Is this agression - what should I do?

df1960 · 07-08-2011, 12:36 PM

Last week a friend of my husband's stopped by, we were outside with the dogs and when he went to get out of his pickup Hawkeye ran up to him and grabbed his pants (pocket area) he turned to him and say "HAY" and Hawkeye backed off. Over the weekend that same guy stopped by 3 different time - each time Hawkeye got better with him.

On Monday it was Hawkeye's checkup, as soon as the vet came near him he gave a very low growl and we decided to muzzle him just to be safe. The vet said that was a fearful growl and he was also trembling. She said he needs to build his confidence.

Next week I have workers coming to the house to have a deck build - my question is should I leave him loose in the yard as we normally do - should I keep him tied while the workers are there or keep him on a leash with me at all time.

Hawkeye was not socialized a lot, due to the fact that he's car sick everytime he goes in the car, we live in a rural area so to get into the city it's about a 15-20 min drive, when we did take him into town he's normally sick on the way there and again on the way home.

Hawkeye is now 16months old....

Question 1: Is this a sign of agression or fear or lack of confidence and how should I help him.
Question 2: What do I do when the workers are at the house next week.

Thanks

gagsd · 07-08-2011, 12:39 PM

Question 1: Is this a sign of agression or fear or lack of confidence and how should I help him.
Probably. Obedience training, play, and socializing (ie just a walk at the park).

Question 2: What do I do when the workers are at the house next week.
Do not leave him loose, do not tie him out. Keep him away from the workers and with you.

**Samba** · 07-08-2011, 12:42 PM

When working people are at the house, put your dog in safe place away from them. I do this with all my dogs all the time. It is a good, safe practice and if I were a worker that is what I would want.

Can you find some good training classes? Obedience training, working around other dogs can build confidence. I also take mine to basic agility for confidence building. How many outtings does he get? We live in a rural area and I have to work hard getting mine exposed...we go downtown, to Lowes, to the feed stores etc.

df1960 · 07-08-2011, 12:55 PM

Thanks, that's what I was thinking - is to keep him with me at all times. It's going to be a very long two days....

Can you find some good training classes? Obedience training, working around other dogs can build confidence. I also take mine to basic agility for confidence building. How many outtings does he get? We live in a rural area and I have to work hard getting mine exposed...we go downtown, to Lowes, to the feed stores etc.

As far as training classes - the closest is at least 1hour away.
Where we are in Quebec there's no agility or obedience training or dog parks, or anything like that. The Quebec Region where we are (Outaouais Region) is not very dog friendly.

He gets lots of exercise, I take him to a race track (drag racing) every day for some offleash exercise, but again no people or other dogs around.

As far as outtings we never take him anyplace with us, he's always car sick.

I know some would say car sick is not a reason for not taking him out. But when he was young I tried taking him into town but he was sick on the way and again on the way home.... makes for a very smelly car.

**Samba** · 07-08-2011, 01:01 PM

It is harder with an isolated dog. Infrequent car rides make it difficult for the car sickness to resolve. I too live 100 miles from training clubs.

If you are not able to train and socialize, he can not be put in a situation whete he is loose and able to make decisions for himself about how he is going to interact with incoming people.

For his and your sake, make every effort to learn to obedience train and to get him out and about.

Lilie · 07-08-2011, 01:07 PM

My boy gets car sick as well. I am lucky that I have a truck and I put him in a crate in the back. But there are times when I have to carry him in the truck, I just put him on a towel and make him stay. Cleaning up a stinky mess is much eaiser then having a dog that can't be trusted around people.

I kennel my dogs when we have contractors over. One thing is I don't want anyone to get bitten. And I don't don't the contractors to think my dogs wouldn't bite. Putting them in a kennel keeps them safe and the contractors safe.

debbiebrown · 07-09-2011, 06:42 AM

there must be some medication for car sickness i would ask the Vet about it, get him used to riding with a medication then after he's used to riding he may be ok........i would address this first and see what happens.......maybe alot of short rides and progress to longer ones.......then if all goes well you can start your training program and socialization.

doggiedad · 07-09-2011, 07:09 AM

keep your dog away from the workers that are coming. crate
him or put him in a room that he can't get out of. take the hour
drive to go to a class. an hour drive is a short distance
compared to the long haul you're going to have if you don't
do it. start working with your dog on his car sickness.
put the dog in the car and don't start it. give him a treat.
do this a lot. then put the dog in the car and start it up.
sit in the car for a while. treat the dog, pet him, talk to
him, etc. do this a lot. now put the dog in the car
and go back and forth in your driveway. treat the dog
and exit. after you've done this for a while put the dog
in the car and drive 25 to 50 yards. treat the dog
and return home. start making the distance longer and longer.
you're going to build up to a long drive.

you can find a trainer that will come to your house
and train. invite family, friends and neighbors to visit
to help with the socializing.

codmaster · 07-10-2011, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by df1960

..................
Hawkeye was not socialized a lot, due to the fact that he's car sick everytime he goes in the car, we live in a rural area so to get into the city it's about a 15-20 min drive, when we did take him into town he's normally sick on the way there and again on the way home.................

We also have had a few pups who were car sick when little guys - first thing is to find out the cause of the car sickness.

Could be caused by nervousness about the car or it could be a physical problem. If it is nervousness then generally you can correct that one easily - get him used to the car - bring him to it and traet him up a storm. just first get him in and then treat and then out. Do that for a while till he is more comfortable and actually will look forward to the car. Then prgress to moving the car just a very little - maybe a few feet. then increase the "trip" little by little. it will work - has for 3/4 of our dogs.

If it is an actual physicall thing i.e. maybe a middle ear thing that humand have - your vet should be able to help.

One hint is - if nerves, then the dog will usually be shaking or maybe even drooling etc. sometimes even before you move the car.

Good luck!

07-08-2011, 12:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
df1960 Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 124	Is this agression - what should I do? Last week a friend of my husband's stopped by, we were outside with the dogs and when he went to get out of his pickup Hawkeye ran up to him and grabbed his pants (pocket area) he turned to him and say "HAY" and Hawkeye backed off. Over the weekend that same guy stopped by 3 different time - each time Hawkeye got better with him. On Monday it was Hawkeye's checkup, as soon as the vet came near him he gave a very low growl and we decided to muzzle him just to be safe. The vet said that was a fearful growl and he was also trembling. She said he needs to build his confidence. Next week I have workers coming to the house to have a deck build - my question is should I leave him loose in the yard as we normally do - should I keep him tied while the workers are there or keep him on a leash with me at all time. Hawkeye was not socialized a lot, due to the fact that he's car sick everytime he goes in the car, we live in a rural area so to get into the city it's about a 15-20 min drive, when we did take him into town he's normally sick on the way there and again on the way home. Hawkeye is now 16months old.... Question 1: Is this a sign of agression or fear or lack of confidence and how should I help him. Question 2: What do I do when the workers are at the house next week. Thanks __________________ Hawkeye (GSD): March 5/10 Chelsea (Boxer): April 21/08 Fay (Terrier): April 29/99 Austin (ShihTzu): August 2/02 At Bridge: Callie(2004), Jackson(2005), Mickey(2007), Keisha(GSD)(2008), Stryker(2011)

07-08-2011, 12:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
gagsd Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: georgia Posts: 2,970	Question 1: Is this a sign of agression or fear or lack of confidence and how should I help him. Probably. Obedience training, play, and socializing (ie just a walk at the park). Question 2: What do I do when the workers are at the house next week. Do not leave him loose, do not tie him out. Keep him away from the workers and with you. __________________ Animals do not have rights. Owners have responsibilities. www.columbusworkingdogs.com

07-08-2011, 12:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
df1960 Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 124	Thanks, that's what I was thinking - is to keep him with me at all times. It's going to be a very long two days.... Can you find some good training classes? Obedience training, working around other dogs can build confidence. I also take mine to basic agility for confidence building. How many outtings does he get? We live in a rural area and I have to work hard getting mine exposed...we go downtown, to Lowes, to the feed stores etc. As far as training classes - the closest is at least 1hour away. Where we are in Quebec there's no agility or obedience training or dog parks, or anything like that. The Quebec Region where we are (Outaouais Region) is not very dog friendly. He gets lots of exercise, I take him to a race track (drag racing) every day for some offleash exercise, but again no people or other dogs around. As far as outtings we never take him anyplace with us, he's always car sick. I know some would say car sick is not a reason for not taking him out. But when he was young I tried taking him into town but he was sick on the way and again on the way home.... makes for a very smelly car. __________________ Hawkeye (GSD): March 5/10 Chelsea (Boxer): April 21/08 Fay (Terrier): April 29/99 Austin (ShihTzu): August 2/02 At Bridge: Callie(2004), Jackson(2005), Mickey(2007), Keisha(GSD)(2008), Stryker(2011)

07-08-2011, 01:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 6,262	My boy gets car sick as well. I am lucky that I have a truck and I put him in a crate in the back. But there are times when I have to carry him in the truck, I just put him on a towel and make him stay. Cleaning up a stinky mess is much eaiser then having a dog that can't be trusted around people. I kennel my dogs when we have contractors over. One thing is I don't want anyone to get bitten. And I don't don't the contractors to think my dogs wouldn't bite. Putting them in a kennel keeps them safe and the contractors safe. __________________ Hondo Von Dopplet L Bauernhof "Hondo"- GSD Lilie's Tug McGraw "Tug" - Golden Retriever Maggie - Mini Dachshund (Rescue) Lonestar - Texas Blue Lacy Funyon, Ashe, Soot - Barn Cats Scooter /1/2 Arabian, Shadow, Katie / APHA

07-09-2011, 06:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
debbiebrown Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: maine Posts: 7,598	there must be some medication for car sickness i would ask the Vet about it, get him used to riding with a medication then after he's used to riding he may be ok........i would address this first and see what happens.......maybe alot of short rides and progress to longer ones.......then if all goes well you can start your training program and socialization. __________________ url

07-08-2011, 12:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,447	When working people are at the house, put your dog in safe place away from them. I do this with all my dogs all the time. It is a good, safe practice and if I were a worker that is what I would want. Can you find some good training classes? Obedience training, working around other dogs can build confidence. I also take mine to basic agility for confidence building. How many outtings does he get? We live in a rural area and I have to work hard getting mine exposed...we go downtown, to Lowes, to the feed stores etc.

07-08-2011, 01:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Samba Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,447	It is harder with an isolated dog. Infrequent car rides make it difficult for the car sickness to resolve. I too live 100 miles from training clubs. If you are not able to train and socialize, he can not be put in a situation whete he is loose and able to make decisions for himself about how he is going to interact with incoming people. For his and your sake, make every effort to learn to obedience train and to get him out and about.

07-09-2011, 07:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 9,836	keep your dog away from the workers that are coming. crate him or put him in a room that he can't get out of. take the hour drive to go to a class. an hour drive is a short distance compared to the long haul you're going to have if you don't do it. start working with your dog on his car sickness. put the dog in the car and don't start it. give him a treat. do this a lot. then put the dog in the car and start it up. sit in the car for a while. treat the dog, pet him, talk to him, etc. do this a lot. now put the dog in the car and go back and forth in your driveway. treat the dog and exit. after you've done this for a while put the dog in the car and drive 25 to 50 yards. treat the dog and return home. start making the distance longer and longer. you're going to build up to a long drive. you can find a trainer that will come to your house and train. invite family, friends and neighbors to visit to help with the socializing. __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

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