We recently adopted a dog. We need help and can't afford to pay a trainer. He won't potty outside and is very aggressive towards visitors and one of the children in our home. What can we do?
By Jennifer from PA
Go to leerburg.com. It will teach you for free all you need to know with articles and podcasts and e books. What kind of dog is this dog? Good luck! (06/22/2009)
By Robyn Fed
If it is aggressive to one of the children in the home, which I did not read before, return the dog to the shelter and tell them the problem. I would then go and adopt a more friendly dog, and then go to leerburg.com and learn how to train, etc. Blessings. (06/22/2009)
By Robyn Fed
Have you heard of Cesar Millan? He's known as the "dog whisperer" and has a collection of DVDs out from his shows you can see on cable TV. He has written a book too. Just go to Amazon.com and key in Cesar Millan.
I just reviewed his DVD collection again and my daughter has purchased his book. On his website, he offers helpful bits of info about dogs who are problematic. Just know now that he also states it is the dog owners who have aided in a dog's bad behavior and it's up to us to change ourselves before we can help our pet. Also, past owners or past experiences the dog has gone through can contribute as well. (06/22/2009)
By Myrna
I would take the dog back to the shelter. Shelters usually are responsible enough not to adopt out a dog that is aggressive. (06/24/2009)
By Kris
I would take him back too. (06/24/2009)
By Janet
You didn't say what kind of dog or how old the dog is. A dog takes some time to get used to his new surroundings, and if you are attached to the dog, check to be sure there is no reason he is aggressive toward the child (Is he teasing the dog? etc.) It could be that the dog just wants to make friends on his own time without any prodding from the family. As a last resort, if the dog is still aggressive, you could take take him back, but you should first take him to a vet to get expert advice. It's no fun for a dog to leave his home, go to a shelter, and then go to strangers. It takes some adjustment. (06/24/2009)
By Nan Corpe
First, try to learn if possible, why the dog is only aggressive toward the one child. Is the child obviously fearful of the dog? Is he or she teasing the dog? Try to help the child modify his or her behavior and see what happens. Be patient, firm and, above all, consistent. Make sure your new pet understands who's the "leader of the pack."
Second, dogs of all breeds are naturally territorial. We always put our dogs away in a secure, "dog-proof" room on the rare occasions we have visitors. However, if you want to socialize your dog to allow visitors, some positive-reinforcement training is a good idea. Remember to consistently, but calmly, reinforce good behavior while discouraging bad behavior. Put the dog in a separate, "dog-proof" area if necessary for a "time-out."
The same holds true for the potty issue. You may have to sacrifice some time and even some sleep while you teach your new pet where - and when - it's appropriate to relieve himself. Lavish praise on him when he succeeds. That's really all he wants; besides, dog treats get expensive! Think of it like this: it took time to potty-train your kids, didn't it?
If you can be patient and help your family and your new dog work through their issues, you'll have a furry friend for life. And hopefully, there'll be one less dog the shelter has to euthanize. Blessings to you, Jo (06/24/2009)
Take him back to the shelter. Shelter dogs sometimes have unknown histories and he may have been abused, and the shelter has a responsibility not to adopt out aggressive animals. (06/28/2009)
By Linda L.
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