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Re: Behaviour problem
HI. Sorry to hear you have had so many problems. YOu have my sympathy. I have 3 rescue dogs and 2 have been very challenging!
I am going to add another perspective on this.......
Leadership.......... You have stated that in the beginning you used to allow him carte blanche. You have said that now you instill far more discipline. I wonder if it is enough......
* What rooms does he have access to in the house?
* Does he go on sofa's and beds?
* Does he follow you all around a lot at home?
* Does he instigate affection, or do you make him work for it?
* Do you still do any training with him?
* Do you believe that he see's you firmly as the boss, or maybe not quite?
When people get rescue dogs (myself included initially) they often feel sorry for the dog and give way to much affection. When this happens, it unbalances the dog and the dog can see you as weak. If the dog see's you as weak, how on earth is he going to respect you? He may love you, but these are two different things.
The conventional "training" of a dog can get a different result to "managing" your dog. Just because it can do sit, stay etc, it doesn't mean it won''t have behaviour problems. Training needs to work alongside firm leadership.
My guess is that you have given this dog a home, showered him with affection, given too much freedom (as you have stated) and not instilled enough rules and discipline. At the moment your dog is managing you. HE is in control in the house, otherwise he would not be behaving like this. HE is in control on the walks, otherwise he wouldn't be biting leads and not behaving.
Don't knock yourself for what you have done. I myself made so many mistakes (read the "about me" page on my profile!) and I had to learn and put them right.
I had a sharp wake up call when one of my dogs attacked my dad (a very bad time). so I did a lot of reading and realised my dogs were controlling me. I instilled rules and discipline and for a time being, was almost quite aloof with them. This attitude and change in their behaviour enabled me to get my third rescue.
You can do it. PM me if you want any further help x
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