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Experience with abused dogs

Discussion in 'Pets' started by =jesse=, Oct 15, 2010.

  1. Oct 15, 2010 at 9:49 AM
    #1
    =jesse=

    =jesse= [OP] Active Member

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    Does anyone on here have any long term experience dealing with dogs that have come from very abusive backgrounds?

    My wife and I recently adopted a 4yr old terrier mix. He was a rescue dog that came from 2 different homes. The first was a very abusive home, and when he was rescued, the agency didn't do a thorough check and adopted him into another abusive home.

    Now that we have him, we've been working very hard to integrate him into our family (we have 2 other rescue dogs), but he is becoming increasingly aggressive towards my other dogs and my wife and I. I'm being very careful about how I discipline and train him because I don't want to come off as a threat.

    My wife and I aren't complete noobs with dogs either. Both of us grew up with multiple dogs in our families...plus I watched an episode of The Dog Whisperer once. I've established the Alpha role and he'll role on his back once he gives up on the snarling and staredowns, but when he gets back up he'll jump and try to bite...which leads back to the whole thing all over again.

    Anyway, my question is does anyone here have any specific techniques or training methods they've tried that have proved particularily useful?
     
  2. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:09 AM
    #2
    Papa Tac

    Papa Tac Adjunct Anarchist

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    Take care with what Alpha means... Dominance does not equal aggression.
    Seek more info from Cesar Milan - I know what a lot say, but he knows what he's talking about.
    Stay calm.
    I don't envy you - fixing other people's shit is a challenging (impossible?) task.
    Best of luck - and X2 Karma to you!! Every dog deserves his day.
    And if you ever find his previous owners in your sights - UNLOAD!!
    The only thing higher on my list than Dogs is those who sacrifice to help them. Props 2U>
     
  3. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:14 AM
    #3
    =jesse=

    =jesse= [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks. I appreciate the support. And believe me, I would be more than happy to unload into the pricks that beat him.

    I'm being very careful to make sure the little guy can distinguish between dominance and aggression. I think he's beginning to see it, but it's a slow and sometimes discouraging process. My wife and I don't want to give up on him because we know it's not his fault that he acts the way he does.

    I'm considering seeking a professional dog trainer or rehabilitator for some help on this one.
     
  4. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:21 AM
    #4
    SuperTacoma

    SuperTacoma Well-Known Member

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    You have to train your wife to handle the dog like you handle the dog.
    One of mine I can tell was abused but to bad. He does the head bob if you move to fast.
    But we try and stay consist with them. If I handle them one way then my wife handles them that way. A lot of repetitions is the key and consistency.
    Ceaser is good as well. I use some of his techniques.
    The other key is to make sure you focusing on the correct problem. I was watching Ceaser and he pointed out it was the other dog that was actually starting the problem and it looked like the one doing the biting. Something about the stance or look body language etc.
    Good luck and stick with it. Sometimes it helps to find a good dog sitter because they have their own techniques as well.
     
  5. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:30 AM
    #5
    snoope

    snoope Well-Known Member

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    jesse,

    TRAINING;

    That is high on the "list"....either the adopted facility he came from or a trainer with such experience.

    My wife and I have "adopted" our last 4 dogs and it does take time ....

    The only strong advice we have is YOU establish the routine NOT your wife....personal experience "talking"...I lost #3 through no fault of his but an aggressive person "just raised" their voice towards my wife 3 times ( 1st two times brought the dog to attention ) but the 3rd time he went into "protect"...tore clothing but did not bite ...and because of his "history" we had to "down" him...sadly even the Officer said the "Alpha" kicks in without a strong male around ( even if my wife was his caretaker) I was not there ..instinct has one hell of a memory..

    Good luck and THANK YOU for what you do..
     
  6. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:30 AM
    #6
    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Kudos to you for taking in an abused dog. I've adopted 2 dogs that were both abused. My Aussie was so scared of me for the first 2 months that she wouldn't even come around me and always hid in the bathroom. I would feed her then have to leave the room for her to eat. My other dog was just aggressive towards everyone which is sad b/c she was only about 6 months old. She has scars from cigarette burns all over her legs so I cannot imagine what she went thru. With LOTS and LOTS of patience both have come around. The rewards in the end are worth every second of frustration. Good Luck to you!
     
  7. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:33 AM
    #7
    Seabass

    Seabass Give it to me. I'll break it for you

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    Just a bunch of old crap
    Quite a few "rescue dogs" are not true rescue dogs. That's just what some of those shelters call them to try and get your sympathy so you will be more inclined to adopt from them. The dog could have just been ignored in someone's backyard for a couple years and it's just in survival mode. You never know.

    Tough gig. Best of luck to you.
     
  8. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:39 AM
    #8
    mntbiker2008

    mntbiker2008 First I derp.. then I herp

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    my newest dog (Aussie) came from a somewhat abusive background. I have had her for about 4-5 months now. It takes a lot of time to get them used to you and for them to trust you. Treat them well, give them treats and toys. Play with them but if they try to bite you, make sure you walk away so they learn that when they bite people, they lose their play buddy. Do NOT hit the dog as much as it hurts when they bite you. I have found that making a loud "yipe" and walking away has helped teaching my aussie not to bite.

    Patience is key


    almost forgot.... both you and your wife need to learn the same commands.
     
  9. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:42 AM
    #9
    mntbiker2008

    mntbiker2008 First I derp.. then I herp

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    I can say Neil has got some great dogs. Very well behaved even towards strangers and other dogs
     
  10. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:46 AM
    #10
    =jesse=

    =jesse= [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks. We thought of this too but we have medical records from vets showing which procedures were performed and things like that. We've got all kinds of stacks of papers.

    Our dachshund was just a little neglected. Our chow was a puppymill rescue and had to have his eyes removed due to untreated infection. Now our new guy Bones is accustomed to viewing any motion of arm or leg as a strike coming his way.
     
  11. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:49 AM
    #11
    =jesse=

    =jesse= [OP] Active Member

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    I give my wife lots of credit on this one too. She used to baby the dachshund when it was only him, but the challenges from me disciplining and her "babying" were immediately apparent. Once we got on the same wave length the changes in his behavior were almost immediate.

    She's great now with maintaining discipline and keeping all our actions and commands the same.
     
  12. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:51 AM
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    Toyotacrawler

    Toyotacrawler She's got the jimmy legs

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    We fostered a GSD/Rottweiler mix for a few months. At first he was very shy and then once he got comfortable in our home he started being aggresive towards our GSD. We got a prong collar (which we still use on our GSD) and a short 18" lead and left it on him during play time. Anytime he played too aggresive we gave a quick jerk (do not pull) on the lead and told him no. After a few days of this he behaved quite nicely during playtime. He might not agree with the correction at first but he will respect it and calm down. Patience and repetition is the key. Once he trust you, your other pups and knows your the pack leader, he will settle down. We got the prong collar from jefferspet.com It was made by herm springer I believe. The item number is 56-H2 if you are interested. Good luck with him!!
     
  13. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:51 AM
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    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

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    back to bone stock.
    been there before. i had to relent when my neighbors opened up a daycare. my dog trapped a young mom in her car, CUJO-style. it was a law suit waiting to happen. sadly, i gave the dog back. after she did about $7k worth of damage to my house. the money didnt bother me, but when she started going after people's kids....she had to go.

    my brother on the other hand adopted a great dane that was being sexually molested by some pervert. the dog wouldnt come near a human male for years. my bro just let her have her space, and after 2 years..she came around and trusted him. she never let me near her. it was sad, and i also let her have space. she died prematurely, or i would have been "inner circle" sooner or later.

    good luck...i wont do it again. too much heartbreak. i felt like a failure.
     
  14. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:52 AM
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    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Thanks... I try but they are both spoiled rotten little shits.... Wouldn't have it any other way....
     
  15. Oct 15, 2010 at 10:58 AM
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    mntbiker2008

    mntbiker2008 First I derp.. then I herp

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    haha yeah thats how both of mine are... actually as I type this I have the Aussie laying in my lap snoring. :cool:
     
  16. Oct 15, 2010 at 11:00 AM
    #16
    =jesse=

    =jesse= [OP] Active Member

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    Wow I've never seen these before. I'm reading about them right now and they look pretty promising. Thanks. I think I'm gonna pick one up.
     
  17. Oct 15, 2010 at 11:08 AM
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    Toyotacrawler

    Toyotacrawler She's got the jimmy legs

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    Yea you will be amazed at how quickly he will change his attitude. Just make sure you get one with rounded edges on the prongs. All the ones at pet stores around here had sharp edges on them. Thats why we got the herm springer one. Very rounded edges. Don't want to hurt the pup ya know. The number one rule about using them though is do not pull on it. Just a quick jerk as you say the command is all you need to do. Also only put it on him during training time and when he is wearing the prong collar take his regular collar off. If you have any questions about it don't hesitate to ask. :)
     
  18. Oct 15, 2010 at 11:12 AM
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    =jesse=

    =jesse= [OP] Active Member

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    Awesome. Thanks a bunch.
     
  19. Oct 15, 2010 at 11:12 AM
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    MAXTacoma

    MAXTacoma Well-Known Member

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    x2... thats what my dog trainer gave me to help with the my aggressive dog. It was like night and day with the collar on.
     
  20. Oct 15, 2010 at 1:09 PM
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    cinch

    cinch Member Extraordinaire

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    Just being ignored in someones backyard for a couple of years is still animal abuse in my book. I still would consider it a rescue dog.
     

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