Progess with Victor(People Aggressive)

[Runswithdogs]

Originally Posted by JustMeLeslie

Does she have to be on these meds for the rest of her life? Like everyday? Do they make her manageable? Sorry to be asking so many questions I am just trying to learn all I can about medicating. I have never had any dog with "mental issues" like Victor.

No, she will come off of them as soon as she has had a sustained period (2-3 months) anxiety free. She only gets the anti-anxiety drugs occasionally. I was also reluctant to put her on those meds, but the vet was fairly adamant that if she had cancer, or an open wound, I wouldn't tell her not to prescribe antibiotics, and her emotional suffering was equally in need of prompt and effective treatment. It put things in perspective for me.

In my case, I tried Rescue Remedy and calming pills and DAP diffusers and none of them helped. We didn't try the Thundershirt because at that point I was sick of spending so much money on things that didn't work.

[debbiebrown]

i think you really have to research and know about the flower essences and know how they all work together..........there is a flower essence for each problem, and you have to have the right combo to work, plus put 4-6 drops 4-6 times a day for it to be effective..........there is something like 50 different essences, i think Back Flower has maybe 8 of them.........

[RubyTuesday]

Leslie, if I had a dog with aggression or temperament issues I'd probably neuter him to scale back on the testosterone & prevent hormonal swings. That said, I wouldn't expect it to have much over all effect b/c most aggression problems aren't usually rooted in hormones & can't be solved by withholding them. I absolutely believe it was a wise decision, but one that might have only subtle (if any) effects.

Debbiebrown, many of us (myself included) are convinced temperament is genetic. Environmental pressures or support will effect how the temperament is expressed, ie building confidence in a fearful dog, restraint in a reactive dog etc, but the temperament itself is genetic.

Your idea of seeking support from others is an excellent one. Consider contacting those who have shared some your experiences. IF you've worked with a trainer, or behaviorist, perhaps s/he could help put you in touch with others to possibly form a local group. Mom believed her respiratory support group added years to her life b/c they had knowledge even her medical specialists weren't aware of. It sounds as though Leslie is already doing some of this with Minnieski.

Don't let others 'blame' you. As with humans, no dog is perfect, and they all need & deserve love, respect, appreciation.

[JustMeLeslie]

Originally Posted by RubyTuesday

Leslie, if I had a dog with aggression or temperament issues I'd probably neuter him to scale back on the testosterone & prevent hormonal swings. That said, I wouldn't expect it to have much over all effect b/c most aggression problems aren't usually rooted in hormones & can't be solved by withholding them. I absolutely believe it was a wise decision, but one that might have only subtle (if any) effects.

Debbiebrown, many of us (myself included) are convinced temperament is genetic. Environmental pressures or support will effect how the temperament is expressed, ie building confidence in a fearful dog, restraint in a reactive dog etc, but the temperament itself is genetic.

Your idea of seeking support from others is an excellent one. Consider contacting those who have shared some your experiences. IF you've worked with a trainer, or behaviorist, perhaps s/he could help put you in touch with others to possibly form a local group. Mom believed her respiratory support group added years to her life b/c they had knowledge even her medical specialists weren't aware of. It sounds as though Leslie is already doing some of this with Minnieski.

Don't let others 'blame' you. As with humans, no dog is perfect, and they all need & deserve love, respect, appreciation.

Victor is already neutered and no it had no effect on him at all. I wish it would have. He had cryptorchidism(undescended) so he had to be neutered, but I was hoping it would help a little bit with his aggression. Like I said before it had no effect on him at all. In the beginning right after the neuter he was actually more aggression for a little while.

I absolutely know Victor's aggression is genetic. His mother was the same way as far as the frenzy mode. He is a mix of Czech and American/German showlines which is not a good combo. It is a fight everyday to deal with his aggression, but I am trying to help him.

[RubyTuesday]

Years ago, when da Vinci my Irish Wolfhound was neutered, he initially acted more obnoxiously male for 1-2 wks (more marking, bratty teen behavior, quasi 'challenges'). I wondered then if the surgery somehow triggered a brief testosterone surge, but I don't know. He wasn't at all risky, even at his brattiest, so it was 1/2 comical & 1/2 exasperating. After the behavior faded it never again presented. He was emphatically a male dog, but not obnoxiously so.

[debbiebrown]

i also think diet is an important factor for these types of dogs, not sure anyone addressed this.............its definitely a no no to feed high preformance foods.......researching nutrition and diet for this issue also could help........

[kiya]

Hi, I haven't read every post in this thread but I was wondering if you have done any of the B.A.T. (behavioral adjustment training) exercises? I did a search on this site and didn't find anything.
My 2 older dogs go balistic when someone comes to the house. Not an "I am going to rip you to pieces" bark but the "I will bark my head off untill you go away" bark. I started doing threshold exercises and even my husband was amazed at the difference in them. I can get them to be quiet and focus on me and of course the tasty high value treats. Now when a repair man or someone comes over they know "quiet gets cookies" and they don't percieve the intruder as a threat. They still bark of course but it is much easier for me to regain control.
I thought I had the website saved but I don't, I found it as a link from a shy k-9 site, it really helped in my case.
I hope you are able to find something that will work with Victor.

[JustMeLeslie]

Originally Posted by kiya

Hi, I haven't read every post in this thread but I was wondering if you have done any of the B.A.T. (behavioral adjustment training) exercises? I did a search on this site and didn't find anything.
My 2 older dogs go balistic when someone comes to the house. Not an "I am going to rip you to pieces" bark but the "I will bark my head off untill you go away" bark. I started doing threshold exercises and even my husband was amazed at the difference in them. I can get them to be quiet and focus on me and of course the tasty high value treats. Now when a repair man or someone comes over they know "quiet gets cookies" and they don't percieve the intruder as a threat. They still bark of course but it is much easier for me to regain control.
I thought I had the website saved but I don't, I found it as a link from a shy k-9 site, it really helped in my case.
I hope you are able to find something that will work with Victor.

Well nothing works food,treats,cookies with Victor. As soon as he sees someone at the gate/in the yard that is not myself or my husband he goes after them. He will not stop for anything. That is the problem and it is not just a "go away" bark he will bite and/or grab that person. He did it at his other home. He has not bitten anyone here so far because we won't give him the opportunity. He has grabbed my nephew by the leg before though. He did this even after introductions. He does not care who it is or how many times he has been introduced to them. He WILL go after them. We realize that Victor is dangerous so now we crate him before anyone comes over. Thank you for your suggestions though. I appreciate any help or advice.

[debbiebrown]

did you have his Thyroid checked? maybe someone already covered this........

[DharmasMom]

Originally Posted by JustMeLeslie

Victor is already neutered and no it had no effect on him at all. I wish it would have. He had cryptorchidism(undescended) so he had to be neutered, but I was hoping it would help a little bit with his aggression. Like I said before it had no effect on him at all. In the beginning right after the neuter he was actually more aggression for a little while.

I absolutely know Victor's aggression is genetic. His mother was the same way as far as the frenzy mode. He is a mix of Czech and American/German showlines which is not a good combo. It is a fight everyday to deal with his aggression, but I am trying to help him.

I know you have had and are having a challenging time with Victor but I would like to say Thank You for not giving up on him! So many people would have dumped him off on someone else by now and he would have ended up being passed around until he ended up in a shelter alone and confused and waiting to die or either just dumped him in a shelter themselves. It takes a very special person to continue to keep a dog in their home with these kind of issues and I really do thank you for it. I honestly don't know that much about aggression so I certainly can't give you any advice. But it seems to me, even if Victor has to be placed in a crate in another room when you have guests over and he can't ever be out when there are people at your house, at least he is in a home with people who love him and that he loves back.