So, the sweet little Boston Terrier we rescued didn't turn out to be so sweet. We discussed our options (giving him up was NOT an option), and decided to try this dog behavoir specialist who our vet recommended. I understand that it can be alot of work to retrain an agressive dog, but this is going to cost us over $500, I want to go with the best possible option for our family. However he guarenteed results, and follow up visits until we are comfortable with him in all situations. I was wondering if anyone has ever seen the dog whisperer? We don't have cable but I keep hearing how he is so wonderful. The trainer told me while he uses and agrees with some of Ceasers methods, he feels that its not for every dog, or every person. But it seems like everyone else tells me if I would just throw him down and be "Calm and Assertive" it would be fine. I'm sorry, I found it hard to be calm when he was trying to bite my 7yo. Some say that he is a bad dog and nothing can be done, I even was acused of being a bad mother because I didn't have the dog killed. Jeez. On the other hand are those people who say if I loved the dog i would get Ceasers book, video, ect.. and become a pack leader. I certainly am not someone who spoils anything, but he is so little. I wouldn't beat my kids into submission. While I do agree with being a leader, and subscribe to the NILIF theory. ( http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm ) What Ceaser does looks dangerous and I can't imagine it working for the kids. But I am rather tired of being told that "Ceaser says its all your fault" So who is this dog whisperer and what is so great about him? And is he right?
I don't know about the dog whisperer. But I do know about Boston Terriers. Most Bostons are very lovable, which makes me think he was probably abused. Bostons are very smart and stubborn. It only took a few weeks to fully potty train Josie. Your local library should have a book on bostons. It will be worth your time to read. Like with most dogs, Bostons normally respond to postive affirmations. Each time he does something good, no matter how small, congratulate him and pet him. Find a couple of things a day to reward him with a treat. Josie has a bad habit of getting into my bedroom trash can at times when she gets mad if I leave. When I get home, I know immediately because she goes to her room on her own. On the other hand my chihuahua will wag his tail and not know why I might get mad. Keep talking to him and he will come around.
I don't know if he was abused. We had planned on getting either a boston or a maltese from a breed rescue, but found T-Bone free on Craigs list. I feel I may have saved his life by being the first to respond, because she didn't really ask many questions.He had belonged to an elderly family freind who died and she was I think trying to do the right thing, even though the Midwest boston terrier rescue may have been a better option than Craigs list IMO. I feel like he was meant to be, so I want to rehabilitate him and keep him, besides if I give him up some rescue is just going to have to spend the money to train him. I want to know what is so dang great about Ceaser?? And again is he right and all of my dogs problems are my fault?
I am a trainer and would worry a lot about a trainer who says for $500 he guarantees your dog will be safe with your kids. IMO that is not a realistic guarantee to offer. In situatiosn like this I always tell people that there is no guarantee and that while there are things we can do to help modify the behavior we can't change the dog's genetic temperament. Dogs who are aggressive will likely always react aggressively when pushed - even if they are well trained. Also the trainer may be a bit heavy handed and if it is a board and train situation you have no idea what is being done to the dog when you aren't around. Harsh training methods could make this dog's problem worse or create new ones. I'm not saying all board and train trainers are bad but that is always a concern for sure. Personally I wouldn't suggest keeping a dog that wants to bite your children. I am unsure why giving him up is not an option. Very often this sort of problem is that the dog has an aggressive temperament. That means it is not YOU but how the dog is hardwired to act. If he was owned by an elderly person it is very likely the problem was made much worse due to lack of early training and lack of socialization. These are not easy issues to solve. They are also not issues which are going to ever completely go away, even with a lot of training. If the dog is good with adults perhaps you could rehome him in an adult home? I'd suggest talking with a Boston rescue about him as well. Sometimes rehoming is the best thing for all involved - including the dog. After all if he is that uncomfortable around children is it fair to him to try to force him to live with them?
