What can we DU now to help TTW and Yoshi ?

[Yo_Mama]

170. Yeah, in some ways Akitas are very like German Shepherds.

Very like. In other ways they are like terrier/mastiff mixes, with the hunting instinct, not that a GS doesn't have it. The mastiffs are awesomely stubborn even in comparison to German Shepherds, who are hardly pushovers. The difference is that mastiffs are passive-aggressive with people, and Akitas are purely aggressive. They probably will growl once as an order to back off, and then, BAM. And they will probably finish the job.

I love German Shepherds, and I have a rescued Alapaha Blue (kind of an old-breed bull dog that's native to the south). Classic mastiff and a very good stock dog. And the thing is that all these "dangerous" dogs are working dogs. They are great dogs! But they are never just fuzzy companions - they are always doing their jobs, and if you can't convey to them what their assigned job is in a consistent manner, they will default to their instinctive job.

What people don't understand is that these dogs are very intelligent, very alert, and very, very much with you. Mentally and emotionally with you. These dogs need stable owners. They also have their own judgment. If they sense a threat or even uncontrolled circumstances in which a threat MIGHT arise, they are constantly scanning. They will be obedient until they feel the situation is out of control, and then they will act to preserve safety. They're not vicious - but they are guard dogs. And Akitas are also hunting dogs.

Akitas are also the top-doggiest top dogs I have ever encountered. It's in them. The territory thing is the most important thing people have to understand about these dogs.

Yoshi, in the wrong circs, might literally take out the meter reader, not because Yoshi is vicious, but because he's getting the signal that TTW is in danger.

What has TTW told us about herself? She has gotten furiously angry with all those who have tried to help her. She's rather territorial herself. She's having acute anxiety. What an awful dynamic.

You know what I have done that's worked well with my rescued problem dogs? First, regardless of the breed, I always walk the territory until they know it and are very comfortable with it, because a dog needs time to calm down, and most of these animals have to have a safe space to cycle down. And then I train them to watch for threats. They may be mythical threats, but I'll find potential threats for the dog to sniff out and alert that really are present. And I teach them that once they've alerted, they have succeeded! There are ecstasies of relief! We are saved now that the large spiders have been detected lurking in the corner of the porch and I have been alerted about it! Thank you! Thank you! Everything is all right now!!!! I know about it and so YOU HAVE SAVED ME.

And then, once we are doing stuff together and they've sort of got the concept, I put them through search and rescue training. Works like a charm, even with the most nervous dog with an abuse history and past aggression. Because then, they default to the job of "rescue" if they are alone or encounter uncertain circumstances with people. They first start looking for the man down, and then they're trained to find and alert the nearest standing person. I have been stunned by how well that has worked.

But in this situation, I see no hope. It hurts to admit it, but I don't see any hope right now for them together over the next few months. I know TTW loves Yoshi, and needs Yoshi. And I know Yoshi loves her. But right now?? NO. Right now neither of them can rescue the other. That's an awful truth.

TTW is not able to tell herself what to do, and so she will not be able to tell Yoshi what needs to be done. It is that simple.