Aggressive Dog? You Have 4 Options!

Disclaimer:  Names and breeds have been changed to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent.

We often get phone calls from distraught dog owners all over the United States whose dog is showing signs of aggression.  This can be anything from a snap over food to an actual bite history that has required multiple ER visits and medical attention.  These are tricky cases as nothing can be guaranteed. Dogs are living creatures and there are so many variables that can affect the success of any rehabilitation for this sort of problem.  The temperament - the true inside of the dog; the training, or lack of it; in addition to the owner's compliance and dedication.

"There are no hard and fast rules in dog training" - Captain Haggerty

There is one, however, almost hard and fast.  If a dog is showing signs of aggression before six months of age, it is usually a very bad sign.  Why?  Their hormones haven't elevated yet and they are still a bit on the young side for it to have become a learned behavior.   That tells us, the dog is inherently and potentially temperamentally unsound.

After six months of age, the behavior can be learned, the dog’s temperament and the hormonal factor. Usually, it is a combination of all of the factors.    The good news is if someone does become proactive when the dog is under six months and gets professional help, there is a good chance it can be turned around.  I have seen more than one young pup come into our training center and I think to myself, "If we don't get this dog where it needs to be, it needs to go back to the breeder".  Recently, we had one such dog.

We will call him "Rocket". "Rocket" is a three-and-a-half-month-old German Shepherd.  The owners brought him to training not realizing that he was an active breed that needs a job and lots of work to do.  Rocket was growling at them when they would go near his water dish or his toys.  I was a bit concerned as when we worked with him specifically on these it took him a while to back down and stop behaving so aggressively.  We discussed what they will need to do to make this work.  They hesitantly agreed that they thought that they would be able to do it but admitted sheepishly that it was more than they wanted when they picked up the cute bundle of fluff and love.

We marched through private lessons and while there were improvements in some areas, the biggest concern was aggression.  While it improved around toys and food, it was still an issue when he was drinking water.  Rocket came from a good breeder and had all of the makings of a good dog.  Breed, temperament, good-tempered breeding stock, correct socialization with the litter, spending enough time with the mother and litter, and dedicated owners.  The wife was increasingly afraid of Rocket. This was understandable.  Rocket was growing and he was certainly challenging her.  In some areas, there were signs of improvement and in others, not so much.

After another incident at home, they came in skeptical.  They were notably concerned and understandably so, I was concerned. I don't like seeing dogs at this young age showing signs of aggression and not backing down.  They decided to switch to our day school program.  I did agree that in day school, there would be more continuity and we can accomplish more in less time and it was the best option for success.  We did let them know that because we are dealing with an animal that there are no guarantees. They understood and they wanted to give her every chance at success before returning to the breeder.

We are usually booked a few weeks out but in the dog training world, the aggression we treat as an emergency.  We tried to get them in as soon as possible.  They were scheduled for two weeks out.  About a week before school was to start, the husband came in to talk to me. There was another incident. Usually, Rocket was challenging the wife and he had been able to control the situation.  In this incident he had difficulty and Rocket did bite him and broke the skin, while not requiring medical attention, it was alarming now that Rocket was not backing down from the husband either.  I, myself was becoming increasingly concerned.  I really didn't want to see the dog have to go back to the breeder. Who knows what would happen to Rocket?  Would these people never get another dog?  What about all of the money they spent?  I felt bad for their situation.  If we didn't get Rocket straightened out, everyone was going to lose.

"Always do what is best for the dog"

I knew that I had to either get Rocket to the point where he could be a trustworthy dog, one that didn't frighten those that cared for him and one that could keep his home. I really wanted him to keep his home and I wanted the owners to be able to keep the dog that they truly loved.  I also had to keep my emotions out of it.

"You can't save them all"

I heard my dad's voice once again.  There was a time when I was convinced he was wrong, but after decades of training dogs and their people, I now know that he was right.  I didn't want this to be one of the ones we couldn't save.  I have had German Shepherds for years and have a great fondness for the breed.

I took a deep breath and asked Rocket's dad to sit down.  "Look, you have four options.  And there are no guarantees."

Option 1:Keep him and do nothing

Option 2: Train Him

Option 3: Place Him/Return him to the breeder

Option 4: Put him to sleep

I told him that he needed to sit down with his wife and write a list of the pros and cons of each option.  Once they wrote the list out, they should put down the paper.  Get a good night's sleep and then in the morning, they would know the right answer.  It is the best way to make a logical decision and not an emotional one.

To get you started, let me give you some examples of the Pros and Cons of each decision. Do NOT limit your list to what I have outlined below.

Option 1: Pros - You keep the dog Con-the problem probably won't go away

Option 2: Pros-You will put forth a gallant effort to help the dog Cons-You may spend money needlessly

Option 3: Pros of Placing Him - You don't have to worry anymore about it.  On the flip side, you could still be sued down the road. Returning him to the breeder will give you the satisfaction of knowing that he is safe Con - You have no control over what the breeder does with him

Option 4: Pro - You don't need to worry that he will hurt someone or that someone will hurt him.  Con - You may feel guilty.

Owners have asked me over the years what I would do, my decision is not necessarily the right decision for someone else and owners need to make the decision that is right for them, not me, their neighbors, or their brother-in-law.  I am a trainer, I would most likely not find myself in the same situation with the same variables they have found themselves.

I have worked with owners who have elected each one of the options.   Those were the right decisions for them. I am not here to judge them or their decision.  Depending on the decision that they have made, I hope three things: 1.  I do the best that I can for them and their dog 2.  They make the right decision for themselves 3.  They do what is best for the dog.

Everyone that I meet in this situation BEFORE I take on their dog I tell them to write the list of pros and cons of each option. Sleep on it and the next morning, they will know their answer.  If you find yourself in this type of situation, I will share with you one of the best pieces of advice my dad ever gave me, "Go with your gut" and "Don't look back".