Something's Wrong With My Dog-Aggressive Dog.

[KJandBravo]

He's voluntarily seeking out canine companionship!

Our dog Bravo was adopted from the shelter almost 4 years ago. He was dog-aggressive and people-aggressive. The people aggression resolved itself with time, socialization, and patience.

Not long after we adopted him, the next door neighbor got a St Bernard puppy. Our dog didn't know what to think. I went over and made a huge fuss over her through the fence, so then my dog begrudgingly came over for a polite introduction.

They got another St B puppy about a year later, and the way it's been for the past 3 years or so has been polite greetings through the fence, but indifference otherwise. They would whine at him, and he'd ignore them.

We visit my parents every year for Christmas, and each year, Bravo does better with their unruly dogs. The first year, we kept him crated almost the entire time. The last two years, the pack was fine, as long as we watched them and made sure there was no fighting over toys, etc.

Now the weird thing: for the last two weeks or so, Bravo has been throwing a huge party every time he's out there at the same time as the neighbor's saints. As in, full-on puppy bark. When I heard him, I thought he hurt himself! I ran to the door, freaking out. He gets the biggest dog smile on his face, does the play-bow, and races back and forth through the yard along the fence with them. (It's just a wire fence)

Now, every time we put him out, several times a day, he does his business, then goes and sits at the gate, staring at my neighbor's door!



So I guess I wanted to tell this little story so that others with dog-aggressive dogs can have hope. Sometimes, it's just a matter of time and patience for a dog to remember that s/he is a pack animal. This is nearly 4 years after we adopted him.

I actually think he's lonely, and we could use another dog.

[Nevaeh's Mom]

thanks so much for your post. I am beginning my long journey with my 8 month old GS puppy. She began to show signs of fear agression at a very early age, and after tracking down her breeding ( we didn't do our homework and got her from someone who stated he was selling her for a friend) found out she came from a very bad beginning and a puppy mill. We have been seeing a vet behaviorist for about 3 months now, and are learning all the things you need to do different for these types of dogs. Your right I can see it will take time and alot of patience, but we love her and she is worth it as she is the sweetest dog at home, with family and our other two dogs. My vet keeps reminding me its a "journey" and not a race, cuz at times I get frustrated at the slow progress, but am so glad to hear she has hope...thanks again and good job!