I’ve always loved dogs and had a knack for training. But until I met Lucky, my incorrigible, canine sociopath, I never fully understood why my training methods worked. Because before Lucky, all of my dogs were very well behaved. Most could walk off leash and respond to multiple cues.

 

Lucky was very different. At an early age of 8 wks, he bit aggressively, often drawing blood and wanting to fight with every dog he encountered. He constantly tore into things and made messes in my home only to attack my vacuum when I tried cleaning up after him.

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My solutions?

 

• I crated him while I vacuumed. He’d lift his leg and pee on the floor in response.

• I put him in the fenced-in yard while I cleaned. He would find a way to escape.

• I locked him in my bedroom. He’d destroy my comforter and pee on the floor.

• I gave him more exercise on walks. He attacked people.

• I tried playing fetch. Lucky wanted to eat every ball and had no interest in interacting with us.

• I gave him more affection. He’d bite us in response.