Hello Jackie and Rodney

First go click on the Ascent course and take the Personality Profile “quiz”. Then post the results here so I can review them with you.

Next,

I’m truly sorry about Mazy getting injured. The following is what I was describing on the phone with you a few minutes ago. This is an extreme situation and that is the only time I use Adam’s program for aggressive dogs. It does work but you have to be consistent, not let your guard down, its not forever but we have to take away all of her privileges and then add them back in little by little to show her she has to earn our trust.

Adam Stone’s Four Rules for Treating All Aggressive Dogs
1.) DO NOT TAKE THE DOG MORE THAN 30 SECONDS AWAY FROM HOME
The purpose of this rule is to set the dog up to succeed by reducing the possibility for problems to occur in the first place. Every aggressive incident helps the behavior to become more deeply rooted in the dog’s brain. Aggression breeds aggression. You can walk the dog for as long as you wish but making sure that you are within thirty seconds of home at all times.
This will help to reduce the dog’s need to mark territory because it will have access to less territory. While walking within this small area, you will be more able to see other dogs or people approaching before a problem arises. If the dog exhibits any unwanted behavior, the walk is immediately ended.
2.) DIVIDE YOUR HOUSE SO THAT THE DOG IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE TERRITORY CLOSEST TO THE DOOR WHERE VISITORS COME AND GO.
Since humans tend to not be territorial with their dogs, we need to show the dog that we are doing a fine job as alpha of the pack. By banishing the dog out of one section of the house, you are also able to turn its world upside down and make it think and open its mind to change. We want the dog to be aware that things are changing. The dog’s world is no longer what it appeared to be and the human is now in control. Adam says that a dog comfortable in its territory is less likely to accept change.
The owner will be claiming some territory back for themselves as a temporary training tool. This is not done with the use of barricades, but is accomplished be going into the territory, walking it out by the collar and telling it “out!” If the dog goes back in, repeat. The dog will quickly realize that it is not allowed to cross the invisible line. Remember to keep this line consistent and do not allow the dog to move it.

3.) TEACH THE DOG TO HOLD AND CARRY A PEN IN ITS MOUTH
By teaching the dog to hold and carry a pen, you are teaching it to think. Holding a pen, let alone moving while doing so is a bit of a chore for a dog and takes concentration. While the dog is holding the pen, you know that you are in control. The pen then becomes your early warning system, allowing you to take control back before anything happens.
A dog is less likely to bite with something in its mouth and it gives the dog something to concentrate on other than what is going on around it. It also makes the dog very much aware of its mouth and what it is doing. This will allow you to slowly introduce the dog to other dogs and people in a much safer manner. When the dog is acting in an acceptable manner while holding the pen, we can have more trust in him when we remove it.
4.) ONLY ALLOW THE DOG TO URINATE AND/OR DEFECATE IN A PREDETERMINED BATHROOM AREA, AND NOWHERE ELSE.
Dogs perceive everything they mark as part of their territory, and since dogs naturally defend what is theirs, this gives many dogs license to fight. The initial marking can escalate to mounting, growling, and eventually biting and fighting. In order to stop the attitude, we have to teach the dog that they do not own the world and that they are to do what they are told.

WHAT IS POSSESSIVE AGGRESSION?
The natural instinct to guard and protect valued assets is a normal canine behavior known as “Possessive Aggression”. In every wolf pack there is a ranking hierarchy similar to that of the armed forces. There are high ranks, middle ranks and low ranks, and it is because of this ranking system, that wolves get along as well as they do. The wolf is the only real purebred dog, every other breed is a hybrid. Because our dogs are descendants of grey wolves, they will exhibit the same behaviors.
In the wolf pack, as in the armed forces, the higher ranks make the decisions and direct the behavior of the rest of the pack. The top-ranking dog, “alpha” guides the rest of the pack and may be male or female.
A strong, aggressive pup will test the rest of the pack by trying to direct their behavior, and if able to do so, will rise in rank. The strongest, most aggressive wolf will eventually lead the pack, which increases the pack’s ability to survive. Any wolf will attempt to guard what it values, usually food or bones, but if told to do so, must give it up to the higher-ranking wolf.

WHAT IS DOMINANCE AGGRESSION
The job of alpha in any pack is to make the decisions for the pack. The dog able to most effectively direct the behavior of the rest of the pack will maintain leader position until challenged and dethroned by another dog. One way to establish rank is to aggressively defend valued assets such as food, mates and territory. When an aggressive conflict is over, the victor rises in rank and the loser must accept a lower position.
Once alpha position has been firmly established, alpha seldom needs to demonstrate its rank since it is clearly understood. However, if a lower ranking dog challenges, alpha will attack quickly and severely so that there is no question of rank.
The dogs who challenge aggressively on a regular basis are those who are in conflict as they attempt to work out their position in the dominance hierarchy. It is the middle ranking dogs, mostly males who scrap on a regular basis.
When a dog joins a human pack the hierarchy needs to be clearly determined. A dog unsure of its rank will attempt to direct the family’s behavior on a regular basis. The most common demands are for attention and food. If the owners give in to these demands, the dog rises in rank and the challenges will increase in frequency and intensity.