Amanda K
31-07-09, 23:29
My boyfriend and I adopted an 8 year old miniature poodle mix named Curly last summer. The no-kill adoption place never told us about any dog aggression problems. When we were at the place he was fine with the other dogs around him.
Now a year later we cannot take him for a walk without fear of another dog being around. We can control him because he's only 14 lbs but it's embarrassing to hear the snarling and growling when we see other dogs.
What can I do? Should I pay the $85 for private lessons from the shelter he came from? Should I talk to the shelter about it and see if we can get a discount?
Or is there anything I could do at home such as talking to a friend with a dog and trying to introduce him to that dog? It seems like his aggression is over protecting me. So if I hold the friends dog and my boyfriend has Curly on a leash, with treats to reward for good behavior, would he settle down?
Sorry we are just in desperate need of help. We love our dog but we want him to be ok on walks and be able to go to the vet without freaking out.
He has snapped and even bit 2 other dogs so I doubt he is playing. The signs did not show up all of a sudden it's been a progression since we've gotten him and now it's just out of control.
Also he does have hypothyroidism and takes a daily pill to help out with his thyroid levels. I wonder if that's the main cause.
Charles, I see what you mean about the thyroid. He is very lazy of course until we take walks. His levels are checked regularly and the vet says He's fine so i'm not sure about that. But thank you so much for all that advice it will really help! Thanks everyone else too :)
Now a year later we cannot take him for a walk without fear of another dog being around. We can control him because he's only 14 lbs but it's embarrassing to hear the snarling and growling when we see other dogs.
What can I do? Should I pay the $85 for private lessons from the shelter he came from? Should I talk to the shelter about it and see if we can get a discount?
Or is there anything I could do at home such as talking to a friend with a dog and trying to introduce him to that dog? It seems like his aggression is over protecting me. So if I hold the friends dog and my boyfriend has Curly on a leash, with treats to reward for good behavior, would he settle down?
Sorry we are just in desperate need of help. We love our dog but we want him to be ok on walks and be able to go to the vet without freaking out.
He has snapped and even bit 2 other dogs so I doubt he is playing. The signs did not show up all of a sudden it's been a progression since we've gotten him and now it's just out of control.
Also he does have hypothyroidism and takes a daily pill to help out with his thyroid levels. I wonder if that's the main cause.
Charles, I see what you mean about the thyroid. He is very lazy of course until we take walks. His levels are checked regularly and the vet says He's fine so i'm not sure about that. But thank you so much for all that advice it will really help! Thanks everyone else too :)