I'm so upset, I'm in tears.

[CoopersMom]

Cooper has been doing so well. There are two problems that we have. I thought I had him broken from getting on the sofa, but all day today he would get up on the sofa and if I tried to get him down, he would snap at me. Well tonight, he got up on the sofa and it was time for bed anyway so my husband tried getting him off the sofa. He bit my husband. Didn't break the skin, but there are marks. Before we took him from my Dad, he did bite my Dad for trying to shove him in the crate because my Dad couldn't get him in there. He did break the skin with my Dad.

If you try to put the pinch collar on him, he growls and snaps at you. If you try to get him off the sofa he really gets aggressive.

He's such a sweet dog other than these two problems. I am really concerned about this aggression though. I have never owned a dog that tried to bite me.

What do I do about this? Giving him up is just not an option.... I can't do it.

I'm crying buckets because the incident with my husband really upset me. I was so afraid he was really biting my husband. I had to talk my husband into taking him, so now I feel guilty.

I just don't know what to do.

I know this dog could be an absolutely wonderful pet, but this aggression is worrying me.

Help, any suggestions? I've searched the archives but I could not find anything that was close to my problem with Cooper.

Thanks, Cheri

[RSbunny]

Awww *huge hugz* to you...my mind is blank right now, but Deja will have some great ideas for you. What about getting an animal behaviourist in to help you guys individually? I know that they are expensive but it might be what you need to nip this in the butt. Linda will have fantastic advice but finding someone to help you out and can be there physically will be on her list I'm sure! Don't give up....you can get through this!

[Mallory]

I haven't yet read any of the replies, but I suggest going to Obedience Classes if you haven't already and when you get some time alone with the instructor, ask about how to handle the situation.

If Cooper has already gone through classes, I suggest you do it again with him, that way you make sure he knows who's Alpha.

Dry your tears! With determination like your's, you and Cooper will soon overcome this bump in the road ahead of you.

[Pure14K]

Oh no. I've never had to deal with an agressive dog either, so I don't have any suggestions, but this would be my #1 fear to do with dogs. Good luck

[CoopersMom]

I'm not working right now, I'm trying to get a home-based business off the ground and just the added expense for Cooper will bite (no pun intended) into our budget. However, we feel he is worth it. But there is no extra money for behavior training.

I am committed to this. I will do whatever it takes to make this work. My husband is such a sweety, he isn't mad about this, he even said that if Cooper really wanted to bite him, he could bite his hand off, but what I saw tonight I did not like at all.

I think I have to try to work with him without the pinch collar, he hates it, absolutely hates it.

As for the getting him off the sofa thing, I don't know what to do there.

What puzzles me, is he is so sweet. For Mother's Day, he stayed in the yard with us with my Mom, kids, grandkids, with no problems. He didn't jump on anyone or chase them. He was not aggressive at all. It's just when we go to put the collar on him (which is by the way one of the only ways to get him in his crate at night) and getting him off the sofa. All other times, he's a sweetheart.

Thanks, Cheri

[CoopersMom]

One other thing, the sofa thing is not his fault. From the time he was a puppy until now, he has been allowed to be on the sofa. He tore my Mom's up with his claws. So he naturally thinks he should be able to do it, it's just going to be finding a way to break this habit. That part isn't his fault but the aggressive behavior when we try to get him off really has me worried.

Thanks, Cheri

[Mallory]

Well like I said Cheri, you have determination. Just give it a day or so, maybe even a few more hours, and when the others sign on they'll have great advice and techniques to share with you!

The only thing I'd suggest now, ... I'm almost sure that he will never like the crate if you establish with him that it's a place he goes for time-out, a no-no, bad dog place. Try making it cozy in there, layer up some old blankets you don't mind giving him (ones that if he decides to shred, you won't have a cow! ) and and then put lots and lots of his toys in their, closer to the back to start off (until he'll at least step in it to get them)... Treats work AMAZINGLY for getting them to step in and realize that it's OK in there, oh and hey, it's even comfy to lay down on, heeey, I think I like it in here. Soon Cooper will realize that the crate is his special place, his little den... And dogs are den animals so it will be natural for him to take to it...

But don't use it as a time-out or any disciplinary tool. You don't want Cooper to think that the crate means he was a bad dog, otherwise, no wonder he doesn't like to sleep all night long in there, when he *thought* he was a good boy all day long!

Personally, I hate pinch collars... I think that the regular choke/training collar works just fine with the right technique. But, this opinion differs from person to person and I respect that.

Good luck with Cooper, I'm really glad that you've taken him in! He's a handsome boy!

[RSbunny]

ok well first of all keep him off the sofa for good...he is having dominance issues (by biting to say that he doesn't want off) and he needs to always know you guys are boss!!!! So no sofa, no sleeping on beds etc. Try getting him into his crate with treats....walk towards it calling him, telling him he is a good boy and continue to bribe him this way. Then when he gets close to the crate throw a few treats in there (or one big one broken up) and tell him to 'go find' Don't make him stay in there at first, just let him know he is in there, then he is out. He wasn't forced to stay at all!! do this at various times throughout the day and night. Of a night time say 'goodnight' every time and shut him in his crate. He will learn that 'goodnight' means he has to stay in there for a while. Do the goodnight thing when the last person is going to bed. The light can get turned off then and the house will be quiet...Cooper won't feel like he is mising out on anything)
Once he starts enjoying the 'go find' game (do it outside of the crate first if he won't do it at all, to get him to like the game) then you can start saying 'crate' when he is in there. Then he will associate the word 'crate' with being in his crate (simple hey!)...that way after some perseverance you can say 'crate' to Cooper and he will go there. You'll have to be patient. Biscuit (my dog..rescue, she's three) is perfect on her 'go to bed' now but it took me three months.
Also get his bedding out of the crate and get everyone to walk on it (your husband being first, he is the one that got bitten...therefore cooper thinks he is more alpha than your husband) and then you and the kids walk over it at the same time. This will tell cooper that you are all 'alpha.' I know it sounds silly but I had an aggressive dog and these things did help (He was really bad, with not much chance of improvement, so it was only in our last month together before euthanizing him that I did these little things to prevent him from attacking. He had genetic issues, not behavioural issues)
The crate should be a haven for him, not somewhere he is forced to go!

[CoopersMom]

Ok.. my bad. I have been using the crate as a time out when he misbehaves. So that makes sense. The problem is there have been three different homes that have had him, so each one made mistakes that have to be corrected.

I have tried the treats in the crate thing, he won't go for it. He won't go anywhere near it. One of the problems is that because my Mom and Dad are elderly, they had to keep him in the crate a lot so I think it has become a bad place for him. However, he has to be crated at night because he would destroy everything in the house.

Gosh, we have all made mistakes. Poor Cooper, he must be so confused.

So now I have to try to find a way to make him think the crate is a place of comfort. I feel bad now having used it as a time out.

What do you do when your dog needs a time out? Cooper is so big that the crate seemed like the only thing I could do.

I'm so sad right now. But I am committed and I love him and I'm going to make this work. Somehow I will.

Thanks, Cheri

[RSbunny]

When Biscuit is just too much and needs a time out I do make her go on her bed. I don't yell at her to do it...just tell her 'go to bed' and off she trots. She really only needs time out when visitors come over cause she gets so excited, so I make her go to bed until she has calmed down and then I'll call her out and let her say hello.
Is it at all possible to get another crate...that looks completely different to the one you have now? Set it up with new bedding, and toys and make it a real comfort zome for him!! A crate should be a safe haven, just like a kids bedroom! Somewhere they can go when they are out of their comfort zone too.
Biscuit was a dog that when we got her home she jumped straight on the lounge....a big no no in this household (my bf hates animal fur so we keep them out of the loungeroom all together) and I thought I would have a huge task on my hands. It took me a week!! I don't punish Biscuit for anything....I don't know what she was allowed to do before and I don't want to confuse her. All I did was get a treat, call her off the lounge (showing the treat to actually get her off!) and then praise praise praise for being such a good girl!!!
Try not to punish Cooper. He is a very confused dog. Try and ignore the bad things (that can be ignored) and praise praise praise the good! dogs want to please so if they are getting ignored they will change their behaviour. Obviously with the biting it needs to be addressed, you can't just let him bite!! Biscuit used to like to mouth me (her idea of playing)...after having an aggressive dog I wasn't so keen on the idea. So every time her mouth would go around my arm (she would start off gentle and then progressively get harder) I say 'no bite' quite loud. She now knows (she still tries to do it) that if I say 'no bite' she is to stop straight away. God forbid that cooper will bite again but if he does, or even mouths any of you, try yelping like a dog in pain....he will know he has hurt you...so yelp is then followed by a 'no bite.'
Bring Coopers crate into the loungeroom when you are in there....encourage him to lie in there while you guys are with him. If he gets in there, then get down and praise him and pat him and reward him!! don't start saying 'crate crate crate' over and over...he will learn that the first time it means nothing! Just encourage him with treats and praises and then if he gets in there say 'crate.' Is there any way you can lock him in the laundry or a room where he can't destroy anything of a night time for a while? You are going to take two steps forward, three steps back every day otherwise and conitnue to confuse him if he has to be forced into the crate every night.

[CoopersMom]

No where for a time out except the crate.

Thanks for your advice though.

Somehow we will figure it out....we have to.

Thanks, Cheri

[Mallory]

Aww, Cheri, don't feel bad! You didn't know! At least you're trying! And hey, you're doing all you can, even coming online and searching for advice! Looking for answers is the NUMBER ONE thing! Don't feel bad,... it's okay!

Yeah, Cooper is confused, but you know what, I'm glad someone like YOU is willing to work with him! Do you realize how many people just throw away their animals?? REALLY! Like GARBAGE! "Oh, this one smells too much, I'm too lazy to bathe him, lets just go and put him to sleep." Or even more to your understanding, "That dang dog just bit me! Let's go outside and beat him with a 2x4 and then set him on fire." Yes that really happened once. I read it on a Rescue site a few years back. The dog had bit the man's son. It wasn't the dog's fault. Neighbors saw the boy tormenting the poor dog!

I'm just saying, yeah it's probably going to be tough for a little while, but with effort like you're obviously putting forth, you'll be reaping rich rewards in the way of Cooper soon! Don't get discouraged, Cheri!

Uhmm.. oh yeah, as for a time out... I'm not totally sure if this is the most constructive idea, but if it's at all possible, put him on his lead and put him in a down-stay (laying) position. Then step on the lead close to the latch, by the collar, to hold his neck down. He'll probably fuss and wiggle free the first few times, but don't let him win. (Be careful though, if he gets aggressive, I wouldn't want him to bite you) Put him back down the same way. If you get him to tire out first and put up a dominance "fight" with him, he'll take this as a MAMA WON round.

[RSbunny]

Thay's ok! Glad to help! I leanr sooo much from having Nacho....if I can help anyone in any way I will.

wit the crate of a night time....if you have to force him in there, then once he is in there praise him!!!! "Good boy in the crate, cooper good boy".....then treat!!! Don't shut the door straight away if you don't have to....keep him in there but sit at the front of the crate and praise him and talk to him...then say 'goodnight', turn the lights out and go to bed! In the morning 'good boy cooper, good boy in your crate' treat, then let him out! Does he have a kong? You could give him one of those filled with peanut butter of a night time to take his immediate attntion away from being stuck in the crate all night! We used to do this with biscuit cause she would howl to get out at first (which would do once she stopped during the day, of a night time she needed to learn that she was in there for the whole time and we just ignored her and wouldn't let her out in the morning until she was quiet) He will also think it is a great treat!!!
Pull his bedding out of the crate during the day and get him to lie on it...praise praise praise when he does!!! He might not hate the whole thing so much of a night time if he starts to find comfort in his bedding!

[Formula86]

just a little note...

i give penny time outs in my bathroom. the point is to seperate them from the action, not confine them in a tiny place. penny hates it. she may bark, but i never let her out when she does. she has to learn to be quiet before i let her out. you could do that.

but keep in mind that there are other ways of punishing a dog. I DON'T MEAN ANYTHING ILLEGAL! of course you know that. but every dog has something that it hates. maybe tying (sp?) his leash to a table and making him stay there for a while (5 min or until he calms down). see, penny hates confinment, so it works for her. chaquita would just freak out, so yelling at her works (cause she aims to please, while penny doesn't..haha). find out what works.

btw - about the couch...make it unpleasant for him to go on it. if he goes on or is starting to, shake a can of pennies REALLY hard and yell "off!". put some foil paper on the couch for a little while (dogs don't like it). make it a bad thing that he won't WANT to do. if he still wants to do it, he probably will.

you are a great person for helping him! good luck and keep us posted!

[CoopersMom]

Carmen wrote:

wit the crate of a night time....if you have to force him in there, then once he is in there praise him!!!! "Good boy in the crate, cooper good boy".....then treat!!! Don't shut the door straight away if you don't have to....keep him in there but sit at the front of the crate and praise him and talk to him...then say 'goodnight', turn the lights out and go to bed! In the morning 'good boy cooper, good boy in your crate' treat, then let him out! Does he have a kong? You could give him one of those filled with peanut butter of a night time to take his immediate attntion away from being stuck in the crate all night! We used to do this with biscuit cause she would howl to get out at first (which would do once she stopped during the day, of a night time she needed to learn that she was in there for the whole time and we just ignored her and wouldn't let her out in the morning until she was quiet) He will also think it is a great treat!!!
Pull his bedding out of the crate during the day and get him to lie on it...praise praise praise when he does!!! He might not hate the whole thing so much of a night time if he starts to find comfort in his bedding!

Carmen this sounds like an excellent idea. Crouching in front of the crate and not closing the door right away and then praising him and giving him a treat. I will try that tonight. What is a Kong?

Cooper was restless last night. I guess all the drama upset him too poor thing, so he kept me awake until 4:00 this morning then I got up when he woke up at 7:00. He was so sweet, I can't be upset with him, this isn't his fault.

This morning, before my husband left for work, I cried again and told him that I am so sorry that he had to go through that last night. He told me that it is ok and that it will be ok. He said that we have to remember that we've only had Cooper for a few days. He said that the longer we have him and stick to our guns he believes that Cooper will do a lot better. I have such a sweet husband, I'm truly blessed. I think a lot of men would have said "the dog goes" after last night.

So between the loving support and encouragement I have received from all of you and my husband, I do feel positive that these are issues that we can and will overcome.

Thank you everyone, it means so much to me to have you to come to.

Have a wonderful day!

Cheri