Adopted dog, regret decision

huge_gap · 2016-12-26T05:55:27+00:00

Feed them their dinner only out of your hand for weeks.

Then take the bowl and put it down with nothing in it and feed them out of your hand near the bowl for a few days.

Then put the food in the bowl in small amounts and be close (but be safe).

If you can put a stick object into the bowl (something that acts like a hand but is not, for safety) and fiddle with the food and they don't attack it then you're good.

Finally, when you can put the full food bowl down then take the food bowl away and then put it back down with the dog alright with it, then you're good.

Keep in mind this commitment could take months to rehabilitate the dog. Food aggressiveness happens when dogs are neglected or abused. It can be quite a process to fix. Getting a dog trainer's advice in person would also be informative.

Source: girlfriend who does dog training.

gizmozed · 2016-12-26T12:50:37+00:00

Dogs require training and patience. Maybe you could have chosen a dog that would be easier, but if you will put in the time you can make this an obedient loving pet.

But it will take effort.

therealsd · 2016-12-26T05:39:32+00:00

Post a picture of the dog.

Willow-girl · 2016-12-26T15:00:19+00:00

If you take this dog back to the shelter and tell them what you told us, they will almost certainly euthanize it. It's kind of surprising that it even made it past intake temperament testing, unless this was the kind of shelter (like a county dog pound) that just takes in strays and drop-offs and puts them all up for adoption willy-nilly. Privately-run shelters (nongovermental nonprofits) tend to be a bit more selective and won't knowingly adopt out animals with issues. (Yes, I used to work at a shelter.)

So, your choices: 1) Take it back to the shelter where they'll probably nuke it 2) Take it to a vet and have it put down 3) Get some dog training books, and maybe work with a professional trainer (like, sign up for obedience classes) to deal with its issues 4) Sell or give the dog to someone else, disclosing its issues, or 5) Sell or give the dog to someone else WITHOUT disclosing its issues (kind of unethical IMO, but that's up to you).

An aggressive dog CAN be dealt with, but it is always going to challenge you more than a dog who isn't wired up that way. Up to you whether you want to/can maintain alpha status constantly.

It's a big red flag to me that this dog is displaying aggression so quickly. Usually there is a week or so of "honeymoon" when a dog is on its best behavior while figuring out its place in its new pack. It sounds like this dog has already figured out it's the alpha, or is at least vying for the spot! You need to nip this shit in the bud if you're going to keep it.

Finally, what are your future plans? This dog may not be trustworthy around children; in fact, you should be very careful in situations (visitors, etc.) where there are kids around. Get a muzzle and use it. Yes it may be embarrassing to admit you don't trust your dog and it may bite, but picture some little kid needing thousands of dollars of plastic surgery to his/her face because your dog went apeshit. 'Nuff said.

Honestly, IMO? Shelters nuke nice, problem-free dogs every day, especially big lovable black Labs that no one wants to adopt because they're plain Janes. It almost seems a shame to keep a bad dog knowing nice ones die every day through no fault of their own. OTOH this is a young dog; it's possible no one has set boundaries with him before. If you have the time and resources to put him through an obedience class, I'd at least give him a chance to straighten up before having him put down.

TheDisillusionist · 2016-12-26T07:26:55+00:00

Are you playing with the dog aggressively? Like flipping him over, etc. Related point, did you adopt a dog actually capable of hurting you?

shadyindividual · 2016-12-26T14:57:22+00:00

Spend time with the dog. Take him on walks. Take him to new places. Teach him to sit. Once he knows sit, make him sit before each meal.

If you look at it from his perspective, he's been on his own his whole life. It's your job to be understanding of this. He will warm up to you, just give it time.

LordThunderbolt · 2016-12-26T19:25:57+00:00

Why would u get a grown ass dog that's already been jaded by life when u get a fucking puppy??? It's not your job to fix broken dogs.

It's the same thing for women. Went to for a jaded 32 year old divorcee when u can up your SMV and pick up a 22 year old?

nabosch · 2016-12-27T18:27:31+00:00

Grab that thing by the nape of the neck when it lunges at you and force it onto the ground with a knee on his chest, think cop on a suspect. But be calm the whole time, dogs can sense aggression and fear, make no second thought of it and hold him there until he calms down. He eventually will calm down and get the point. You have to be the ruler here, don't let the dog gain ground or you'll just dig a deeper hole. Also shock collars work very well.

Title	Adopted dog, regret decision
Author	headBATA
Upvotes	6
Comments	11
Date	December 26, 2016 5:38 AM UTC (9 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/5kca9l/adopted_dog_regret_decision/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/adopted-dog-regret-decision.79715 https://theredarchive.com/post/79715

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