves to be patted... almost to the point he is practically on top of you! We are on the Central Coast. Any constructive advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 (edited) You could try this: sitting with the aggressive dog in a room/outside and ignoring it. Getting someone to come in with another dog, then giving the aggressive dog treats and praise and fuss until the other dog leaves, then go back to ignoring the aggresive dog. Repeat. You may need to keep the other dog far away enough away from the aggresive dog that it isn't reacting to start with, then slowly bring the other dog closer. The idea is to get the aggresive dog to change its habit from "other dog! bark! lunge!" to either "other dog! yay good things happen when I see him!" or to "other dog! I'll look to my master for treats!". Either reaction would help in this case I think. With managing dog-dog interactions and especially aggression a good behaviourist is always good idea, but I understand these don't come cheap so I'm just suggesting something to try in the meantime Best of luck. ETA I missed the bit where he drew blood on your dog not a handle-at-home case after all Edited September 6, 2011 by Weasels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 have you rang the RSPCA? I would be contacting them first. If the dog is a danger and aggressive I would be giving it back to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ams Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 What Nekbet said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsdog2 Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 have you rang the RSPCA? I would be contacting them first. If the dog is a danger and aggressive I would be giving it back to them. I agree - I thought if you adopt a dog from the RSPCA they do a check first to see if it will get on with the other dogs in the household it's going to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 (edited) have you rang the RSPCA? I would be contacting them first. If the dog is a danger and aggressive I would be giving it back to them. This. The RSPCA employs behavioural trainers and they may be able to help. At the very least, this dog requires reassessment in terms of temperament and your Dad deserves to have some help or to have the dog taken back by them. This situation requires professional assessment/intervention - and the RSPCA is in a position to provide it. Edited September 6, 2011 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meeche Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 (edited) Do you think even though 5 months has passed I should call them? He was sick when we first got him (we didn't know this).. had kennel cough and was very slow and calm but after 2 weeks he started getting worse and worse with the aggression. I hadn't even thought to call them. If they took him back would he be PTS???????????????? Edited September 6, 2011 by Meeche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Do you think even though 5 months has passed I should call them? He was sick when we first got him (we didn't know this).. had kennel cough and was very slow and calm but after 2 weeks he started getting worse and worse. I hadn't even thought to call them. If they took him back would he be PTS???????????????? Yes!! Of course you should. If they took him back and he was deemed not suitable for rehoming, he would be put to sleep. Given that he's already blooded two dogs, I'd not be rehoming him. You might also get his thyroid levels checked. THey can be an issue in Goldens and can be linked to aggression BUT the simple explanation may simply be that this is a dog with an unstable temperament that represents a risk to other dogs in society. Don't lose sight of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Do you think even though 5 months has passed I should call them? He was sick when we first got him (we didn't know this).. had kennel cough and was very slow and calm but after 2 weeks he started getting worse and worse. I hadn't even thought to call them. If they took him back would he be PTS???????????????? sounds harsh but that is not your primary concern of PTS. The dog needs to be professionally reasessed to see if it actually is suitable. If it is attacking dogs and cannot be controled by an owner it is not a pet anymore, it is a dangerous animal that needs management. Better then you or your father being liable for massive vet bills or the dog being slapped with a dangerous dog provision which means bigger money - fully enclosed run in the backyard, muzzling at all times, high registration fees etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~*Shell*~ Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 If the RSPCA can't help, get in contact with a different behaviourist. Aggression isn't something to be mucked around with. If the RSPCA has passed this boy for adoption they should be able to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 (edited) I can tell you if you decide to take this on it will cost a lot of money and a lot of time you have to put in. It's not as easy as just a few lessons and a muzzle when it comes to dogs that have attacked others before. Also consider the dogs long term quality of life if you are not able to walk it or socialise it in public properly because of its potential to cause harm. A dog like this is never just 'fixed' per say, it comes down to decreasing the chance of it happening again to a safe level and having procedures in place if the dog is put in a position where it feels the need to exhibit aggressive behaviour, you can prevent it happening or decrease the reaction. Edited September 6, 2011 by Nekhbet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 He probably wasn't poorly treated by the last owners. I have unfortunately met quite a few Goldens that act like they have been beaten. My parents had one that was very unstable. I wouldn't have trusted any of these dogs not to bite a person either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I am sorry you've been disappointed by this dog . It is hard when they have their good points ...and you've had time to get attached. If ,as you say, he was ill when you got him- then their trainers may have also been not seeing him behave as he would have normally - but rather as a placid dog. As his health improved, and he felt comfortable - perhaps his true nature took over? As said, he may well be unstable ,and of poor temperament. At present, he is a danger to your parents - both by being too strong and unruly on walks, and by his aggressive behaviour,. I would also suggest contacting the RSPCA. If your dad does not have the money to spend on a professional , and lots of extra help , and the dog can not be rehomed because of this aggression , then it is perhaps kinder to everyone(including the dog) that he be sent back to the RSPCA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lavendergirl Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 I know in Qld the RSPCA will "guarantee" the dog for 30 days after adoption providing vet care and behavioural advice. I think after that they will treat the dog as a new surrender if you should return it. If they are aware that it has bitten other dogs it may be PTS. You could ring them and ask if they could provide a discount telephone consultation at least. Its worth finding out if they can assist. Are you able to help your Dad financially with a behavioural consult? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meeche Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 Dad has decided to get a behaviouist in to assess things. I offered him the option of taking him back to the RSPCA but he doesn't want that to happen. When he bit my dog it wasn't like he just went for her. She did get in the way of what he was doing. We do want to give this pup every opportunity as he really is a lovely lovely dog. It is just the aggression towards other dogs. We have always had retrievers and labs and my Dad is adament that he will sort it out. Wish us luck - for now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lavendergirl Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Dad has decided to get a behaviouist in to assess things. I offered him the option of taking him back to the RSPCA but he doesn't want that to happen. When he bit my dog it wasn't like he just went for her. She did get in the way of what he was doing. We do want to give this pup every opportunity as he really is a lovely lovely dog. It is just the aggression towards other dogs. We have always had retrievers and labs and my Dad is adament that he will sort it out. Wish us luck - for now... Good on your Dad for wanting to give this pup a go. Plenty of people have dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs and are able to manage them efficiently, so good luck - hope everything works outs for you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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