fear-aggressive dog
I've had a fear-aggressive dog for almost 7 years now. I found him when he was about 4-5 months old; he was already extremely wary, but was never (and has never been) aggressive to me or anyone once he gets to know them and feels comfortable around them.
It's that last part that's the hardest. He has now bitten/lunged at 3 people. He doesn't ever go in for the blood - doesn't keep biting or mauling. But he barks, lunges and nips, then backs off, then repeats until I'm able to grab him.
The first time was when he was still a puppy - about a year. A dog walker who I'd employed tried to grab his collar as he ran by (because he wouldn't come) and Madison nipped him in the hand, enough to cause puncture wounds. The second time was about a year or so ago. There was a repair guy in my apartment, I had Madison on leash and just wasn't paying attention the way I should have. Suddenly he ran toward the guy barking and lunging and ended up nipping him on the butt. Not sure the extent - I know it wasn't real serious but I think drew blood and definitely caused bruising.
The third one happened today. I have a brand-new roommate and did everything I could think of to prepare Madison. He had very brief, successful interactions with my new roommie prior to him moving in. I gave Madison a stinky shirt belonging to the new roommie, making happy noises and giving him treats while he smelled it. He also slept with it on his bed for a week or so.
This morning, I had just woken up and Madison was out and about. The new roommie had left, but then came back in through the back door, wearing his bicycle helmet. I was still sleepy and not thinking and the next thing I know, Madison has bitten through his t-shirt and grazed skin.
Understandably, my new roommie is now feeling unsafe and like he probably wants to move out. I don't know what to do about my dog. I love him dearly and like I said, once he gets to know someone he's fine - in fact, he's a ridiculous goofball. But I don't know what to do, I have next to no money (due in part to paying off a large emergency vet bill for him), and there are only a small handful of people that he trusts. Actually, the only people he feels really, really comfy and secure around are me, my boyfriend and my best friend - and neither of them could take him if I asked.
I'm really scared and stressed out - I don't want to put him down and I don't want to give up on him, but I can't afford to live by myself and the stress is getting bad.
ETA: I'm a big believer in positive training techniques, although I also that that different approaches can work for different dogs. Has anyone heard of or experienced http://www.packworks.org/ ?
It's that last part that's the hardest. He has now bitten/lunged at 3 people. He doesn't ever go in for the blood - doesn't keep biting or mauling. But he barks, lunges and nips, then backs off, then repeats until I'm able to grab him.
The first time was when he was still a puppy - about a year. A dog walker who I'd employed tried to grab his collar as he ran by (because he wouldn't come) and Madison nipped him in the hand, enough to cause puncture wounds. The second time was about a year or so ago. There was a repair guy in my apartment, I had Madison on leash and just wasn't paying attention the way I should have. Suddenly he ran toward the guy barking and lunging and ended up nipping him on the butt. Not sure the extent - I know it wasn't real serious but I think drew blood and definitely caused bruising.
The third one happened today. I have a brand-new roommate and did everything I could think of to prepare Madison. He had very brief, successful interactions with my new roommie prior to him moving in. I gave Madison a stinky shirt belonging to the new roommie, making happy noises and giving him treats while he smelled it. He also slept with it on his bed for a week or so.
This morning, I had just woken up and Madison was out and about. The new roommie had left, but then came back in through the back door, wearing his bicycle helmet. I was still sleepy and not thinking and the next thing I know, Madison has bitten through his t-shirt and grazed skin.
Understandably, my new roommie is now feeling unsafe and like he probably wants to move out. I don't know what to do about my dog. I love him dearly and like I said, once he gets to know someone he's fine - in fact, he's a ridiculous goofball. But I don't know what to do, I have next to no money (due in part to paying off a large emergency vet bill for him), and there are only a small handful of people that he trusts. Actually, the only people he feels really, really comfy and secure around are me, my boyfriend and my best friend - and neither of them could take him if I asked.
I'm really scared and stressed out - I don't want to put him down and I don't want to give up on him, but I can't afford to live by myself and the stress is getting bad.
ETA: I'm a big believer in positive training techniques, although I also that that different approaches can work for different dogs. Has anyone heard of or experienced http://www.packworks.org/ ?