A wwyd question, re a dog

[newforest]

I have put this here because it could easily relate to a horse or any animal.

You have been asked to collect a dog and take from point A to point B. You agree. You don't know anything about it, but as you run a kennels it's not as if you dont deal with various dogs day to day.

Would you want to know if the dog has issues before you went, or would knowing that get in the way of how you treat them?
Or knowing would you still deal with the dog as usual and if it turns out to have an aggressive trigger deal with it then? But having been told where prepared.

It's not me that got asked by the way. But I am wondering if my friend should have been told a bit about what it could potentially be like.
Once labelled as an aggressive dog does it mean that's forever or can a leopard change its spots?

 

[Jessey]

I would want warning, just so I could be aware. I dont think they cant change with the right retraining and handling things can change so long as the triggering circumstances arent repeated but there always remains a risk of relapse, esp if someone weren't aware of what not to do.

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

I would ask "What do I need to know about this dog? How is it accustomed to travel?" But then owners (including me) tend to represent their dogs as saints, even when they are canine reprobates.

 

[Wally]

I would want to know a bit about it first

 

[Gimp]

I used to do rescue runs for dogs that were saved from the last stop pound to a rescue placement. The dogs were mainly staffys but other breeds to. However they had minimal assessment as just been in the pound for a max of 14 days sometimes 7. They tried to assess as much as they could in a short space of time, but ultimately there was always a risk, and dogs were always tied up in the car, some however you could tell straight away were adorable and friendly, some were simply traumatized and those ones were the risky ones. Was always a risk but nothing ever happened, just have to be cautious. Some dogs can completely change when in someone elses' control to. If the dog was known and history known etc, I would expect some sort of background on it.

 

[chev]

I'd want to know too. Slightly different scenario but we took on a rescued lab x and were told he was the ideal family dog. Which he seemed to be for the first week. And then his "problems" started to emerge. Destructive behaviour, guarding, humping, going for people and constant barking and threatening behaviour towards other dogs and people. We made the decision to have him pts rather than have him scar someone or worse.

We have four children and didn't want them at risk either. Problem is my eldest is besotted with him and in a bad place at the moment. So for her sake we took him to doggy borstal and gave him a month to improve. And he has, hugely. He's no longer guarding, greets people at the door (even total strangers), hasn't humped at all since being castrated, and shows aggression only towards certain other dogs, He does still steal things (he is still a work in progress).

So yes I'd want to know about anything like that. But I also think with the right handling a dôg can "change it's spots" - or at least ours is.

 

[Wally]

Given time yes, dogs will change their spots, but only with the right environment and consistency

 

[popularfurball]

She should know first..

Ours is a Saint when you meet him - gentle, cuddly, affectionate and obedient. But the minute he sees another dog (even if he has met them hundreds of times before) he loses his mind and has a panic attack - he throws himself on the floor, barking. He is frightening when he does this. Unfortunately this can cause the other dog to feel intimidated and the next thing is that dog has bitten him - and this makes it all worse again.

He is getting better, we sat in the waiting room at the vets for the first time in four years last week, he is socialising with dogs we trust not to react most weeks to build his confidence up, but I would never dream of not telling someone that he gets in this state.

 

[newforest]

I am glad that everyone feels like I do, that she should know.
It's not a long journey but that's irrelevant isn't it.
It's come to light that the dog doesn't travel at all well and this may not be a one off to collect.
It's not down to my friend to sort issues, but I guess she could help as best she can since she will be collecting again. The dig will get to know her?
I am not a dog person hence the thread.