girlsmum
04-15-2006, 02:03 AM
I am so afraid that I am going to have to re-home my puppy or have her euthanized because of her aggression issues. I have read everything that I can on the subject of aggression, on her breed (blue heeler mix), and have tried several different methods to deal with this. Problem is, I'm afraid of her because she has taken to biting at me and she's a good sized dog (about 70 - 75 pounds). I know that she senses my fear, but I don't know how NOT to be afraid of such an unpredictable dog.
I am so upset right now because I am getting all emotional about not being able to help her relax so that she doesn't have to guard everything. She has not begun to "guard" me from my 9 year old border collie/malamute mix. My 9 year old has a very submissive and sweet nature and has NEVER challenged me, and certainly does not challenge the puppy who tends to be very aggressive and dominant. Now I feel like the puppy is running the house and making it unsafe and uncomfortable for me and my other dog who have lived together peacefully and happily for 9 years now.
I had the puppy spayed, up to date on all vaccinations, exercises daily (playing fetch, walks, and running around yard), was free feeding but then food aggression started so stopped that, and always has access to clean fresh water and lots of toys. I just don't know what else to do. I'm trying to socialize her but she is just so aggressive (almost fearful at times) that I'm afraid that she will bite someone or another animal. She challenges me at every turn and has begun to torment my older dog with her aggressiveness. She has begun to attack my older dog and "bully" her and it makes me sad because my older dog now refuses to "challenge" the puppy by coming to me for any kind of attention. I feel like my older dog has been pushed to the wayside and I feel badly for her because she is very close with me and I can tell she is not as happy as she used to be.
I've also enrolled the puppy into obedience school but we've only had one session so far. She did fairly well, although she did show aggression towards other dogs and towards some people while there. I have put a lot of energy and love (and even money) into this puppy and I hate to give up, but I've had her for five months now and she just seems to be getting worse. And all the while she is getting bigger and stronger and harder to handle. I'm afraid that she will attack me if I make her angry and I just don't want to live like this.
She was an abandoned puppy and I have no idea what kind of toils she went through during the first few months of her life, but I just cannot live afraid in my own home and afraid for other's safety. I am trying to decide if I should even try to re-home her (I really do think that I've done a good job at training and that the problem is not with me, I could be wrong, but I truly believe that it is an issue with her, not trainer) or have her euthanized. I want to cry when I think about having her euthanized because she can be a very sweet puppy and we do cuddle and love on each other at times (when she allows it).
This is just such a different experience than I've ever had with any of my dogs that I feel like something is "wrong" with this puppy that is way beyond my ability to correct.
Any ideas on what I can do? I'm now afraid to even have her near my older dog for fear of a fight between them and I hate to kennel her constantly, put her in the yard by herself, or tie her up somewhere to avoid any altercations. I'm afraid for her and afraid for us.
Girlsmum
I am so upset right now because I am getting all emotional about not being able to help her relax so that she doesn't have to guard everything. She has not begun to "guard" me from my 9 year old border collie/malamute mix. My 9 year old has a very submissive and sweet nature and has NEVER challenged me, and certainly does not challenge the puppy who tends to be very aggressive and dominant. Now I feel like the puppy is running the house and making it unsafe and uncomfortable for me and my other dog who have lived together peacefully and happily for 9 years now.
I had the puppy spayed, up to date on all vaccinations, exercises daily (playing fetch, walks, and running around yard), was free feeding but then food aggression started so stopped that, and always has access to clean fresh water and lots of toys. I just don't know what else to do. I'm trying to socialize her but she is just so aggressive (almost fearful at times) that I'm afraid that she will bite someone or another animal. She challenges me at every turn and has begun to torment my older dog with her aggressiveness. She has begun to attack my older dog and "bully" her and it makes me sad because my older dog now refuses to "challenge" the puppy by coming to me for any kind of attention. I feel like my older dog has been pushed to the wayside and I feel badly for her because she is very close with me and I can tell she is not as happy as she used to be.
I've also enrolled the puppy into obedience school but we've only had one session so far. She did fairly well, although she did show aggression towards other dogs and towards some people while there. I have put a lot of energy and love (and even money) into this puppy and I hate to give up, but I've had her for five months now and she just seems to be getting worse. And all the while she is getting bigger and stronger and harder to handle. I'm afraid that she will attack me if I make her angry and I just don't want to live like this.
She was an abandoned puppy and I have no idea what kind of toils she went through during the first few months of her life, but I just cannot live afraid in my own home and afraid for other's safety. I am trying to decide if I should even try to re-home her (I really do think that I've done a good job at training and that the problem is not with me, I could be wrong, but I truly believe that it is an issue with her, not trainer) or have her euthanized. I want to cry when I think about having her euthanized because she can be a very sweet puppy and we do cuddle and love on each other at times (when she allows it).
This is just such a different experience than I've ever had with any of my dogs that I feel like something is "wrong" with this puppy that is way beyond my ability to correct.
Any ideas on what I can do? I'm now afraid to even have her near my older dog for fear of a fight between them and I hate to kennel her constantly, put her in the yard by herself, or tie her up somewhere to avoid any altercations. I'm afraid for her and afraid for us.
Girlsmum