Having been in a similar position as this lady and not wanting to pts the dog, I found that advice on how to manage the dog was really helpful, managing a dog isn't training him but it does keep you safe and time to find someone who can come out and help. Everyone's experience is different but the basics are the same so by people telling how they managed a similar problem can help an owner having problems.

If I hadn't manage Gracie she would have had to be pts because she was both dog and human aggressive, by managing her to keep everyone safe she had the time to work out that she didn't need to behave like that.

For the DA I tried head collar on her, she immediately used her dew claw to try and get it off and continued to use it, she made a real mess of her nose so I couldn't use it again, I had to find another way.

Bertie used to cower down every time he thought he had done something wrong, that included walking in front of me, I had to be careful how I touched him but he learnt that he didn't need to fear my touch or walking in front of me as well as a lot of other things just by managing him by having a house lead on him, if I went for his collar he would have had me, with the house lead I was able to pick the lead up and lead him without any problems.

Good management can mean the difference of keeping a dog or not.

Amanda unless I am much mistaken this dog has a history..
Presa Canaria - Lovely Dog, Wrong Owner!!!

Devastated Owner.........

I would urge you to seek the help of a behaviourist ASAP ..

I don't disagree with any of that Mattie, I have had aggressive smaller dogs myself we learned how to manage the behaviours so no one was ever in danger but unless we know more I thinks it's dangerous to assume anyone else can do it. I wouldn't have done it with a bigger dog that had bitten me, when our old Benny became senile and bit me was the sign I could no longer manage his behaviour and although it early killed me I had him PTS the same day.

Some times that is the kindest thing to do for the dog and the owner.

Well reading that makes me even more sure PTS is best

Shout at me if you wish Freckles but it was nearly six months ago you came on here asking for advice on this very same dog that already had a history of biting.

The thread may have got heated but in the middle of was some very good advice.

I think you really need to look to yourself here and ask yourself if you have in all honestly done everything thing you can, if not why not? At the end of the day if you spend all your time with this dog and are aware of the behaviours she presents then ultimately you will be responsible if it all goes horribly wrong, don't become another headline

I am not suggesting PTS but whatever you do, do it now! Stop procrastinating and asking for advice if you don't want to take it....

I do wish you well and hope that you get this sorted.

I didn't realise it was the same dog...yes, you need to do it and you need to do it now. It won't be cheap but the more your dog practises this behaviour the better at it they will get. Get it properly assessed and then you can make decisions about what you from then on.

Freckles, you need to take this very seriously. ... you MUST get genuine professional help on this one. No-one can advise you on this situation over the internet.

I don't want to be a scaremonger but as others have said, this dog is very powerful and is genetically predisposed to having the attitude of defending the family.

If not properly socialised from a very young age, this will be practised, the environment will bring it out, and she will get worse and one day may even seriously damage someone, perhaps even a member of your family.

My advice is to do one of two things (or, both!). Contact Jaqi Bunn who is a sensible expert on Molossers (mastiffs)
http://www.dogpsyche.co.uk/ top right under "More" and also as has been recommended, contact a member of www.apbc.org.uk

Please do this, you will not regret it as the dog will be assessed and there may be some work you can do, with help, that will prevent this from escalating.

I cannot reiterate to you how very important this is. Please get sensible help, do not delay.

Kind regards,

Wys
x

Well spotted Meg. Think everything I said then still stands but even more so.

But I do think this thread is a sort of example of what can happen when people hand their dogs to Rescues. They are if not economical with the truth - maybe just forgetful?

OP says here it is 'just' people who are delivering stuff the dog goes mad at. The previous posts show that that isn't exactly true at all.

So a dog could be taken into a rescue and them told it just doesn't like people delivering parcels but is OK with everything else. When in fact it has bitten a postman, bitten it's owner, bitten the next owner's brother, and what have you.

I am sorry you had to pts your old Benny, it is always a difficult decision to make.

Personally I wouldn't take on a dog like this but people do, when they get too big to handle some ask for help as this person is. To say PTS the dog without giving information on keeping everyone safe doesn't work, the owner seems to be more determined to keep the dog, by giving something they can work with hopefully makes them think, it does some owners but not others. The management will have to be in place for the rest of the dog's life even if she gets the help to train him she wants, but even that will take a long time to train the dog, most people can't do it. Those it doesn't make think put themselves and their families at risk and a dog like this is capable of killing an adult.

It seems she has been having problems with this dog for some time, I hope she does make the responsible decision and acts on it but if she is determined to keep the dog it is better to manage it than leave it running free as it is now.

Hi All

Shout at me, slag me off, say im a bad dog owner, whatever you want.

Ok it looks like im back at the beginning again. My partner & I took on Kixi when she was being left more & more. Kixi was my step-sons he had her from 8 weeks old. At the time she looked just like a black Lab & I even questioned my partner on her breed. At first all was good, sweet little cute puppy who was looked after well. However as she grew she became bolshie & I think that my step-son wasn't really comfortable with it & no training was given. At this time my stepson lived with his younger brother & Mum. So Kixi was with generally with his Mum all day, but i do know Kixi has bitten the Mum, again the same situation to do with the door & post/delivery.

The house has now been sold & when the Mum & younger brother moved they could not take Kixi with them. My stepson found a house to rent & where he could take Kixi, but due to his working hours & social hours she was being left more & more. She would often come & stay with us on a weekend as my stepson was out. It got to the point that he was just never home, so after some discussion myself & my partner took her on.

Kixi I feel has made good progress since we have had her. She was being sick, her coat was very dull & not good, she hadn't been chipped or spayed when she came to us. I have changed her food, her coat is shiny, she has now been chipped & spayed.

I appreciate that this is a serious issue. I do not have any children, it is just myself & my partner. We live in a house that does not really enable me to move her far from the front door. You walk straight from lounge to hallway & door & if door is open she will get to door before me & when i try to get her in the lounge that is when she goes for me.

All i am trying to do is help her, but i still have in the back of my mind that having her PTS may be the only option.