Freedom
Posted : 1/24/2012 11:40:11 PM
I also work with rescue; all 5 of my dogs and all 10 of my cats are rescues. My Willy bit when he got here, but it was a different set up than what you are dealing with for Henry. Willy had never learned house manners, and had never learned bite inhibition. It was based on Willy that I said diligent work on your part, it will take about 6 months. But even the worst bite I got from Willy did not require a doctor visit, let alone an ER trip. At least one bite did get infected and my hand was "out of commission" for almost 10 days. That one, I most likely should have gone to my doctor for meds, but I didn't want the report to be made. Henry is much more aggressive than Willy ever was.
May I also suggest you look around and contact some pug rescues and mixed breed local rescues. Unfortunately, most large rescues will not take biters due to the liability issues. I know of 2 rescues in my area which will accept biters. I think you need to have a back up plan lined up.
I understand the financial concerns. Just guessing, again based on what it took with my Willy, it will run you between $500 and $800 in the first year to get Henry to learn house manners. This is just for the training classes, vet and behavorist. This does not include any additional ER visits you may have.
Willy only ever bit my and my Dad (the only other human living here). And he only bit hands, when he did not like what we were doing - combing out a mat in his coat; trying to get him to move off the recliner so we could sit down. He has not bitten my Dad in over a year now. And me, he doesn't bite, but he does get "mouthy," holding my hand to stop me doing something. He does NOT do the hold and shake, and never has done.
Henry will benefit greatly from taking obedience classes. The problem
here is, most training places will not take a biter. I took Willy and
lied, put on the form that he had never bitten. Henry needs group classes as well as one on one, in my opinion, and he needs it asap. Waiting for 2 months (while you save the money) is not a good idea; he is getting in the habit that his behavior is acceptable in this location. Dogs do understand that certain patterns work in certain settings and not in others. He is new to this home and allowing this behavior to continue is going to make the training that much harder.
Willy attended 7 weeks Basic Manners; 7 weeks Beyond the Basics; and then I got him in to Agility. THAT is when I really saw the turn around in his behavior. I say this to help you understand, you are looking at long term training with Henry, not just one or 2 sessions. You need the one on one for sure. And group sessions will be needed at some point. It doesn't matter if he DOES know "sit" and will do that for you. He needs the setting, the distractions, the consistency of class and the homework a good instructor will provide.
Please don't get lulled into how Henry was with the boys that first week he lived with all of you. He was learning the ropes. Willy was fine here for almost 3 weeks before he was comfortable enough to "relax and be himself." I thought I had a mild mannered dog on my hands: HA! This too is quite common with dogs. I don't see anything "unusual" in what Henry is doing. And I do think he can change, with help. I just don't want one of your boys to get bit, badly. And that surely seems likely from what you have written thus far. I don't know how old your youngest is; the oldest you have said is 14. Children make quick, jerky movements. They easily forget that they can't take a toy or food from THEIR OWN DOG. They will find it as strange as we do, that he can get triggered by someone petting the cat!