Hi John,
We have a ten month old puppy and a seven month old granddaughter; the problem is our dog is very jealous of our granddaughter and shows aggressive behavior in the form of non stop barking, jumping up and trying to nip her. Cedric wants her toys, blankets etc. and most of all he wants our attention. We have had to resort to putting him into his kennel because we are afraid he will hurt her. He has been to puppy school and did not do well there; he is a wonderful little dog and we love him lots but he has bad habits of not coming when called (in fact he runs away from us) we have just about lost him a couple of times; he jumps and nips and can be quite aggressive with us too, he seems to be a very strong willed dog. We will not give him away so we have to find out a way to make it work with our granddaughter and him.
Thanks – Betty
Hi Betty,
Normally I jump on a letter that involves a child aggressive dog like a politician on a pay raise, particularly when the writer says something like “we will not give him away” as I believe in children first, dogs second. I still believe that but this letter reeks not so much of bad dog as bad handling. I'm willing to bet when your dog misbehaves you think you're saying, “No!” but he's hearing “When you have a minute could you check your day timer? Oh. Well alright then, when you have an opening have your people call my people.”
I have what I call a rule of three regarding the consequence part of teaching. If the dog makes the same mistake three times in a row than the consequence from the dog's perspective and that's the only perspective that counts wasn't a consequence and I have to massage it until it is. You need to book an appointment with a trainer that believes that firm and fair go hand in hand and that consequence for ones actions whether two-legged or four-legged is part of life.
Depending what you mean by “quite aggressive with us too”, I'd predict that if he doesn't get an attitude adjustment from someone that loves him he could find himself in the “bone yard” before he's three and not because he's a victim of bad genetics or horrible abuse but because he's a victim of lack of clarity.
You describe him as “strong willed.” You need to be stronger willed. Those two words can be whittled down to one word; parenting. I bet at this point I could turn this dog around so fast you'd think I'd performed an exorcism but in this case the dog doesn't need the training so much as you do and without your learning the hows, the whys and the whens when we parted company it would be long before one of Beelzebub's minions returned to retake possession of your dog, which is why you need to book with a balanced trainer.
My experience has been when you finally say, “No!”, in a manner the dog takes seriously he will reply “Thank God! Mother where have you been?” and maybe, “Please don't tell dad!” Between now and your balanced trainer appointment stick his leash on for him to drag around while supervised and the crate otherwise. When I say supervised I mean like a two year old kid in a room full of cacti. That alone will cut your problems in half before your balanced training appointment; but cut in half isn't enough, still go! My gut feeling is it will be the best money you'll ever spend on this dog.
Regards,
John Wade
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Hi John,
I have a 7 yr. old larger breed that I acquired almost 2 yrs. ago. He's a good dog overall except he's not good around small children. The person I'm moving in with has 2 young children age 2 and 6 and Torch has already nipped the 6 yr. old in the face. He's good around the kids if they don't bother him. He'll go up to them, smell them, walk past them, anything, until they go to him, then he lowers his ears and head and curls up his lip. If I catch him right away then that's as far as it goes. I'm wondering if there's a chance to get him used to kids, or if I should try to find him a new home?
Stella
Hi Stella,
Saying, “He's good around kids if they don't bother him” and then moving him in with two kids is sort of like saying my dog comes unless there are squirrels about and then buying yourself a squirrel farm.
I know a lot of people that through thick or thin one must honour their commitment to the dog. I do believe that we take on a very important trust when we assume responsibility for another living creature. However I do not believe that absolves us of our responsibility for the safety of our friends and neighbours let alone the vulnerability of children.
Even in ideal situations it is naive to believe that educating children about dogs helps significantly. They are vulnerable because despite the diligence of their parents to educate them they simply will never be able to stop being children. Two year old and 6 year olds will behave like 2 year olds and 6 year olds no matter how well educated they are in the ways of a dog. Any parent that has discovered their precious testing the toilet flush's strength by investing increasing sizes of mom's jewellery knows this. “If I catch him right away then that's as far as it goes.” , isn't going to cut it.
Obviously, your situation is worse then living with a stable dog. You have no wiggle room. Your dog is already uncomfortable with this new arrangement. Enough so he actually nailed a child in the face. If nothing else, you should hear it as a cry for help from your dog. “Hey, I'm 7. I'm nearing retirement and you want me to spend my remaining years how?”
The flattening of his ears and other posturing indicate this is fear based and whenever I encounter this sort of reaction I can be almost certain the the dog was not properly socialized with children or in your case socialized around the the way they approach. Essentially to the dog, the kids are humans until they move and in doubt it tries to protect itself.
Some dogs can be brought around to the point where they say “I'll do it but I don't have to like it.” However, the number of success stories if you want to call that success are dwarfed by the number of dogs killed because the rehab attempts failed and at the expense of a child.
Don't wait that long, have him assessed but prepare yourself that his best bet may be his owner putting his mental well being before her own and then find him as close to a child free zone as possible to live in.
John Wade
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John,
My dog's name is Maggie. She is a 3 year old Shih- tzu. Last summer she was bitten by a Border Collie whose owner said that his dog would love to play with Maggie. When he opened his gate. The Border Collie immediately attacked Maggie, and grabbed her. She screamed so loudly a neighbour, came running out of her house. I checked Maggie but I didn't see any marks. The next morning I went to pick her up and she cried, so I checked again. There was 2 broken marks on her skin. She healed but now she's so scared of big dog's I don't know what to do. What can I do for little Maggie?
-Annette
Hi Annette,
You learned a lesson about how well people know and can control their own dogs the hard way. Lots of people take the chance but I won't anymore. I decide what dogs mine interacts with if for no other reason then a lot of dog owners just don't understand the role of a responsible dog owner. They're not bad people but it's impossible to tell who has and hasn't put the time in to learning things like a dog that loves playing with other dogs off property can perceive other dogs walking by “their” territory in a different context. I'll bet that dog squeezed through that gate when it was barely open and was at a dead run before its owner could say, “Nice doggy”, let alone, “Come!”
They don't understand that if they can't recall their dog in simple situations let alone those like yours then they've no right subjecting others to a “my dog is good with other dogs – (I hope)” scenario. The insurance industry reports a pay out of more than $1 billion per year in homeowners’ liability claims resulting from dog bites. That's dogs biting people of course but it gives you a sense of why I wouldn't trust what anyone has to say about their dog anymore then I trust a friend with a sense of humour to set me up on a blind date.
You've got your work cut out for you. First thing you have to do is get your dog to pay attention to you in a wide range of scenarios that have nothing to do with other dogs but are distracting never the less. Start in the house and then work near traffic, skate boards, squirrels etc, and when you've got the dog sitting, coming and staying when those things are buzzing around start doing the same thing in the vicinity of a dog park. Far away initially but closer and closer to the fenced area as time goes by. In the interim you've got to find a few dogs that are as close to comatose in temperament or highly trained to behave calmly around other dogs and work at getting your dog performing a few commands around them. Also, whatever it is your dog loves; treats, a toy etc. start associating it with the training around other dogs. I think it would be wise to work with a trainer to help you decide when it's time to go to each new level.
Paws-itively yours,
John Wade www.dogtrainingwithjohnwade.com
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Hi John,
I am a triathlon coach and would like to talk to you about dogs. I'm not sure if you are aware but dogs can be a very serious threat to athletes as they are out in the country training. I have a number of athletes who have some very serious issues with dogs. More than a few of my friends have been injured by dogs while riding their bikes in the country. I was wondering if you would be interested in helping me help these athletes find ways go about their business without bothering farm dogs.
Shawn R.
Hi Shawn,
You're correct, dogs in the country are a danger. I have been attacked by dogs in the country as has pretty much anyone I know that walks/runs/cycles the county roads. Other then strategies that are going to temporarily or permanently harm the dog all you can do is to pester the authorities until they do something about it.
In the city, if you ask someone to put their dog on a leash or control it when you walk by you're far more likely to get, “Oh, he's okay.” and they do nothing, but just as likely to be ignored or worse cursed at. Once after 3 requests to have a dog put on a leash in a public area I had to defend my dog from getting creamed by another dog; then I had to defend myself from the dog owner for doing so. I wish I could say this is the exception but it's not. (inconsiderate dog owners, not me getting into fights).
Dog people are generally a good lot. They find room in the lives and their hearts to provide a loving home for an animal but for many its as if the they made room in their hearts by cleaning out the part reserved for consideration for others. As hard as it may be for some dog owners to believe not everyone loves their little 'Pookey' as much as they do. Some people have had truly traumatic experiences with dogs, others have had their own close calls and know better then to believe, “Oh he's okay.” Some cultures are completely unfamiliar with dogs and are frightened by them. Our elderly out for strolls are consistently terrorized by inconsiderate dog owners. Many have been startled into falling or actually knocked over as the result of a “friendly” inquiry from a dog with an inconsiderate dog owner. I know of some with lives that have been irreversibly effected. Why? Because some dog owners think their dogs have the same rights as any other person in the public arena and other people need to be more tolerant of their “cuteness.” It would be interesting to witness their reaction were every now someone walking by were to suddenly poke their nose into their crotch, put a muddy paw on their clothing, knock them over, lick their face, and heck while we're at it, hump their leg; all things I've seen pedestrians endure from poorly controlled dogs.
Here's a challenge for fellow dog owners. For one day, while walking your dog, step far enough to the side to allow a pedestrian to walk by. I guarantee you will literally see looks of gratitude in peoples eyes and be thanked out loud by some. If nothing else you'll learn that good manners never go out of style.
Pawsitively Yours,
John Wade www.johnwade.ca
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Hi John,
My mother is elderly (80) and recently her Lhasa Apso died. She is heartbroken and needs another dog. She wants a puppy but we don't think she can house train a puppy at her age, as well she has a severe visual impairment and a puppy has a lot of energy and we think she might trip over it. We've called all over to pet stores, breeders, ads in the paper, SPCA's etc. looking for a 1-2 year old lap dog such as a Shih Tzu, Poodle, another Lhasa or a cross of these, to no avail. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
You might be getting some resistance simply because of your mom's age as they'll understandably be concerned what happens if the dog outlives her. I don't see that as being a huge issue you just need to be up front about it. Let them know you have a game plan. There doesn't seem to be any shortage of research with results indicating that elderly people living with a pet benefit from doing so. To name a few of the benefits, they are generally more physically active, make fewer trips to the doctor, have better heart health, prompting one doctor to say, “If this were a drug, it would be marketed tomorrow.”
If you want an older dog in order to avoid the house training, your best bet is a breed specific rescue. In general as rescues go, breed specific rescues are generally better equipped for matching the right dog for the right person as the volunteers for breed specific rescues generally have a ton of experience with the pros and cons of the breed they specialize in and know what sort of idiosyncrasies to look for when they're assessing a dog that comes into their care. A lot of the “We Save Them All Because They All Can Be Saved” rescues focus far too much on “the number of dogs they save in a year rather then the number that stay saved because they have properly assessed the dogs that come to them. I know from personal experience that there are exceptions to the rule, but in general they just don't seem to have the same skill sets that breed specific rescues people do and more often then not I point people towards the breed specific rescues.
As many health benefits as having a pet around might bring there are risks that are less well documented. Predominantly, tripping over the dog or cat for that matter. This usually happens at the doorway, indoor or outdoor stairs and in the kitchen and has cost more then one elderly person their freedom. No matter the age of the dog owner, I'm very no-nonsense when it comes to where a dog is allowed to be in these areas and make it a primary training focus for any dog. I really stress that in a kitchen a dog should be on its mat. No wandering. Same thing at the door before and after walks. Stay on a mat until they're told to move and on stairs they're trained to wait at the top and bottom until given permission to move. Total zero tolerance. It's easy to teach and I've said for year that dog trainers should start ditching the old “geometric patterns around pylons” nonsense you find in so many class programs and teach these basics instead.
Here's a link that might help, http://www.petsfortheelderly.org/index.html They're not breed specific but it's their speciality and they may be able to put you on to some dogs as well.
Pawsitively yours,
John Wade www.johnwade.ca
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