Victor(people aggressive)-thundershirt/bach flower remedy

[JustMeLeslie]

Well as recommended through my other threads about Victor I have tried the thundershirt and bach flower remedy. The t-shirt I could see where it would work well for other dogs, but in Victor's case it is not something I will be able to use all the time. The problem with it is it makes him too hot. He did not lunge for anyone though. He would still follow them closely when they got up. They still had to be cautious with their movements and announce themselves when they came into the room.

He panted heavily with it on. It seemed to overheat him. I did just the t-shirt at first, but like I said he got excessively hot with it on. Then I did a combo of Bach flower remedy and t-shirt that worked ok. He did not lunge for anyone just followed them. He was still watching them all like a hawk though. If anyone moved he went to them immediately and followed them. I took the t-shirt off because he was so hot. He had the remedy that morning and he did ok with that. He drank excessively though. I don't know if it was from having the shirt on earlier or the remedy. He went outside to play ball with them sans the shirt. He did well with that he did not act aggressive with anyone. He ran across the yard to my neice though when she was jumping up trying to get moss out of a tree with a stick. I redirected him from her with his favorite ball. He left her alone then. The remedy did seem to take the edge off of him, but not enough for me to trust him not to act aggressive if something set him off. However since he has been using the flower remedy he has not shown anymore aggression with Lola/ or the other dogs like he did before so I believe it did help with that.

At this point because I feel like I will never be able to trust him with others I am wondering if I should just go back to crating him and not allowing any interactions with guests. I am not sure if I should venture into prescription meds. with him since he seems to have reactions to natural remedies(excessive drooling/overheating/excessive drinking/panting). I am afraid he is going to react badly to prescription meds. and totally flip out. I am just not sure if I should just accept that he will never do well with my other family/guests and just crate him or keep trying to involve him in the family activities? I am curious as to what other members would do? Isolate him from things that trigger his aggression or keeping trying with prescription meds?
Thank you in advance and I look forward to any suggestions and/or advice.

[JustMeLeslie]

No one? I hope I put this in the right spot.

[hunterisgreat]

If it's genetic then the thundershirt is comforting a dog that might not be that scared? Try the DAP pheremones stuff? Maybe it will just mellow him down? Isolation would, I think, make any dog react with more aggression to invaders into his world.

That would not be a fix for the dog, but a fix for the situation.

Intact?

[onyx'girl]

There are no behaviorist trainers that you can work with?
With dogs that are reactive, it is sometimes best to crate them when unfamiliar people are over so you aren't overstimulating the dog. I have to do this with Onyx and it is just how it has to be. I don't want to set her up to fail.
I would still try to keep Victor in a structured social environment(some type of training) and with maturity, he may mellow some.

[Zoeys mom]

You know after dumping a ridiculous amount of money into a behaviorist we have come to the conclusion Zoe will never be good with kids except mine- it's the way it is and it can't be fixed. However, now if it is just an adult over or two she is fine!!!!!! So to answer your question the crate may be the best thing. It prevents aggression before it starts, calms the dog, and makes everyone happy- not a bad solution A behaviorist did help us realize why she doesn't like kids in my home though and gave us a better understanding of why the crate in this case is best. We're still working with decoys who come to my home and it's been great. Zoe does not follow strangers in the downstairs anymore unless they head toward our upstairs so obviously thats off limits unless she is crated as well but it does get ever so slightly better I promise.

On a side not the DAP plug in is making NO difference though they do say it can take up to 3 months- if anything it has made her more puppy like and hyper,lol

[JustMeLeslie]

Originally Posted by hunterisgreat

If it's genetic then the thundershirt is comforting a dog that might not be that scared? Try the DAP pheremones stuff? Maybe it will just mellow him down? Isolation would, I think, make any dog react with more aggression to invaders into his world.

That would not be a fix for the dog, but a fix for the situation.

Intact?

No, Victor is neutered. It had no effect on him at all. He is still just as aggressive as he was before. Crating him works as long as he can see the people when they come in the yard. I have to muzzle him and he always is leashed I do introductions and then crate him that goes well. I will look into the DAP as I was recommended this before as well as the thundershirt and Bach flower remedy. I decided to try those two first.

[JustMeLeslie]

Originally Posted by Zoeys mom

You know after dumping a ridiculous amount of money into a behaviorist we have come to the conclusion Zoe will never be good with kids except mine- it's the way it is and it can't be fixed. However, now if it is just an adult over or two she is fine!!!!!! So to answer your question the crate may be the best thing. It prevents aggression before it starts, calms the dog, and makes everyone happy- not a bad solution A behaviorist did help us realize why she doesn't like kids in my home though and gave us a better understanding of why the crate in this case is best. We're still working with decoys who come to my home and it's been great. Zoe does not follow strangers in the downstairs anymore unless they head toward our upstairs so obviously thats off limits unless she is crated as well but it does get ever so slightly better I promise.

On a side not the DAP plug in is making NO difference though they do say it can take up to 3 months- if anything it has made her more puppy like and hyper,lol

Ok so the DAP does not work then? So you have not been using it for very long? I definately don't need him more hyper.

[JustMeLeslie]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

There are no behaviorist trainers that you can work with?
With dogs that are reactive, it is sometimes best to crate them when unfamiliar people are over so you aren't overstimulating the dog. I have to do this with Onyx and it is just how it has to be. I don't want to set her up to fail.
I would still try to keep Victor in a structured social environment(some type of training) and with maturity, he may mellow some.

No, there truly isn't. Sometimes it is really such a disadvantage living so far out in the country.

I sure hope he mellows with age. I did find yet another member with a dog from the same place. Her dog is one yr. older than Victor and unfortunately he is the same with the aggression. I was so hoping that Victor would mellow out, but hers hasn't and he is three. Victor will be 2 soon so I don't know if he will. I am hopeful.

[krystyne73]

I use to use the DAP on my Great Dane..I didn't feel it worked with my dane. You do have to make sure you buy the correct amount for your square footage. I think its one plug in per 500 sq ft or something. I think my GD issue is genetic though (per breeder), so in that case DAP wouldn't work.

[codmaster]

Doubtful if he will change unless you can do some training. I don't think that dogs generally stop being aggressive by themselves.