Rescued dog snapping?

Question

I recently adopted an old Boxer from a shelter. He was abandoned by his previous owners. As expected, he is a well educated, friendly dog, but with some small issues determined most likely by his sad experiences. He snapped at me when I tried gently grabbing him by his collar to take him to bathroom for a bath and also at my boyfriend when he tried taking him away (again by the collar) from a restaurant's kitchen where he went "uninvited". I also heard him growl whn I tried reachin a bag he wanted to lay on top. I intend to keep the dog, putting him down is out of the discussion, but I want to have a dog who wouldnt bite me or snap at me. I know I should grab him gently by the scruff and tell him "no" in loud voice, I also known the theory about alpha individual and teh pack but I am afraid to do that as he might bite me and I dont wnat that. So I cant grab him by the scruff or take him by the collar and put him in a room alone for half an hour or something because I am afraid.

Answer 1

Well, if you want to work with the dog but are afraid of being bitten, you can always try a muzzle. Just a tip.

Much luck to you. =)

Answer 2

Whatever you do, DO NOT grab your dog by the scruff of the neck!!! For any reason!!! It almost sounds like your poor dog has some "baggage" he brought with him from a previous life. He may have been dragged, or man-handled in some way in the past. And he has not forgotten.

First, it may take your dog some time to trust you in that way. You wouldn't want a stranger touching you, either.

The best way to work through this is to recognize his "hot" buttons, ie; his aggressive response to having his collar grabbed, and anything else physical that you notice. Don't do those things with him at all. If you want to lead him somewhere, even in the house, put his leash on, something he is familiar with, and lead him where you want him to go. It will make him feel safer.

The reality is you may never be able to touch your dog that way, but that does not make him vicious-just a little prickly, like the rest of us.

Answer 3

Very well said in your later reply to the person who wanted the dog put down ... why should you take this easy route out when he needs you and you love him?



I would go with firstly getting him checked over by a vet, then having ruled out physical damage, consult a dog trainer (the vet will know one for sure) about the best solution. I also agree that as long as his behaviour has no physical cause, you cannot allow him to boss you and he can't be allowed to use his teeth as a threat. I think the leash idea sounds like a good one - it's an easy way of forcing him to move without you having to go near his teeth.



Thank you for rescuing him and taking so much trouble to give him a good life, and good luck.

Answer 4

You don't say how long you've had him, which would in part determine how I'd handle the situation. I think you are wise in not putting yourself and your dog in a situation where he might bite you, it's better for both of you that that day never comes.



I'd train with him as much as I could, to establish a rapport with him, gain his trust, and make him used to listening to you, and that this has its benefits, either in the form of treats (SMALL) or lots of praise in an excited, high voice (as opposed to a deep, firm one when you correct him).



I'd try to get him used to you touching his neck, because it's an exposed area that strangers may inadvertently reach for, which could get ugly. When you pet him, maybe work your way to his neck, praise him, don't make a big deal about it.



When it comes to lying on your stuff like that, I'd get him off it first. Call him over to you for a quick pat, a treat or make him sit. THEN get your stuff.



Have his hearing checked - if he's older, and hard of hearing, a sudden hand on the neck might spook him, particularly if he's sleeping or he can't see you coming.



I'd also - and perhaps first and foremost - consult a professional, whether a trainer, the shelter where you got him, a Boxer rescue center, or a vet, to see if they have suggestions or insights.



Good luck and good job! -c

Answer 5

NEVER, be afraid of an animal you own. Ever , its bad for the Dog and you. I wouldn't put him alone in a room either, not if you expect him to be part of the family. What tone of voice would you use if a child got disrespectful and mouthy to you? use that voice. Sounds like who ever had him before wasn't very nice to him when they grabbed his collar. So avoid doing that untill he trusts you. maybe when your petting him or cuddling ,pet and scratch around his collar so he gets used to it. And in the meantime if he is disobedient and doesn't listen well, keep a leash on him so that he can be handled if necesary. ( just don't leave it on him when hes alone or at night where it can catch on somthing) But you cannot allow him to bully you if you want to have a good relationship. Be tough but kind. I have a 120lb Rott since she was 9 mos she was already large when we got her shes not allowed to show hostility. Once when she was about 11or 12 mos she snapped at me I yelled at her told her BAD GIRL and gave her the silent treatment for a day. She couldn't stand it, kept trying to get me to pet her. She wanted to make up I've never had a problem with her since. its a shame he assotiates grabbing his collar with hostility , so just try not to do it at the same time you have to be firm with him for whatever reason untill he comes to know you better. I hope all goes well for you guys

Answer 6

I am with iluvtorufl 1000% on this one. It sounds as if the dog has some issues that were not dealt with before by his previous owners. Of course he is a happy dog who gets attached, as long as he is not being made to do anything he does not want. BS, he is a dog and as such there are times when he MUST do things he does not like or want, period. You have a problem on your hands that will not just go away on its own. Do not dump this dog back to the pound. Put him down if you find that you cannot keep him.

Answer 7

He seems to be sensitive to being handled at the collar. Avoid using your hand to handle him. He sounds like a sweet dog and he could probably be tramatised by previous owners handling him with their hands. Try using the leash to handle him.



I salute you for your patience with him and also adopting a dog. Be patient, talk to dog trainers to see if they have some professional suggestions for you.

Answer 8

give him time please, you need to be patient, he probably went through some tough time and when he is already attached to you and ur bf then give him even more time...you wouldnt wanthim to be sad again do you? he has his feelings too and he will get used to you more and more...just you need to respect him too...dont grab him by the collar or do something he doesnt like...talk to him a lot...and dont worry to leave him in a room for half an hour...just put all the things away that he could destroy or you dont want him to lay on...he obviously needs lot of tender loving care...

Answer 9

I have posted this before, but here goes again. Way too often dogs are taken to shelters for issues that the owners do not or cannot deal with, yet refuse to have the dog euthanized. Everyone at the shelter has a good heart. They love animals and want to see them treated well. So they stick this "abuse excuse" tag on the dog and adopt it out.



But the truth is.... temperament has absolutely nothing to do with abuse. A biting dog is a biting dog. There are dogs in this world who have been abused horribly, yet never bite. And there are dogs in this world who have been doted on and well cared for yet do bite. Abuse has absolutely nothing to do with biting.



A boxer that bites should be destroyed. It's a huge dog and a danger to you plus the general public. What if you were walking it one day and a child ran up in excitement to try to pet it? It could easily cause massive damage to the child. What if he breaks free when he is out or what if he somehow pushes open your door and gets out? This is a dangerous dog.



If you take him back to the shelter they will stick that same, "oh, poor dog you were abused" tag on him and adopt him out to the next innocent person who comes along. It's just wrong, but people with good hearts try to humanize a dog. Dogs are not human and they don't need psychological counseling to get over past experiences. They live by instinct. They don't even have that "id" part of the brain that causes emotional trauma.



Euthanize the dog and thank God nobody was ever really hurt by it. It is a big dog. It is just not worth the risk to leave it alive and snapping.

Answer 10

Thank you for adopting your dog. We just do not understand what dogs have gone through with their past owners. Try using a leash if you need to get him to go somewhere like taking a bath. Good luck

Answer 11

Apart from the first two replies, there may be a physical problem with his neck, causing him pain when you grab him there. Or he may nave been brutally jerked by the lead frequently, causing trauma. Have him checked by a vet.