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I cannot believe I'm even on here posting this as he lay next to me peacefully. I'll describe my problem as concisely as possible as to not draw this out.
My dog Maska is an absolute joy...............except for his aggression toward other big dogs. Sometimes a visit to the park goes okay if the other dog(s) is submissive. But sometimes, something in his head just clicks and he feels like he has to attack the other dog! And it turns into a nasty fight because he's so huge and obviously trying to kill the other dog. On top of it, I live in one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country! Bozeman, MT.
He's about 3 1/2 - 4 yrs old now and 90 lbs of muscle. I found him at a park when he was about 1 yr old and still considered a puppy. So incredibly sweet to all people and a big cuddler. But something must have happened that first year of his life that set in an antisocial behavior. Little did I know I was acquiring a dog-aggressive lab/bird dog mix.
Well, I have worked and worked and worked with him. Cesar Milan (the dog whisperer dvd's), and 2 professional dog trainers, a ton of money, and constant exposure to other dogs as to work on his skills. He is so well mannered and smart, he can do anything I've ever attempted to teach him..............except socialize with other dogs normally! He even has to wear a muzzle to the park to prevent outbreaks with other big dogs. (It's actually a very non-threatening muzzle with a smile and tongue hanging out on it that everyone laughs at and thinks is adorable). The 2nd trainer said that this is something like PTSD in a military veteran. That sometimes, there's a trigger that's gonna get set off and it can never be totally controlled...that is the saddest thing for me to hear regarding my dog.
SO...I've been stuck with a dog-aggressive dog. And I love him so incredibly much, but the stress of not being able to take him to anyone else's house...or to the dog store...or to the park...or camping...or ANYWHERE without constant worry is totally wearing me out. I love this boy like he's my own child. And I want what's best for him and for me. Once before I seriously considered adoption and had made an unofficial commitment to find a good home for him, but all I could do was feel an incredible guilt and sadness thinking that adoption would be the beginning of the end of his life, as he shifted from home to home possibly being abused or not wanted. I'm tearing up thinking about him getting mistreated if I give him up. I'm so stressed...I just don't know what to do. I never intended on acquiring a dog-aggressive dog. I'm stressed enough as it is. It affects every part of my life.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this post, and please if you have ANY advice or suggestions as to how to go about this, I'm right here waiting for answers. Thank you. Jake and Maska
My dog Maska is an absolute joy...............except for his aggression toward other big dogs. Sometimes a visit to the park goes okay if the other dog(s) is submissive. But sometimes, something in his head just clicks and he feels like he has to attack the other dog! And it turns into a nasty fight because he's so huge and obviously trying to kill the other dog. On top of it, I live in one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country! Bozeman, MT.
He's about 3 1/2 - 4 yrs old now and 90 lbs of muscle. I found him at a park when he was about 1 yr old and still considered a puppy. So incredibly sweet to all people and a big cuddler. But something must have happened that first year of his life that set in an antisocial behavior. Little did I know I was acquiring a dog-aggressive lab/bird dog mix.
Well, I have worked and worked and worked with him. Cesar Milan (the dog whisperer dvd's), and 2 professional dog trainers, a ton of money, and constant exposure to other dogs as to work on his skills. He is so well mannered and smart, he can do anything I've ever attempted to teach him..............except socialize with other dogs normally! He even has to wear a muzzle to the park to prevent outbreaks with other big dogs. (It's actually a very non-threatening muzzle with a smile and tongue hanging out on it that everyone laughs at and thinks is adorable). The 2nd trainer said that this is something like PTSD in a military veteran. That sometimes, there's a trigger that's gonna get set off and it can never be totally controlled...that is the saddest thing for me to hear regarding my dog.
SO...I've been stuck with a dog-aggressive dog. And I love him so incredibly much, but the stress of not being able to take him to anyone else's house...or to the dog store...or to the park...or camping...or ANYWHERE without constant worry is totally wearing me out. I love this boy like he's my own child. And I want what's best for him and for me. Once before I seriously considered adoption and had made an unofficial commitment to find a good home for him, but all I could do was feel an incredible guilt and sadness thinking that adoption would be the beginning of the end of his life, as he shifted from home to home possibly being abused or not wanted. I'm tearing up thinking about him getting mistreated if I give him up. I'm so stressed...I just don't know what to do. I never intended on acquiring a dog-aggressive dog. I'm stressed enough as it is. It affects every part of my life.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this post, and please if you have ANY advice or suggestions as to how to go about this, I'm right here waiting for answers. Thank you. Jake and Maska