Posted by Doreen Simpkins on February 25, 2009, 6:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Old dog aggression"
Hi Jane,
I have just read your second post which answers some of the questions I was going to ask, about where the dog had come from, it's history etc, all of which can have an impact on behaviour. Obviously if you had the chance to get the dogs interacting on neutral territory things might have played out differently but behaviour can always be adapted and the dogs supported to overcome problems.
A dog of eight is only middle aged, not "old", it would be so depressing to just dismiss any chance of progress because of age! It sounds as though your mum's dog has been quite stressed and in some ways neglected, and it takes time and patience to overcome that. Would your mum be willing to consider any input from a Tellingtom Touch specialist? Tellington Touch is a system of hand movements, hand slides, and also groundwork, as well as calming bandages which helps the dog slow down, relax and de stress. I have details of books on my web site
( www.haveahappyhound.co.uk)which can be used by owners interested in knowing more how to learn the basic moves, which are very beneficial... and effective.
Is it possible to try the dogs on leads, and go for short walks, even in the garden with the handlers together, and the dogs on the outside? That way the dogs are not going "head on" to one another, and are far enough away from one another for the handlers to remain in control in a way it is "de-sensitising them... but in a supportive way. That can be tried for a while, with the aim of eventually them being able to be in close proximity without aggression. Looking at the diet can als identify if there are any health reasons behind the behaviour because the health and behaviour of dogs is affected by the quality of diet... just like us humans! Hope that helps. Let us know how things go.
Regards,
Doreen Simpkins
--Previous Message--
: Hello Jane,
: Thanks for your question. I would strongly
: disagree that you 'can't teach an old dog
: new tricks' - it might just take a little
: more patience. What actually happens with
: other dogs? Is she 'aggressive' both on and
: off the lead? What have you tried, if
: anything? Is she spayed, and if so, do you
: know when?
: The Sue Clothier article on my website might
: suggest some reasons.
: Sorry to answer your question with more
: questions, but to do something about this we
: need to try to understand what and why it is
: happening.
: Best wishes,
: Imogen
: PS I put 'aggressive' in inverted comas
: because this is a human interpretation and
: might not be accurate; oh, and an 8 yr old
: dog is hardly 'old' in my book.
:
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