Post by hunterr1950 on Dec 4, 2005 12:34:39 GMT -5
Hi I am new to this wonderful site & would like to introduce myself & my babies. My name is Linda & an owned by Hunterr (Belgian Malinois) & Annie (Neo Mastiff.) I live in a small town in Ohio.
Here is a small amount of info about my babies before I go into the real reason of my problem. Hopefully it won't be too long & boring.
Annie (Neo Mastiff) turned 2 in Sept. I got her when she was 18 months last December. Hunterr (Belgian Malinois) was 18 months when I got him and he is now 4 yrs old. Yes, they are both “fixed”! This was done as soon as I brought them home.
When I first brought Hunterr home & introduced him to my English (Angel Love – that passed away May 20th) he was great! They played together, slept together with no problems. After other issues (Hunterr taking me to the ground when I was trying to play fetch with a ball) - found out Hunterr was being trained for “police attack” but flunked out because he refused to “release” on command. The previous owner still refuses to admit to the type of training. (Another l-o-n-g story). Getting him into obedience training was another problem because that was when I found Hunterr was both dog & people aggressive. Hunterr is past his people aggression to the point he will beg for strangers’ attention! Dog aggressive is better but I will never relax enough to allow him around other strange dogs. He does like to play with Annie outside.
Annie was turned over to a vet hospital when she was 15 months. The hospital was going to put Annie down because of not finding a home for her. Eventually an employee took her home but kept her in a small outside crate with no protection from the weather. She was so covered in her own “fetus” when my ex-husband’s new wife (Sandra) saw her – they couldn’t tell what color she actually was. Sandra forced the person to turn Annie over, & brought her to my house. Sandra raises bull dogs & had 16 inside dogs at the time.
Annie also has hearing loss. My vet seems to “think” it was due to beatings done to her head because of old scars on her head, butt & back.
Both Hunterr & Annie can not be crate trained. I have tried with both of them – v-e-r-y slowly, but with the fear & anxiety attacks can’t force them to suffer. My house if large enough where I can keep them separated without the cage, but they can still “see” & remain close to me. I have a baby gate that divides the front half of the house (front room, bedrooms) where Hunterr stays. Then Annie stays in the kitchen (off the front room) & large family room. My family room is 31’ X 27’. I spilt my time up in the evening so both dogs will have “one on one” attention from me without getting jealous.
Both Hunterr & Annie do go places with me & sometimes at the same time. They ride great together in the truck but I do keep Annie in the back with the seats down & Hunterr sits in the front passenger seat. I have a GMC truck. I have never had a problem of either one getting in the other’s space. They are both great around strangers (but I don’t try this while they are together).
I can walk both dogs together without a problem. I did it very slowly. I Started in the back yard with both of them on a lead, then moved to the front yard, and eventually walked in a neighboring subdivision. It’s a very quiet area with no outside traffic & no running dogs. The subdivision is located behind my house. I added a gate to my back fence - so all I need is go though the back neighbor’s yard to get to the street.
I make sure that when I do walk them – it is during the day when everyone is at work & kids are all in school. I keep Hunterr on one side I walk Annie on my other side, so they aren’t both beside each other. Hunterr also wears a remote control spray collar & I carry a can of “Sure Stop” just in care. But they act like both have “blinders” on & aren’t interested in anything other than me & our walks.
During the weekend, I take them both over to the subdivision my parents live. Mom lives on a dead end street where a very large subdivision was recently added with new homes they are building. It is very quiet & a great place to walk. My Mom has some problems walking but loves it when she can walk with the 3 of us. Annie is great with Mom, even with Mom having to walk slower. Annie stays right next to her (watching Mom all the time) & will even stop when “she” thinks Mom might need to rest.
I have had Annie in the local pet store to pick out a treat without any problems. She loves the attention of the people & actually ignores any dogs that are in the store at the same time. Hunterr with his past dog aggressiveness I have not wanted to push my luck as far as trusting him in a strange environment which could have strange dogs he would have to encounter.
I do use NILIF training on the most part. Didn’t know what it was called until a few days ago. Making them sit for a treat - food, waiting for me to exit a room first (even though it would be easier to allow Annie to lead because of her size), decid when “I” want to give attention – not allowing them to decide.
NOW to my PROBLEM!!
Annie got along with Hunterr both inside the house & in the back yard. They would even share chewies or play tug-of war with a stuffed animal. Annie had a different approach when it came to Angel. She would ignore Angel since Angel was almost 8 yrs & normally slept a lot of the time & not interested in playing.
After 3 months, Annie started to sneak up on Angel & grab her around the neck! Normally while Angel was sleeping. Annie refused to release (totally focused on holding on) & with her hearing problem – I couldn't get her attention without throwing water or grabbing her mouth to open it. Annie has never tried to bite me during this time & never let any puncher wounds – only large slobbers around Angel’s neck.
After the first couple of “attacks” I started to keep Annie in with my husband in the family room while I was at work. It worked out great. Annie was getting attention, Angel was safe, & Hunterr loved his couch and waiting for my return. But Jim passed away suddenly June 20th only a month after Angel!
Now Annie is “attacking” Hunterr in the same way. This is only inside the house & only grabbing him from the top part of his neck. She still doesn’t tear skin or leave puncher wounds but refuses to release! So far Hunterr just stands & growls at her – allowing me to get her to release. I’m afraid that with Hunterr’s pass that eventually I will have a major dog fight.
The other day when returning home from work – I found (probably from Hunterr) the gate’s dead bolt opened & was met by two dogs at the front door. There wasn’t any sign of any fighting, & only lost a few packs of cigs since I left the carton on the front room table. Annie loves cardboard. Even the Christmas Tree remained standing. So when they are together (without me present) there doesn’t seem to be a problem.
What am I doing wrong to allow this to keep happening? Why does Annie do this? What can I do to get her to stop??!
I have a few books that was suggested I read: the Other End of Leash, How to Speak Dog, Culture Clash, & On Talking Terms with your Dog.
I have them on order but in the mean time will continue to keep both Annie & Hunterr in their “own” area.
Sorry this is so long – but any suggestions would definitely help all of us.
Thanks,
Linda, Annie & Hunterr
Here is a small amount of info about my babies before I go into the real reason of my problem. Hopefully it won't be too long & boring.
Annie (Neo Mastiff) turned 2 in Sept. I got her when she was 18 months last December. Hunterr (Belgian Malinois) was 18 months when I got him and he is now 4 yrs old. Yes, they are both “fixed”! This was done as soon as I brought them home.
When I first brought Hunterr home & introduced him to my English (Angel Love – that passed away May 20th) he was great! They played together, slept together with no problems. After other issues (Hunterr taking me to the ground when I was trying to play fetch with a ball) - found out Hunterr was being trained for “police attack” but flunked out because he refused to “release” on command. The previous owner still refuses to admit to the type of training. (Another l-o-n-g story). Getting him into obedience training was another problem because that was when I found Hunterr was both dog & people aggressive. Hunterr is past his people aggression to the point he will beg for strangers’ attention! Dog aggressive is better but I will never relax enough to allow him around other strange dogs. He does like to play with Annie outside.
Annie was turned over to a vet hospital when she was 15 months. The hospital was going to put Annie down because of not finding a home for her. Eventually an employee took her home but kept her in a small outside crate with no protection from the weather. She was so covered in her own “fetus” when my ex-husband’s new wife (Sandra) saw her – they couldn’t tell what color she actually was. Sandra forced the person to turn Annie over, & brought her to my house. Sandra raises bull dogs & had 16 inside dogs at the time.
Annie also has hearing loss. My vet seems to “think” it was due to beatings done to her head because of old scars on her head, butt & back.
Both Hunterr & Annie can not be crate trained. I have tried with both of them – v-e-r-y slowly, but with the fear & anxiety attacks can’t force them to suffer. My house if large enough where I can keep them separated without the cage, but they can still “see” & remain close to me. I have a baby gate that divides the front half of the house (front room, bedrooms) where Hunterr stays. Then Annie stays in the kitchen (off the front room) & large family room. My family room is 31’ X 27’. I spilt my time up in the evening so both dogs will have “one on one” attention from me without getting jealous.
Both Hunterr & Annie do go places with me & sometimes at the same time. They ride great together in the truck but I do keep Annie in the back with the seats down & Hunterr sits in the front passenger seat. I have a GMC truck. I have never had a problem of either one getting in the other’s space. They are both great around strangers (but I don’t try this while they are together).
I can walk both dogs together without a problem. I did it very slowly. I Started in the back yard with both of them on a lead, then moved to the front yard, and eventually walked in a neighboring subdivision. It’s a very quiet area with no outside traffic & no running dogs. The subdivision is located behind my house. I added a gate to my back fence - so all I need is go though the back neighbor’s yard to get to the street.
I make sure that when I do walk them – it is during the day when everyone is at work & kids are all in school. I keep Hunterr on one side I walk Annie on my other side, so they aren’t both beside each other. Hunterr also wears a remote control spray collar & I carry a can of “Sure Stop” just in care. But they act like both have “blinders” on & aren’t interested in anything other than me & our walks.
During the weekend, I take them both over to the subdivision my parents live. Mom lives on a dead end street where a very large subdivision was recently added with new homes they are building. It is very quiet & a great place to walk. My Mom has some problems walking but loves it when she can walk with the 3 of us. Annie is great with Mom, even with Mom having to walk slower. Annie stays right next to her (watching Mom all the time) & will even stop when “she” thinks Mom might need to rest.
I have had Annie in the local pet store to pick out a treat without any problems. She loves the attention of the people & actually ignores any dogs that are in the store at the same time. Hunterr with his past dog aggressiveness I have not wanted to push my luck as far as trusting him in a strange environment which could have strange dogs he would have to encounter.
I do use NILIF training on the most part. Didn’t know what it was called until a few days ago. Making them sit for a treat - food, waiting for me to exit a room first (even though it would be easier to allow Annie to lead because of her size), decid when “I” want to give attention – not allowing them to decide.
NOW to my PROBLEM!!
Annie got along with Hunterr both inside the house & in the back yard. They would even share chewies or play tug-of war with a stuffed animal. Annie had a different approach when it came to Angel. She would ignore Angel since Angel was almost 8 yrs & normally slept a lot of the time & not interested in playing.
After 3 months, Annie started to sneak up on Angel & grab her around the neck! Normally while Angel was sleeping. Annie refused to release (totally focused on holding on) & with her hearing problem – I couldn't get her attention without throwing water or grabbing her mouth to open it. Annie has never tried to bite me during this time & never let any puncher wounds – only large slobbers around Angel’s neck.
After the first couple of “attacks” I started to keep Annie in with my husband in the family room while I was at work. It worked out great. Annie was getting attention, Angel was safe, & Hunterr loved his couch and waiting for my return. But Jim passed away suddenly June 20th only a month after Angel!
Now Annie is “attacking” Hunterr in the same way. This is only inside the house & only grabbing him from the top part of his neck. She still doesn’t tear skin or leave puncher wounds but refuses to release! So far Hunterr just stands & growls at her – allowing me to get her to release. I’m afraid that with Hunterr’s pass that eventually I will have a major dog fight.
The other day when returning home from work – I found (probably from Hunterr) the gate’s dead bolt opened & was met by two dogs at the front door. There wasn’t any sign of any fighting, & only lost a few packs of cigs since I left the carton on the front room table. Annie loves cardboard. Even the Christmas Tree remained standing. So when they are together (without me present) there doesn’t seem to be a problem.
What am I doing wrong to allow this to keep happening? Why does Annie do this? What can I do to get her to stop??!
I have a few books that was suggested I read: the Other End of Leash, How to Speak Dog, Culture Clash, & On Talking Terms with your Dog.
I have them on order but in the mean time will continue to keep both Annie & Hunterr in their “own” area.
Sorry this is so long – but any suggestions would definitely help all of us.
Thanks,
Linda, Annie & Hunterr