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Post by doggy on Jun 11, 2007 23:10:59 GMT
need opinions please.
i have a 4 1/2 yr old chocolate labrador bit*h,who has behaviourel problems. she runs off on us all the time and it takes a long time to catch her,when you do get close enough to try and catch her she will savage the hand of you and if you ever smack her for anything naughty she will bite. what do i do? put up with it or get her pts.
at my wits end here.
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Post by lils on Jun 12, 2007 6:17:15 GMT
try finding a dog behaviourist/trainer. I have a rescue collie, whom when we got her approx 7 years ago, would attack my (then) partners legs,and was very territorial,one visit from a behaviourist who gave us some very good tips, and helped a little, and she is a sweetheart, and never a probelm anymore
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woof
Full Member
Posts: 358
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Post by woof on Jun 12, 2007 7:21:36 GMT
I agree with Lils a good trainer/behaviorist will help no end and also get to the bottom of why she does this in the first place, I would do this first and take their prof advice they will not flog a dead horse so to speak.
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quince
Junior Member
Posts: 105
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Post by quince on Jun 12, 2007 7:26:28 GMT
put her on a long lead eg two lunge lines, when you call her and she goes to run off pull her up sharp, shout come here, and reel her in, then make a fuss of her, as for the biting, you arnt being strict enough (which is also why shes running off) what area are you I know a fab behaviourist in the Staffs area, but most problems will be solved with a bit of tough love.
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Post by lesleym on Jun 12, 2007 7:42:56 GMT
get her a zappy collar so you have some control, it worked for my lab that would run away, he would associate the zap with wrong behaviour and not run away or come back. would also help with the biting, as you could zap them when they go to bite.
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Post by Careful on Jun 12, 2007 13:24:16 GMT
get her a zappy collar so you have some control, it worked for my lab that would run away, he would associate the zap with wrong behaviour and not run away or come back. would also help with the biting, as you could zap them when they go to bite. Please please be careful using these collars without proper training or experience as they can make animals worse in unskilled hands not better. Labradors are generally very un-agressive so she may be like that due to her past maybe? If she is unwilling to be near you, the collar may not help as in my experience they definitely know it's you!!
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Post by essendy on Jun 12, 2007 18:20:21 GMT
Get a tracking lead they are about 20 meters long and are light cord.Attach to dog.Every-time you recall get very excited and make it exciting to come back to you.When she returns plenty praise and a treat.Knowing Labs they are totally food orientated.And watch Ceaser Milan on Sky he has ways to stop aggression.Good luck!
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Post by Philippa on Jun 12, 2007 20:21:49 GMT
Doggy - what area are you in???
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Post by Mabel on Jun 12, 2007 20:31:01 GMT
I have a springer spaniel, who we rescued, who had mega behavioural problems - from from a lack of socialisation than being abused. It has taken 2 years for her to fully come right. Please persevere with every ones suggestions, it will be worth it in the end. I had no end of people advising me to get her PTS, but im so pleased I didnt listen, she is the happiest dog now. As I said, it has taken 2 years of me tearing my hair out - i got help from dog behaviourists.
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Post by doggy on Jun 14, 2007 12:57:06 GMT
After much deliberation i had her PTS.
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Post by hmmm on Jun 14, 2007 13:19:22 GMT
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Post by doggy on Jun 14, 2007 15:08:07 GMT
Hmm I will now put you straight,most of the above suggestions have already been tried. As for rehoming,i certainly wouldn't want it on my conscience that this dog had gone on to bite a kid or an adult. Everything possible had been tried and i on good advice was adviced that this was my best option.
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philippa not logged in
Guest
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Post by philippa not logged in on Jun 14, 2007 15:43:28 GMT
Doggy - I am not going to slate you but I am saddened as I asked where you are based because my partner trains bomb and drug search dogs and is very experienced in problem dogs. I am sure it was a hard decision for you and that you feel you have done the best thing. PS - He was horrified at some of the suggestions made.
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Post by hormonal on Jun 14, 2007 15:52:35 GMT
I don't think having an aggressive dog PTS is necessarily the coward's option - in fact the coward's way out is to rehome a potentially dangerous dog to avoid facing up to a very difficult decision. However, that said, of course owners should not give up easily and should pursue every possible avenue to try and solve the dog's problem first. I don't think we can judge without knowing the dog, its background, the owners and what approaches they have tried.
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Post by armada on Jun 14, 2007 18:12:28 GMT
to be honest, I think she did the right thing in the circumstances, we had a rottie dog from an eight week old pup, he was an absolute gem with the family but got quite aggressive with other people and there were a few 'incidents' involving other animals and a close shave with some silly drunken idiot. When he was about 8 my stepfather committed suicide and we had to move, neither my mother or my brother and I who were moving in together could take him. The decision was made between the three of us was that the best course of action for all concerned was to have him PTS. In our opinion, he was not suitable for rehoming, the fear we had of him causing injury to anybody, however well intentioned they may have been or even worse a child was overwhelming, it was an awful day for us all, my brother and I ,the 'cowards' disappeared early in the morning and left it to my mum to take him to the vets. She still talks about the awfulness of it and the look on his face as she put the muzzle on and handed him over even now - 20 years on. We have a beautiful oil painting of him on the wall and look at it with fondness and even the odd tear. BUT at the end of the day, we still hold firm we made the best decision for him, knowing him as we did. If the dog in question had bitten someone, especially a child, the decision to have the animal PTS would have been taken out of the hands of the owner, with possibly someone being scarred both physically and mentally for life to boot. I doubt it was an easy decision, and not one taken lightly and I totally agree with the comments made by hormonal.
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Post by johnwayne on Jun 14, 2007 20:48:06 GMT
Brave decision, 'doggy', and even braver to come on here and report what you did. Vets do not PTS an animal which they think should live, therefore you have vindication. All the best.
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Post by Guestless on Jun 15, 2007 9:39:16 GMT
Well I'd say that is fairly disgusting. There were many suggestions and offers of help, but instead you took the 'easy' coward route. I'm sorry, I know I don't know you, but hope to never meet someone so cowardly and unloving - no matter how tough your situation there is always a cure - even if it had been rehoming. You had a dog killed for your own convenience, that saddens me greatly. Lost of words I think this post is totally uncalled for. IMO it takes someone brave to admit defeat and have any animal PTS for behavioural issues, but SAFETY should always come first. Are you suggesting the OP should have waited until someone was seriously hurt? There is an increase in the number of attacks on children by dogs and if more owners were willing to take responsibility for their dog's behaviour, then IMO this would not be happening.
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Post by doggy on Jun 15, 2007 13:22:44 GMT
thank you guestless.
this was the most heartbreaking decision i have had to make in my life and i know the right decision was made but it has toren me apart all week since i done it. I can assure everyone this decision was not taken lightly and i will have to live with it for the rest of my life.
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