Having problems with message search?
Dog aggression is a serious, serious issue. Up until now, I have recommended the book Click to Calm. But there is new research being conducted at the University of North Texas that has led to another treatment.
The treatment takes several hours, but the learning curve is pretty amazing. I just loaded a pretty detailed description that I wrote for the IPDTA (International Positive Dog Training Association).
The tough news is that dog-on-dog aggression between dogs living in the same household is apparently the hardest to treat. The researcher that gave the seminar that I attended told us that "aggression belongs to the environment." In other words, there is something in the environment that is reinforcing the aggression and if an aggressive dog is re-homed, he or she may never show any signs of aggression again.
That WOULD be somewhat comforting to
me because of my aggressive foster dog, Paco, but I am afraid to adopt him out because how do I know that he will never run into another dog again that ticks him off as much as my Bailey does? Paco is basically impossible to contain when he sees Bailey -- climbs out of exercise pens, breaks chain link fence latches, etc. It's absolutely terrifying and quite dangerous for any human to be around. If giving him away was the magic cure, I would do it in a heartbeat, but is there any guarantee? I don't think so.
In the case of Allicks and Gabriel, I'm guessing that you just keep them separated all the time. And I wouldn't do any more alpha rolls on her. That could be very dangerous for you, and even if you've gotten away with it before, it could cost you your face someday. And I'm not just saying that. I was able to separate Bailey and Paco one time, but the next time I just got mauled. So I
wouldn't try the alpha roll.
By the way, they have learned that while it is true that the top dog would do alpha rolls on other dogs, it was only when the top dog was ready to kill. So receiving an alpha roll would really be quite terrifying to a dog and they might not want to give up that easily. So watch out.
So none of this really helps you.
Does Gabriel fight back? What makes you think that Allicks would succeed in actually killing him? Or is it just multiple wounds on both of them that send both of them to the vet?
While I was being repeatedly bitten, I could feel all the strength sapping out of me. At that point, I let go of both dogs, looked around the room, noticed Lassie was in the room with us (Oh, My God!!!), grabbed Lassie, and left. I called 911 and asked them to send Animal Control over to separate the
dogs. I was sure that if they didn't get there within a minute or so, one of the dogs would be dead and it would probably be Bailey. But it must have taken them at least 10 minutes to get there and both dogs were alive when they left the house to go to impound.
I have read before that while dog fights seem incrediby violent, they are often not as violent as we think they are. Both dogs were impounded for 10 days and were not allowed to go to the vet. Both had some wear and tear, but both survived. I was actually quite shocked. There had been blood all over the place, but most of it was apparently mine.
I'm not suggesting that you let them go at it and find out. But be aware that any damage done during a dog fight could be most damaging to you.
On the other hand, I don't doubt that one of them could try to kill the other if given the
chance. You know them best.
From some of the other emails I've read from you, I think you're using Cesar Millan's techniques. I think you're using some form of correction, whether it's leash corrections, alpha rolls, etc. Can you please fill us in on what your training philosophy is? What do you usually do during a scuffle, how do you teach the dogs, how are the dogs arranged in the house, etc.? Have you ever consulted an expert, and what did they say? I know your dogs win all kinds of obedience prizes. But are you saying that Allicks and Gabriel have never been to basic obedience classes? It's hard to advise without being there to witness what is going on.
I am so sorry you are having these problems. Seems to me that Allicks acted up about a year ago and attacked AmberNanaDog ... correct?
Please let us know more about
what's going on and let me see if I can be of any help.
Best,
Andrea
Karen Andy's ^i^ mom <andys_child@...> wrote:
Aggression training... Andrea HI! I have serious problemls with AllicksBlindPup. She wants to kill and when she gets into the zone, holding her, yelling no, she is oblivious. I have even alpha rolled her in the middle of an attack. She just wanted to continue the attack. She is so alpha, and if I let her anywhere near GabrielDeafBlindPup now she will kill him. They wre playing to gether a few months ago, and then it started randomly and now it is constantly. She doesn't mess with the lab mixes, as she is subordinate to them and they will put her in her place.So I am VERY intersted in this. Everyone tells me I have to get rid of one or the other. As you know, THAT IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. Would not have given up a child, won't even consider the thought without a gag in my throat.So FILL US IN when you get a chance!She is otherwise, adorable, brilliant, a ray of sunshine, a wigglebutt of delight. Folks fall in love with her and today I spoke with a trainer about agility again. She had tested high for agility and her first class was the day Andy died, so she obviously never got her classes. GabrielDeafBlindPup was to start his basic obedience that same day, so no one has gone to school... But he has learned sit, down, up by touch.Around Gabriel lately, AllicksBlindPup is a killer. I don't know what triggered it before, but she would wake from a dead sleep and attack him across the room. So now it is constant.
Karen AndersonAndy's ^i^MomAndrew Keith Anderson 6/17/80 ~ 11/5/04
Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.
Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
Offline 
Send Email