Hugh 0ne Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 that's cool Whomp. I applaud you for what you've done. All I was saying is that if this happened in my situation (which it has'nt) my wife and I both work long hours and would'nt have the time needed to spend with the dog to train it like was recommended in an earlier post. If we had a friend or family mamber that would give the dog a good home we should'nt be looked down upon because we chose that "easier route". If you ever call me Whomp again I will hunt you down and kill you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckB Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 If you ever call me Whomp again I will hunt you down and kill you. Whomp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 If you ever call me Whomp again I will hunt you down and kill you. I'm off this week b/c of the weather and the Canadian and 7's are flowing a little earlier in the day than usual...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted February 20, 2007 Share Posted February 20, 2007 Dug with all due respect maybe you should join a PETA board, I am not a person that thinks animals are "things" of no value, I believe they become part of the family and I am well aware that just getting rid of one is not the immediate try nothing else answer. You chose to quote the very end of my post and take it out of context, I guess that makes your "people are all A-holes because they don't think animals are on the same level" argument better Earlier in my post I said I liked animals and have had dogs growing up that were part of the family. I never implied that giving up on the animal immediately was the only way to rectify the situation. I merely stated what should be the obvious...a family pet is NOT as important as the safety of your child, and if you child is at risk a tough decision needs to be made, and I would not be gettin rid of my child. I don't know if you have kids but if you don't feel that way it kinda disturbs me. Now get off the soapbox I don't think anyone here is for "offing" Fido, we're just concerned about the children..........Well except for TimC he hates children because carseats don't fit into Vettes Someone who actually spends his time and money rescuing unwanted animals from the shelters where they were dumped by unthinking mindless lazy clods should join a PETA board? You get off YOUR f'n soapbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Well except for TimC he hates children because carseats don't fit into Vettes I love kids...as long as they ain't mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 that's cool Whomp. I applaud you for what you've done. All I was saying is that if this happened in my situation (which it has'nt) my wife and I both work long hours and would'nt have the time needed to spend with the dog to train it like was recommended in an earlier post. If we had a friend or family mamber that would give the dog a good home we should'nt be looked down upon because we chose that "easier route". If you ever call me Whomp again I will hunt you down and kill you. You know things are bad when you are confused with a frenchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 You know things are bad when you are confused with a frenchman H1 is Swiss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckB Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Someone who actually spends his time and money rescuing unwanted animals from the shelters where they were dumped by unthinking mindless lazy clods should join a PETA board? You get off YOUR f'n soapbox. That's all fine and good, but what does the good things that he does have to do with going overboard on the people on this message board who are concerned for a childs safety.....especially when the overall concensus was NOT to destroy the dog or just throw him out but to do what is possible to fix the situation while keeping in mind that a BABY'S safety is more important than a dog! Why is this not getting through to some of you. I applaud the things you say Dug does and he deserves credit for that, but I doubt he needs you to ride in on your white horse and save him....so what I have to say to you old bear is TAKE OFF YOUR SHINING ARMOR AND WORRY ABOUT YERSELF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I long for the days when we could fight over politics. DMD, we're gonna fight anyway, why not let us fight over more interesting topics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckB Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 And just for the record I believe in rescuing a dog from the pound instead of purchasing one, which is what I did with my last dog and will be what I do with any I get in the future. If I came off as an A-hole to Dug I apologize, I respect what you do (but I did not know that until I was scolded by daddy Ursa). Oh and hugs to you too Ursa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckB Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I long for the days when we could fight over politics. DMD, we're gonna fight anyway, why not let us fight over more interesting topics? Wurd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Oh and hugs to you too Ursa. I just get really torqued off when people that care about animal welfare are automatically called PETA fanatics. Hugs back atcha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckB Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I just get really torqued off when people that care about animal welfare are automatically called PETA fanatics. Hugs back atcha. No worries Ursa, I knew I was probably goin overboard a bit...I usually try not to do that but what the heck that was kinda fun seein as how I've only been involved in like three or four "debates" since I joined. Only problem is we've now ruined the chance of this thread being gunned or locked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tally Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 What was your reaction when the dog growled? Sounds like the dog wants to assert dominance over the kid to me. I can sympathize with you not wanting to possibly jeopardize your kid in any way. I'd bet with some training the dog could return to the bottom of the totem pole but the stakes are too high if you got it wrong. Unfortunately, according to the behavior specialist I spoke to the other day I had the exact wrong reaction. I scared the crap out of her. I screamed bloody murder, slammed my hands against the walls. I just made a big obnoxious, overdramatic scene. This is basically the technique/reaction we used when we house broke her. It worked great for that but apparently was dead wrong for this situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tally Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 I am a professional dog trainer and behavior specialist. I just recently had a case like this when their baby started crawling. Either your Aussie is behaving out of fear or sees you child as a subordinate who needs to be corrected. Children, to a dog, have unpredicatable behavior and different behavior from adults. Even their movements are jerky, sudden, and unusual. Humans walk, they don't crawl. Just like some dogs react to people in wheel chairs or on bicycles-same thing. Dogs learn in pictures and this picutre is not right. For a nervous dog, this can create fear. Often dogs feel more threatened with toddlers when they start walking, which you will be facing soon. Toddlers lunge, fall down, throw toys, sometimes at the dog, run after the dog to pet them, and often when they get to the dog, they aren't all that gentle until they are taught to do so. I read that children can't truly empathize that what they do can hurt until 4-5 years of age. So, many trainers and breeders are now recommending to not introduce a dog to a family until children are over 5 years of age. It's also possible your Aussie sees a your baby as a subordinate. Some dogs see children as subordinates who must be kept in line. An adult dog doing this to a puppy may result in a growl, air snap or soft bite to the muzzle. Children's faces are far more delicate than puppies and can do harm even with a mild inhibited bite. My recommendation to parents with very young children who you aren't old enough explain how to behave around a dog and the child can't be part of the training process, is to rehome the dog. It takes a combination of training and management to change the dog's behavior, and does not happen overnight. In the meantime you have the stress of keeping your child safe. Also, consider the quaility of the dog's life. If he has to be kept isolated or outside, what quaility of life does he have. I always preach, the saftey of your child comes first. If you want an expert's opinion, if you tell me where you live, I can recommend a behavior specialist who can do a behavior evaluation. You can PM me, or tell me on this thread. There could be a very simple trigger that is causing this growling, and if that is addressed and easily resolved, you may be able to keep your dog. It takes lots of questions and answers, and observing the dog's behavior to come with the right assesment which is impossible for me to do over a message board. I often discover what sounds over a phone interview that the dog has to be rehomed, once I see the interaction between the dog and child, I realize that the problem is simple and can be resolved. Thanks for all the insight Sugar. I contacted a behavioral specalist in my area that was highy recommeded to me. I hope she as good as we were told. Here is the link to her website http://www.wellmannereddog.com/ Please let me know if you have heard anything about her. She is coming to my house next week to do the evaluation. So I guess we will take it from there. So far we have been using the gates we put up as a way to always make sure the two are seperated and that is working. As long as the specialst tells us that it is a workable situation, the wife and I are willing to do whatever it takes to work this out but if she tells us the dog is “dingo” like DK’s Aussie was, I will work on finding a home without children for her immediatley. Otherwise, I guess I'll end up taking TimC up on his offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tally Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 As noted in the above linked to thread, my dog "air snapped" at my 2 year old son, so I was faced with a similar situation. We have since worked very hard training the dog as far as what is and is not acceptable. We're also training my son, but there's only so much you can teach a 2 year old. Until my son is a bit older to know EXACTLY what to do around the dog, we have done the following: When the dog and my son are out together, we are ALWAYS around, and have trained the dog unrelentlessly that he is not allowed near my son, his food, or any of his belongings. If we are out of the room, my dog is in his crate, or in another gated off section of the house. He spends a little more time in his crate, but he's certainly not in there all day. The dog has adapted very well, and he knows his boundaries. Obviously this is all done in a controlled environment, so we are there and could intervene if something where to happen, but so far the dog has learned to stay away from my son, and the dog seems fine with it. Time will tell, but it seems to be working pretty well. It’s great to read that your efforts are paying off. It gives me hope that this can all work out. I would hate to have to get rid of my dog... I’m really attached to that stupid mutt. Thanks for all your input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Thanks for all the insight Sugar. I contacted a behavioral specalist in my area that was highy recommeded to me. I hope she as good as we were told. Here is the link to her website http://www.wellmannereddog.com/ Please let me know if you have heard anything about her. She is coming to my house next week to do the evaluation. So I guess we will take it from there. So far we have been using the gates we put up as a way to always make sure the two are seperated and that is working. As long as the specialst tells us that it is a workable situation, the wife and I are willing to do whatever it takes to work this out but if she tells us the dog is “dingo” like DK’s Aussie was, I will work on finding a home without children for her immediatley. Otherwise, I guess I'll end up taking TimC up on his offer. Sorry I just saw this post. First off there is no evidence that Australian Shepherds have dingo in them. Actually the Australian Shepherd was not even developed in Australia but in the western US, most likely Northern California. Toni's credentials look good. She is an APDT member, she has studied under John Fisher (who is now deceased), and Sue Sternberg. Sue Sternberg developed the behavior evaluation protocol that is used by many Humane Societies around the country. She has studied at Tufts which is one of the leading vets schools for behavioral studies. I'm guessing she is not inexpensive. Good luck and keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 shoot the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 shoot the dog Prior to opening this thread, I saw who the last poster was and said to myself, "this post is going to say 'shoot the dog'". What a shock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 Sorry I just saw this post. First off there is no evidence that Australian Shepherds have dingo in them. Actually the Australian Shepherd was not even developed in Australia but in the western US, most likely Northern California. Toni's credentials look good. She is an APDT member, she has studied under John Fisher (who is now deceased), and Sue Sternberg. Sue Sternberg developed the behavior evaluation protocol that is used by many Humane Societies around the country. She has studied at Tufts which is one of the leading vets schools for behavioral studies. I'm guessing she is not inexpensive. Good luck and keep us posted. I have a part Aussie... part Terrier. The Boy and the Dog We went to Sit Happens. They were very good and our dog is still crazy, but he follows commands much better now. They use a remote collar method and train in groups, so it's good for socialization too. The Aussie dogs are so smart that they will try to get away with anything you let him get away with... so you can't let him learn that he can do it. He is incredibly smart though and can learn the most complicated stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I have a part Aussie... part Terrier. The Boy and the Dog The Aussie dogs are so smart that they will try to get away with anything you let him get away with... so you can't let him learn that he can do it. He is incredibly smart though and can learn the most complicated stuff. I have an aussie/lab mix. She is really smart and full of energy. So much so, that each morning I get on my bike and take her for a 2.5 mile run and then do it again in the evening. So long as I do this, she almost acts like a normal dog. And she smells really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.