How do I train my rescued Australian Sheppard?
June 18th, 2009 | 
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staciedawn84 asked:
I rescued an Australian Sheppard about a year and a half ago, yeah, I know, I've waited way too long to ask for advice! He was extremely abused as a pup! We got him when he was about a year old and he was somewhat aggressive and still is. I have ended up having to put him in an outdoor kennel. When he was doing something wrong in the house, all we would have to do is change to a stern voice and he would turn and growl at us! He's such a sweet dog when he's being loved on, but we aren't able to discipline him. I know that in order to raise a dog properly, there has to be some sort of discipline routine. We aren't able to point our finger at him, we aren't able to raise our voice and it was impossible to get him to go to his crate when he would tear something up or jump on the kitchen counter (this is what he is notorious for), we just had to let him do whatever he wanted and I knew that it wasn't healthy for us or for him, so this is when we placed him in an outdoor kennel. The problem with that is that I don't feel he's getting enough interaction. I let him out with the kids and he runs circles around them as if he is hearding them, of course, he is a hearding dog! I refuse to give him to someone else in fears of him hurting someone, he's not good with any stranger and hates most men, my husband and brother in law are the two men who can be around him, he does get very vicious and bites! He barks constantly outside and the neighbors **** me for that, we've tried an anti bark shock collar, it worked for about 2 weeks and then he just got used to the shock! I also refuse to take him to the pound, because I know he will just be put to sleep and it's not his fault he was abused before we got him, I know that's the reason he's mean! He does have the potential to be a good dog, I just need to figure out what I'm doing wrong! What do I do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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I rescued an Australian Sheppard about a year and a half ago, yeah, I know, I've waited way too long to ask for advice! He was extremely abused as a pup! We got him when he was about a year old and he was somewhat aggressive and still is. I have ended up having to put him in an outdoor kennel. When he was doing something wrong in the house, all we would have to do is change to a stern voice and he would turn and growl at us! He's such a sweet dog when he's being loved on, but we aren't able to discipline him. I know that in order to raise a dog properly, there has to be some sort of discipline routine. We aren't able to point our finger at him, we aren't able to raise our voice and it was impossible to get him to go to his crate when he would tear something up or jump on the kitchen counter (this is what he is notorious for), we just had to let him do whatever he wanted and I knew that it wasn't healthy for us or for him, so this is when we placed him in an outdoor kennel. The problem with that is that I don't feel he's getting enough interaction. I let him out with the kids and he runs circles around them as if he is hearding them, of course, he is a hearding dog! I refuse to give him to someone else in fears of him hurting someone, he's not good with any stranger and hates most men, my husband and brother in law are the two men who can be around him, he does get very vicious and bites! He barks constantly outside and the neighbors **** me for that, we've tried an anti bark shock collar, it worked for about 2 weeks and then he just got used to the shock! I also refuse to take him to the pound, because I know he will just be put to sleep and it's not his fault he was abused before we got him, I know that's the reason he's mean! He does have the potential to be a good dog, I just need to figure out what I'm doing wrong! What do I do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Well, this sounds a very tricky situation, and thanks for taking him on, he must have had a bad begnning. In my opinion, to save injuries, I’d look for a very good trainer who can get rid of most of these troubles and through this take most of your family members who are able to go along, and this will begin the interaction to increase. Other than that, I can’t suggest much more, but good luck in all you do with your dog.
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Wooa! I empathize! And I’m glad you want to continue to rescue him.
(I had an A. Cattle dog and loved him a bunch, He left what I think was abusive family and chose to move in with me.)
Really sounds as if you need some professional help, at least from someone who has significant experience with a challenge like this.
Have you checked with a local or in area AS rescue group?
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Lots of Love and Patience.
First of all, these types of dogs need a lot of room to run and get their energy out.They are used to working/running/etc… If they don’t get it they can be very destructive. Make sure that he has things to occupy him (both indoors and out). Tug Ropes, balls, etc… My youngest cattle dog used to run around the yard by herself with a tug rope in her mouth, throwing it up and shaking it around, then chasing it. She used to also run around with an old knotted up towel and do the same thing. We used to give them to her only when we were out there but after she started making her own toys out of the bushes/branches we left them with her full time. Anything to keep them from getting bored.
I don’t have experience with aggressive dogs but I have owned numerous Cattle dogs and all were herders and nippy (it’s in their nature). They have all had to be trained with a firm but not mean voice. I think the first thing I would do is just try playing with him and rewarding him when he does what you want (coming when called, sitting, bringing back a toy, etc…) and telling him what a good boy he is and, as funny as it may sound, act goofy when talking to him and playing so he sees that it’s okay and that what you asked him to do is the right thing. Chase him around the yard, let him chase you, roll around with him, hugs/pats/kisses/rubs/etc… Whatever you are both comfortable with. Anything to gain his trust. I’ve heard some ppl say that instead of yelling they speak quietly or in a normal voice to their dog to show their disapproval. Remember, these dogs are INCREDIBLY intelligent, they can read people’s approval and disapproval. If he growls, nips, or gets aggressive while playing tell him “NO” in a regular voice and if he does it again, then end the play session and leave him to himself for awhile. I did this with several of mine and they learned really quick that they had to play nice. It’s kind of like a “doggy time-out”. The first time, they kind of sat there and looked at me like “what’s going on?”. But I always made sure they had something else around that they could play with by themselves so they didn’t get destructive. After about the first time or two they learned what would happen if they played too rough and I learned when they’d had enough playing together time and were ready to be left alone.
Since he was abused, loud voices and raised hands are what he associates with abuse, being hit, etc…. Try getting down on his level and patting your leg when you want him to follow you or pat the floor/ground when you want him to get off of someplace he shouldn’t be or to come over and lay down. I know first instinct is to raise your voice, same as with a kid who is doing something wrong. As for his reluctance with men, there may not be a whole lot you can do to get him to like men equally since it sounds as though his abuse was at the hand of a man. But if your husband can interact with him as well, maybe with you by him (your husband), he might learn to trust men more. As for strangers, try handing them a treat when they come over and let them offer it to him, kind of like a peace offering. Also let them know that he is skittish around strangers and have them hold out their hand to be smelled. I had some indoor dogs who were very standoffish at first when strangers came in. They’d bark and dance around (not aggressively) but once the people would stand still and let them smell them or get down and hold out their hand, they’d usually calm down. If he still shies away it’s not a big deal as long as he learns that it is okay for them to be there. I had a German Shep/wolf mix who was extremely shy and would go to the garage to be let into the backyard whenever family would come over. He was protective and would literally wrap his body around my legs and block me from whoever was there until I patted him and told him it said “it’s okay”. Then he would leave and go lay down.
If you don’t have a large yard for him to run around in and play during the day (with a 6ft fence– as they do like to jump and climb) then maybe try to find a dog park and go there (maybe try to find a time when there aren’t many ppl there just in case he doesn’t get along well with other dogs). Let him run himself silly. You can also get these high pitched gizmos (for barking) that might work with the growling and biting/nipping. We have one for ours and it gets their attention.
Also, see if your local library has any of Cesar Milan’s books (The Dog Whisperer) or if you want to pay for one get one at the bookstore or an online bookseller.
You could also try looking into some training classes (maybe privately or small group) through your county. Ask your vet or maybe contact your local SPCA.
Again, Lots of Patience and Love. Let him see that he has nothing to fear but also that there are boundaries. Consistency with commands and rewards from all wh