Archive for the 'Dog aggression' Category

by Lindsay Stordahl on August 12th, 2010
18 Comments »
Dogs are getting crazier. People just don’t understand them. I’ve never gone to a dog adoption event without some idiot allowing his stressed-out dog to charge right up to the dog I’m handling. Last week I was handling a sweet, laid-back American pit bull terrier named Jada who is a bit dog aggressive. Even after I told other handlers that “my” dog doesn’t do well with other dogs, ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on May 18th, 2010
20 Comments »
One of the best parts about owning a dog is being able to take him places without worrying how he’ll respond to other animals, people or objects. I love that I can take my mutt Ace anywhere and know that I can trust him (he might drool on you, though). Ace will comfortably go for walks next to busy traffic, through large crowds or in a state park. When we pass other dogs that are barking or lunging, I know I c ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on March 26th, 2010
37 Comments »
What do you do when your dog becomes possessive of a certain object such as a bone, a toy or a sock? Here are my suggestions: First of all, nothing should ever be given to a dog for free. Even if certain objects “belong” to the dog, he should only be allowed to touch them with permission from his owner. Some people will allow aggressive behavior from a dog when the dog is being possessive of food or toys ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on January 17th, 2010
32 Comments »
The Fargo City Commission unanimously voted to update our city’s dog and cat ordinance to put stricter punishments and responsibilities on the owners of ”dangerous” dogs or “potentially dangerous” dogs. Thankfully, this ordinance will not include breed specific regulations or bans on certain breeds of dogs. Instead, it will hold all dog owners to the same standards. Banning or regulat ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on November 24th, 2009
29 Comments »
A Jack Russell terrier type dog (not pictured) was euthanized in a local pound last week because of his extremely aggressive behavior, according to 4LuvofDog.com, a Fargo dog rescue. Because of the dog’s aggression, he was considered by the pound to be ”unadoptable.” My immediate reaction was shock. Was there really no one in the area capable of helping this dog? How can a group call themselves a r ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on August 30th, 2009
10 Comments »
Well I can add a new obsession to Ace’s list – golf balls. Nothing frustrates me more than when my dog is so focused on a ball that he won’t respond to the most basic commands like come, heel, sit. So last week while Josh was hitting golf balls in the back yard (we’re fortunate to live along a large field), I took Ace out with us for a serious on-leash training session. I always tell people to work with the p ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on August 19th, 2009
14 Comments »
A dog does not have to be abused or traumatized by kids in order to be afraid of them. It could be that the dog simply has not been around kids enough and therefore sees them as loud, unpredictable and confusing. It’s always a good idea to socialize your dog by introducing her to as many different places, people, animals, noises and experiences as possible. If a dog is fearful of children, chances are she has not b ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on August 17th, 2009
8 Comments »
One of the ways I help rescue dogs is to bring them to adoption events. Sometimes some of the more “challenging” dogs do not get out enough, and that makes them even less likely to be adopted because they are not out in front of people. At adoption events, the dogs generally sell themselves as potential owners meet all the different dogs. Something about one dog will catch the attention of the right person, and I ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on June 15th, 2009
18 Comments »
Two dog-training factors include socializing a dog and exercising a dog. Basic commands such as sit, stay, down, come and heel are necessary, but so is having a socialized dog. Too many people buy dogs and then refuse to spend any money on training. There are two reasons for this. Either the person truly can’t afford the $50 for a basic obedience class, or the person already spent hundreds on the dog so another ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on May 22nd, 2009
14 Comments »
Many dogs have issues with wheels – bikes, Rollerblades, strollers, wagons, scooters, motorcycles, wheelchairs, skateboards, even cars. The issues vary from dog to dog. Some act out aggressively, lunging and barking. Some would actually bite a person on a bike if they could. Other dogs pull frantically at the leash while trying to chase or flee. Some dogs even shut down out of fear and crouch as submissively as ...