|
|
Post by peet on Dec 26, 2005 11:22:31 GMT -5
This is the situation:
we have 4 hounds and Elmo, the whippet as a foster.
The first few months of his live he had more beatings than care, the 4 months after that he was in a very small trailer with 7 other dogs, one of those attacked him and after that he was kept in a crate.
So, it is no wonder he isn't socialised.
He does wonderfull with our group and feels safe.
The problem comes when we walk them.
The moment he sees another dog (even miles away) he will start screaming like only whippets can do, standing on his backlegs and is rightout agressive.
I have tried to let him meet other dogs, but if those are older he will attack rightaway.(bare teeth, growling and snarling)
Only with younger dogs he will try and find out it is fun to be around them.
Off course this also sets of my other dogs, which only makes things worse.
On the other hand, we cannot take him out alone.
He is a shaking mess than and panicks.
Any tips? Oh, and he isn't food motivated out side.
|
|
|
|
Post by CampWhippet on Dec 26, 2005 18:56:49 GMT -5
Ah, the big tough whippet who is really just putting on a show to cover the absolute fear of seeing a strange dog coming up the road at him. I've had these dogs before and in one case it was a pretty quick case and the other took 3-4 months and the dog was still fierce towards big, black dogs and dalmatians for a couple years. That latter dog is fine today and his name is Hamlet, my 10 year old whippet
I'll put something together and post it.
|
|
|
|
Post by peet on Dec 27, 2005 5:25:54 GMT -5
Thanks, I know it is very much whippet behaviour.
And I want to do this right to prevent it turning into a real problem, which can happen very easily with these guys.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sighthound Fan on Dec 27, 2005 11:40:54 GMT -5
All I can think of is socializing, get a nikki nilon muzzel so he cannont open his mouth, and make him meet other dogs, that's what I had to do with my rescue Dobie X and people. He used to attack my family if they came into my room, he'd go for people on the street, it was awfull. So I started taking him into the city with me (muzzled). I would walk him round for hours, after a week he was okay without his muzzel in the not so buisy areas, after a month he was fine with people bumping into him and moving around, after a month and a half he would let people stroke him although he would bark if they tried to speak to him, and after 2 months he would let little kids walk up to him and fuss him, after 2 months and a half he was loving the fuss!!! This is him (his name's Harry and he will be 2 on Feb the 14th):  |
|
|
|
Post by CampWhippet on Dec 27, 2005 19:50:42 GMT -5
I've been too busy to uphold my promise of a good reply, but I agree with what SF says. If it is a fear reaction(and from what you said it sounds like it) then socialization will certainly fix the problem. It just takes time. If it is aggression then it my be a different deal.
Jonathan
|
|
|
|
Post by peet on Dec 28, 2005 6:21:02 GMT -5
Thanks both.
We may have found adopters for Elmo.
Until than I will make sure I do what I can.
And make sure his new people will do a clickertraining with him at school where he will meet other pups.
I think it is fear, because he is curious after younger dogs and doesn't have these problems with them.
A good way to start socializing I think.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sighthound Fan on Dec 28, 2005 7:53:56 GMT -5
Most agression in dogs is fear, it is actually very rare for a dog to be genuinly agressive, unless bought up that way for guarding etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by peet on Dec 28, 2005 8:30:06 GMT -5
Most agression in dogs is fear, it is actually very rare for a dog to be genuinly agressive, unless bought up that way for guarding etc. I know, but sometimes this fear behaviour, if not taken care off, can turn into agressive behaviour towards everything. Unfortunatly I have seen that happen. This is why I am so carefull with Elmo, if this isn't adressed the rightway, he could turn into one of those. |
|
|
|
Post by Sighthound Fan on Dec 28, 2005 20:55:11 GMT -5
Yes I agree, it does need to be taken care of
|
|
