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GSPOakland
Posts:4
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4450
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| 11/03/2012 6:49 AM |
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Give him back.
Unless your are a very good trainer and behaviorist.
You have a child.
What happens when she trips, lands on the dog and he chews her face off?
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1190
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| 11/03/2012 2:01 PM |
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Licking and what we humanize as cuddling and affection can also actually be dominant displays. If you intend on keeping him (considering all the possible consequences both good and bad, one important one suggested by Pixie already), you need establish who is who in your household. This is clearly not a confident dog that knows his place, and why should he...who knows his history? Treats should never be offered to a dog not earning them. If he succeeding in getting a treat after growling/showing teeth, even if one was just dropped out of fear, he was positively rewarded for that behavior. He doesn't trust people, and he may have very valid reasons.
I would highly suggest finding an animal behaviorist in your area. Focus on your household first, and establishing your statuses. Once he has full trust and faith in you as his leader, expose him to the outside world more. You may want to have confident people come around, who pay no attention to him at first. Attention focused on him is worrying him at this point in time. Let him see strangers can be around wanting nothing from him and with no negative consequence. Once you see positive changes in his demeanor when people are around, start adding attention on him to the mix. These are just suggestions...I'm not a behaviorist, and I think if you intend to keep him you should really try and find one to work with him and your family. |
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Rose
MH
Posts:362
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| 11/03/2012 5:04 PM |
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but it would be tragic to have to put him in a different room or muzzle him up when any friends or family members come near
IMO, it's better to muzzle than to have you, a loved one, or stranger bit.
Unless you can supervise him 100% of the time, give him back, or to someone who can.
If you do plan to keeping him, I suggest leashing him to you in the house (everywhere, even bathroom, to change, etc.) and showing no affection towards him. I would keep him on leash until he shows trust, this can be upwards of weeks. Warn everyone to not pet, approach, talk, or make eye contact with him. This goes for yourself as well.
Now ask yourself is this the type of life you want with your dog?
A newly adopted dog does not need to go out in public, wait until you have established yourself as the new leader.
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GSPOakland
Posts:4
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Rose
MH
Posts:362
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| 11/03/2012 5:22 PM |
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The point of first adoption is the window when you have the flexibility to return the dog or not.
Only dogs that are secure will not snap. It is not normal behavior.
With a daughter involved - think of the safety of her friends, etc. Ask yourself if you want to deal with this, you may be dealing with this for the rest of his life.
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KRcanuck
Posts:17
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| 11/03/2012 5:34 PM |
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| I don't know much (anything) about GSP's firsthand, but I, too, have lived with a biter. (a beagle) My biggest piece of advice is this- get professional help, as soon as possible, if you want to keep him. These days, having a dog with a tendency to bite (ANY dog will bite given the right provocation, some are more prone to it than others) carries a great financial and legal risk with it- you'll need to consider whether that is something that you can deal with. People on a forum can give advice, but they can't actually SEE the dog's behaviour, so one-on-one professional help is the best way to ensure everyone's safety. |
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juliej
Kentucky
MH
Posts:113
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| 11/03/2012 5:36 PM |
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| This is not typical of the breed. There are too many available to put your family through dealing with behavior like this. I sadly agree, give him back. |
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Julie
Aldo von der Raucherei |
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smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1190
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| 11/03/2012 5:59 PM |
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You should do what feels right to you and your family. I suggested a behaviorist and if you keep him I would begin that immediately. It is not typical of the breed, and no telling what he went through to make him this way. As much as dogs live in the moment, they remember, and these are very sensitive dogs. I don't think it is protective behavior at this point. I think it is insecurity and lack of trust in humans. If this was your lifelong dog and this behavior just started, I don't think people would be quick to tell you to give him back. Since this is a new dog in your home, without a full bond with your family and with trust issues...they are simply pointing out the potential risk not only for strangers, but possibly even you or your child. There is no full loyalty in this dog to you yet. If he was spooked, or just caught off guard..he could snap before thinking. That is why I suggested if you keep him you begin working right away on establishing yourself (and family) as his leader so he builds the trust and bond with you. The outside world you can work on after. It will be a HUGE commitment, and you need to decide as a family if it is worth it. I think everyone here advocates the rescuing of adult dogs, but value safety of children and your family first.
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GSPOakland
Posts:4
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GSPOakland
Posts:4
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smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1190
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| 11/03/2012 9:33 PM |
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Sounds like some progress made. Your dog is insecure and does not know what to expect from person to person. Some dogs just cower at a hand reaching out to pet them, but his defense mechanism is a snarl and a warning nip. A cowering dog is seen as unfortunate, but a snarling dog is seen as aggressive. You just got the worse of the two evils, but you do sound committed to making some change.
If you take your dog out for walks, I would utilize the muzzle for now...for two reasons 1. to protect you, your dog, and others and 2. the chance of someone getting handsy with a dog wearing a muzzle is slim to none. You may get dirty looks, but who cares, they don't know what you're trying to accomplish.
Try and not take it personal others suggesting you give him back. It truly think it was simply because this dog is brand new to your family. No strong bond to be broken by taking it back. The other post you mentioned, no one suggested this because it was not a fresh adoption. I think the biggest red flag for people was that this dog nipped at you before you even took it home...most wouldn't have still taken it home.
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4450
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| 11/04/2012 6:42 AM |
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There major are differences between the two cases.
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7843
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| 11/04/2012 12:39 PM |
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| There are definitely differences in the two situations. In your situation if you are really considering keeping this dog I would strongly encourage you to get him evaluated by a professional animal behaviorist. You have absolutely no history of this dog either from the breeder or another owner and you need to rule out abnormal behavior (mental issues) versus insecurity or environmental causes. If this dog has mental issues then you do not want to keep him. Even if it is a behavioral issues it is still something that will be hard to address and a major commitment from you. So I strongly suggest you do your homework. I suggested a book on the other thread and I will suggest it here too as it will help you understand what you may be up against. The book is Aggression in Dogs by Brenda Aloff. Good luck and do not misunderstand what people are saying, issues with aggression in animals are very serious and can have serious ramifications. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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