@oscarwip I would bring in a veterinary behaviorist to work on your case. They have the most knowledge and expertise for severe cases like this. Plus then you can get another expert opinion on your dog’s prognosis.
@thudomi1582 Will definitely do that, was looking for a link like that. Everything you google is “behavioral trainers” like no I want someone with a PHD in animal psychology! Thanks again!
@oscarwip You have a teenaged dog (hormonal crazy times) plus a behavioral issue, plus meds. Generally, training is most effective in short bursts of 5-10 minutes, naps after help processing. Marathon sessions aren't effective because dogs don't have our brain. Here are some articles about studies on fixed dogs.
@oscarwip Have you read the book/pamphlet MINE yet
My first suggestion is did you read this pamphlet/book yet MINE link at the bottom… The last incident with the shoe I’ll be curious if you offered a trade or distraction to get the shoe away?
Sounds like your boy is resource guarding across the board and whatever he perceives of value. Also sounds like he also escalated when he didn’t want to do something like getting into is crate/room (boarding facility).
Your first dog and sounds like what many will label a project dog and will teach you a lot. IMHO from the history you gave you have to make a tough decision because he may fall into management for life.
@xenliad We just started reading that book yesterday! No this is the first time I did not offer a trade with the shoe. He was dropping stuff for me all day, and I thought he dropped the shoe, but it was still within 9 inches or so of his face.
@oscarwip Behavior change and emotional response take time to change. Remember some dogs fall into management for life which is hard for professionals to accept too.
Also always keep in mind management will always fail so we have to triple check our environment always etc family or friends are over and nothing is around that your dog can get. You might have to trade or train for months before the emotional response of loosing something changes.
You might have to teach back away/up and a strong stay after that leave it. Or have your dog fetch something after he drops what he feels the need to guard.
@zhangyue I tried sending a video but can’t figure it out. Yes they break skin with blood at times. Sometimes just a cut, sometimes a small puncture if the situation is escalated (like yesterday)
@oscarwip So, there’s something called the Dunbar Bite Scale. Look at that and see if you can classify. The reason I say that is that it helps to determine the severity of the behavior.
@oscarwip I mean, expert opinions from people who have met and worked with the pup are probably better, but on the other hand, he’s also only 8 months old, which is peak adolescence. My boy was an arousal biter; I didn’t have a term for it until he was around that age, at which point I started training it, but he also just plain improved dramatically when he hit 13 months and started to mature. (Different breed, so ymmv.)
One thing you could do is try to muzzle train him and basically keep him muzzled when he’s not strictly supervised to prevent him from getting high value objects.
@prhasda You know what worries me here. I have a feeling that OP didn't provide us with complete information. I find it very strange that vet, behaviourist, and breeder
- all come with BE.
It's a super strange decision for 8 mo puppy with the only resource guarding issue. I mean, why don't you wait until the hormones decrease after the neutering and till the dog grows out of puberty disobedience. In the meantime, OP can work on trading training. Stop taking dog's stuff and let him space when eating. Muzzle train for walk to ensure that it will not take something wrong from the ground.
Or do I underestimate the situation? Maybe there's something else?
@oscarwip I went through this with our puppy. It started at about 4 months when he growled and tried to bite the veterinarian while being examined. It continued and he started guarding toys, food and the furniture. He would take food from the counters and become super aggressive when I would try to take the food back (guarding food bowl also). He came from a very reputable breeder, was completely healthy according to the veterinarian and was socialized/exercised/trained daily using positive reinforcement methods. I have trained, raised and shown Amstaffs in AKC conformation events so I am definitely not a first time dog owner. At 6 months the dog severely bit my husband leaving deep puncture wounds and would not release until pulled off. My husband was walking past the dog dish. The dog was taken to the veterinarian due to the escalation in aggression and the veterinarian recommended a trainer (no adverse methods) and no health issues were identified. He spent the next six weeks working with the trainer daily. The dog seemed to be progressing well with some minor growling. At 9 months he again attacked my husband (deep, full depth punctures, tearing, and a broken wrist) as he was walking past the dog. The veterinarian was immediately contacted to euthanize the dog. During this time, the dog was attacking the sliding glass door trying to get in. The veterinarian gave us a huge dose of gabapentin to sedate the dog so we could put the dog in a crate to transport to the veterinarian (veterinarian was not willing to come to the house, which I totally agree with)to be euthanized. When the dog collapsed after ingesting the gabapentin/hamburger, we were able to take the dog to the veterinarian where he was euthanized. I want to add that after each bite the dog looked out of it and almost seemed apologetic. The dog was never physically disciplined and did not have any incidents that I am aware of to cause him to be fearful. Typing this is breaking my heart, I have never shared all of this because it is so fucking awful! I wanted to share this so others can see some of the signs that a dog might be escalating to a dangerous level. OP please be careful, it is very hard to accept that the dog you love is sick and that you can’t fix it. Hugs I am so sorry you are going through this. You can message me and I can share more details if needed.
@jisaiah6113 I'm very sorry. It's a tragedy. I understand that sometimes it's just gens. The roll of dice. Unfortunate. It seems that your dog was aggressive by nature. There's no way you could keep him as a pet.
I already commented here that I find it weird that vet, behaviourist, and breeder, all together, say for BE. When I'm reading OP's story, it seems to me that there are still options to try. But this one-voice from the specialist makes me think that it's more serious than it sounds from OP.
I am so sorry you are going through this. You can message me and I can share more details if needed.