HELP with aggressive dog

Im in a dillemma over what to do. This may seem very long winded but here it goes.


Basically, i contacted a charity to see if I could help out in any w ay . They suggested fostering a dog. I work and live by myself so was concerned that the thought of fostering/ adopting a dog on it's own would be cruel. I was assured that this particular dog couldn't walk veyr much due to a disability, liked his own company etc... and my medium sized flat would be more than adequate.


The first night i brought him back he was vicious and aggressive. I put this down to fear and being in unknwon surroundings. However, even though i spend about 6 hours a day awake and in the house with him he still hasn't improved. he still growls, snarls and bites. One moment he is absolutely lovely, on his back and the next moment he'll suddenly snap and try to bite me.


I have tried to take him for walks but i can't even get near him to put on a leash. The one time i managed to put the leash on he went schizo. he's too scared to go on my balcony and too scared to even go into the lobby.


i've only picked him up a handful of times.


He's between 8-10 years old. Is there any hope? Should i return him to the shelter? or battle on?


He doesn't seem to like humans at all (which i suppose is why I was given him if im at work). Ive had people around and he goes crazy. I understand this has a lot to do with his past but can this be rectified?


I just hope he can find a home once he becomes friendier overall but not sure I can accomplish this if a) im working and only have 6 hours with him or b) his history has been too painful and like the say you can't teach old dogs new tricks...

a friend of mine who foster dogs all the time said this:


The answer to his problem is

that he has not gained the trust of the dog, which I think has been terribly

abused by humans before, hence the unstable behaviour and fear-biting. The

best thing for him to do is, just let the dog be. Stick to the routine

everyday and no pushing for hugs and tummy rubs with the dog yet. Just the

basics for the time being - morning breakfast, outdoor walk, evening dinner,

outdoor walk. That is. In a couple of days, the dog will eventually

realize YOU MEANT NO HARM, and he will slowly open up to you. Let him do

the approaching, not you. What you can do is to SMILE to him all the time

and say sweet things and even sing sweet songs to him. You have to SHOW him

you are safe to be with. Before you know it, he will be coming over and

tucking his head into your laps. Absolutely No scolding or caning. Leave

the collar on his neck so it is easier to attach the leash when you bring

him out for walks. Remember, you FACIAL expression, VOICE and BODY language

are the only communicable abilities the dog understands. He is too scared

to hear any commands. Until he trust you, don't start to train him yet as

it might back-fire. Work on the TRUST first. Dogs are easy to handle once

you know their condition. You sure can turn this poor dog around.

This dog may be salvageable, or he may not. I agree with the above advice that you must respect his limits and gain his trust, but it may take a year or more of kindness and gentleness for him to learn to trust you. You must never use anything but positive reinforcement when you deal with him. On the other hand, some dogs are just unstable, particularly the breeds known for aggression such as rottweilers, German shepherds, or pit bulls. Those dogs can do serious harm to humans. As much as I love dogs, IMO you also have to know and accept your own limits of what you can do. If he is too much for you, perhaps he would do better with someone who has more time or experience and you could take a foster dog that is not quite as challenging. I'm sure the rescue has other dogs that you could help that don't have the same level of emotional damage.

Has he actually bitten you? Maybe he feels really insecure with humans, needs his own kind to keep him company. The doggie being home alone will not help and he thinks he's been abandoned everyday (when you go to work). I picked up a stray a few years ago, he's gently and so very sweet but very insecure when he's home alone. Dribbles, barks, panicks all day, the whole neighbourhood heard him. In the end my kind neighbour offer to dogsit (she has 4 dogs) whenever I'm out and he's very content at her place, even when she goes out he's fine being home alone with just the doggies.

Yes, I saw that last night: 'It's me or the dog'. A bit like 'Supernanny' but for dogs. Very good practical advice but I think a trainer would be better in this situation.

Watch TVB pearl on Mondays at 8.30pm, it's called "It's me or the dog". Amazing how the trainer does it, she seems to understand how they feel.