Agression

Well I'm starting to take seriously Xena's growling. I was thinking that it may because she is sick. But, I just read a good article about dogs and aggression and can now see she has had the early signs of an aggressive dog right from the beginning.

1. She was a puppy who didn't like to be around other dogs, quite scared.

2. She growled at us when we she was little but we did what the trainer said and put food on her nose.

3. She attacked my youngest daughters head while she watched TV

4. She has growled at me when I didn't put her food bowl down- fast enough the other day. She was in the sit/ stay position at the time.

5. She growled at my oldest daughter last night when she came through the sun room door (where Xena was) into the living area (No Xena zone)

6. She blocked the doorway and growled at older daughter this morning.


Xena will do what a male asks her to do but doesn't do what I ask unless the rewards are high.

I am positive that the vet is correct. She needs training for a dominant dog. I don't think she should be around my children any more. I feel there is too much risk. She is medium sized puppy now and big teeth haven't come through yet. I don't trust her at all with my girls anymore.

I'm disappointed because everything I read about ridgebacks they are fine with children. But, maybe its in the training.

I don't have the skills to deal with a large, dominant dog. I can be honest about that. I also have children, who come before a dog.

If my partner was here I am sure he could have this pack order thing sorted out very quickly and he wouldn't have a problem getting her to do what he wants. But he is not here and cant expect me to be him in his place if I don't have that personality. I don't know of any trainers here in this little city that could trainer her... being that rewards only training is the politically correct thing here.

Therefore, the stress of a dog that has allergies, a dog that is trying to become pack leader, a dog that in a month or two will have big, sharp teeth and a dog that is not respecting us has lead me to the following decision...

I need to give her up. She needs a male owner who has had large dominant dogs before. We aren't the right people for her.

And no matter how much we love her or how some people will think that we are awful for not continuing with her.

MY CHILDREN COME FIRST.

And Xena has had a good start, a lot of love and care and has at least learnt to be fine with other dogs and some basic training.