I have two English Bulldogs who need your help. I recently discovered that I am pregnant and ever since our male dog Fatso has been very aggressive. He attempts to snap at my two year old niece. He is very defient and will not do anything that I ask him. He will listen to Ray my husband but he will growl at me and try to snap if he is in that mood. I'm very concerned since I myself was bit on the back of my neck when I was a child. Im worried to leave him out when children are around. I don't understand this behavior he use to be such a good dog. Our female Bria will pee in the house no matter how many times we take her out. She will sit in front of us and pee and then go to her kennel cause she knows Im mad. These dogs have me really worried that they wont change. I have tried so many things that I have seen on the show and nothing seems to help. I really dont want to make him an outside dog consideing his breed and all the issues that they have. Please help I know that my unborn child would be very greatful to have a dog that she or he is able to love as much as we love him.

Lyndsay, Cesar does not answer these responses.

There is much information you havent given that would help with our comments ~you dont say what city so we could talk about local legal considerations, or if the dog has been neutered - you cannot believe what a difference it makes to help tone down agression in younger dogs (how old is he), is he being walked "Cesar's Way"?... and so much more.

Your need is urgent both for the protection of the dog who will likely risk being put down if he bites someone (especially a child - every day more cities are passing "breed specific legislation" (BLS) you can google these two terms, to find out if YOUR city has one of these laws.

I cannot speak enough about using Cesar's book as a reference.

His new "Packleader" video is so well done that it even got my sweetheart on board, when all he wanted was to be the dogs "friend". A difficult situation many of us are in when family members dont support our efforts to create calm, balanced dogs - especially when we rescue and work with difficult dogs that others abandon or who ending up ready to be put down because no one can help them.

For you and others who are looking for what Ceasar has to say on the subject, one of the things I do is go to the Episode guide in this website located here:
PLEASE DO NOT POST URLs ON THIS BLOG. THEY WILL BE DELETED. and you will see the episode from season two talking about: Pasha, Cosmo, and Contessa
"Despite hiring a private trainer, Pasha still lashes out at people, especially children. Can Cesar socialize this canine misfit? Cosmo is a shepherd mix bent on breaking up his owner's marriage. He's bitten several people including the postman. With the owner's wife pregnant, Cesar has to work fast to make sure Cosmo won't be a danger to the baby."
It is playing right now - 3pm Pacific and will play again on Friday Nov 10 at 7pm and I cound this by going to the Nat Geo TV schedule at the very top of this page (every page actually and typing in "Dog Whisperer, Pasha, Cosmo, and Contessa, November" in the search engine. Which will confirm how important it is that you address this asap for family and dog!

There are so many other applicable episodes as well,

The beauty of the DVD Season One that we can now purchase is that we can watch over and over what is done when we know we can try these techniques - SAFELY or find a skilled professional who is willing to proceed with using Cesar's techniques or apporach on your local level!

Evie, my second dog Meja is the complete opposite of my red-zone Signal Bear. She is scared of everything and HURRAY for how Cesar is really giving great ideas for working with fearful dogs!

I mean did you SEE that season 3 opener for fearful dogs? GO BANJO! It is still being played frequently during the week if you check the listing guide.

For me - the key lightbulb moment was when Cesar said (on a seson two show that was one of the three new episodes at the end of July) that fearful dogs feel they HAVE TO lead...and they HATE it. So I suddenly realized that Meja was LEADING me through the house as I cleaned (etc). So I got one of those 6 foot leashes you can put around your waist or wrist and put it on her connected to me so I can put her back behind me with a small leash snap when she tries to lead! What a difference it made - now she is completely responsive to me as well as so much calmer! Hope that helps!

From the moment I started watching the show I was very impressed with Cesar. This season has been so imformative. I loved the story about Banjo. I know I am getting Cesar's Way and the DVD's for Christmas and cannot wait. My friend at work has an Italian Greyhound, and really needs Cesar's help. They have no boundaries or limitations for the dog, but unfortunately they do not get the Nat'l Geographic channel so every Tuesday I tell her about the show. I might even let her borrow the book or buy her a copy of it. Keep up the good work. Love the show alot. Barbara, Florida.

I have just started watching Cesar's show, at the advice of a friend. I have 2 dogs that our family loves dearly, but they are SO badly behaved! Most of the time I feel like I just want to lock myself upstairs in my room because they're such a pain to deal with. Obviously I would never do this with my own children, and so I know I shouldn't do it with the dogs, but I'm at my whits end. A brief history: We had 2 dogs last year, a Yorkie Poo and an English Bulldog. Within 3 weeks both of them passed away and it DEVASTATED our family. My MOM'S way to fix it was to buy my two young daughters (age 6&8) a Jack Russell puppy for Christmas. She was a PAIN for the first 7 months and her behavior is MUCH better now. In March, my husband decided he was ready for another English Bulldog and went out and bought one. Eddie is 8 months old and is HUGE. He jumps up on the furniture (actually pretty active/agile for his size). We live on an acre and have a large fenced in backyard so when we were gone, we were just leaving the back door open a little bit for them to come in and go out as they please. I can't get over the guilt of locking them in kennels all day when we're gone, especially when we've got such a great yard for them to play in and they're in kennels to sleep at night. BUT, they started destroying stuff in my house, ruined my couches, chewed up my piano bench, etc.. so now they're locked out during the day if we're not home. I let them in as soon as I get home because I don't want them to feel "abandoned" but they jump all over like crazy, even when you GIVE them a ton of attention. VERY long story short (sorry!) they are just completely out of control. We can't take them anywhere because they're both other dog aggressive, Eddie is scared of people, noises, etc outside of the home/yard. I would LOVE for Cesar to come to our house, we would LOVE to be able to take these dogs out in public or for car rides, but as it stands right now, we can hardly have company! I would greatly appreciate any advice! Thank you! Heidi of San Diego

Anyone have any tips on how to curb a pitbull jealousy and possesiveness? Just got a new pal for her yesterday and they get along, BUT..............seems she thinks both the bones are hers. Funny to see her with both of them in her mouth, but not fair to the new one who is not sure of his place yet. Buddy is bigger than Angel, but seems to be more laid back. Or maybe it's because he is the "new dog"? Should I let them work out the bone situation themselves or keep taking one away from the pittbull and giving it back to Buddy. Don't know what breed Buddy is. Just big. black and kindof slobbery. Sweet dog though. Both of them are. Would like to keep them sweet.

I would like to know if the fear of lightning and fireworks has a fix it. I enjoy both, Roxi trembles and hides

Is there an episode that relates to a dog being extremely afraid of other dogs? The reason I ask is because my husband and I have two dogs that get along really well, but we just moved to a new area and there is a stray (a BEAUTIFUL Husky)that is absolutely terrified of any and all other dogs. Our two dogs are kind of big, but not mean toward other dogs at all... Our Doberman mix plays with little dogs really well, and our Foxhound does as well. The Husky is sooooo skinny, and we have been feeding him, but as soon as we walk away from him another very little dog that belongs to one of the neighbors will run him away from the bowl and take his food. He will not even try tio fight for it.

Today, I finally got him to my house after having to pass two other dogs that really freaked him out. I ahd him on a leash, and he literally jumped with all 4 feet off of the ground, twisted and turned trying to get away. Once at my house, he seemed sooo happy. He ate, got fresh water, played, etc. He is toooo sweet and we really want to keep him. He is soooo smart. We took out dogs to the CGC classes offered by the AKC and they both passed, but they still have there (Not gonna listen mom) moments, but overall they do good. The husky on the other hand does great. We told him "down" today and he sat so pretty and good and when he got a little rough playing, I told him "no" once, and he stopped. I love him already.

Anyway, to the point. We played with for a few minutes, and then my Doberman mix needed to go potty, so my husband put her on a leash, and brought her out of the house and onto our screened in porch and the husky and I were about 25 feet away and as soon as he saw my dog he was gone. I had taken the leash off once he seemed comfortable, but after seeing my dog, he was going to have no part of staying here.

I am so afraid that he is going to get ran over because he sleeps right beside of the road. I can keep bringig hime back, but I know he will just keep running away.

This is a really small area and trying to find some to help a dog like this in this area is not an option since there is no one that does that type of work here at all. I also do not think our shelter is very good to the animals, and I would hate to do that to him since I know for a fact he would end up with other dogs and would be so scared, so that is completely out of the question.

Here is what I am thinking... I will get the dog back here tomorrow, and will let him get familiar with the area and then put him back on the leash and get quite a distance away from my house, and then have my husband bring one of our dogs out of the house and onto the porch at first, and let the husky calm down from that, and then SLOWLY decrease the distance between them until he is not afraid anymore.

Any oter suggestions? As I said, he is really friendly toward people and not a bit scared of people, it is just other dogs. I know there has to be an episode dealing with this if nI could just find it.

Thanks,
Amanda

in april 2006, my family adopted a less than a year old femaile pit mix. at first, anytime another dog came around us she would lay on her back and submit. after a month or so when we went to the beach where dogs were allowed she was just the opposite. she growled and lunged at all dogs. i took her to the beginner dog training class at petco but i still fear her actions around other dogs.

after adopting when we brought her home whenever my 17 & 18 year old sons(along at my husband) would come around her, she would growl, bark and the hair on the back of her neck would stand-up as well. she got over barking at my husband, in fact she becomes very excited when he comes home. due to her continuing barking/hair-raising actions towards my sons, 2 weeks ago we hired a dog trainer to come to our home for 6 more weeks of training so that the trainer could see her in action with our sons. the trainer has my sons exclusively feeding her so she may depend on them for her survival but after almost 2 weeks of them doing this i see no improvement. in fact, she is now charging at them. i hope this trainer knows what she is doing because i am concerned that her being scared of my sons will advance to her biting one of them.

we have tried trying to nip-it-in-the-bud by shushing her, then we tried ignoring her, then we tried becoming angry and scolding her, then we tried where my husband would put her in a submissive position and when she calmed down have my son pet her, we had our sons walk her in the backyard, give her treats and we even tried keeping her(by leash) in the same area(loft) with them…but the moment she is allowed to get up or leave the area she is OUT OF THERE! i am becoming very desperate.

she sleeps in our room in her own bed but if my sons even think about coming in my room to tell me goodbye she goes into her barking explosion(her bark is very VERY LOUD) and it echoes in my room. whenever she is in the same area, no matter where it is, as they are she barks, her hair raises and she charges at them. she is also a puller when she is on the leash. the whole 3 1/2 mile walk i go on when i am pushing my toddler in his stroller i am stopping, scolding or being pulled along with the stroller i am pushing. it is very annoying. she is great with my 3 and 5 year old. she tolerates them and is gentle. if anyone could help with something...anything, please do so. thanks

Approximately two years ago, my family and I rescued a Husky-mix from a neighbor's house. I kid that he was trying to commit suicide. Here's his story:
Since Xander was a pup (by then he was 8 months old) he had been in six different homes. One of which tried to make him a fighter. When he had been taken to an elderly woman's house, who lived behind us. She placed a cork-screw stake in the middle of her back yard and had him tied to it. we watched, helplessly, as he would just sit there, howling. Refusing to eat and/or drink. Then, one day, while my wife was washing dishes, she saw him jump over the fence into our yard. At this she yelled at me, "Brent, he's hanging!" I looked out the window and saw him dangling on our side of the fence by his leash and chain. I rush out and lift him over the fence. It was raining and he was struggling. I accidentally dropped him as I lifted him over the fence. To this, his owner came out and said, "You can have him if you want him!" He has lived with us ever since.
Now, the problem we are having with him is: He's deathly afraid of me (a male). When we originally brought him in he would cower in the corners, shaking. Eventually, within two weeks, he warmed up to my family. A loving, caring, and healthy creature evolved from a once frightened and lonely existence. Yet, from day one, he would not allow me to come near. He would not get violent; rather, he would freeze and pee.
It has been two years since that time. Xander and I have established an agreement within the household. When I am home, I am pack-leader. When I am not, he rules the roost. Yet, I am still concerned. He continues to shake and stiffen up in my presence. Should he come out from under the bed while I am home and see me, he runs and hides.
I feel I must add here that I have never hit him, yelled at him, or any other form of "disciple" that the average male would deem necessary. I view animals as an extension of ones being, but never as "part-human," as with those that treat them like children.
At this time, and for the past two years, we are unable to walk him or give him any type of exercise because he is an escape artist as well. There's not a leash he can't get off of. Should he escape, he will only come home on his terms. Those of which do not include me.
We want to take him for walks. We want to love him. And for the most part, my family can. But, I want to be a part of his life as well. Something, he absolutely refuses to comply with.
So, my question could be, "What can I do, as pack leader, to bring Xander out of his reclusive-defiance and into a more pleasing environment?"

I have read Ceasars book, word for word, and found it very informative. His insight is wonderful, just as if he can hear what the dogs are thinking. He deals with aggessive dogs mostly and my problem is on the other end of the spectrum.

My rescued dog (3 year old Golden Ret) is afraid of EVERYTHING, including me. I've had her 3 months now. Ceaser does not address that issue very much and even though she is not a danger to anyone, she is obviously suffering. She came from a breeders, was not socialized (I didn't know the depth of that issue until I got her home) and I have learned I can not get her over her issues by being nice to her, loving her and trying to make her feel comfortable. I'm taking her to obedience class, but she's afraid of it. She likes other dogs and people, but fears the noise and commotion when we get started, and wants to leave.

She's afraid when she's inside the house, of anyting that waves (towels, clothes etc) petrified of big people, dark clothes, going in and out of the house, moving from one room to another...I could go on, but it's easier to say she fears everything. I've heard of flooding, but I fear that would traumatize her even more. How do I know if it will before I try it? Besides, how can you flood her with evrything she's afraid of? The list is too long.

I sure wish Ceaser would talk more about fearful (but completely non-aggressive) dogs. It is a huge problem. The breeder was not abusive, but she acts as if she's been beaten regularly, so his neglect was almost worse than abuse.

She is so skinny because she is so nervous all the time. It can't be good for her. The odd thing is, that when she is outside, she acts almost normal. She's happy, wagging her tail (which is kept plastered up against her belly when she's inside) playful etc and loves to walk. She acts like a totally different dog outside than she does inside. I can not keep her outside since I don't have a fenced yard. She has escaped from every collar and harness and crate I've put her in, so those options are out. (She's afraid of whatever I tie her to. ie: trees, posts etc and needs to get away from them)I walk her twice a day and she's inside while I'm at work. I don't know how to help her and seeing her suffer is awful.

Does anyone know of some tips that would help us?
Thanks so much,
Carol & Sillie Millie

Hi

We have had our corgi-poodle mix pup since she was 4 months old and she is now 8 months. up until now she has been a wonderful pet. but just lately whenever my husband comes near me she goes for him. she is fine with him as long as he isnt near me. what can i do? does anyone have any suggestions?i am worried she might start behaving like this towards my kids.

Hello
I have a 6 month old puggle and she has a really bed fear of the tred mill that we have. Iam tring to get her to run on the tred mill so she will get some of the energy she has out. I can get her on the tred mill will food and get her to sit on it, but i cant get her to run with out her freaking out. The only way she run for me is if i have my hand under her mouth while she is running. i need help because i would like her to be able to run one day with out me have to put my hand under her mouth

P.S....He is nuetered and crate-trained.

Hello,

I am very frustrated and need some advice. My 7 month old Golden Retriever seems to be scared of me. Whenever we are alone he will come to me if called, but with his tail between his legs, very nervously. He won't play, nothing. When my wife comes home he is ok, he is playful and happy. Even if she is home and is in another room, when he is with me, he just shuts down it seems. I have tried treats to get him to come, again he comes byut very tentativley and scared. It is frustrating because I spend alot of time with him, and want to play and interact with him. But it seems that he doesn't want to have any part of me, at least when my wife is not with us.

PLEASE HELP!!!!

My dog is a 4 month old boston terrier (baxter). He is a very playful dog especially with other dogs. My daughter has a 2 year old pitbull (ivory) who was rescued from a possibley unfit environment. Ivory has never played well with other dogs especially bigger dogs, but baxter is a puppy boy and ivory is a little older girl and much bigger so we are trying to socialize the dogs in controlled situations. Unfortunately we had an incident that occured where my ivory bit baxter on the snout very hard. This incident occured during feeding in which we feed both dogs together. I realize this was a mistake and wont happen again, but we are concerned with ivory (pitbull) and an issue of jealousy she may when baxter (boston terrier) goes near my son in law. My son in law has not been around baxter as much as the rest of the family and Ivory who gets a lot of alone time my son in law views him as his master. My son in law was holding ivory and feeding her when baxter came by to get some food too. This is when ivory lounged at baxter. Is this a food issue or a jealousy issue? We are very upset and unsure if we should socialize these dogs at all. Ivory did come from a rescue shelter and was possibly abused, and we noticed that sometimes she snarls at baxter, but she never lunged at him like that and the bite created a very scary scene. Ivory has been a very loved member of our family for about a year now and i decided to get baxter only a month ago. We are both first time dog owner and would love to be able to socialize and have them be best friends but now i feel like this occurence can and will happen again and am unsure if im being a good owner by allowing them to play again. What should i do ?

To #21 Charlene

I don't have help for you but I do have a 4.5 month corgi-poodle mutt. He is starting to bite our hands. We've been giving him a lot of toys to chew on but he'll even chew on the brick of our house. Did you ever have your dog go through this behavior. We've been trying Cesar's way but he still is trying to chew on us even after a long walk/run.

Charlene, any advice would be welcomed. Thanks, Jane

After watching this episode of Genoa made me laugh although it's not funny. I am laughing because I had a 9 yr old golden retriever name Hannah that just past away in March that had the same problem with the same sounds. Anything that made a hissing sound freaked her out and she would run out her doggy door to go outside to be away from things like the toaster, coffee pot, pest control guy whose pump hissed, hairspray etc. I could not figure out why these certain sounds triggered her fear. I thought I was the only one that had a dog that had this problem. I wish I had seen this show before she died and I could have related to her fear better. She was the best dog and I miss her everyday. I was very blessed to have had her for 9 yrs. I now have a 12 week old Westie named Kenzy that is a hand full compared to Hannah.