Desperately need some advice...

Okay guys, I really need your help.

So, I have two pembroke welsh corgis. One is a male tri named Dax and he is approximately 2 yrs old. I also got a red and white puppy named Peanut who is about 8 months old. The problem we are having is quite a sad one - Dax has repeatedly tried to attack me over the past year. It all started when he was about 6-7 months. He started marking his territory and getting extremely protective. He got along pretty well with my husband, but if I little as came anywhere near my husband or tried to pet Dax, he would show his teeth and his back hair would stand up. We figured it was his hormones and got him neutered around 6 months. Well, ever since the surgery, Dax got even worse. Now, he mistrusts ALL women it seems like, especially me. I dont know why, but maybe because the nurses were female? I dont know. He growls at everyone walking by our apartment, and just does not seem to like me at all. My husband and I though maybe he was lonely, so we proceeded to buy him a little sister. We made sure we got her spayed - she has been a wonderful puppy. Well, ever since we got her, they seem to get along "alright". He is VERY dominant to her and growls at her when he eats. I dont know what to do. If my husband and I ever have an argument (no matter how small it may be) Dax starts growling. He has bit me on the hip TWICE. I had large puncture wounds on my hips and bruises as well. I still have scars. I love Dax and did not want to put him down. We have taken him to behavior specialists and they see nothing wrong with him. He only acts up with us. Specifically, only with me.

The story gets worse....

Tonight, Dax attacked me out of the blue. I was going to give him his rawhide and as I approached, he must have not known I was coming, he attacked me on my thigh. I have 6 teeth marks that are bleeding and bruising. I can barely walk.

My husband and I are heartbroken right now. This is the third time hes attacked me. Not to mention, we tried to put a halloween costume on him in October and he bit my husband on the chest (he barely broke skin) but it bruised. So, his aggressive nature is directed mostly to me, but to my husband and little Peanut as well.

When we take Dax out, he is an angel. He is the worlds perfect dog. People comment on how well behaved he is, while Peanut is the one always barking at the other dogs. I just dont know what to do. We are heart broken, confused, and at a cross roads right now.

We'd really like your input on this situation. I love corgis and know what a wonderful breed they are. I dont want to give up on Dax ..... he's family......but he really is a liability right now. I know hes a pet, but hes still family to me. I know a line needs to be drawn somewhere. Question is, where....or has it already been drawn?

Thanks again

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Permalink Reply by Sky and Lyla on January 1, 2010 at 1:05pm

I agree and also think it depends on the trainer. I go to a great school that uses positive methods and would never use harsh and intimidating methods such as rollovers or choke chains, but they definitely teach new students how to do little things to show the dogs who is in charge. In the puppy class one of the first things they teach is how to make your puppy sit politely before they get fed. Another thing I like is that the level of correction depends on the dog, not every dog is trained with the most "harsh" methods unless the others have failed. For instance, for Some digs to get a nice heel, they just need a little ah-ah. For my Aussie who gets super exicted in class and pulls me around (he does this no where else though, go figure) they have me use a herding stick that I bang in front of him when he tries to pull. But if you tried to do the herding stick with every dog from the get go, you'd have timid dogs like my Lyla that would never walk on a leash again. That's something else I don't like about the trainers who are soley focused on asserting dominance... every dog is the same.