Oh No! Just found out my dog is a Neo-con!

[prodigal_green]

I got a dog from a shelter about 6 weeks ago. He's bitten me a couple of times and last week he bit my brother on the hand (took a chunk out of his palm). So I called a trainer/behaviorist.

His evaluation of the problem: Dominance aggression. "He thinks he owns the world and will go after anyone he perceives as a threat."

Fortunately, the behaviorist, with 35 years of experience under his belt, is confident this can be corrected. I'm going to start by reading the slew of "sunshine" books written by former Chimpministration insiders.

[Racenut20]

1. You might read him the goat book.

[physioex]

2. Perfect gift idea, an autographed photo of Leo Strauss...EOM

:evilgrin:

[HEyHEY]

3. Time to smack him around

;-)

[prodigal_green]

4. I'll give him a break

he's about three years old and was apparently abused in his last home. He's never been taught any other way to be.

Kinda explains the human variety as well, don't it?

[peacebuzzard]

5. One of my rescues has/had a similar problem.

he was so badly abused he would run away as fast as he could when he caught the 1st glimpse of anybody. Until he would smack himself up against the 6 ft. cedar fence. It took him 6 months to come around and then when it was anyone other than me, he would defensively nip them (usually in the rear end--maybe sheepherding instinct?). Now he is a great lovable collie. And totally against the idea of anyone with bad intentions around. He zones in his radar and seems to know instinctively who is good or bad. Great dog. But I have to be extremely careful with him, and warn people in advance to stay away from him.

[prodigal_green]

6. He's not too fearful, and generally pretty friendly

but he's really protective of his right side, particularly his ear. I think my brother was scratching him behind his right ear when he got bitten. He LOVES my mom and follows her all over the house when she visits.

I, too, have to warn people off him. He's so darned cute though, they just come right up to him.

Glad to hear your dog has gotten better! This is my first dog--I'm learning a lot!

[Eye and Monkey]

7. I have a dog that goes on about "known bones, and known un-bones"

He even wrote a poem about it...

The Un-bone

As we know,
There are known bones.
There are things we know we bone.
We also know
There are known un-bones.
That is to say
We know there are some things
We do not bone.
But there are also unknown un-bones,
The ones we don't know
We don't bone.
Lucky Dog, 2002

BUT - I don't think that he's a neo-con. Much, much, much too easy-going.
On edit - and he's actually contrite when he chews up an un-bone. No way he's a neo-con with THAT personality trait.

[prodigal_green]

9. What really tipped me off was the deficit spending

Gotta teach him some fiscal responsibility.

[lanparty]

8. Is he fixed ????

If he isn't, snip those balls off. That will get rid of a LOT of testosterone. That will help get rid of his "rhoid rage".

Also, make sure that NOBODY tries to touch him on top of the head. This is basically an expression of dominance in dog speak. In general, you shouldn't ever try to touch a dog on top of the head. Some dogs tolerate it, but it's bad manners.

And as you saw, a dominant aggresive dog WILL bite if you touch it on the top of the head.

Finally, whatever you do, DO NOT HIT HIM. Make him lie down in the submissive position. You have to be the boss. And if he won't accept this, he may be a lost cause.

[prodigal_green]

10. He was fixed

about a week before I got him. He still marks the entire neighborhood. I hate to think what he was like while he was still intact.

I don't hit him. I put him in a 20 minute down (just as you describe) he HATES that, but he does it. I'm sure the trainer will have additional suggestions.

He has no problem with me petting him anywhere, so I think we're making progress. I got bitten when I was trying to work the mats out of his ear (he was in terrible shape when I got him). He let me know he was going to bite but I pushed it.

[geniph]

12. I'll echo the advice about not touching his head

Avoid doing so whenever possible. If you have to do so, make sure you're in a clearly dominant position first: put him in a down and don't tolerate any fussing. You have to be the alpha, or he will be. Now, alpha status can be gained without ever hitting, but you need something like a Halti head-collar to be really successful at it. You might have to use a muzzle to gradually condition him to permit having his head gently touched and groomed. He needs to learn that it's not a threat to him, and that, as the alpha, you have the right to do it, but it will have to be done very gradually.

[Skittles]

13. hey prodigal

you are a WONDERFUL gal. :thumbsup:

[Fenris]

11. Is his name Paul Woofowitz?