Hello Mr.Steve and greetings from the country Malaysia.. My name is Amit and i have watched your videos on You Tube such as the Kennel Maintanence etc. I have recomended it to all my friends and work colleagues who have home kennels and we all thank you so much for the inspiration and tips that you have provided, it has been a great help and keep the excellent work..
All my life Mr Steve, i have had been a dog lover just like you and the breed that fascinates me is the Doberman.. Im 29 years old male i have grown up with Dobermans ever since i was a kid.. My grandfather started the Dobe trend and it has stucked in my family ever since..
The reason that i am writing this email to you is that i would very much thankful if you advice me on this situation that i am facing currently..
The other day i took my dobe out for a walk. He's a 1 year 6 months old, trained in obedience and is always on the HEEL command when he's out for walks but unfortunately the other day he dashed out upon seing a squirel and i fell on the road obtaining bruises on my elbows and knees..
After getting controlled , i will forever regret what i did which was landing a kick in his hips..!!
I know that i should have never done that and i will never ever forgive myself for doing so.. What happen was he snapped and growled at me WHICH HE HAS NEVER DONE BEFORE!!!! I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK WHEN HE DID THAT MR STEVE.. Im in a position where i feel disappointed and sad with his reaction towards me, i dont know whether its fear or something else. Each time when i check his teeth or give him a bath i have this constant thing running in my mind that he might snap again or i would be bitten.I think my interest and love for the Doberman breed will eventually fade away based on this incident..
I have spoken to a small number of people here in my country. Many say that the dog has an issue with temperament and that he has to be put to SLEEP!!!!!!!!Some say that it was my fault where by i shouldn't have kicked him in the first place and because he felt pain,that's the reason why his reaction was such..Well,i have set aside all this comments because they were not given to me by a profesional.
We love him alot especially me. I still remember the day i held him in my arms and brought him back home when he was just 1 1/2 months and he has been with us ever since..i have not shared this incident with any of my family members as i thought that it would be best if i seeked professional advice from someone like you first..
please help Mr Steve.. thank you..
Regards,
Mr Amit-Malaysia
BELOW IS MY ANSWER TO HIS EMAIL
Mr Bhatti,
I appreciate the email and happy to hear that my videos/words are being followed even across the world.
I like to ask questions to find out more about your dog and of your lifestyle but i will also try my best to answer your question/concerns.
Before attempting to answer, i would like to take this time to ask my questions: 1) has he shown any aggression since 2) have you noticed him focusing on kids, if so do you think he'll do anything to them VERY IMPORTANT 3) a dog with a temperament issue would show aggression early and often, can you say that he's been doing this for awhile 4) is he dog aggressive and/or animals VERY IMPORTANT 5) does he allow you to pet him or put your hands in his dog bowl while eating 6) how is he when he meets people, is he happy or do you think he's gotten worse in this area as he's gotten older 7) is he a natural dominant dog where he carries his tail/head up high as he walks around you and others - when answering these questions, you must be absolutely honest in answering them in order for me to give you my best answer.
*Dogs have feelings with that being said it's a possibility that when you kicked him he reacted towards you in that manner not in anger but because he was caught off guard and that was his reaction (ex. imagine you and a friend are walking, you think your playing w/him by kicking him from behind. What do you think he'll say to you? more than likely he'll be upset and yell/possibly swing at you) This is normally called "Mis-directed Aggression" and the reason why im putting this first. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT THIS COULD BE YOUR ISSUE.
*Nervous Aggression can also be a trigger, now from what i've read and from your answers to the questions will determine if it's that or not. A nervous aggressive dog will react like this from puppyhood, they usually are dogs that want little to no inner-actions with people but it's mainly because of lack of socialization and/or bad temperaments because of inferior breeding. I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS IT EITHER
*Predatory Aggression can and possibly be another answer to this issue and the reason why i asked earlier if he focuses on kids and have aggression towards dogs/animals. When a dog has this type of aggression they are like children in that they'll want whatever there going after first and be the only one with it. If stopped then they'll react aggressively, not necessarily to bite you but to scare you away from the chase so they can be the only one to get it. THIS CAN BE YOUR ISSUE TOO but i would need the answers to the questions to better give a precise answer.
*Another possibility is that it could've come from a "fear aggression" issue. A dog does not know how to tell you NO or GO AWAY so when they feel vulnerable the only way a dog knows how to react is to SNAP at you. So far I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS IT
There are other types of "aggression" behaviors to mention but i strongly feel that they have nothing to do with the issues your dog is having.
As important as to know what his issue is but how do you deal with it. Keep in mind that neutering is not a definite answer to anything. I always say that "you will not solve a behavioral problem with a hormonal solution" A reputable trainer can help you with these issues, it is a must if you want to keep your dog to train him more in obedience and get a better control of him with focus work (which is ironically the problem that led him to go after the squirrel in the first place) so you can get him under YOUR control.
Dogs with aggression issues will only get worse. One of the things that concerns me is that knowing the issue, if he did it once the possibility will be that he will do it again.
One last thing i would like to say is that by all means, do not judge the breed by your dogs actions. From your email you mentioned that the breed has been in your family for years. I really hope you change your opinion and think on a more individual basis. As stated earlier with more information i can throughly answer your concerns and dicipher what's right and wrong with your dog. Hopefully i gave you a better perspective of your dog and please answer those questions and I will answer them to give you a more exact of your dog.
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