Question from another husky owner

[Elyse]

Hi everyone,

I'm posting on behalf of another husky owner that's having problems with his dog.

Go to my facebook group link (https://www.facebook.com/groups/261562583949820/) to read the whole conversation...lots of good advice given on there given by myself and others.

TL; DNR: (Too Long, Did Not Read)

- His husky, Ramsey, is almost 3 years old. He was adopted from his son when he was 8 months old.

- He's the only dog in the house - and he's the first dog this person has ever owned.

- He is having resource guarding as well as obedience/manners issues ONLY at the daycare (he says he is fine in the house, etc.)

- He says his son didn't have a lot of time to socialize him with other dogs.

- He's never been mean, have bitten, or been aggressive before this. This is his 4th day at the doggie daycare. He guards his water dish, and has a 'such high energy level' that he snaps and is aggressive with other dogs. [The people at the daycare says his water bowl guarding has been getting better.]

- "He shows no aggression with company or myself, or anyone for that matter even on the street"

- "Ramsay doesn't display this behavior at home, and they won't let me back with him to correct him because they say he will be different around his owner. "

- "he was attacked by a Chow just before I adopted him."

- "I have never hit him and I don't yell, I just stay calm and assertive"

- "when they went to pull him off the other dog, he barred his teeth at them after they verbally tried to reprimand him--he wouldn't listen, but he will to me." [He now thinks he just doesn't like being grabbed by the collar. Ramsey had a bad experience when he was a puppy when it came to that.]

- "I can do anything to Ramsay when he eats, I can take any toy or ball from him and he does nothing, but as you said anyone else with your Panda and he doesn't like it."

He's hiring a trainer to help, but I told him to try to pick a trainer that is familiar and have experience with huskies. Some trainers can mistake a husky's rough-housing for aggression or dominance.

Any advice? [MENTION=2703]Staceybob[/MENTION] [MENTION=107]Bec[/MENTION]

Thanks...

[h=5]I'm rather upset and was hoping someone could lighten my worries with a story of how they too were told their Husky, who never showed signs of aggression, began to demonstrate this behavior in daycare, but was able to be trained and is now ok.

Ramsay has never been mean, bitten, or been aggressive, but since his 4th day at doggie daycare I am told he is guarding the water dish and has such a high energy level that he gets so wound up playing he snaps and becomes aggressive towards other dogs.

Is this my fault for keeping him an only dog for 21/2 years? Has anyone else experienced this, or is it just that he would prefer huskies to rough house with?

He is a social butterfly one day and the next day he is Cujo.

[/h]

Thanks girls. A few comments back and some info...

Ramsay has been with me since I got him from my son who is a responsible guy, but at 21 he was offered a job and apt. that would not accommodate a dog, so...he was really good training Ramsay, firm but good.

Ramsay was just about 8 months old when I adopted him and will be 3 this Feb 2013.

He is loving and loves to play with other dogs. He shows no aggression with company or myself, or anyone for that matter even on the street--I think you could rob me and he would help.

I am the alpha. Of course he tested me, but I won out.

I feel so bad for him as it is just him and me, and being a writer, I work at home, so that is why I decided to take him to daycare. It is a really good place.

The Sibe across the street is aggressive and they play well but he is getting to heavy to want to play.

Ramsay doesn't display this behavior at home, and they won't let me back with him to correct him because they say he will be different around his owner.

I don't always get him out for a morning walk before we go, we have our walks at night. The really like him but he doesn't listen to them all the time when he is hyper...he attacked a few dogs yesterday he was so wound up-- they suggest I hire a trainer that will go to the centre with him and observe.

I follow Cesar's rules strictly.

No I don't take him to dog parks, he was attacked by a Chow just before I adopted him.

The owner didn't have control of his dog, and Ramsay got an infection from the bite and by the next morning had to have surgery. Could this be it? Fear?

Thanks so much--no Garrett [his son] never really had the chance to socialize him when he was a pup.

He was around cats a lot and never hurt them, still doesn't.

I have never hit him and I don't yell, I just stay calm and assertive--I do believe in the positive energy thing--I can ask them to record him--good idea.

Any thoughts are appreciated. I'll keep you posted.

I hope to have him with the trainer on Monday back at daycare.

They said when they went to pull him off the other dog, he barred his teeth at them after they verbally tried to reprimand him--he wouldn't listen, but he will to me.

???I hope someone can help as he loves to play.

They said it isn't always the water bowl--after 4 days that is better. He just gets wound and that's when he goes off.

He is fixed so that is not the issue at least.

Elyse wow, you are right--he is stubborn as Husky's are, and I know you didn't think I hit him...

I agree with you on the way they pulled him off--he hates being tugged on the collar...this is one thing Garrett did while training him to not be aggressive with his food--he bit Garrett one day when Garrett touched him while he was eating, and Garrett grabbed his collar and pinned him...

if it' just come on let's go and a pull he's ok, but not a firm yank, I mentioned that it could have been the yank...in Garrett's defense he was doing what he was told to do.

He tried it with me months ago when he didn't want to come in the house, and I made him come--he didn't bite me, but he gave me attitude--I just gently led him in...now I just say calmly but assertively, come, and he comes.

No, I have never owned another dog.

you girls have been so helpful and I feel better about things. I can do anything to Ramsay when he eats, and although this is a no bone house as he almost died from one in Sept., I can take any toy or ball from him and he does nothing, but as you said anyone else with your Panda and he doesn't like it. I'll share the news as it comes. Thanks again

He is ok at home and listens if when another dog is here, which is not ofter. It is at the doggie daycare he is having some issues and they don't let owners assist, so I am hiring a trainer. I believe it's a dominance issue, he is not aggressive. Thanks so much for the advice. I welcome it from all.

I agree 100 per cent...they actually gave me the name of the trainer so they will let her go in an observe him one on one. It's so true that another dog's look or movement can set another off...I am not in denial that Ramsay may be dominant, but not aggressive, that I know for sure he is not. Yes please feel free to post anywhere that I can get advice...you will meet him one day and see what I mean. Thanks so much.

[Andy]

As others on FB have said. . . .

Socialise.

Does your friend have a secure yard or garden ??

Invite some other dogs round to play.

[Elyse]

As others on FB have said. . . .

Socialise.

Does your friend have a secure yard or garden ??

Invite some other dogs round to play.

(That was me that said that. LOL)

I'll ask...

[Bec]

I'd stop taking the dog to the day care place, ASAP. Doggy day care where dogs are allowed to run together like one big free for all is dangerous, as person on FB has discovered. IF the staff had half a clue, the dog wouldn't be put in a position where it would become aggressive and they would be able to read the signs early on and stepped in before the behaviour escalated. That they allowed a dog to "attack a few dogs" - not just one on one occasion but A FEW! - is disgusting and I'd be staying well clear of that place. The dog and owner needs the assistance of a reputable behaviourist - and I'd stay clear of any trainer that compared themselves to Cesar.

It's impossible to say what is happening without seeing the dog - this is why getting advice over the internet can be dangerous when it comes to dog aggression. Socialising this dog could make it even worse depending on what is causing the behaviour. One thing I will add is that when put in a situation like the doggy day care place or a busy dog park where a large amount of dogs are running free together, highly aroused and over excited, it is almost a guarantee that a dog attack or fight will break out. I cannot suggest strongly enough that the dog should be taken out of day care ASAP. And I wouldn't be keen to use any trainer recommended by them or associated with them if what the owner has described is accurate.

[Staceybob]

Sorry, I don't think it's appropriate to give advice in this case as it's too risky with the subject it's on. Either they should seek training/behavioural advice from someone local or they should reconsider the daycare option.

Stacey xxx