Please help me...

[rocky road]

Well, we have had a bad couple of days.

Along with Rocky we also have an 8 yr old shepherd/lab mix. We have had her since she was a puppy. She has always been a bit aggressive. The older kids just stayed away from her and she stayed away from them. Well, then I brought Rocky home. He was 9 months when I got him and he lets them lay on him and poke him in the eye (not that I allow this) , etc... My point being that he is very mellow and laid back. Doesn't move when you step over him, you know? Well, Keena is the exact opposite. Very high strung, doesn't like to be touched, won't let anyone near the house, has nipped at the kids if they startle her, etc... Well, Wednesday night she got my 2 yr old. I didn't see the beginning, but after I heard it I looked right over and saw that he was to her rear and that he was getting up off the ground. So did he try to hug her, scare her by petting her from behind? I don't know? Anyway, his arm had about a 1" gash, huge bruises and a large lump. Went to the ER, have to go to the ped. this morning. DH says the dog is out of here. I have to agree. I can't live like this anymore. Although I am sooo upset. I had been trying to get her out and used to strangers and work with her, etc... But, I can't take the risk of something worse happening while I deal with these problems. And I think isolating her from the family will just make things worse. So, now I am worrying about Rocky. He has started this thing where if I take his collar to get him up to get in his crate or whatever he will make an almost growl and turn his open mouth towards me. I will not ignore this. But what do I do?!?!?! Am I right that this is aggression? Why am I creating aggressive dogs? Should I not pull his collar to get him up after I have given him a command and he doesn't comply?

Also, where am I going to take Keena? I would have to be completely honest about her problems. WHy would anyone want her?

Sorry this is so long. I thought I was doing so great with Rocky. Please, any advise is very welcome. I have 3 small children, however I can (and would be willing to) exercise him early in the morning before dh goes to work and after dinner. Oh, we also go to the dog park every weekend for social activity. I feel so lost right now. I have had dogs my whole life, and now I feel like I know nothing...

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Net45582]

You would do well to contact an animal behaviourist.Good luck

 

[sweetboxer]

I agree. I would ask your vet for a good animal behaviorist and quickly. In the meantime, I would keep your kids away from your other dog. It almost seems like your Boxer is learning aggressive behavior from your other dog. This you absolutely don't want, as it's not really their nature to be overly aggressive. If you can't keep the other dog, maybe look into a rescue for that breed. I'm sure there's a rescue for each breed by now. I'm sorry you're having a hard time right now. I hope it all works out okay.

 

[Winston&Brew]

I agree with sweetboxer, it seems like your boxer is learning from your other dog, dogs tends to pick up behaviors quickly from each other. Maybe you could go to your local shelter and see what animal behavioralist woud suggest. You can also find a lot of helpful info. on the internet or maybe go and talk to a specilist at Petco or PetsMart. I couldn't imagine geeting rid of a family pet that I have had since it was a pup, but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. Good Luck, keep us updated!

 

[lovemygracie]

It sounds like a really hard time in your house--I am so sorry! Hopefully your little one is okay--it must have been really scary for him.

I know that older dogs have a harder time getting adopted, but perhaps you can find a home for Keena where there are no children. My heart goes out to you--it must be hard since you've had her since she was a puppy.

Your boxer is young and there is definitely time to teach him proper behavior. I wouldn't grab his collar and force him to do things until you have reinforced your position as the leader in subtle, nonconfrontational ways. (Do you do NILF (nothing in life is free) with him?) It is a good non-confrontational way to establish leadership and work on obedience in everyday life. For the specific case you mentioned (getting him to go in the crate) I have found that treats or kongs filled with kibble and peanut butter work wonders with my boxer. She runs in the crate in hopes of getting the treat faster. Rocky is young and young dogs try all kinds of behavior to see what they can get away with. I think you are right to take his growl and open mouth in your direction seriously--a dog shouldn't do that to his owner, but at the same time he is young and can be taught that he is not the leader and that behavior is not acceptable.

 

[KonaKoffe]

Grabbing most dogs by the collar like that will trigger their defenses. Tho you as the alpha should be able to do that the dog is going into instinct mode.

I suggest you contact a behaviorist so that both you and your DH learn how to properly handle both situations. It has to be a team effort. IMO, Keena needs to be given the chance at being corrected at the hands of a professional rather than just being passed along.

 

[sasha's momm]

Wow, I don't have advise about the other dog b/c my first reaction would be that she would be gone too. Although I think a behaviorist might help.

I dohave experience with the collar thing though. Sasha does that anytime we try to force her to do anything. I tell her no firmly and I continue what I'm doing. She has never bit me or snapped at me. She knows better. I think she's just being sassy andletting me know that she doesn't like me making her do anything. When she was crated I tried never to force her into it. Try throwing a treat in there while saying in. That worked for us. Good luck!

 

[rocky road]

Thanks to the mod who moved this...I guess I was in the wrong forum.

Anyway, thanks to all who have replied. It is heart breaking for me to find another home for Keena. I have called and left messages with almost a dozen no-kill rescues and all the messages end with me in tears. So, either they will think I am a crazy person or they will realize that this really isn't a bad dog, just one that can't live in this home anymore.

So, I also had the thought that Rocky was learning from Keena. When we first adopted him at 9 months he never acted this way. Keena also goes after him regularly and it really freaks him out. She had actually gone after him just the morning of the incident with my son. Left marks all over his hip. Ever seen a 93 pound Boxer shake in his boots? It is not a pretty sight. Maybe when she is away he will improve. I will work with him more. I am also having all the kids and their friends give him commands and not pet him until he is calm and sitting. Hope that will help. I will also check out NILIF.

Thanks to everyone!

 

[lovemygracie]

Best of luck and let us know how it goes.
Off topic, but I looked at your pictures and Rocky is SO handsome! I love his tail. He looks very sweet with the kids.