My sons dogs.HELP

[vtxcandyred]

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My son and daughter-in-law have two St. Bernards. The male, Max they've had since eight weeks and the female, Fonda about a year and a half. They're both about four. The female is quite the sweetheart. Very docile and obedient. They got her hoping to transfere some of her into him. He is very violent. If he sees the mailman he goes absolutely balistic. The daughter-in-law, at one time, was walking Max and he saw a woman walking her dog and had to grab a tree and put herself behind it to keep Max at bay. He's bit Dave, my son, on the arm a couple of times and his twin brother was there a month or so ago and while he was playing with Max, for no reason, bit him in the face. Could have blinded him. They have and use all kinds of different collars and such. I feel if it were me and I had done everything they have and were still going through this, I'd have him put down.

[Havoc]

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Aggression is almost always an insecurity issue with big breed dogs, It sounds like your Son let the dog take the alpha role early on.

The dog has got to have his mind distracted before circumstances which bring on anxiety happen.

some people use a can of rocks to distract the dog, some use a toy to distract the dog and yet others use food or treats when the dog successfully withstands the urge to act out.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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That's a very big dog to have taken control over the 'pack' (family).

Each animal has it's own personality and it's a myth that you can hope that one's passive personality will rub off on the other. It just doesn't happen.

Havoc is on the right track but with such a big dog, I strongly suggest that your son find a professional trainer and take lessons with him. When I had Goliath trained, I found a Schutzhund trainer in my area who did obedience for pets and worked with police dogs. Goliath had been abused and was untrustworthy toward strangers. He's a perfect gentleman now.

Shelly Leibowitz was his name and he ran a doggy boot camp sort of program. 4 days a week. I dropped the dog off in the morning and picked him up later in the day after work. He worked the dogs several times a day in short bursts - just like I described in my Sit lesson. After Shelly was confident in the dog's behavior, He had me come in and work with him and the dog. Group lessons was not an option for G-man.

You might want to look into something like that. It's pricey though. It cost me $850 10 years ago. But the plus side is a PERFECTLY behaved dog and there weren't a set amount of lessons. This was an "until he learns no matter how long it takes" kind of deal and it was guaranteed that he'll learn. There was also lifetime "touch up" classes whenever I wanted them.

If you want, give me the town and state your son is in and I'll give Shelly a call and see if he is in some kind of network nation wide where he can recommend someone for you in your area.

[vtxcandyred]

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I'm not sure but I believe they went with a dog trainer. I'll check though. Thanks for the advise all!!!!!!!!!!

[Twitchin Kitten]

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I think in this situation a trainer is the best choice because sometimes the people need a little guidance as well.
Keep us updated please and don't forget to ask for that info if you wind up needing it.

[Jamminitin]

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If my dog bit a family member it would be put down.

We had an Akita, an extremely dominant breed, and she was the alpha over me and the kids. I didn't trust her and would never ever have another dog I didn't trust. That being said, I know a dog can only be as good as it's owner, so I take responsibilty but it is still not an acceptable situation.

and no, we didnt get her put down, But I wouldn't do it again.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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It is an unacceptable situation. I rehomed several dogs that bit family members (just people who got in touch with me knowing I had connections to find new homes, not my dogs) and I blame this solely on all those owners. One guy's daughter kept getting bit when she played with the dogs food while it was eating. That right there was the problem but the owner expected the dog to understand it was a toddler and shouldn't hurt her.

The dog was 9 years old at the time! Sorry, dogs should tolerate nearly anything but you can't just expect it to allow someone to bother it while it's eating. Children need to respect the animal as well. There's a huge difference between being able to take an animals food from it and playing with it while it's eating. He refused to understand and I found the dog a good home where it was and hopefully still is happy.