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Advice Needed for Aggressive Dog
My in-law's 8 year old Labrador Retriever/Pyrenees mix, viciously attacked their daughter in-laws dog-also a Lab mix who is 5 months old. It's not the first time it happened so the dog was being watched, the 5 month old pup may have antagonized.
He's 8 years old and not fixed(I'm guessing he didn't need to be?). I think the aggression mainly comes from that but some people say it's too late even if you neuter at his age he'll still be aggressive.
In the past few years, but only since then, they said he has been harming & killing farm livestock as well as going after visitor's dog & farm dogs as well as cats. For the past few months he's had to be on rope, but is being worked with(animals& children) & moved around frequently. As a family dog of that long, watching over the property and scaring away coyotes &wolves as well as being a family pet, they need a proper option. Adopting out(even safe if he's a killer?), euthanasia, other options? Any advice would be appreciated.
Asked by
Guest 068798
on Sep 24th 2009
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in Other Adoption & Rescue
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Answers
Pyrs are often other dog aggressive if not heavily socialized with dogs...They are bred to kill predators & what is another dog after all?
I think the only shot, at his age, is neutering as it is too late to socialize him heavily.
As far as him hurting & killing livestock it may be very well that he is a mix...It is NEVER a good idea to use a Pyr mix that isn't mixed with another LGD breed as a livestock guardian...It usually doesn't work!
As far as adoption I see no reason why not as long as they are aware he is other dog aggressive & will not guard efficiently...As long as he is not people aggressive I see no reason he can't be re-homed with someone willing to work with his short comings.
Pippin CGC
answered on 9/24/09.
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Neutering at any age will most likely do little to change behavior.
Can you give any details about this case of aggression? What goes on when he displays aggression? Does he seem to be resource guarding (protecting possessions?)
Was the puppy bothering him? If so, it may not be the dog's fault. If he was taken from his mother as a puppy before learning the right inhibitions, he may not have learned how to deal properly with an ornery puppy. Also, at five months, the puppy is at an age where he can be taught manners in a more harsh, for lack of better word, way. When the 8 year old Lab is bothered by him, he is teaching the puppy to respect other dog's space. This article touches that somewhat:
www.kennelcity.com
There are also some excellent training/behavior articles on this site, which requires free registration:
flyingdogpress.com
Look specifically for an article titled "He Just Wanted to 'Say Hi!'".
Locating a good behaviorist/trainer would also be a goo move.
Burkett's Cookies 'n' Creme
answered on 9/24/09.
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Legally if it can be shown the dog is killing farm animals, the owners will be held responsible for the costs to replace them. Family pets are another story because they hold more than a monetary value. The liability for the family is huge. They could lose homeowners inssurance if they know a dog is dangerous and keep it anyway.
God help them if the dog bites a human.
I hate, hate, hate, to say this - put the dog down.
Snickers
answered on 9/24/09.
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