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If you can find someone to work with both of you on his aggression would you keep him?

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you know that is a really hard one..... that much work with that dog,,,,, i dont now... is there a resuce you would put him in??? i think that calling bark busters may be of some help to you also... check out their web site.. msmall things you can do at home to change his behaviour... you have to learn how to talk dog...... good luck

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To follow up on my last post: Snowy has been to many behavioural classes ,and he's actually quite well-trained and responds well to commands. He's very friendly with people he knows well (as in, he loves us like crazy), but he takes a very long time to get used to new people. It took about 2-3 months to get him used to my girlfriend, but now they get along great. He was medicated (Alprozolam) for about 2 years until I took him off the medication because it wasn't doing much good. He's just fearful/anxious and aggressive and no amount of aggressive dog classes have done anything to help him. -nick

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Without being there, there is no way anyone can assess this dog over the internet or by phone. I don't know who or what you have tried and all trainers are not properly trained to assess and work with this kind of aggression. I would suggest you try as I know they work with many types of dogs. They should be able to assess the dog and tell you if he can be rehabed.

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i used to live with a very aggressive dog...a german shepherd, he was soo bad...he would try to seriouslty hurt people. mainly kids and men. he wasnt allowed near anyone outside the family and people he didnt know and this is how we kept him. he lived a very happy life when he had him, we had saved him from an abusive family where the kids teased him and the father beat him with 2x4s. he was much happier being with just the people he knew and loved and we had to be careful walking him cause no one other then us could go near him. he wasnt a hassel or as a problem for us at all and i loved him dearly. he was a great dog and i wish you the best of luck with your little guy.

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I notice nobody has asked about the barking that he does on this thread so far. Have you tried bark collars? There are also correctional collars that come with a remote so you can do the training. If he goes after someone, give a warning beep, then a spray (or shock, depending on the collar). eventually that may help (with both barking and aggression). Also every behaviorist trainer trains a different way. It may help to take him to someone who has a different teaching startegy. Also, when you put him in the other behavior classes, was the trainer teaching you or just taking your dog? That can also make a huge difference. I talked to a co-worker today who is also a dog trainer and she said that he has an advanced dominance issue. If you and the dog come back from a walk, who enters the building first? If you allow the dog to enter first, you're allowing him to be dominant over you. If you feed him, then yourself, that's another sign that you're letting him be the Alpha. Just examples, hope this helps. If it is a dominance thing then maybe it can be solved with little changes at a time.

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Hi, Nick You have to take your dog to a train that deals with problem dogs. Traditional training only!!!!!!! They will use spiked collars but believe me you need to take his focus away from what he's doing wrong at that time.. He marks just because he's staking out his territory because you keep on moving him all the time. Try the bark collar for sure because that again moves his focus from barking . He also needs to be out more instead of alone all day. Your dog is probably not aggressive but more like a teenager lashing out for attention. If you place him maybe find a farm so that he can run off some energy and be with people and other animals. All the luck and let us all know what happens..

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How much exercise does he get? Eskie's are really high energy and smart, they need DAILY exercise and mental stimulation and you should be ok. I have dealt with a few and found that was part of the key to success. A tired dog is a good dog.

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I so Agree with You and Know that a tired dog is a good dog!! I say if you put "snowy" in another enviroment , he would be loving and a friendly, happy dog. Somewhere in his life he has been left alone, become fearful and it has developed into a aggresive/ protective behavioral pattern. Scolding definitely won't help.... I wonder if he is socialized with other dogs and how much time spent with the owner, like walks and running, play time? Basically what everyone has said about training I agree how can you expect anything good from your dog if you don't put the energy into the bond between the two of you. It actually quite simple.. they Love Us and will do anything to please us. Its about being best Friends, Playing, Having fun While Training Your dog will respond and Love You forever!!

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Hi Nick, First of all (re replies) do NOT use aversive training on him, ie shock collars etc. Think about it from the dogs perspective, you hate strangers...so the next time you are aggresive to one you get an almighty shock in your neck, what do you think the dog will associate the pain with?..the stranger of course..and what will happen? His aggresion will worsen. Dogs do not think like humans, they do not see right and wrong like we do, they act in a way appropriate for dogs. You are obviously a caring owner who has taken a lot of time to train your dog, from what you have said I do not think you need to euthanise him, but rather seek professional help from a proper sourse, have a look on the apdt (association of pet dog trainers) website, for a humane qualified expert. We have moved beyond inflicting pain to train our dogs. We know understand this only makes things worse. I would also be curious to know what exactly your dog does to strangers/animals and how you control this behaviour?? I do agree with other repondees about excercise though, lots of walking really helps your dog fulfill basic needs. Good Luck, Salx

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Nick, I am wondering if you have any answers other than training, have you found a placement company? We have our much beloved 9 year old labrador who has alway sbeen a little aggressive, but now is getting unpredicatble and aggressive, towards a 4 month old puppy, snapped at my 3 yearold who was petting him, and has growled at my 6 year old. We are devastated at the thought that we might have to put him down but are unsure if there is anyone out there who could help us place him....Help!

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You might want to try calling Custom Canine in Burnaby. Google them and the website and info will come up. They specialize in aggressive dogs and behaviour. I would maybe give that a try. Good luck.