HELP: Titan lunged today and I almost lost it

[chuckorlando]

You dont get in their face when their wild. You do that before you ever get to the problem. If you see a guy you knows a problem, stop the dog and basicly hide the view. Or once the dog as been corrected, is in a sit and focused you can use it like your praising them. You have to stop the bad, start the good, before you praise

 

[ruby55]

I've read through this whole thread & there's one other factor no one has mentiond: YOUR fear of his reaction. Fear & nervousness seems to run right down the leash; I've seen it countless times with Bella. There are times when a dog approaches us with little to no manners, & I inadvertently put MY alarm up before Bella has a chance to react. She will always duck behind me, & hide from the dog.
You mentioned that Titan doesn't like this guy; could you have accidentally sent signals down the leash to him? Please don't misunderstand me; I'm not criticizing you. You've done an amazing job with a big dog that has problems. But could you have aniticipated his reaction, thereby reinforced his fears?

 

[chuckorlando]

good point.

 

[xtrain]

If Titan was a rescue, and he doesnt like men then he most likely was abused by a man in the past. We had a Great Dane when I was young. My parents adopted him from a young lady who's boyfriend was abusive to him. It took a VERY long time for him to move forward enough just to trust my dad. (Dad and Dane was living together 24/7) It was so bad that even with just a little "horseplay" all my mom had to do was let out a little scream/yipe and Blackjack would breakdown the door leading into the house from our entryway, grab my dad by the foot, and drag him off the couch. He had his issues with men (all men in general) but was an awsome dog.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I've read through this whole thread & there's one other factor no one has mentiond: YOUR fear of his reaction. Fear & nervousness seems to run right down the leash; I've seen it countless times with Bella. There are times when a dog approaches us with little to no manners, & I inadvertently put MY alarm up before Bella has a chance to react. She will always duck behind me, & hide from the dog.
You mentioned that Titan doesn't like this guy; could you have accidentally sent signals down the leash to him? Please don't misunderstand me; I'm not criticizing you. You've done an amazing job with a big dog that has problems. But could you have aniticipated his reaction, thereby reinforced his fears?

OH yah, good point. They DO read your reactions and feed off them....

 

[Geisthexe]

I've been working on stopping Titan's lunging towards men and other dogs. This morning while walking, the maintenance guy was at the dumpster. I saw him and stopped Titan and stood in front of Titan. We said good morning to each other and Titan heard his voice. He pulled in front of me and wanted to run to the guy. He did one bark. I told Titan to leave it, which usually works, but didn't this morning. He continued to pull and pulled me with him. I finally got a hold of his collar and pulled him in front of me and told him to sit. I had to tell him 3 times to sit, which he did on the 3rd attempt. The poor guy is already afraid of Titan and he saw that Titan pulled me towards him.

Ok first off what kind of collar are you using?
Do you have Obedience on this dog?
If so, how well does he know his commands?
How many times does it take you to say (ex: Sit?)

After Titan was in sit and maintenance guy left, we continued to walk. I told Titan he was a bad boy and when we returned to the apartment he immediately went into his crate.

I have to know did you put the dog in the crate b/c he was in trouble or you were frustrated?
What was your point to tell a dog he was a bad boy? again you just frustrated?

Black man

Many dogs have an issue with a different race, The reason is b/c different races have different chemistry smell. (Please anyone who reads this I am stating this about ALL races. So it is NO disrespect to anyone on the board or outside this board)
Perfume, Cologne, Oils, etc can also set off a dog. The reason is b/c our chemistry is something dogs need to sniff hence why there head goes "blank!"
But when you put something on like a perfume and it does not blend well with our chemistry, we think it might smell good but a dog will not ..they can react to it w/o knowing why the dog is reacting.

When I see a man approaching us, I make Titan sit and look at me. I tell him it's ok and to look at me. This works 95% of the time.

When he continues to watch the person or continues to want to get the person, I know that something could be wrong with the person. I then move Titan away and we both leave the area as Titan and I continue to watch him.

I only use his muzzle when we go on play dates to meet a new dog or go to the vet.

He usually lunges at any man if they are within 10 feet of us, especially if they talk to me or Titan or stare at Titan. I will ask the person to please ignore us and Titan will calm down after we move away from the person.

They both are terrified of Titan because of his size. Could he be sensing their fear that is causing him to lunge at them?

Muzzle, why do you put a muzzle on this dog for other dogs and vet?

Why do you try to move the dog away? Why not ask the man to move so you can keep control?

Yes, the men could be nervous but hun with all you have explained so are you. When you throw off your nerves it will also put the dog into a state of fear aggression and now the problems come.

If Titan was a rescue, and he doesnt like men then he most likely was abused by a man in the past. We had a Great Dane when I was young. My parents adopted him from a young lady who's boyfriend was abusive to him. It took a VERY long time for him to move forward enough just to trust my dad. (Dad and Dane was living together 24/7) It was so bad that even with just a little "horseplay" all my mom had to do was let out a little scream/yipe and Blackjack would breakdown the door leading into the house from our entryway, grab my dad by the foot, and drag him off the couch. He had his issues with men (all men in general) but was an awsome dog.

Xtrain I am only quoting you but what you posted is not always correct. Not coming after you just gonna use your post to explain.

Abuse to an animal doesnt always come to hate b/c it is a different sex. I will give one example: I rescued a Great Pyrenees who was beaten by a black man, he was tied to a tree and beaten, when I got him he had to go into surgery b/c his collar (2" thick nylon) was embedded in his neck. He never went after a black man, he did though go after dogs as he was dog aggressive (not there temperament at all) so not sure if he had this before or after I received him.
Now dogs can choose a human sex they like better then the other. I have seen many dogs be this way.
We had a lady who rescued Great Danes (not going after the breed) she has one that had to be brought into the hospital put in the door and hold it there so the vet could tranquilize him, he completely hated men. Was never beaten, or abused in any way. The owner had to put it into rescue b/c she was very ill. Long story!

Anyway just making a understanding point.

Deb Ii need some of the questions answered so I an answer for you like you asked me too. I want to help you get this problem under control

 

[JacksTheDog]

I agree with Geisthexe here sounds like you need to reinstall Titan with solid level of obedience you should not look to products to help you manhandle your dog better that is not the control a dog owner should strive for. I also agree that dogs do not always develop PTSD the way we do and have embedded fears of one sex verses the other etc.... ( I think it can happen just not a given). You need to look at yourself and ask yourself am I in the right mindset when one of these situations occur? Do I radiate confidence and authority to my four legged friend? Dog control starts with self control (do not want to offend by implying you do not have this, just stating). Titan needs to be assured and understand that you dictate the situation you are the boss and if the boss says there isn't a problem then there isn't.

 

[chuckorlando]

Well to be clear, my suggestions have less to do with training and more to do with keep the dog and public safe untill the dog is manageable . If a dog is dragging you it aint good and god forbid the one collar slips his neck or your hand. Or even rips which is what started me on a dual lead to begin with, kona ripped one almost in half. I started with the harness as she slipped a collar over he head. I'm a believer when you have a dangerous dog you have a plan, a back up plan and a oh shit plan. Or you keep the dog locked away.

 

[Geisthexe]

Well to be clear, my suggestions have less to do with training and more to do with keep the dog and public safe untill the dog is manageable . If a dog is dragging you it aint good and god forbid the one collar slips his neck or your hand. Or even rips which is what started me on a dual lead to begin with, kona ripped one almost in half. I started with the harness as she slipped a collar over he head. I'm a believer when you have a dangerous dog you have a plan, a back up plan and a oh shit plan. Or you keep the dog locked away.

TO MAKE CLEAR NOT ATTACKING YOU JUST GIVING ADVISE ON WHAT YOU JUST STATED.

First off to have the level of control you need obedience that is a FACT.
When you have a dog that has issues you need to get them under control and we all know teaching a dog obedience is the key .. Also let me say this obedience comes in layers of things to teach .. Of course our basics sit, down, stay etc but there is so much more when training a dog for it to learn. And again we all know this bc of the AMAZING THINGS DOGS DO FOR US.

So on a note of bringing up human for all to understand what I am saying ...

You would not take a child who was locked in a basement into the public and expect him to act like normal citizen without of some knowledge of how to act. We see it in our normal everyday kids. We take them places have they make you upset for whatever reason. So we correct that so they act like we would want them too.

But if you take this child (abused) give him basics
- ABCs
- Basic reading
- How we properly act
- What is expected
Then we have TAUGHT aka TRAIN the child to understand and be able to move thru life.

You can NOT expect anything less of a dog. To many people forget it's an ANIMAL. We must maintain a level of control, dominance, and knowledge of what the animal can do.

So again by doing the following ...
- Basic Obedience
- Know the issues in hand (create a command on how NOT to do)
- Learning how you respond to situations
- Learning how to over comes your fear or insecurity of the situation

You can see a VERY BIG DIFFERENCE in the dog, yourself and others around you.

AGAIN TO MAKE MYSELF CLEAR NOT ATTACKING YOU!!

 

[chuckorlando]

I dont disagree with anything you said. But nothing you said will help her today. She has a process that could take a while. So today she needs to do what she needs to do to keep her, the dog, and the people walking safe. Even if you only walked the dog in a field 100 miles from anyone, you still have to get to the car

 

[Kate Williams]

We use a harness as well. Hank isn't an overzealous guy and his strike zone is six feet, when I have him without my husband present. If Russ has him it's nil. He reacts to the alpha male in a very respectful manner. I had him lunge when my ex-father in law approached to hug me. Hank had never met him.He wasn't happy about the situation and he lunged and snapped. I put him in sit and I did the face to face thing. I kept him straight but that's how I learned the six feet rule with him. No men in my space without Russ present. I've also found, if Hank doesn't like someone and I mean really doesn't like them, then there is a reason. He can sniff out a person on meth and he goes mean. I guess leaking jet fuel and draino from your pores is a bit of a pet peeve of his. Even when with my husband he lets him know the 411 and we removed ourselves from the situation. Either way, don't let it stress you out. He can feel your confidence as well.

 

[Geisthexe]

You do not need to take the dog on a walk while training the dog in Obedience. I never walk my dogs, bc when I train we are heeling, turning, returning etc so brain, muscles, joints etc are all be stimulated and used.

We all think different on this but I even tell my students that have issue dogs .. Walk after you have full control.

So it's one choice to figure out problem, get it under control & you fill comfortable with all applies
Or
You can walk and deal with the situation in hand & frustrate your one self in the problems

 

[musicdeb]

Thank you all for your input and guidance. Deb, I will answer your questions later this afternoon after I return from my appointment. Lots of things to think about from the posts.

I thought I had Titan under control but yesterday showed me otherwise. We walked this morning and 2 people (a woman and a man) passed us on the other side of parking lot and he ignored them. A black guy came out of one of the buildings to get into his car, Titan saw him and ignored him.

Everyone is right, after yesterday, I tensed up when we saw people. It's probably 95% me and 5% Titan.

I want to help Titan and myself to get this whole situation under control. I will do whatever it takes because Titan is a part of my family and I will not abandon him.

 

[ruthcatrin]

You do not need to take the dog on a walk while training the dog in Obedience. I never walk my dogs, bc when I train we are heeling, turning, returning etc so brain, muscles, joints etc are all be stimulated and used.

We all think different on this but I even tell my students that have issue dogs .. Walk after you have full control.

So it's one choice to figure out problem, get it under control & you fill comfortable with all applies
Or
You can walk and deal with the situation in hand & frustrate your one self in the problems

Musicdeb lives in an apartment, since I don't think she wants to clean up after Titan inside some walks are required regardless.....

 

[Geisthexe]

Musicdeb lives in an apartment, since I don't think she wants to clean up after Titan inside some walks are required regardless.....

Thanks for pointing her out but I made a general statement of walking a dog not stating her in general

 

[ruthcatrin]

Thanks for pointing her out but I made a general statement of walking a dog not stating her in general

and I'm pointing out that you have options that many other people lack, so as a "general statement" it frankly fails.

 

[Geisthexe]

and I'm pointing out that you have options that many other people lack, so as a "general statement" it frankly fails.

Actually your incorrect I have students who live in apts and work there dogs w/o having to walk them.
But Ruth your right all I state fails but I left this post alone and I was personally asked to join and give my advice by the poster.
So thank you for your comment

 

[thelady_v2010]

Actually your incorrect I have students who live in apts and work there dogs w/o having to walk them.
But Ruth your right all I state fails but I left this post alone and I was personally asked to join and give my advice by the poster.
So thank you for your comment

What about going to the bathroom, though?

 

[Geisthexe]

You don't have to walk a dog to have it go potty.
One thing I train my students to do is train the dog to go potty on a leash & by command.

When I go to events I unload my dogs have them go potty on command and get into my event with them.

It makes traveling easier and rush mornings before work

 

[thelady_v2010]

You don't have to walk a dog to have it go potty.
One thing I train my students to do is train the dog to go potty on a leash & by command.

When I go to events I unload my dogs have them go potty on command and get into my event with them.

It makes traveling easier and rush mornings before work

I am working on that. He has PEE down, but not POOP, at least not 100%. But when I have him out in his spot on a leash, we always see people.