Q: dog problems

Answered by Bordterr on 4/26/2005, 9:47 pm

Q: dog problems

> i have a staffordshire terrior and she is very aggressive
> towards other dogs. What can i do to make her not so
> agressive? she also likes to destroy our things. What can i
> do to make her stop?
>

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Let's look at the destructive issue first. If "things" aren't available to her, or she is supervised so she doesn't have the opportunity to much more than thinks about it, you will be way ahead of the game. And some of it IS a game to her... things that are soft that she can grab and shake, and tear up and shake some more (soft toys, clothing, pillows, blankets), are a big game to her. Things she can chew on and grab and rip (upholstery comes to mind) are also a bit of a game. Chewing on furniture legs and arms, woodwork, and the siding on the house. and..... are more of a drive than a game. The kitchen garbage can is a freebie.

If she is confined to a crate when you are not available to supervise her, she is in a safe, secure place... For a dog as strong as an Am Staff, I prefer a heavy wire crate, not a lightweight version for puppy training. It only needs to be large enough for her to stand up, turn around and lie down.

To get her used to the crate and learn to like it will take some training. Nothing complicated, but food will help. Really good treats... 1/4 inch cubes of cheese or leftover meat from the fridge, or bits boken off a stick of jerky or Pupperoni.

Start by laying a short trail of the treats about 6-8 inches in front of the open crate door and all the way to the back of the crate, about 3 inches apart. Show her the goodies and encourage he to "get them". If she stops at the door to the crate, point to the rest of them and enourage her to get them. When she eats the last one and comes back out, that's fine. Now toss a treat into the crate and tell her to get it. Repeat this several times, praising her each time she goes all the way inside. Take a break. Next session, toss a dog biscuit (yeh, I know, it won't last two seconds) into the back of the crate, and when she goes inside, swing the door closed but not latched. She'll push it open and come out, and that's fine. Next time, close and latch the door, but when she has eaten the biscuit, let her right out. Next time, leave her in there, with you right beside her, for a minute or two, then out. Feed her in her crate. When you are going to leave her in there for a while. she needs a puppy pacifier of some type to keep it special.

Some things you can use include; a Raw beef knuckle bone from the meat department of the supermarket (or the butcher shop if you live near one) (no, the bones you get at the pet supply store that are still greasy and have some tendon on them are are not safe, nor are cooked bones from any animal... they chip off long thin daggers that can do quite a bit of damage to the dog); the large size Galileo chew toys made by Nylabone (scuff a couple places on this weid looking chewy with a nail file to release the scent initially); other largest size chew toys by Nylabone (scuff them, too), and the black rubber round cone shaped with a hollow core chew toys by KONG... the size appropriate for her.

THe Kong toy is stuffed with goodies to make it a real pacifier. Mix any of the following with some peanut butter or squirt cheese - dry dog food, broken up dog biscuits, pieces of jerky or other softish dog treats, or chunks of raw carrot or broccoli stems. To make it last longer, freeze after stuffing. If there's anything inside when you come home to let her out (quietly , no drama or excitement), clean it out using a kitchen skewer, wash in top drawer of the dishwasher or in the sink, using a baby bottle brush.

It's best if someone can let her out to do her necessaries at mid-day, and put her back in. She will be safest in the crate at night, too... and happiest in somebody's bedroom.

In the yard, she needs to be supervised to prevent damage... and to prevent THEFT. Padlocks on all gates are strongly recommended.

Now... let's be realistic... this breed was not developed (as the American Pit Bull Terrier, until fairly recent years when the AKC gave a name-change to this branch of the family tree) to be sweetness and light with other dogs. Some are very friendly with other dogs. Your dog can Learn the behavior that you consider to be acceptable around other dogs. she doesn't have to like them. She does have to be polite to them. She does not have to play with them. This will take some work by both of you. It will also take working with a behaviorist with experience with dog aggression and/or working with an experienced dog obedience instructor who has experience with terriers and with Am Staffs and/ or Pits, specifically. Ask your vet for a referal. Do NOT go to a pet store dog training class. The space is Way too cramped, and the instructors lack both the necessary knowledge and skills to work with your dog.

The appropriate training is critical to your family's financial future. Too many people are just waiting for the opportunity for a law suit claiming she's a dangerous dog. The liability is humongous. You can loose your homeowner insurance and be forced to pay outlandish rates. And there's a mob out there, waiting to be whipped into a fury by the media to make sure that your breed and all related breeds are locally banned, and all owners, even responsible ones like you are, are turned into criminals. You cannot afford to Not get the right kind of training. ASAP.