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[tulip]

Oh, poor Rusty! I can see why he was surrendered to the pound, with all these issues. Great job in keeping your faith in him and not giving up. I know he must be trying your patience.

I saw a Dog Whisperer episode that had a little sheltie (I think) that went crazy every time the toaster popped up. Cesar made that dog confront his fears by popping that toaster in front of him over and over again. Of course, easy for Cesar to do!

Are you able to take him for long walks? The dog trainer who has helped me with Shiloh said that long walks with the person as the leader (dog walking next to person, not in front) goes a long way to improving the dog's confidence in his person/leader. I'm fortunate that I can take Shiloh out for two hour-long walks every day. I think it's really helped him. Long walks also kinda wear the dog out, which makes acting out less appealing. Shiloh would rather nap than pace and worry like he used to do.

[andtckrtoo]

Oh, poor Rusty. No wonder he has issues!
I'd like to swat the person that made him so fearful.
With a baseball bat

I'm right behind you!! One of my friends adopted a little Chihuahua named Yoda who is also afraid of the fly swatter. I would like to take a really BIG fly swatter and let his previous owner know how it feels.

I'm so happy you are working with a trainer and putting the time and energy into making Rusty feel less fearful. It'll be hard work and he will never be an outgoing, friendly dog, but you will make him a much happier one. Bless you!

[crazycanuck]

I think it was the same for Yukon Shenton park dog refuge does its best in giving as much background info when you adopt from them but sometimes you figure out that your adoptee was obviously mistreated.

Yukon hates water bottles being squirted near her, doesn't like the hose nor a kiddie pool plus is terrified of thunder & lightning. The water thing is odd because when i fill up a water bottle, she'll come running because it might be a sign of us going to the beach... She loves the beach

[mtbdarby]

Thanks you guys. Trust me, I am not doing a great job. I'm ashamed to admit I was at the end of my rope when he bit me again and then layed into Zeus. I had even made an appointment to have him put down, but I just couldn't do it......

I'm trying the best way I can. He has definitely challanged me in more ways than one. Unfortunately, my son is now afraid of him when he starts barking because he doesn't want to get bit. If Rusty ever does bit my son he will be gone - that I can not live with. I do my best to make sure there's no situation where that will happen.

Tulip - he loves going for walks but we don't get out every day (I need to change that). I did get him out hiking for an hour and a half the other day and he loved it. He walks very good on a leash.

We take it day-by-day. That's the best we can do

[badger]

I think you'll find that taking Rusty out for an hour walk every day will make a huge difference. They so need to have that walk to burn their energies off as well as bonding with his pack member. But like Tulip said, don't let him walk in front of you.

[andtckrtoo]

I'm not a fan of Cesar Milan's techniques, especially with a fear aggressive dog. I have seen more issues than results from showing dominance to a dog who has no self confidence. They tend to know who's boss, and unfortunately, that boss has not always been nice, so the techniques tend to backfire.

Now, my disclaimer is that I am not a professional dog trainer, but I have trained search dogs and several of my good friends are aggressive dog trainers, so we talk a lot. I think the most important thing you can do for Rusty is to give him plenty of exercise (a tired dog is a good dog) and plenty of training work in something like basic training (positive only and plenty of rewards) or basic agility. Know that training can have the same affect on a dog as heavy exercise (think about how tired you are after an exam), so start with short 5-10 minute training sessions.

You want to build his confidence and let him know that he can be successful. You said you were working with a trainer, which I think is so key - I'm so glad you're doing it. Ask her what she recommends to work on. It can start as basic as "sit". Use a clicker or another marker (verbal "Attaboy" or something) and treat when you click. Even if he already knows it, it will help him realize that he will get rewarded for specific behaviors. Dogs do what works. It's important to show him positive rewards for the behaviors you wish to see. What you are doing is giving him confidence that certain behaviors are appropriate to you, the pack leader. When he knows what he should do, it's easier for him to know how to behave properly and his confidence grows - the more confidence he has, the less fear, and the less fear, well, you know... (If you get a chance to get a copy of "Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson, I highly recommend reading it - it's a great book).

And, seriously, I absolutely understand that if he bites your son, there is no compromise. Sometimes that just has to be the answer, unfortunately.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks you guys. Trust me, I am not doing a great job. I'm ashamed to admit I was at the end of my rope when he bit me again and then layed into Zeus. I had even made an appointment to have him put down, but I just couldn't do it......

I'm trying the best way I can. He has definitely challanged me in more ways than one. Unfortunately, my son is now afraid of him when he starts barking because he doesn't want to get bit. If Rusty ever does bit my son he will be gone - that I can not live with. I do my best to make sure there's no situation where that will happen.

Darby, I know you are trying your best to help this dog. I think you have gone to great lengths to try to modify his behavior, and you should be commended.
I feel I should tell you that if the dog has now bitten you more than once and you have a child at home who has become afraid of the dog....well if it were me I would not hesitate to have the dog put down. Not to 'punish' the poor dog, but rather to prevent a possibly very tragic biting incident where anyone might be the victim- you, your son, someone on the street, or a visitor...
The poor dog does not seem a likely adoptable prospect by others either.
I only say this to try to assure you that I would not think you were 'cruel' if you opted to put the dog to sleep. It's what I would do if the dog started biting.

[Zen]

True, and the really sad part of it is that it's probably not Rusty's fault.
It's likely the fault of a cruel human.

[PamNY]

Regarding Rusty, I second the recommendation of "Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson, and the avoidance of anything at all recommended by that Cesar person. I'm not a professional, but I've learned from my own rescue dogs and some very skilled professional people.

My fear aggressive dogs improved a lot with positive training techniques and some desensitization. I also recommend clicker training, and a few sessions with a good positive trainer or behaviorist (someone with legitimate credentials).

BTW, I don't have children or other pets, so that's a whole separate issue I'm not qualified to address.

Pam

[smilingcat]

two of our foster kitties. 10 month already and no home yet

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

two of our foster kitties. 10 month already and no home yet

Oh, what a wonderful photo! How could anyone resist them??

[Selkie]

Smilingcat - Did they pose like that without prompting? That's a hoot, particularly the expressions on their faces. It's true "cat-itude" - "don't you mess with us, we are bad-azz cats!"

[lph]

Especially the grey one's left ear... "I'm staring at'choo. (but I can still hear a can being opened in the kitchen)"

[Aggie_Ama]

Smilingcat that is awesome!! I was pretty sad to be at the shelter getting Tortilla because there were so many cool adult cats and this was the kill shelter. DH said he could only do one cat, I wanted to take them all. Kudos to you for your work.

[sgtiger]

Smilingcat, I'd take them home if I lived closer to you. I don't know how Leela would handle it though. She's terrified of cats. She wants to chase them until they turn around and hiss at her. Then she hides behind me shaking like a leaf. So funny to see a 65 lb. dog get pwnd by a 6 lb. cat. Not that I would laugh at my poor baby.