Put Him Down?

[ThisLilPiggi]

I have a 3 year old Saint that Has been Becoming more and more aggressive towards people and other animals. I have had several behaviorists tell me different things. I have Tried Everything and this problem seems to be elevating.I have Contacted the Saint Bernard rescue and they recommend i put him Down. I dont Know what else to do. I dont want him to really hurt someone or Something.

[kuritsa18]

A few questions:

Did you socialize him when he was young?

Are you working with a trainer and for how long?

These things don't change over night and take a long time and consistancy to change a behaviour. If you keep switching trainers or training techniques then it won't work and he won't learn.

[ThisLilPiggi]

Yes, He was fine when we Got him. Both he and His sister were Raised in a Breeders Home around Young Children. This Problem Started about a year ago and has been Excelating.I have had a trainer work with him as well as a dog Behaviorist. They are all telling me the same thing. Pit him Down. I just cant help but think I am missing Something and that there is someone out there that can Help him.

[kuritsa18]

If he started being this way about a year ago then something must have triggered it. Can you remember to around a year ago or even farther back to weird behaviours he might have had but was never noticed or any situations. your dog is 3 and this started a year ago so for 2 years he was fine. dogs don't just change their behaviour for no reason, something triggers it such as a bad experience. Also, is there something that triggers his bad behaviour or sets him off? I know this might be difficult to pinpoint but there is usually something which could be anything from a certain situation, sounds, smells, time of day, certain person. Really look hard at his behaviour and how he acts and even try to document his mood changes and what was going on when this happened in a journal. This could give you good insight and maybe show some kind of pattern. also, is he aggressive towards you too or other people?

It is always a very sad situation when an owner has to consider putting their dog down but I think that you should try everything possible untill you can't try anymore because you obviously love your dog. Call every trainer and specialist you can, look up trainers and different resources on the internet, ect. Have you had him checked out by a vet to rule out medical reasons? Sometimes behaviour changes are caused by medical problems. Does he get a lot of exercies? Dogs that are aggressive need a lot of exercise to release extra energy and tention. Also, how much time do you spend with him? If you don't spend a lot of time with him he could be acting out and getting rewarded for his bad behaviour; he may have learned that bad behaviour is working to get what he wants which has now gotten out of hand. Try re-enforcing possitive good behaviour. When he acts good and is calm and submissive give lots of prasie, treats and attention and when bad give as little attention as possible but correct it right away by a time out in a 'naughty place' or crate. Also, how are you with leadership? Are you the "pack leader" with your dog or does your dog control you? This also causes bad behaviour, aggression, and acting out. A dog will take any attention they can get whether good or bad. Try establishing a more dominant role with your dog. You can do this by practicing obediance at your house with the basic commands such as sit and stay is a really effective one. Do not let your dog get away with unacceptable behaviour because if you do then they learn they can and they don't have to listen to you; this teaches them that you are the leader and obedience.

Most behaviour is changable but does not happen over night. It is especially difficult with large aggressive dogs such as yours as someone can get hurt so Remember to take the precaustions to ensure everyones safety. Consistancy and possitive re-enforcement is an effective way to go. All you can do is try and trying is better than doing nothing or giving up

[Jesgrate]

The aggression can be a dietary problem, something new is happening physically like pain somewhere in the body, a newly learned fear or reaction to something, or could be a brain disorder too. I would gets lots of consistent training with a good trainer who can work on consistenly duplicating the problem and correcting it. If that does not work I would follow your vet's advice. Many large dogs are not covered on your homeowner's liability insurance these days so do not take a chance.

[jstcrsn1]

Do you have any background on the parents??
We had a situation here in our area where the father was absolutely NUTS.
It turned out that every one of the puppies he sired has had behavioral and aggressive problems and most have had to be put down.
Our daughter has a St Bernard and every time she takes Cadience to the groomers, vets, ect, they ask where she came from. Luckily she was bought from over 50 miles away with the parents on the property.
I realize that is on the extreme end of the spectrum, but it would be something to check into. Personally I would rather air on the side of caution as I look at our autistic grandson who is face level with Cadiences mouth, rather than look at him after the dog has bit him.
Having put a couple 'family members' down over the years for various health reasons, I completely empathize with you.
Jude

[AaronJ80]

Get some volunteers to come to your house for a training excersize.

When they come over, keep your dog on a leash/halter (halters are much better to control an aggressive dog) and keep a safe distance from the visitors. If he starts to bark or lunge, try to get him under control. Make him sit. If he does, give him his fav treat. If not..take him into another room until he calms down. Try reintroducing him to the visitors. Again do not get close and repeat the steps above. A time goes on, you should get closer to the guest..but if he reacts, back up. If he stays calm, give him a treat.

ALSO>>
Take him in the car for a ride to the park..try to go at a time of day where there wont be ALOT of people..but a few. Walk him to an area where he can see people but not get at them. Basically do the steps above. He gets rewarded for being calm, distracted for an outburst. In this case, walk him n the other directon til he is calm and try again.

THis will take time, so be patient. In the meantime, I wouldnt take him out in public unless it is a training session and lock him in another room when people come over if it also is not a training session.

Good luck.