Resource Guarding and Aggression strikes again.

[kbuchanan66]

Hey Everyone,

It has been a while since my last post and I need some advise yet again.

Yesterday morning something horrible happened. Barron (Rottweiler/Mastiff) attacked my in-laws 14 year old Spaniel Mix. Her injuries were a bite to the cheek and shoulder. Now I was not around(I was at work) and I am going off of what I was told by my Fiancé.

I was first told that he had attacked her for no reason at all (maybe in a humans perspective but canines are not humans)that she was just laying by the FIL chair and Barron attacked. Everyone involved (FIL, MIL & my Fiancé) all admitted a little later that not one of them saw anything leading up to the attack ( so no actual clue if there were body language indicators such as both dogs barring their teeth or body stiffening in warning) .My first question was if the Spaniel mix was ok and my 2nd was: was there anything around such as a sock, bone, treat? They admitted that there was a sock laying on the floor by Neeko (spaniel).

To me this indicates it was Barron's Resource guarding rearing its ugly head. He has NEVER actually full on attacked before but he has barred teeth and growled which we have been working on but now it seems perhaps we haven't been working on it hard enough.

My MIL pretty much went straight to "Euthanize him that could have been a child." My FIL "Don't put him down but he shouldn't be around any other dogs or children ever." My Fiancé does not want to put him down & feels defeated and embarrassed.

Me myself? I just feel SOOOO frustrated. Since the moment we got Barron I made it VERY VERY clear and apparent that there was a way we specifically had to train him and things were were not to do with him (like alpha roll, yell, rough play & put energy into him) as well as not fall away from his training because one day if something bad happened it would be Barron blamed because he is the "Big" dog and can do damage. He heard me talking but didn't listen and look where we are sitting today... I feel like I am the only sane person that looks from the dogs point of view and wants to help Barron. I am not saying what he did was justified at all but why is everyone's first thought is to euthanize?

Just to make it clear Barron is NOT being put down and we are going to take the full precautions and training to ensure this does not happen again. This includes Barron Never going to the in laws house again, not being off our property with out one of us present and our full attention given( FIL was notorious for going to our house and taking both our dogs to his house). Finding the proper trainer to help us with the resource guarding (again), Barron always being leashed when around other non-pack members, and not letting ANYONE influence the way we train our dogs (other than dog trainers). There is no way I am going to let Barron be set up to "Fail" again.

Does any one have constructive advise?

 

[musicdeb]

I'm sorry this happened. Thank goodness, you are constructively thinking.

You are taking the necessary precautions to prevent this accident again. I would advise a trainer who trains with positive reinforcement and have trained mastiffs. I would be hesitate to work with a trainer that automatically tells you that they will use an e-collar.

Please keep us posted on Barron's progress. Now that this has happened, everyone will remember this and be afraid that Barron may do it again. Barron will feel that fear and react accordingly. It was his first time, who knows what set him off.

 

[CeeCee]

I think you're on the right track. Everyone acknowledges that they weren't paying attention so you will never know what was really happening. Again, you are absolutely right, it's our responsibilities to make our dogs successful and if your extended family members can't shoulder that responsibility, they should not be allowed to take Baron out when you are not around.

As for your MIL, dismiss her. It's an ignorant (as in lacking information - not name calling), knee jerk reaction.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but you're absolutely right, if anything goes wrong, it will be "Baron's fault" and the potential consequences are too high.

For my dog loving, yet dog ignorant family, when I'm not around, no one besides my parents and my sister are allowed in my house (dogs or unknown humans - including my brother in law) there are too many nuances and they don't know the nuances of my dogs. Period.

Best of luck and please keep us posted.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I agree with CeeCee and Deb.

In addition consider training him to wear a muzzle when need be. While its still possible for a dog to injure another through the muzzle it will remove the chance of another bite. Its a simple precaution that may save his life, since the next dog owner may not accept you working with him as a solution.

I totally agree with him needing your full attention when non-pack are present and when off your property. It'll suck in alot of ways. It'll mean not taking him places as much as you used to. And maybe crating him when you have company. But again, it could save his life.

And its time for a long conversation with your fiance. Hopefully this has given him something to think about and he'll be more willing to work with you now.

 

[krisx]

I think your arguments are sound. Just stick to them and do what it takes to keep your dog safe, if you need to hurt a few egos&tender feelings do it.

My family is also full of misguided 'wisdom' ...

 

[Sinnister]

If he's never showed aggression or resource guarding towards a human I wouldn't worry. Yes, you train out of it but both of the parent breeds may or may not tolerate other dogs.

Again, if he's growled, bared teeth, or shown body language of resource guarding/aggression towards humans then I would say the situation is very serious and stepping up his training or perhaps a new strategy is in order, if this represents and escalation.

 

[NeSaxena]

I'm so sorry to hear this! BUT, it looks like you're on the right track, and I know you'll do everything right for Barron.

I wish there were more folks like you and your fiance and less like (I'm sorry) your in-laws. I hate it when people's first reaction is to euthanize! I've asked people back - If your kid hit or bit someone, would you put him down?

 

[kbuchanan66]

Thank you everyone. It's going to be slow going but we are dedicated. We re-introduced the crate to Barron and is going well. It's a simple "in" and "laydown" as well as a " wait" for those instances where we want him in the crate but not locked in.

He now sleeps in the kennel at night as well as goes in there when we can't fully pay attention to him. As of right now he has only resource guarded once for a split second but I was able to I guess you could say call him off..or I guess verbally stop him. I used a simple "agh" and asked for him to "come" which he obeyed. It wasn't over a food item or you but kind of myself I think. I was petting him and our lab walked up and Barron wrinkled his lip and groaned not really a growl at all.

I have been feeding him and our lab side by side and except for 1 or 2 looks/glances we haven't had an issue. No growl, wrinkled lip or staring. The cats have even walked by and again only glances which if he watches to long I tell him to "look " so he looks at me and usually forgets them. He is also on a strong NILIF program, even for lovings and attention.

At the moment in order to work on only a couple things at a time I took away all sock like, rope toys as well as bones away. He has some balls left which we have never and still don't have any issues with around our pack . Eventually when ready I want to see if he will share or tolerate non pack with "his" ball. Fully supervised and on leash of course I will also most likely have a trainer there when ready for those steps.

The fiancé definitely had an eye opener and has been working with myself and getting more strict in the training aspect. He understands now what I have been saying all this time. The in laws have very limited time with him at the moment. They see him and pet him but only if they are following our rules and one of us are present.

I will most definitely keep you updated! If you have any more training tips or advice please let me know!