Advice Needed!

A

AbbyandIzzy

Forums Novice
Hi All! I have a serious question and welcome any advice. In June 2010, I rescued a 2 year old female sheltie that had been kept in a crate for her entire life. I have put a lot of work into her and love her dearly, but there is one major issue we can't seem to work out...she has gone after me several times...leaving puncture wounds on my hands, arms, legs, and chest. There is typically no reason for her turning on me...for example, last night, I turned over in bed and she jumped on it and bit me.
I want to do what is best for her and I just don't know what it is. I want a dog I can trust...around my friends, family, and niece.....but if I can't trust her to be gentle with me....I am afraid keeping her will be difficult. I have started to think that a farm would be the best place for her...with one or two adults living with her as a maximum (she doesn't like kids). I don't want to turn my back on her, but I feel like I am almost exhausting all of my options.
HELP!!!
 
1st off, welcome to the sheltie forums. I'm sorry for your situation. I really do not have any answers for you. I will say a prayer things improve. I do care.

Hopefully some of the other forum members will be able to "chime in" with some advice for you.

Again, welcome.
 
I really think you need to consult a professional behaviorist. I know you must be so frustrated not knowing what is causing this reaction. It doesn't sound "personal." It's pure reactive behavior. I sure hope you're able to come to a good resolution.
 
ohhh sorry to hear about your girls beginning in life :(...but thank you for taking her and giving her a good life. Have you had her checked by a vet and had bloodwork done? Sometimes thyroid and other health issues can cause them to lash out. Just a thought...hope you can get some answers for her..
 
AbbyandIzzy said:
Hi All! I have a serious question and welcome any advice. In June 2010, I rescued a 2 year old female sheltie that had been kept in a crate for her entire life. I have put a lot of work into her and love her dearly, but there is one major issue we can't seem to work out...she has gone after me several times...leaving puncture wounds on my hands, arms, legs, and chest. There is typically no reason for her turning on me...for example, last night, I turned over in bed and she jumped on it and bit me.
I want to do what is best for her and I just don't know what it is. I want a dog I can trust...around my friends, family, and niece.....but if I can't trust her to be gentle with me....I am afraid keeping her will be difficult. I have started to think that a farm would be the best place for her...with one or two adults living with her as a maximum (she doesn't like kids). I don't want to turn my back on her, but I feel like I am almost exhausting all of my options.
HELP!!!
Click to expand...

Welcome to the Forums and good for you rescuing her! Thank you for doing that for her.

Can you describe (if you know) what was going on just before she bit you and also the other times she went after you? For example what preceded it, etc?
Was it dark the other times?

You may want to crate train, IF you want, considering what happened before you had her, so that you can manage the situation, etc
 
Many Thanks!

I can't thank you enough for how quick you all responded! I should go into some more detail...I currently own 2 rescue shelties...Abby who is 10 (I adopted her when she was 7) and Izzy who just turned 3....the one I am worried about. I previously owned my first sheltie, Sadie Rose, for 10 years. I brought her home at 7 weeks old:) She past away June 2009 from cancer :(
I STRONGLY believe in rescue! Abby had some issues as she spent her 7 years being abused when she was home and taken to doggie daycare for weeks at a time when she wasn't home being abused:( However, she has never been aggressive at all...she is a gentle soul. I am strongly attached to Izzy, the one who I wrote about last night. Long story short, once I rescued her and received her paperwork, it turns out she had the same father as my first beloved sheltie!!! I still can't get over how she came to me and ended up being from the same breeder....I should also mention Izzy came to me on the 1 year anniversary of Sadie's death! So, as you can tell, this is a very difficult decision for me. I have een working with a behaviorist/trainer, and Izzy's obedience issues have greatly improved! It is just this aggression that doesn't seem to be resolving itself. To answer a question, the other times she has bitten me, I could always identify a trigger....taking a toy from her, moving suddenly and her perceiving she was in danger....but the other night, when all I did was turn over in bed, is what has me worried. I will NOT give up on this girl, I think I just needed people who understand to listen to my feelings. All your kind words are GREATLY appreciated! I will keep everyone posted! Thanks again!
 
My landlord has a rescue from a commercial breeder. Charlotte was five when Jacky got her. She had spent her life in whelping pens and on wire. She spent the first year reactively biting Jacky. Thankfully Jacky is a psych nurse, and deals with crazy on a regular basis. :smile2: It took a long time, and some bites on the nose (Charlottes), and some forced lap time, and some being tied on a leash in the house, and some structure, but Charlotte is ten now and wouldn't dream of biting anyone. Me moving to the apartment upstairs with Marque helped her tremendously. Marque and Charlotte are best friends, and she acts like a puppy around him, always wanting to play, to the point of leaping on him and knocking him over and running big circles around him. He tolerates it with a big dumb grin.

Sometimes it takes a really long time for them to adjust enough to not have those reactions. If you can come up with a common theme to her reactions, maybe there is something you can change.
 
Welcome to the forum...I admire you very much for not wanting to give up on Izzy....I have been saddened lately by people who believe dogs are disposible, and love your dedication to helping her through this difficult time.

I have had two rescues, and I believe in rescuing also. But I never had a biter. I am sure it is frustrating, but I would just counter the aggression with love and patience somehow.

Oh, I do remember when I first slept with Anna (my first rescue) if I put my foot or leg on her at night she would growl at me. I would just reach over and reassure her. Then one night, I told her, "OUT! GET OUT NOW!" and she scurried down the hall. A half an hour later she was back in bed with me, and we never had the problem again. Just a thought.
 
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