same play, different characters...

I'm posting an email exchange that I think should be read and noted.

I find that people are so often surprised when a dog acts like a dog. It seems we think that a dog is just going to "get it" when it comes to good behavior. Dog behavior is a constant task that should be dealt with. Just like we don't assume the car will continue to go straight when we take our hand off of the steering wheel, we should also not assume that the dog we brought home yesterday will be fine. If the dog is fine today, great, give him structure and training and monitor him. Show him what you expect and what you won't tolerate.

Here is the email, I've eliminated the personal info and left the important details:

from the person: I need advice. In mid October I pulled dog, a female pittie pup, 6 to 9 months old, at the request of a woman who has experience with pitties. She has one olderpittie girl and several cats.

Initially the dog got along well with the established family. Twice she acted out a little, once toward the woman and once toward the older pit, but it was nothing serious.

Today she killed one of the cats and, when the older pittie went to see what was going on, the pup attacked her and went for her throat. The older pittie has a large wound in her throat and a hunk out of her nose and it was not worse only because the dogs had just come in from a walk and the puppy still had her leash on, so the woman pulled her back.

I had this dog at my home overnight, before her transport, and she did not display any aggression toward my dogs or my cats. The only thing she seemed agitated about was when I tried to touch her hindquarters.

my reply: It goes to the same place that I always see.. structure can't be seen in a couple of days and even if it appears as though it's there, it must be continuously reinforced.

The dog needs to understand her place in the family / pack from day one. If this doesn't happen, for one reason or another, the dog starts to establish their own idea of structure, and at some point will act out.

I think many in rescue are reluctant to do this because of the emotions of "the rescued/abused dog," but we see over and over again the results.

All a trainer is going to do is charge her money and make the dog do basic obedience. The dog needs to see structure and discipline from the owner, not the trainer. The dog should be kept on a short leash (metaphorically speaking) and given freedom in small doses as it earns it.


please note that her email said that the dog acted out twice, but it was no big deal. Its these "no beg deals" that dogs get away with that allow them to act out in a BIG DEAL.. by then its usually too late, as in this case... Any small infraction must be dealt with immediately...


It's not my goal to criticize people, but to help them and the dogs they deal with. I spend more time at shelters and giving free advice than I spend charging for my behavioral services. I put my money where my mouth is. Those that spout off their opinions and can't back it up, should spend some time learning what it takes to get dogs to live cohesively with other dogs and families.


Saving a dog is more than just pulling it out of a shelter...

Robert Cabral