The dogs are now going at it almost every day, with Murphy instigating every time, and I can’t take it anymore! We called Bark Busters about 2 weeks ago and are in the midst of checking references for our local BarkBusters pro, but after this morning, I don’t even care anymore. I need help NOW.
It’s gotten so that almost every mealtime is a fight, every toy is a fight, every treat is a fight. Murphy is NOT a mean dog, so I just don’t understand what is happening to him! It’s at the point that I am just resigned to needing stitches in the near future because I have to break them up so frequently. I have started wearing a referee’s whistle around my neck to blow when they start going at it, because that startles Murphy enough that he pauses momentarily and I can get between them and pull him out.
I called “Dave” the dog guy today and left what I feel is an embarassingly desperate plea for his first available appointment in January. Cost be damned, I will not live like this anymore, and putting this dog down or giving him away is not an option. I know it can be fixed — I just don’t know how to do it.
And I still can’t understand how sometimes, like in this picture, they can be the best of friends and the others Murphy is intent on ripping Ty’s face off. It makes no sense. I’m at a loss.
Hi Kristen,
Sorry to hear about the problems you are having with Murphy. I think you’re smart to call in a behaviorist asap. Just a word of caution–I have heard some negative things about Bark Busters (using intimidation instead of positive reinforcement), so you may want to ask the trainer in your area what kind of methods he uses before you shell out the big bucks (I looked into them when I needed help with my dog’s separation anxiety). You might also want to check out Companion Animal Behavior (http://www.petbehaviorist.com/pages/CONSULT.html) and Peaceable Paws (http://www.peaceablepaws.com/pages/services.asp).
I’ll throw out a disclaimer here: I’m not an expert, just a dog owner and foster parent who’s been reading and learning about dog behavior for a few years now. I don’t mean to sound like a know-it-all; I don’t know everything you’ve tried or are already doing.
Murphy is resource guarding, and it sounds like he’s taking his frustration (of not being able to eat Ty’s food or take his toys) out on you. Forcing a dog into submission can make the problem worse, as can punishing a dog for growling. Basically, the dog learns it’s bad to growl, so next time (or eventually) he’ll just go right to biting. Until you can get help from an expert, you may want to feed the dogs separately–in crates or in different rooms. Remove the dog toys and bones. Make Murphy–and all the dogs–EARN their food, attention, walks, etc., by having the dog sit, stay, lie down, or whatever *first*. This approach is called Nothing In Life Is Free, or NILIF.
Dogs live in the moment, so that would explain why Murphy’s biting Ty’s face one moment and then cuddling with him the next. They don’t hold grudges like we do. :)
Finally, here are some books I highly recommend:
Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
Leader of the Pack by Patricia McConnell
Both authors have published additional books, and I believe McConnell has one on managing a multi-dog household. Culture Clash can be frustrating to read to an editor/writer because of the way it’s organized, but the information Donaldson presents is invaluable and really helps you understand why dogs do what they do.
I hope this information is helpful. Good luck, and I’ll be checking your blog for updates!
Beth
http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB722
Hi Kristen, You are so right, you do need professional help. I have 5 dogs – two big, three small, and I have learned the hard way that getting in the middle of a fight is NOT the answer (hospital, massive bleeding and IV antibiotics – for me, that is). Until you can get a pro, try those soft muzzles, or even the plastic ones. It is not a permanent solution, but until help arrives, it will allow you to relax because they won’t be able to go at it. Just DO NOT get in the middle. My intervention was with the small dogs, and I was the loser; with mastiffs you could have your face ripped off. Believe me, when they get into it, they don’t even know you are there, and will mindlessly go after you. Good luck.
“Culture Clash” is a great book. Jean Donaldson is the director of the dog training academy at the San Francisco SPCA, which publishes a list of its alumni of professional dog trainers. There are several in Virginia:
http://www.sfspca.org/academy/referral.shtml
I personally would try one of these trainers first, because you know they’ve had formal training and that the training is based on positive reinforcement.
When I lived in Colorado, there was only one dog trainer in the small town I lived in. Two of my friends took their dogs to her, and both of them (a chocolate Lab and a great dane) “graduated” with worse aggression problems. The great dane later bit an old man with a cane — pretty much a dog owner’s worst nightmare, I think. So I know that taking your dog to a bad dog trainer can be worse than not taking him at all.
Keep us posted!
Hi Kristen,
I know this is an old-ish post, but if you haven’t found a good solution yet, something that you might want to ask your trainer about is using a Gentle Leader. I bought one for my Lab about two years ago and put it on him whenever he starts getting a bit bossy (which isn’t too often anymore, but initially, was very often). It doesn’t hurt him, and I don’t walk him in it, but just let him wear it around the house for an hour or so until he’s settled down. Whenever I take it off him, he’s always considerably less brutish.
Anyway, when I did all the research into it way back when, it seemed like a pretty decent approach, and it’s worked for me. (But, again, check with your trainer because dogs are all such different characters :-).)
Good luck!
Jessica