losvaldivia
10-08-2003, 12:11 PM
I'm hoping someone can help - our German Sheperd is 4 years old. He has lived on this rented property with us for 3 years. He has been a great dog, happy, obedient, full of energy, and everybody loves him, including the landlady and her male friend.
About 2 months ago, two kittens moved in. We don't know where they came from, but the owner liked them. In the past, our Sheperd has been encouraged to go after strays and squirrels, so, of course, he went after the kittens. He would grab it in his mouth and toss it around. There was never blood, and each kitten had their turn and got away. One of the kittens was a weak cat. It died the same day this happened. The other is a stronger cat and has continued living here and staying far from the Sheperd.
The day after this incident, the owners saw our dog barking at the living kitten and trying to get through the fence at it. They told us that he is over aggressive, dangerous, and fits the old wives' tale of "once he tastes blood, he'll always want more". However, he never tasted blood. They feel our dog has changed, is vicious, and will not go near him now. The owner used to give us treats and leftovers for him and now wants nothing to do with him.
The owner is not requesting that the dog disappear, nor is she asking us to leave. However, this is her property and is creating an uncomfortable situation. We are neighbors on a big farm - we live in the servant's quarters, and they are in the main house.
My husband and I have been working with him to train him not to go after the cat, however, he would still really love to chase it. He is still otherwise a sweet dog, never having shown aggression toward people, and still very obedient.
Is this normal? Is the landlady right? Has anyone else dealt with this? Please help us. We feel frustrated because it seems like normal behavior for a 4 year Sheperd, but maybe we are wrong? How have others trained or changed their dog's aggressive behavior?
Thanks for any advice.
About 2 months ago, two kittens moved in. We don't know where they came from, but the owner liked them. In the past, our Sheperd has been encouraged to go after strays and squirrels, so, of course, he went after the kittens. He would grab it in his mouth and toss it around. There was never blood, and each kitten had their turn and got away. One of the kittens was a weak cat. It died the same day this happened. The other is a stronger cat and has continued living here and staying far from the Sheperd.
The day after this incident, the owners saw our dog barking at the living kitten and trying to get through the fence at it. They told us that he is over aggressive, dangerous, and fits the old wives' tale of "once he tastes blood, he'll always want more". However, he never tasted blood. They feel our dog has changed, is vicious, and will not go near him now. The owner used to give us treats and leftovers for him and now wants nothing to do with him.
The owner is not requesting that the dog disappear, nor is she asking us to leave. However, this is her property and is creating an uncomfortable situation. We are neighbors on a big farm - we live in the servant's quarters, and they are in the main house.
My husband and I have been working with him to train him not to go after the cat, however, he would still really love to chase it. He is still otherwise a sweet dog, never having shown aggression toward people, and still very obedient.
Is this normal? Is the landlady right? Has anyone else dealt with this? Please help us. We feel frustrated because it seems like normal behavior for a 4 year Sheperd, but maybe we are wrong? How have others trained or changed their dog's aggressive behavior?
Thanks for any advice.