Resource aggression

Yesterday, at the animal shelter, I met the most resource aggressive dog
of all times. He protected his food, is bedding, and his toys. He
growled ferociously, bit at me; and that one point, had his mouth around
my arm, just above my watch.

Handsome Jack Morrison...

That's not unusual in a kennel setting.

Where are you working with him, Michael?

Inside *his* kennel? Or in a training room?

How long has he been there?

Michael A. Ball...

Yes, the kettle setting is a pretty intense environment. I think that
is one of the reasons I tend to be lenient, perhaps to lenient,in my
interpretation of dog behavior. It's hard for me to take such tiny dogs
very seriously. It's only when I remember that some unsuspecting child
or adult might not get off so lucky.

The dog had been moved from the public viewing area, when I arrived at
the shelter today. I'm not sure that I will get to see it again,
because I am only a volunteer these days. However, the shelter does let
me work with dogs that are considered troubled; so, I do have some hope
of seeing it again.

Unfortunately, the shelter does not have much space for anything other
than storing animals. I will try to find a quiet place to work, if I'm

Handsome Jack Morrison...

That's not unusual, but sad nonetheless.

allowed to visit the dog again. In the short time we had together
yesterday, I confiscated his food, bedding and toys; I can just imagine
what he was thinking about me. Eventually, I was able to hold one of
his stories while he chewed on it. I considered that a good, small
said. And that is why I have hope that he can be rehabilitated. Since
he is a stray, there is no way to know what led them to be like this.

Handsome Jack Morrison...

He sounds like a typical Westie who's had to fight to protect his
"stuff."

[...]

He is spent the shelter for about four days; and the public viewing area
for about two days. Due to the way that bedding food and toys are
placed in the kennels, his aggression could've easily been overlooked by
the shelter staff. To be honest, I discovered that quite by accident.

If possible, get this little guy out of the kennel for a few days and
work with him in a more normal, quiet setting (e.g., at your home).

I assume he displays some pretty good bite inhibition, if he had his
mouth around your arm and yet didn't break skin, right?

Or did he?

At first, I wasn't sure that you should be in the adoption area, but
then I realized that is growling would turn most people way and that we

Handsome Jack Morrison...

[...]

And "growling" appears to be a typical male Westie trait, no? And I
would have to assume that being confined to a kennel, with things to
"guard," etc., would probably act to encourage even more "growling."

Again, take him home with you for a few days. If that produces a big
change in his behavior (for the better, of course), you can be pretty
certain that his "aggression" is mostly related to being confined,
etc. That shouldn't suggest that he may not still require some work,
but you'll get a better idea of what his true temperament is.

Michael A. Ball...

I'd love to have him in the privacy of my quarters to work with for a
few days, but is just not possible.

As for his displaying bite inhibition, I'd have to say that he did a
good job. He was nibbling at my fingers so gently that I thought he was
playing, but I changed my mind, when he began to growl also. When he
had by arming his mouth, I didn't have the feeling that he wanted to
hurt me; however, it could be that he had bitten off more than he could
chew. :-) No, he did not break the skin.

Handsome Jack Morrison...

All good signs, IMO.

I hope he makes it.

Thanks for working with him, Michael

I'm not specifically familiar with Westies, but I do know that terriers
are generally quite protective. And that was another reason why I feel
some compassion for this dog: because to some extent, he is only doing
what comes naturally. A little guidance, discipline and love could
really turn this dog around.

If I'm not allowed to work with him, he will probably be offered to some
rescue group, but he will not be offered for adoption at this shelter.
The local shelter works in mysterious ways. They would rather let the
dog become someone else's problem, than to let a volunteer work with it.

Jack, thanks for that collection of URLs. I'm going to start looking
through them right away.

_______________________________________
"The greatest thrill is not to kill, but to let live"
James Oliver Curwood, author of The Grizzly King

would probably not have a bite case on our hands. I spent some time
with him and seemed to have made a little bit progress, which I plan to
continue today.

You might chuckle, when I tell you that the dog was a West Highland
Terrier. :-)

William Robb...

I had a Welsh Terrier in my last good manner class who tended to use his
teeth before he'd thought things through.

I usually don't waste my time on little fluffy dogs like this, because
there's always someone wanting them, but this little dog needs some
grooming and other attention. Believe it or not, he arrived at the
shelter with no collar, no tag of course and no microchip. Sometimes, I
hope that such unworthy owners don't come looking for their dog. I
don't consider his bad behavior to be his fault, but I do hope that I
can get him to mellow out some.

Toni...

No matter what progress you make, I would definitely like to see a "no
children" note on this dog.
Any dog that possessive isn't safe around kids.

Michael A. Ball...

I mentioned it to the shelter staff, but had to leave immediately. I'm
going to go check to see if it is still in the public area.

If it is, I'll suggest the "no kids" note.

_______________________
Play with fire! Zildjan drum sticks

Handsome Jack Morrison...

Small children are seldom a good match for any small terrier, no?

Toni...

Maybe, maybe not. Westies are pretty popular family dogs around here- they
are small, white, and energetic.

But there is no way I will ever assume that families wandering an animal
shelter have any sort of clue about what sort of dog would be a good match.
They just go for whatever the kid points at.

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A dog's life is too short; their only fault really.