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Canine Behavior/Aggression after owner passes away

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Expert: - 10/22/2008


Question

Casey
Hi Dr. Connor.  My mother recently passed away (2 months ago) and her dog Casey, who is a 6-year old cockapoo, was her constant companion.  My mother was 78 and it was just the two of them for Casey's entire life.  He was unfortunately in the house with my mom for 2 days after she passed, and we're positive it was extremely traumatic for him.  I was unfortunately unable to take Casey with me (I have cats) so we brought him to a shelter and he was adopted. Without our knowledge, the new owners crated Casey for 8 hours a day, and of course, having never been crated in his life, he reacted strongly to it.  The new owners said he became aggressive and "returned" him to the shelter.  He is now biting anyone that comes near him.  Casey had always been a lap dog, providing kisses to anyone that paid attention to him.  The shelter had him evaluated by a behaviorist and have told us that he is "unadoptable" and recommend putting him down.  I can't bring myself to do that, but don't know what options are available. He is a good boy and doesn't deserve this fate.  Can you provide any information that we might try?  Many Thanks.

Answer
My sincere condolences on the loss of your mother!! And then to have this additional heartbreak is almost too much.

Anyone can call him/herself a "behaviorist".  There are very few municipal shelters who can afford to have one on staff; this was more likely a dog trainer with a "title".  And s/he was wrong.

the municipal shelter is a terrifying place for dogs.  Many dogs demonstrate behaviors there that they do not offer elsewhere; they are extremely shy (hide in corners), they can become cage aggressive very easily (when not socialized well to begin with) and NO behavior demonstrated in such a place can be used to determine future behaviors.  The home in which this dog was placed was abusive and neglectful.  It is NOT the dog's fault that he "failed".  You should remove this dog from this place IMMEDIATELY -- TOMORROW MORNING.  There is no reason he can't learn to live with your cats.  He can begin living in your home in a safe, quiet area that is his, alone (laundry room?)  You will need to bring this dog to the veterinarian immediately (or have one come to your home).  Be prepared to see all sorts of anxiety ridden behavior in this dog.  He has an awful lot to overcome.

I've seen dogs with far worse cage aggression caused by abuse, neglect and confinement in terrifying places (such as kill shelters) overcome this behavior.  When people dealing with him are AFRAID to be bitten (which the kennel workers ARE), the dog learns more about how to demonstrate aggression.  He is terrified.  He needs to GET OUT NOW.  I don't know what State you are in but you need to find a certified applied animal behaviorist immediately.  Call the veterinary college in your geographical area and get a referral.  DO NOT bring in a dog trainer; you need a professional.  This dog can be helped.  He needs a regimen of Clomicalm (anti-anxiety medication), some kind, consistent, patient and non-fearful handling, a safe place to be for a few weeks, and he will come around.  IF for some reason you decide to have him euthanized, DO NOT LEAVE HIM IN THAT SHELTER.  Take him to a veterinarian, have him sedated and euthanized when he is under heavy sedation.  This is the ONLY humane way to do it.

Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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