Aggression!
3 weeks ago we got a new foster who was rumored to have some food aggression issues. For a week we had no problem, no sign of aggression. But then suddenly he became a differant animal.
Kota's rumored food aggression has surfaced in a big way. That is why, taking into consideration the possible adoptive home already has a small breed dog, I've decided it would not be safe or ethical to place him there. Overall he is a really great dog with loads of potential, but the aggression has become a serious downfall for him.
=0(
Last Friday night I was feeding all the puppers in the kitchen as usual. They eat in order and on command. First Teekon, then Tikaani, and Kota last. We've been trying to teach Kota to sit and wait for his command, and he seems to be picking it up, or at least he was. But that Night I had to hold him away from Teekon as he was growling and trying to steal his food. Next came Tikaani, and as soon as she stuck her head in her bowl Kota went between my legs and attacked Tikaani, who ran away. Instead of eating her food, he left her bowl alone and attacked Teekon for his food. Soon the three of them were brawling all over the kitchen. No injuries or anything, just alot of noise and wrestling.
Outside Kota has taken posession of all the toys, and attacks any dog who tries to pick one up.
He stole a wrapper from the trash and got nasty when we took it away, and on Sunday he got one of my daughter Emma's stuffed toys and got quite nasty when I tried to grab it from him.
Dean and I were really struggling over what to do. We wanted to keep everyone safe, and still keep Kota's well-being in mind. I don't want to isolate him and perhaps do more damage, as I'm sure he's had a rough life.
We decided that the very best we could do was first keep everyone safe, and allow Teekon and Tikaani to be comfortable and secure in their own territory.
Kota's posessively aggressive behavior hasn't left us with too much choice.
He now eats outside. We are still training him to sit and only eat on command, but it's slow going. we refuse to totally give up on him. He has also been restricted to outside only, since I don't need babys or people getting bit, or dog fights indoors.
He spends the night out in the enclosure with his own bed and own toys and water. He's slept there for 2 nights now and seems quite content, but I still worry about the impact it will have on him being separated.
Also, we've been keeping a close eye on them outside. We remove the toys when they're together so that they won't fight, and Teekon and Tikaani otherwise ignore Kota. But last night when they came in to eat I found blood on Teekon, which I soon found came from a puncture wound on his hip. It could have been from anything, maybe he and Tikaani played too rough, or maybe he ran into something while rough housing. And maybe it came from Kota, I just don't know. Teekon's wound it not serious and is being treated, but I've been watching to make sure there are no problems outside. If so, I may have to seperate Kota altogether. I don't want to, because I really don't want to isolate him, but he really seems to want to dominate everything around him.
I don't even have enough control over him to really train him or work with him effectively. He barks aggressively at anyone he sees other than immediate family. He's getting worse and more unpredictable by the day.
Teekon and Tikaani are high content wolfdogs, but they haven't touched him except to defend themselves. He's half their size and not even close to the same breed. He's a shep/ collie/ husky mix.
How do I work with him? is there any successful method that can begin to reverse this? If it continues, his chances at a home will be shot, and as he is now he isn't safe enough to stay here.
Jen and pack
For Tok, I will always remember the happier days when you howled and played as one of our pack. You will never be forgotten, and you can never be replaced. God has a special place for special creatures, and that is where we will meet again. Forever in our hearts, love always, your family.
Bookmarks