Saved Joe!!!

[rog1006]

But...if i had to do it all over...i'd still pick Joe. There is a very, very good dog in there...it hasn't been that long and i also have to remember.

Yes, those suggested books will be helpful.

And that's why we love people like you!
You are doing the hard thing here---easy would be to turn him back in. You're right...those books will help you a LOT! I ordered them from amazon for about $30! Read and re-read and put the training to work and you'll be amazed what Joe is capable of. Thank you for loving him unconditionally!!

Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue

 

[Rocco850]

And that's why we love people like you!
You are doing the hard thing here---easy would be to turn him back in. You're right...those books will help you a LOT! I ordered them from amazon for about $30! Read and re-read and put the training to work and you'll be amazed what Joe is capable of. Thank you for loving him unconditionally!!

Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue

Christine you totally said it!!!
Gojoe, thanks for really trying with him. You did more then a lot of other people would have.

 

[Ciscobxr]

My only solution at this point is to continue to love him, keep an eye on him and continue to introduce him to people...INSIDE.

I think that is a great idea. Joe is very lucky that you are the one that adopted him! lovicon
Mandy

 

[ljnash]

You are doing the very best for Joe that you can, and that's all anyone can ask! Joe is very lucky to have adopted you!!

Lenore, Samantha & Beau

 

[gojoe]

Joe is very lucky to have adopted you!!

I think he did! I know he did!!!

 

[scribe1128]

I've followed this post since you announced you saved Joe and I even did respond to it once. I know what it is like to have a dog who is other-dog aggressive and who has bitten humans. Titus, bless his heart, can't be taken around other dogs, but he and Lady do great together. She put him in his place day-one and there have been no problems! Titus has issues with young women with long hair. Two years ago, he lunged and bit my niece in the arm. He has shown aggression whenever there has been a young woman with long hair around him. The biting of my niece resulted in a three-week boot camp program that seemed to have worked. I am still careful who I allow around him. For example, we crated him when I had a whole house full of family on Christmas Day. I don't take him to the dog park - we've had incidents when I've done that. In spite of it all, I wouldn't trade him for the world! He is eight years old, was a rescue, so we don't know what happened in his life up until I got him at the age of three. He is currently on chemo for lymphoma and doing great. I applaud you for taking in Joe and adapting to his issues.
Cheryl, Titus and Lady

 

[ssleighter]

You are doing the very best for Joe that you can, and that's all anyone can ask! Joe is very lucky to have adopted you!!

Lenore, Samantha & Beau

I agree. In rescue, we agonize over the dogs like Joe, and it's awesome to see someone willing to work thru the issues. I have a rescue boxer that is female dog aggressive and she also has a very high prey drive for small animals like cats. She is the light of my life though (okay all 3 are the lights of my life), but I often feel for her because I can't take her out in public where there will be small animals or female dogs. She also behaves oddly around young children, so I don't expose her to those either. It's trying at times, when we go for a walk, since she can escape collars AND halters, I have to put both on her connected to a split lead. She looks like the Hannibal Lector of boxers, but she does like her walks.

Thank goodness Joe found you. If you can't afford a behaviorist, I highly recommend the books that have been referred to you. You don't need much money to read and adhere to the advice within those pages.

Good luck!

Sharon

 

[gojoe]

She also behaves oddly around young children, so I don't expose her to those either.

I often wonder what in the world happened to Joe in his past for him to be that way...it's really sad to think.

I am certain your experience will be my reality as well and that is fine. Thank you all for your words of wisdom. Everyone has been most helpful and I really do appreciate it...had a few scary moments and you were there for the ride.

Good luck to anyone interested in adopting...please don't let this thread scare you. Adopting Joe was still the best decision I made, my life has improved 100% since he walked into it.

 

[vasha]

I have a boxer that reacts to situations much the same as Joe does. His name is Kaiser. He has bitten three people, including myself and I was on the verge of putting him down last October. He had one last chance and that was with a Veterinary Behaviorist at a college about 4 hours from me. We went and had a session with Dr. Haug and it was a real eye opener and she prescribed a very intensive program that we had to adhere to.

I lived in an apartment complex at the time and it was very hard on me and Kaiser to stick to this rigid program, but it saved his life. I took up jogging and ran him every morning to get him exercised. We also used classical conditioning with a gentle leader and a muzzle to keep him in check.

I made a lot of sacrifices to keep Kaiser amongst us, the biggest being getting a house. My boyfriend and I got a house in March so that I could work with Kaiser more efficiently and his turnaround has been astounding. He hated male dogs, but now will allow them in the house and even plays with them at times. He had serious aggression issues towards men, but now will allow them in the house and will play with them as well. ssleighter can verify this as can a number of BW members that have met Kaiser.

I'm not sure of the liability laws in Illinois, but if Kaiser ever bites anyone again, regardless of the reason, and they choose to file suit, I'm screwed. He will be put down and any money I have will be gone.

I'm not encouraging you to put Joe down, but rather to make sure that you can make the commitment to him that he needs. It sounds like you are on the right track, but I would really recommend a behaviorist to work with you. The work they can do is absolutely amazing. If you have a vet school near you, inquire if they have a veterinary behaviorist, they can also prescribe meds if needed. My visit with her was 160, but worth every penny because Kaiser is still with me.

A great resource for you would be the Aggressive Behavior group on YahooGroups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/agbeh - alot of behaviorists, trainers and vet behaviorists follow this board and can give you sound advice.

If you have any questions, or want more clarification on Kaiser's story, please don't hesistate to contact me - my info is in my profile.

Good luck!

vasha
Legacy Boxer Rescue
www.savetheboxers.com

 

[rog1006]

Vasha-

I'm so glad you responded! I was thinking of you while reading this thread and how devoted you were and are to Kaiser. Thank you for shining some light on this situation from personal experience!

Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue

Mommy to: Tyson, Molly, Mason
Proud Foster Mommy to: Gabe and Kuno :cool: