Dangerous Dog Advice - big dilemma for a dog lover...

[Roverjoe]

Big dilemma here -

I found an intact male Rott near my warehouse. This warehouse is completely in the ghetto. The dog is about 2 yrs old, was nearly dead, completely starved & dehydrated. Over the past 2 weeks we've brought him back to health and he's been wormed, shots, bathed, fed, etc...

My problem with this dog is that he is getting healthy but at the same time much more aggressive. First I thought that it was just food aggression and started working with him on this. But now he is becomming aggressive towards me & my wife. I'd say 80% of the time he is just the sweetest dog ever, but then something in him just snaps and he goes nuts. There is no doubt in my mind that he would lash out and bite someone if given the chance. I just don't see this dog ever reaching the point where he is fosterable unless an enourmous amount of time is spend on socializing & training him.

Last night he really scared me. He stays in our sunporch most of the time because of an incident with my male Shepherd. We have 2 G Shepherds - male/female. The porch has french doors so I can see what he is doing from the house. He was in the room all by himself growling and snarling at the wall. When I tapped on the glass he locked eyes with me and lunged at the door barking and snarling, full teeth out. He scared the crap out of me.

In all my years in dealing with Shepherds I have never seen a dog that goes from one extreme to the complete opposite.

I didn't think that I would ever say this about an animal, but I don't think I can help this guy. Putting him down may be the only option at this point.

What do you think?

 

[KevinNY]

Poor guy has been abused or you wouldn't have found him like that. I would think you need some professional help with his behavior. It may be surprisingly easy to correct by someone who really knows what they are doing. Don't show him your fear and be his boss but get some help, you saved him death once already and it would be a shame to see him go to a shelter and be put down.

 

[Eric N.]

Was the dog tested for rabies? That could explain it's violent mood swings. If rabies then things will only certainly get worse. Aside from the pound you could also try looking for a rott rescue and see if they will come get him...

Also, the pro help isn't a bad idea if you really plan on keeping the dog although finding a real "pro" isn't always easy.

 

[simon]

it doesn't look like a pure Rotty but that's not the point, get help from a prof. before he gets big enough to kill you.

s.

 

[Ron]

Bring him to my place. Puppy will straighten him out.

Actually just getting him fixed will probably help 90% of the issues.

 

[bdog]

You need to show him your the alpha male of the house. He's been neglected and likely abused, so he needs some guidance. He needs to know behavior like that won't be tolerated, put him on a choker chain while in the house and practice what he just did. You be in the room with him and have someone tap on the glass and try to get a reaction. Yank that chain while yelling at him "off", make him know you are in charge. It will take some time and correct training, but you should see improvments.

 

[Roverlady]

Get him fixed. Keep him away from your Shepherds (could be a jealousy/dominance issue) and call around about finding either a professional to take him as a project or a rescue group that will work to retrain him. If he's young enough, he can probably come out of it once he feels safe and trusts someone again. But he was brought into your house when he was vulnerable and now feels like he needs to establish his place in your pack.

HEY, Call Ceasar Milan! THE DOG WHISPERER!

 

[syoung]

I've seen professionals work with dogs like that and it works. Muzzle the dog and dominate him- put him off his feet and hold him down with you chest until he submits. One of my friends who trained police dogs used to use that technique on rescued dogs that were former crack house guards.
Don't ever use a voice command to correct behavior- then they expect to only have to use correct behavior when TOLD to.

 

[Randy]

What a lame response Ron, sheeesh.....puppy wouldn't hurt the fleas on her back!

Consider contact that guy in California, Cesar Millan, that works with Dogs, you know, the Dog Whisperer. Besides his commercial efforts with his TV show and the like he does alot of special rescue work on the side. If he can't help, maybe he can refer someone who can?

Good luck man, and I applaud you for your efforts and hope they work out for this guy.

 

[DJG]

I have has some similar experience taking in an abused dog. Acted very much the same and it took some real firm training and some professional help to get him back on track.

First....Think about it, if you were left for dead, starved, and probably beaten would you have some agression issues? 2nd-Don't make sudden movements towards him and don't look at his through glass windows or doors, shit even my black lab that I have had since she was 7 weeks will bark and growl at me when I look through the glass sliding door at her.

I think you will find that if you find a local trainer that has dealt with abused dogs they will offer some great advice and many times help for minimal $$ due to the situation. Remember people don't get into dog training unless they love dogs, so they want to help.

Lastley, I can guarantee you if you put some work into him, take care of him and train him he'll turn out to be the best dog you have ever had. I know mine is.... he's a completely different dog from what he was when we took him in. Good luck and good work.

 

[Roverlady]

Way to read my post RANDY!

 

[Roverlady]

PS, I saw one of my old riding trainers this weekend...she had a Corgi named Stuart that died two years ago, she has just recently rescued two. One from a shelter (looks a little like the one of yours with a tail) and one they found wandering through Towson, MD starved and mangey. She's a black tri and adorable!

 

[merrion13]

I agree with the previous posters that first of all you should get him neutered. This will help with the aggression, but you should also consider contacting a rescue organization that specializes in Rotties...in Ohio there is the Ohio Rottweiler Rescue and the R.E.A.L. Rottweiler Rescue. Someone at those organizations may be willing to train the dog and make him safer around people. About 2 years ago I rescued a Doberman, and he had some aggression issues, but I can tell you now that he is the sweetest dog to everyone he meets and I get complemented on him all the time. The Doberman Rescue in Illinois was a very valuable resource in educating me about the breed and some of the issues I came across. Good luck!

 

[Matt Taylor]

If you're scared, you can't be alpha. He'll know you're scared.

He should always eat after you're finished eating.

He should never walk into a door before you do.

Etc, etc.

If you can't get to the point where you're not scared, you have to get help.

 

[Ron]

"What a lame response Ron, sheeesh.....puppy wouldn't hurt the fleas on her back!"

Actually puppy is banned from the dog park for attacking other dogs, usually rotties. She also took out my neighbor's shepard and lab who wandered over to my yard and tried to mix it up with fluffypup. Bit the shepard on the nose and the lab on the ass as it was running away. She may look cute, but she can hold her own, and she is stupid enough to try mixing it up with dogs she should not be fighting with. I am convinced she is part chow.

 

[Dredd]

This is stupid. Put the damn dog down, he's a liability.:banghead:
Is it worth it to risk having him hurt (or worse) a person???
There are TONS of dogs that need homes, if your conscience is bothering you, rescue one of them.
HB

 

[Roverjoe]

I hate to admit this but I sort of agree with Dredd.

I just don't have the time to spend hours & hours of training to make this poor dog not so dangerous. I saved his life, that was my intention. This isn't something where I can wait it out. I need a solution for this problem now. There are kids in the neighborhood and we like to have friends / family at our house. If this dog bites someone (which is very possible) I'm completely screwed. Animal control could easily take ALL of our dogs away from us which would absolutely destroy me. I've rescued dogs before, this guy does not currently fit into the category of a pet - he is more like a weapon.

shit! I can't believe that I'm actually thinking of calling animal control

 

[jimjet]

This is stupid. Put the damn dog down, he's a liability.:banghead:
Is it worth it to risk having him hurt (or worse) a person???
There are TONS of dogs that need homes, if your conscience is bothering you, rescue one of them.
HB

X2
The voice of reason.
i was going to say the same thing but thought id get flamed.

get rid of him ASAP.

its not worth the trouble.

you have a good heart for your good intentions
but it just aint worth the trouble.

jim

 

[Lucas]

I hate to admit this but I sort of agree with Dredd.

I just don't have the time to spend hours & hours of training to make this poor dog not so dangerous. I saved his life, that was my intention. This isn't something where I can wait it out. I need a solution for this problem now. There are kids in the neighborhood and we like to have friends / family at our house. If this dog bites someone (which is very possible) I'm completely screwed. Animal control could easily take ALL of our dogs away from us which would absolutely destroy me. I've rescued dogs before, this guy does not currently fit into the category of a pet - he is more like a weapon.

shit! I can't believe that I'm actually thinking of calling animal control

Take the time to locate and call a Rottweiler Rescue center. They will help you make a decision. You'll feel better, and may save the dog doing that then just dumping him at the local dog pound. I got my pit from a rescue center for pitbulls. These places are great and very helpful.

 

[Roverlady]

CALL A ROTTIE RESCUE PLACE> Someone might want to take the time/risk to work with him, since you did indeed save his life. I can't imagine saving a dog and then putting it down. If you can't keep it or can't take the risk (which I understand) then give it to someone who can and will.