Cita
Posted : 8/23/2012 1:42:33 PM
I don't have any experience with dog-dog aggression, but I do have experience with upset, stressed dogs. It sounds like you're in a difficult place right now, but do you have any time to do extra one-on-one activities with your dogs? When my little guy stopped eating following some major life stresses, what really helped him was going out and exploring in new places. Taking walks in new parks, going for hikes, going to outdoor shopping centers (that allowed dogs), that sort of thing. Lots of stimulation to get him interested in life and activities, and to emphasize his bond with me - I am the source of fun and exciting trips, being with me is fun, and he can trust me to keep him safe even in strange places.
As Jackie said, don't worry so much about blaming yourself. It's possible that you could have done things differently, but it's also possible that issues could have come up even if you did everything perfectly all along. Animals are living, imperfect creatures - while we certainly do our fair share to make their lives difficult, they also bring their own peculiarities to the table. All that matters is you're trying as hard as you can to do the right thing for them, and in my book, that makes you a really good owner. That's really unfortunate about the house and the HOA - I assume you've tried to work with them about getting your dog "grandfathered in" or something like that? I hope you are able to get that situation resolved soon (two payments sounds awful!) and I really hope the behaviorist is able to help!