Serious aggression issues- friend can't afford a behaviorist.

    • Gold Top Dog
    now, the biggest issue is that she has a boyfriend and Caleb is of course being aggressive to him. When this guy comes over, Caleb rushes at him and the guy tries to intimidate him back- standing taller than him and telling him "No!". Caleb shows his teeth and nips at him, but yesterday for the first time he bit him- tearing his pants and grazing his skin. When I talked to my friend on the phone tonight I told her that I think she needs to handle things completely differently because I think aggression breeds aggression. I told her that I would keep a leash on Caleb and if he is aggressive to her boyfriend in anyway, to (silently and calmly but firmly) lead Caleb to the other room for a "timeout". She said that she would try that, but she's afraid Caleb is going to bite HER and that she knows he won't just willingly go into the other room, that he'll fight her and she'll have to drag him. That won't be easy, because like I said, he's stronger than she is.



    [sm=asking03.gif]
    editing in:
    "suggest having her boyfriend take over caring for him. The only problem is that it's a semi long distance relationship so he's not around all the time. I think this guy is "the one" though, so I imagine he's going to be spending more and more time there. The GOOD news is that the boyfriend likes Caleb and is totally willing to work with him. "
     
    ? Then, what is the best step if bf can not take more charge in care of Caleb?
    • Gold Top Dog
    When he is there, he is the sole caretaker.  If he's "the one", I suspect that there are some vacation weeks or weekends in there somewhere. [;)]
    During those times, mom simply becomes invisible to the dog.

    An alternative plan might be to simply contain the dog until BF is safely in the home, have him sit on the couch, and let the dog come to him on his own time.  No eye contact, no intimidation, nothing, not even an outstretched hand.  BF can still be the one to put the food bowl down at dinnertime, and may even walk slowly by and drop in a piece of cheese or roast beef occasionally.  [:)]  Dog is classically conditioned to the approach of the BF being a good thing!

    When BF is not around, dog sleeps in his crate with some article of cloth that has BF's scent on it.
    • Gold Top Dog
    ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

    When he is there, he is the sole caretaker.  If he's "the one", I suspect that there are some vacation weeks or weekends in there somewhere. [;)]
    During those times, mom simply becomes invisible to the dog.

    An alternative plan might be to simply contain the dog until BF is safely in the home, have him sit on the couch, and let the dog come to him on his own time.  No eye contact, no intimidation, nothing, not even an outstretched hand.  BF can still be the one to put the food bowl down at dinnertime, and may even walk slowly by and drop in a piece of cheese or roast beef occasionally.  [:)]  Dog is classically conditioned to the approach of the BF being a good thing!

    When BF is not around, dog sleeps in his crate with some article of cloth that has BF's scent on it.


    I totally forgot to give her that piece of advice! [:-] There have been a few changes though. I don't think he should be around him at all until a few things improve: a few days ago, she kept a leash on the dog and when he started being aggressive to the boyfriend, my friend took him by the leash and headed to the other rooom, BUT he pulled the leash out of her hand, charged at the boyfriend and bit him, breaking the skin for the first time. [&o]

    Tonight I talked to her and mentioned getting a gentle leader; she wants me to go and help her pick one out. For now, the boyfriend and dog are staying in separate rooms and not coming into contact with each other.

    Spirit dogs- In the meantime she definitely can put an article of the boyfriend's clothing in the crate with him and I'll suggest it.

    Edited to add- does anyone know of a GOOD behaviorist in the Richmond, VA area? I think my friend is getting to the point that she's going to find a way to come up with the money.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Randall Lockwood, PhD
    ASPCA
    2214 Tulip Dr.
    Falls Church, VA 22046
    571-225-3463
    [email=RandallL@aspca.org]RandallL@aspca.org[/email]

    Is Falls Church close enough?

    It sounds like our doggy friend has an issue with men, so maybe Lockwood is a good choice.  There's a vet behaviorist in Rockville, MD, but female.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Yup, he does have an issue with men. I think Falls Church is close enough- thank you!!
    • Gold Top Dog
    Good for you, Tamara! You've stood by your friend AND her hound and that's a great thing! Good for you!
    • Gold Top Dog

    ORIGINAL: nfowler

    Good for you, Tamara! You've stood by your friend AND her hound and that's a great thing! Good for you!


    Thanks. [:)] We've been best friends for a long time.... I'll put it this way- we met in the 8th grade and I'm turning 30 this year!
    • Gold Top Dog
    ORIGINAL: Luvntzus


    ORIGINAL: nfowler

    Good for you, Tamara! You've stood by your friend AND her hound and that's a great thing! Good for you!


    Thanks. [:)] We've been best friends for a long time.... I'll put it this way- we met in the 8th grade and I'm turning 30 this year!


    I hope you make it as long as my kindergarten friend and I have!  Met in preschool, and we'll be 57 this year.  You can do it!!!!! [:D]
    • Gold Top Dog
    Wow, now that's a LONG time. That's awesome!! [:)] I think we're going to make it that long too. We joke around about being old ladies sitting in a restaurant, talking about the same stuff, plus me probably complaining about health problems... lol