ElizabethMarucci

I just joined the program and am looking forward to working with our 3 yr. old rescue. We got Teddy (dachshund/minpin mix) in mid November. We are his 3rd home and he was abused in the first one. We met the 2nd owner and he was very outgoing with us. We brought him home and had him neutered in January. He was a delight with us and never realized that he was territorial until my sister came to our home and he wouldn't let her in. Because of covid our social life became non-existant and Teddy became our project. He was ok outside of our home and neighborhood with people and dogs but ballistic in our home when people came. I contacted the vet and he suggested a trainer. We called him and he came to our home and declared him dominant aggressive and put him in an e-collar. We used it for 3 mos. and it seemed to work in the beginning but we now know it was a mistake. His agression is fear based and not dominant. We are now in our summer home in rural northern NY and trainers are hard to come by so we have been relying on books and youtube videos. It is very frustrating as many contradict the others. Our adult children are coming to visit at the end of July. Two live in Europe and we haven't seen them in 2 yrs. I am dreading what should be a joyous time because of the dog. We have set up an area in the main living area where the dog can be safely restrained and have been working with neighbors to bring him into the mix in their yards. I find it helps for others to ignore him and not talk to him. Any suggestions are welcome as we are at our wits ends. I think my husband and I created much of this behavior by not being strict enough and taking pity on his former life and surely covid and the "trainer" did us no favors. The good news is we are retired and we have lots of time to help rehabilitate this little guy.IMG_5514 2.heic