Comments on: The Dogs’ Fighting Has Reached Critical Mass http://kristenking.com/2007/12/the-dogs-fighting-has-reached-critical-mass/ Blogger | Copywriter | Consultant Fri, 18 May 2012 16:54:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Jessica http://kristenking.com/2007/12/the-dogs-fighting-has-reached-critical-mass/comment-page-1/#comment-285 Jessica Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:40:17 +0000 http://meowbarkblog.com/2007/12/26/the-dogs-fighting-has-reached-critical-mass/#comment-285 Hi Kristen, I know this is an old-ish post, but if you haven't found a good solution yet, something that you might want to ask your trainer about is using a Gentle Leader. I bought one for my Lab about two years ago and put it on him whenever he starts getting a bit bossy (which isn't too often anymore, but initially, was very often). It doesn't hurt him, and I don't walk him in it, but just let him wear it around the house for an hour or so until he's settled down. Whenever I take it off him, he's always considerably less brutish. Anyway, when I did all the research into it way back when, it seemed like a pretty decent approach, and it's worked for me. (But, again, check with your trainer because dogs are all such different characters :-).) Good luck! Jessica Hi Kristen,

I know this is an old-ish post, but if you haven’t found a good solution yet, something that you might want to ask your trainer about is using a Gentle Leader. I bought one for my Lab about two years ago and put it on him whenever he starts getting a bit bossy (which isn’t too often anymore, but initially, was very often). It doesn’t hurt him, and I don’t walk him in it, but just let him wear it around the house for an hour or so until he’s settled down. Whenever I take it off him, he’s always considerably less brutish.

Anyway, when I did all the research into it way back when, it seemed like a pretty decent approach, and it’s worked for me. (But, again, check with your trainer because dogs are all such different characters :-) .)

Good luck!

Jessica

]]> By: Cory http://kristenking.com/2007/12/the-dogs-fighting-has-reached-critical-mass/comment-page-1/#comment-284 Cory Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:59:03 +0000 http://meowbarkblog.com/2007/12/26/the-dogs-fighting-has-reached-critical-mass/#comment-284 "Culture Clash" is a great book. Jean Donaldson is the director of the dog training academy at the San Francisco SPCA, which publishes a list of its alumni of professional dog trainers. There are several in Virginia: http://www.sfspca.org/academy/referral.shtml I personally would try one of these trainers first, because you know they've had formal training and that the training is based on positive reinforcement. When I lived in Colorado, there was only one dog trainer in the small town I lived in. Two of my friends took their dogs to her, and both of them (a chocolate Lab and a great dane) "graduated" with worse aggression problems. The great dane later bit an old man with a cane -- pretty much a dog owner's worst nightmare, I think. So I know that taking your dog to a bad dog trainer can be worse than not taking him at all. Keep us posted! “Culture Clash” is a great book. Jean Donaldson is the director of the dog training academy at the San Francisco SPCA, which publishes a list of its alumni of professional dog trainers. There are several in Virginia:

http://www.sfspca.org/academy/referral.shtml

I personally would try one of these trainers first, because you know they’ve had formal training and that the training is based on positive reinforcement.

When I lived in Colorado, there was only one dog trainer in the small town I lived in. Two of my friends took their dogs to her, and both of them (a chocolate Lab and a great dane) “graduated” with worse aggression problems. The great dane later bit an old man with a cane — pretty much a dog owner’s worst nightmare, I think. So I know that taking your dog to a bad dog trainer can be worse than not taking him at all.

Keep us posted!

]]> By: susan http://kristenking.com/2007/12/the-dogs-fighting-has-reached-critical-mass/comment-page-1/#comment-286 susan Sat, 29 Dec 2007 23:38:29 +0000 http://meowbarkblog.com/2007/12/26/the-dogs-fighting-has-reached-critical-mass/#comment-286 Hi Kristen, You are so right, you do need professional help. I have 5 dogs - two big, three small, and I have learned the hard way that getting in the middle of a fight is NOT the answer (hospital, massive bleeding and IV antibiotics - for me, that is). Until you can get a pro, try those soft muzzles, or even the plastic ones. It is not a permanent solution, but until help arrives, it will allow you to relax because they won't be able to go at it. Just DO NOT get in the middle. My intervention was with the small dogs, and I was the loser; with mastiffs you could have your face ripped off. Believe me, when they get into it, they don't even know you are there, and will mindlessly go after you. Good luck. Hi Kristen, You are so right, you do need professional help. I have 5 dogs – two big, three small, and I have learned the hard way that getting in the middle of a fight is NOT the answer (hospital, massive bleeding and IV antibiotics – for me, that is). Until you can get a pro, try those soft muzzles, or even the plastic ones. It is not a permanent solution, but until help arrives, it will allow you to relax because they won’t be able to go at it. Just DO NOT get in the middle. My intervention was with the small dogs, and I was the loser; with mastiffs you could have your face ripped off. Believe me, when they get into it, they don’t even know you are there, and will mindlessly go after you. Good luck.

]]> By: Beth http://kristenking.com/2007/12/the-dogs-fighting-has-reached-critical-mass/comment-page-1/#comment-283 Beth Thu, 27 Dec 2007 21:12:37 +0000 http://meowbarkblog.com/2007/12/26/the-dogs-fighting-has-reached-critical-mass/#comment-283 Hi Kristen, Sorry to hear about the problems you are having with Murphy. I think you're smart to call in a behaviorist asap. Just a word of caution--I have heard some negative things about Bark Busters (using intimidation instead of positive reinforcement), so you may want to ask the trainer in your area what kind of methods he uses before you shell out the big bucks (I looked into them when I needed help with my dog's separation anxiety). You might also want to check out Companion Animal Behavior (http://www.petbehaviorist.com/pages/CONSULT.html) and Peaceable Paws (http://www.peaceablepaws.com/pages/services.asp). I'll throw out a disclaimer here: I'm not an expert, just a dog owner and foster parent who's been reading and learning about dog behavior for a few years now. I don't mean to sound like a know-it-all; I don't know everything you've tried or are already doing. Murphy is resource guarding, and it sounds like he's taking his frustration (of not being able to eat Ty's food or take his toys) out on you. Forcing a dog into submission can make the problem worse, as can punishing a dog for growling. Basically, the dog learns it's bad to growl, so next time (or eventually) he'll just go right to biting. Until you can get help from an expert, you may want to feed the dogs separately--in crates or in different rooms. Remove the dog toys and bones. Make Murphy--and all the dogs--EARN their food, attention, walks, etc., by having the dog sit, stay, lie down, or whatever *first*. This approach is called Nothing In Life Is Free, or NILIF. Dogs live in the moment, so that would explain why Murphy's biting Ty's face one moment and then cuddling with him the next. They don't hold grudges like we do. :) Finally, here are some books I highly recommend: Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson Leader of the Pack by Patricia McConnell Both authors have published additional books, and I believe McConnell has one on managing a multi-dog household. Culture Clash can be frustrating to read to an editor/writer because of the way it's organized, but the information Donaldson presents is invaluable and really helps you understand why dogs do what they do. I hope this information is helpful. Good luck, and I'll be checking your blog for updates! Beth http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB722 Hi Kristen,

Sorry to hear about the problems you are having with Murphy. I think you’re smart to call in a behaviorist asap. Just a word of caution–I have heard some negative things about Bark Busters (using intimidation instead of positive reinforcement), so you may want to ask the trainer in your area what kind of methods he uses before you shell out the big bucks (I looked into them when I needed help with my dog’s separation anxiety). You might also want to check out Companion Animal Behavior (http://www.petbehaviorist.com/pages/CONSULT.html) and Peaceable Paws (http://www.peaceablepaws.com/pages/services.asp).

I’ll throw out a disclaimer here: I’m not an expert, just a dog owner and foster parent who’s been reading and learning about dog behavior for a few years now. I don’t mean to sound like a know-it-all; I don’t know everything you’ve tried or are already doing.

Murphy is resource guarding, and it sounds like he’s taking his frustration (of not being able to eat Ty’s food or take his toys) out on you. Forcing a dog into submission can make the problem worse, as can punishing a dog for growling. Basically, the dog learns it’s bad to growl, so next time (or eventually) he’ll just go right to biting. Until you can get help from an expert, you may want to feed the dogs separately–in crates or in different rooms. Remove the dog toys and bones. Make Murphy–and all the dogs–EARN their food, attention, walks, etc., by having the dog sit, stay, lie down, or whatever *first*. This approach is called Nothing In Life Is Free, or NILIF.

Dogs live in the moment, so that would explain why Murphy’s biting Ty’s face one moment and then cuddling with him the next. They don’t hold grudges like we do. :)

Finally, here are some books I highly recommend:

Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
Leader of the Pack by Patricia McConnell

Both authors have published additional books, and I believe McConnell has one on managing a multi-dog household. Culture Clash can be frustrating to read to an editor/writer because of the way it’s organized, but the information Donaldson presents is invaluable and really helps you understand why dogs do what they do.

I hope this information is helpful. Good luck, and I’ll be checking your blog for updates!

Beth

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB722

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