Update on Chester's behaviour problems.

Update on Chester's behaviour problems.

Author
Discussion

Xtriple129

Original Poster:

1,148 posts

156 months

Wednesday 5th March 2014
quotequote all
I started a thread a couple of weeks ago about my Basset cross Chester and how he will never come back if he see's another dog and how he can be agressive with dogs bigger than himself. Recieved loads of great advice and tried lots of it, finally resorted to just keeping him on an extending lead - worked great!

Until, the other day there was a greyhound running amok and its owners were less than useless, it terrorised every other dog in the park and upset a lot of people. Anyway, it came over to Chester and I shooed it away twice, but the third time, it got to close and the inevitable happened - fight! To make it worse, they both got tangled in Chesters long lead and I couldn't seperate them. Finally got them apart (with injuries to myself!) and Chester came right up to me and I checked him over - all the easily damaged bits were okay but he was very shaken.

That night, I found all the bites down his ribs behind his front leg.

Anyway, since then, he's been BRILLIANT!

I've let him off his lead and only threatened it if he misbehaves, but he comes back when called, doesn't get agressive and backs away from big dogs that grumble at him. He's been a proper joy to walk and we've even started playing with a ball - he chases it, just not far.

So, to get your disobediant dog under control, get a big dog to bite him! That was a joke!!!!!!!!!

Morningside

24,110 posts

228 months

Wednesday 5th March 2014
quotequote all
I used to have a Basset. 'fun' aren't they hehe

Any photos of him?

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
Oh dear!!

Though if there is a positive outcome that's good I suppose, not generally recommended though hehe

Serious question - Did he need to see a vet? Just wondering how many days ago and how are his wounds looking now?

Hope that's the first and last fight you have to deal with!

Xtriple129

Original Poster:

1,148 posts

156 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
Hi Bex, no, he didn't see the vet. His wounds weren't bad, just a few puncture wounds. He seems to be healing up well and they aren't bothering him at all.

I hate dog fights! I hope it's the only one as well.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
Ok. Keep a close check on those puncture wounds they can turn nasty (often worse than superficial cuts) They close over quickly and look healed but trap bugs that can then cause an abscess.

Any sign of swelling and/ or redness around the puncture sites you will need to get him vet checked.

Hopefully if it's been more than 4-5 days since it happened and there is no problem it should be fine smile

Xtriple129

Original Poster:

1,148 posts

156 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
It was last week Bex, so I think we are safe. I'm used to checking them both thoroughly as Phoebe loves laying in thorn bushes (strange dog!) and I spend many a happy hour pulling thorns out of her! It's second nature to check them over whenever they come close - if you ignore Chester when he's come for a stroke, he 'woo-woo's' at you until you give in.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Thursday 6th March 2014
quotequote all
thumbup

Xtriple129

Original Poster:

1,148 posts

156 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
Just thought I'd give an update as it's now six months on.

From being an aggressive, belligerant little st when I first got him back from his Mummy (I hadn't seen him in eight months)he's completely transformed! At 3 years 2 months old, he's a big, fat, cuddly puppy! A friend commented today on the fact and that's what prodded me to this update, he said : 'He's just a big lapdog isn't he!'

I'm sure it all comes down to the fact that before (and when he was with my wife) he thought he had to be 'topdog' and protect us all. He and I had a couple of run ins a while back where he had a go at me and got sorted out in very short order (I wanted him to come in so I could shut the door, he wanted to lay in the sunshine, I asked, he refused, I motioned, he growled, I got hold of his collar, and he went for me, growling and snarling, he got a sharp tap on the bum and unceremoniously dragged inside!) and a couple of occasions where other dogs had a go at him and Daddy stepped in and sorted it for him. Now, if anything untoward happens, he runs (yes, my little fat Basset runs - the most comical sight in the world I'm sure!) back to me and sits (hides?) behind my legs.

He's not in the slightest bit scared of other dogs and still loves to go and say 'hello' to one and all, but, if the other dogs body language is a 'bit off' he just slopes back to me, whereas before he would have got aggressive - I'm sure that he was scared then but felt that he had to protect us/me, while now, he's much more content with his place in the 'pecking order' - it's removed a lot of stress from his little fat life and he's far happier for it.

While I'm writing this, he's laying under my armpit with his head on my left forearm, fast asleep and snoring (I'm lying on the floor - bad back), this is his usual place now. He's by no means 'perfect' he still has his 'arch enemy' which is a Staffy and they have a go at each other through our front gate every day when the Staffy walks by, but even that has got to the stage of all noise, no action (and they could get to each other if they wanted) and he still has to be on a lead when he's going round the block as he's as thick as two short planks and has no road sense (Phoebe never goes on a lead except for trips to the vets!) and he likes chasing cats...

So, I have had it reinforced to me that any dog has to know its place in the pack and be secure in that position/know that 'topdog' will look after him. He's happy, content and secure, a lovely sweet natured mutt that I'm pleased and proud to be associated with.

Hope you don't mind the update?