Help with my dog?

S

Shadow81

New Member
Hi guys.
Im looking for advice from experienced K9 handlers. I am not one myself, I am in fact a community care manager, but I suspect I may have an ex security dog.
Cujo is a rottie german shepherd cross we rescued recently from a local rescue. Not much is known about his history and we are piecing together as we go. He is about 6. We have had him 4 months. I felt sorry for him as he had been in kennels 6 months and was going a bit crazy and had to be put in solitary accommodation. Since we brought him home hes been a pain in the arse! So much so we have hired a behaviourist and even he seems at a loss over what to do with him now.
He goes loopy over other dogs. He is very reactive and will pull bark and lunge at dogs on the lead. At 6ft he can pull me along quite easily and it has got us into trouble more than once. He hasnt been socialised thats clear and he is clueless with other dogs. He tends to mirror what they do. If they ignore he ignores
If they snap he snaps back etc. If he is off lead he will run off after other dogs causing us more problems with other owners. He is not aggressive and just wants to sniff when he gets there. No recall at all when he does this. His basic training is very good. He knows sit, down, leave it, can do a sit stay and down stay in the field for aaaaages and at good distances, he also knows speak and please. Speak is his favourite! He is better off lead than on and can walk to heel perfectly off lead. Currently he is at risk of being returned to rescue. I am trying to find out if he could have been an ex security dog as this could change everything. Currently we cant manage his reactivity. His prey drive is super strong and rabbits, birds, small yappy dogs and small children are targets for it (in that order of importance and depending on his excitement level). He cowers if I swear strongly and aggressively which happens on occasion as he is so damn hard to work with.
Are there any things I could try to test to see if he knows any security training? Just at a loss now. Please help!
 
Thanks for the positive response. I am genuinely trying to help this apparently mental dog and save him from another stressful 6 months in kennels or worse as hes unhomeable. Its just an idea. If hes not ex security material then I can accept he is just nuts and I cant manage him anymore
I thought he may just be hyped as he is used to working and now he doesnt so his energy is finding other outlets such as his prey drive. I thought his lack of socialisation with other dogs but great way with people might be an indicator but I dont know what else to look for. It could be he knows commands I dont know the words for. I am at the end of my rope and this is the last ditch attempt before I hand him back to rescue.
 
Shadow81 said:
Thanks for the positive response. I am genuinely trying to help this apparently mental dog and save him from another stressful 6 months in kennels or worse as hes unhomeable. Its just an idea. If hes not ex security material then I can accept he is just nuts and I cant manage him anymore
I thought he may just be hyped as he is used to working and now he doesnt so his energy is finding other outlets such as his prey drive. I thought his lack of socialisation with other dogs but great way with people might be an indicator but I dont know what else to look for. It could be he knows commands I dont know the words for. I am at the end of my rope and this is the last ditch attempt before I hand him back to rescue.
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Still not buying it.

You have described a dangerous dog in the hands of someone who does not have a clue. It isn't the dog that is nuts
 
I got him from a rescue. As i said, his history is patchy. We know his last owner. Thats it. I know hes dangerous. Hes a friggin menace. This is why im asking for help as either we are going to end up being prosecuted under the new uk dog laws or he is going to be put down. Its simple. Help and advice from those in the know as I dont bloody know!
 
He is not, nor ever will be ex police K9. His problem is that he has tons of energy and no positive way to siphon it off. He has a MINOR behavioral problem that is easily corrected by any decent trainer who knows WTF they are doing. In the wrong hands (possibly yours) he can be dangerous....only because you haven't a clue about dog behavior, training, or reading the warning signs/body language that EVERY dog gives before it does anything in its entire life. My suggestion....fast track your education, pay for a GOOD reputable trainer, or re-home him to someone with the skills and/or experience to handle this mutt.
 
Shadow81,

Not to sure why you put a picture of a blonde on, listen to what the guys have said; this task is beyond you at the moment.
Where in the uk are you?, this info will assist our members in whether or not they can help as a dog handler in London wont be willing to visit Berwick upon Tweed to train you and the dog.

regards

premier
 
Why not visit a dog club and speak to the trainer and get some positive feedback sometimes its the person that needs training not the dog if the dog knows it can get away with things then it will.
I would seek the advice of a trainer before you get hurt or the police end up at your door.. why would you take a dog like this when you do not have the experience to control/ train the dog ? Not all dogs that end up in shelters are bad dogs but the sad fact of life is sometimes the dog will pay for man's mistakes.
I hope you get good help with this dog but remember you have bad trainers just the same as bad dogs good luck.
 
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It sounds to me that your are an inexperienced dog owner & inexperienced dog handler, the biggest misconception that many security personnel that want a security K9, think is that they can pick any large dog breed ie: Rottweiler, GSD, or Doberman from a cheap or free resource either a Dogs Home and expect the Dog to be capable of becoming a Security dog.

All proper security dogs are trained from a Puppy, so they have all the right attributes, High Drive, Nerves of Steel, and come from Working Bloodlines. That is why 90% of quality security dogs are imported K9.s from working bloodlines, German or Czech and other parts of Europe.

I have my own K9 security company and I use 3 x different breeds, the Rottweiler, the GSD, and the Belgian Malinois which is fast becoming the 1st choice of Security / Armed Forces / Police Agencies.

My advice to you is too Euthanize this Dog, as it is obviously untrained and unpredictable and will either bite someone or yourself and will lead to this unfortunate dog being destroyed by the local authorities if it injures or attacks a member of the public under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Hopefully the SIA will soon implement that all security dog handlers in the UK will be fully licenced & registered and have a N.A.S.D.U. qualification as security Dog handling is a specialised area in security.

Regards ALIMALI.
 
Shadow81 said:
I got him from a rescue. As i said, his history is patchy. We know his last owner. Thats it. I know hes dangerous. Hes a friggin menace. This is why im asking for help as either we are going to end up being prosecuted under the new uk dog laws or he is going to be put down. Its simple. Help and advice from those in the know as I dont bloody know!
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It's not the dogs fault he/she has an owner who dosen't know. If I was closer I'd take it off your hands, my retriever needs a playmate. Do not post back here sometime in the future and tell us it was put down due to your [NON]care.
 
ALIMALI............. I Wouldn't build your hopes up on SIA or NASDU setting the standard, In 2005 the SIA, NASDU, NITPDU AND BIPDT all sat around the table to discuss security dog handlers, ALL 3 associations stated they police dog handlers........ this is why we are NOT included in the act or any of the supplements since 2005.

Shadow........ suggest you put the dog down......( if you haven't already)......... if the dog bites a member of the public or you or a member of you family........ could you live with the fact that you knew he was dangerous yet by your own admission..... you have no idea what you are doing........
 
ALIMALI said:
All proper security dogs are trained from a Puppy, so they have all the right attributes, High Drive, Nerves of Steel, and come from Working Bloodlines. That is why 90% of quality security dogs are imported K9.s from working bloodlines, German or Czech and other parts of Europe.

Hopefully the SIA will soon implement that all security dog handlers in the UK will be fully licenced & registered and have a N.A.S.D.U. qualification as security Dog handling is a specialised area in security.

Regards ALIMALI.
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OK, firstly, it's Malinois or Belgium Shepherd. There's no German Malinois, or French Malinois, it's not difficult.

As for all proper security dogs should be trained from pups, that's just totally inaccurate. Decades of military and police have proved that point. Training from a pup only gives you a reduced failure rate and the ability to mould the behaviour over a longer period.

As for NASDU, they're a membership organisation and nothing more. There are 2 things holding back security dog teams, dog handlers who cut corners, and dog companies who cut corners and undercut everyone else to make a quick buck. The NASDU quals are borne off the back of years of military and police hard work, but like everything else, add the human element and it all goes to rat shit.

Rant over but stop generalising and waffling in a forum filled with sector experts.
 
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