I have a question that I hope you can point me in the direction of a remedy.

Background:
We moved into a house and adopted my sister-in-laws 5 year old boerboel, Titan. Titan was an incredible dog. Never barked excessively, even tempered, loved kids and generally a very loveable dog, with respect to his owners. Titan grew up with 2 other staffies.

When we took ownership, we decided to get a companion for Titan. We purchased Nala, a female boerboel pup. They got on really well, with Titan showing no excessive aggression to her, in fact, she often bullied him with her puppy playfulness.

We recently had to have Titan put down, as he had been diagnosed with cancer which couldn’t be treated.

Nala has obviously missed him. We mad the mistake of not taking her for puppy socialisation, thinking that the interaction with Titan would be enough. (I now realise that was a mistake). We did do puppy training with Nala, and she is generally very good. She’ll sit and stay, even when presented with food. She’ll wait for the command before eating. She is almost 2, and weighs about 50 - 60kgs.

The only problem is that she shows ‘aggression’ towards other dogs. I’ve tried taking her to the park. She gets quite worked up as soon as she sees the other dogs. Even a trip to the vet is quite an ordeal. I recently decided that I have get her socialised (as we want to get her a companion). So I made arrangements with a colleague from work (who has 2 Jack Russell’s) to take the dogs down to the beach and let them get to know each other, at a neutral venue. Nala did try and attack the Male JR when he charged Nala while barking.

I then put her muzzle on (which I bought just in case this happened). We left the 2 of them, but Nala again went for the Male. I then decided to keep her on her leash. She did seem to warm up to the female JR who approached her in a calm manner. But I still kept the leash on Nala.

Nala is really a great dog who doesn’t show any aggression towards humans, even strangers.

What do you think the best approach to get her socialised would be? Any tips suggestions would be greatly appreciated, and valued.

Hi there
In my opinion I think it’s too late I’m afraid! One doesn’t take a chance with a 60 kilo aggressive dog. You have a lethal weapon there now.
As far as muzzles … muzzle , schmuzzel! A large dog will still get the better of a little one, muzzle or no muzzle.
I believe a 6 week puppy class is not sufficient – all dogs, especially large ones should be educated, at least, for the first year of their lives.
I suggest you go back to the puppy school you paid money to and ask there what to do.
Have fun
Glynne

Hello, you mention “If none of the above work you may consider castration which goes together with a lot of nasty side effects.” in your advice to Dachshund owner. You also mention to Labrador owner “a lifetime of hell”. Why I ask is that my Weimaraner and Dachshund (1st born and knew he was alpha dog)really did not get on and there was from time to time blood and injury. I had the Weimaraner neutered on advice from a dog psych but in the end had the two split up (just too much aggression)My Weimaraner (also have a bitch)are really happy and healthy and have never had any issues…what do you or did you mean with the above two comments. Please advise. Thanks

Hi John
Castration slows down the metabolism and dogs tend to gain weight - especially Labbys due to their high metabolic rate. The next thing is the dog is dieted to lose weight and the poor animal spends the rest of it’s “starving hungry” and trying to get food into it’s belly , often eating inedible objects like broken jam bottle and plastic food containers.
Apart from these psychological problems there are also many medical problems.
Here the precis of a 12 page paper on castration. I have emailed you the full 12 page paper.

Page 1 of 12
Long-Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay / Neuter in Dogs
Laura J. Sanborn, M.S.
May 14, 2007
Precis
At some point, most of us with an interest in dogs will have to consider whether or not to spay / neuter our pet. Tradition holds that the benefits of doing so at an early age outweigh the risks. Often, tradition holds sway in the decision-making process even after countervailing evidence has accumulated.

Ms Sanborn has reviewed the veterinary medical literature in an exhaustive and scholarly treatise, attempting to unravel the complexities of the subject. More than 50 peer-reviewed papers were examined to assess the health impacts of spay / neuter in female and male dogs, respectively. One cannot ignore the findings of increased risk from osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, hypothyroidism, and other less frequently occurring diseases associated with neutering male dogs. It would be irresponsible of the veterinary profession and the pet owning community to fail to weigh the relative costs and benefits of neutering on the animal’s health and well-being.
The decision for females may be more complex, further emphasizing the need for individualized veterinary medical decisions, not standard operating procedures for all patients.
No sweeping generalizations are implied in this review. Rather, the author asks us to consider all the health and disease information available as individual animals are evaluated. Then, the best decisions should be made accounting for gender, age, breed, and even the specific conditions under which the long-term care, housing and training of the animal will occur.
This important review will help veterinary medical care providers as well as pet owners make informed
decisions. Who could ask for more?
Larry S. Katz, PhD
Associate Professor and Chair
Animal Sciences
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

hey i have a pet rainbow lorikeet, i bought him 2 months ago and the bird was already tame. but when ever we go to get the bird out of the cage it runs away, also keeps trying to jump off us and fly away. we get it out every day and give it attention but the bird just keeps on jumping and running away. what should i do?
any help would be great.
Todd

Hi Todd
It’s clear the bird is afraid of you. Build up Tweetie’s trust by going slowly and quietly and not forcing yourself onto him.
When with him be very calm and quiet and project calming signals: ie… Calm voice, calm tone, calm body movements, calm energy, calm everything.
Arm yourself with his favourite treats and win him over with patience and love.
Remember you catch more ants with honey, than you do with vinegar!
Glynne
PS And switch off the loud music – it so upsets birds.

HI, I HAVE 2 PIT BULL PUPPIES . BOTH ARE FEMALE . I’VE HAD ONE OF THEM “GYPSY” SINCE SHE WAS JUST 8 WEEKS OLD . I LATER , GOT HER SISTER “KYANNE” AT THE AGE OF 12 WEEKS .
AT FRIST IT SEEMED TO REALLY GOOD FOR THEM TO HAVE A PLAYMATE. BUT NOW THAT THEY ARE 6 MONTHS OLD IT SEEMS THAT THEY ARE PARTNERS IN CRIME . THEY GET OUT OF THE YARD AND GET INTO THE TRASH . AND WHEN I BRING THEM INSIDE THEY JUST GO CRASY .
“KYANNE” LISTENS TO ME WHEN IT COMES TO COMMANDS . ALL I HAVE TO DO IS SAY IT , AND SHE DOES IT . AND I’VE NOT HAD HER AS LONG AS “GYPSY”. BUT GYPSY DOES NOT LISTEN TO ME AT ALL . SHE WILL WHEN IT COMES TO TREATS , OR PLAY .
I GUESS , WHAT MY QUESTION IS WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THIS ? I LOVE THEM SOO MUCH !! BUT , IT’S HARD FOR ME TO DEAL WITH THE HYPER ACTIVITY THAT THEY DISPLAY . I CAN’T AFFORD TO PUT THEM INTO TRAINING CLASSES . DO I BUY DVD’S AND TRY IT MYSELF ? OR THEY TOO OLD NOW TO BE TRAINED PROPERLY ?

Hi Rhianna
You should not have dogs if you can’t afford to train them.
In fact, if you don’t do something about your dogs now, your problems are going to get far worse.
My advice is re-home them now to a responsible owner who will spay them before more unwanted puppies enter this world, as well as train them to be good canine citizens.
Sorry but there is no short cut. You must consider your pets before you consider your own needs.
Glynne

Hi Glynne,

We recently stumbled upon a stray cat who had a broken leg. After many days of coaxing it and leaving food out for it, it eventually allowed us to touch it and take it to the vet. Thankfully its leg is healing but it has decided to adopt us as its new owners - which is great news, except for the fact that we have two cats of our own. As the stray is male, and one of our cats are as well - the tension in the house is problematic - we cant even let the stray in our house when we are not there. Our male cat is consequently marking territory and fights are imminent. Do you have any advice as to how to integrate them?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Claudia
Supply litter boxes and feeding stations all over your house so there is absolutely no competition for resources at all. Then you may have some peace.
Good luck
Glynne

We adopted a stray (mostly sheepdog)last year August which has turned into a beautiful lively soft natured animal. She is about 18 months old now. She’s been to training and loved it. In April one of our old dogs died (fine age of 16) and we still have the other one (male 15 year old Maltese cross). Jessy the sheepdog needs a mate to play with, as old Teddy obviously is only interested in sleeping in a sunny spot. Should I respect his age and allow him peace and quiet for his end time on earth, or am I prejudicing Jessy, who is systematically running a path from the gate around the house ! Difficult one, I know…