Linus (bite history)

Linus is 4.5yrs old and has quite the history. Before becoming one of our sanctuary dogs at the end of June 2021, he had already bounced from home to home five times, and landed in the shelter, twice. Linus has a long history of resource guarding, food aggression, guarding people, guarding spaces, charging people, and bit in every home he was in. He didn’t like being touched around the neck or behind his head, and tried to bite when being leashed up or muzzled. The only consistent experiences he had in life were taking over in each household, biting, and ending up somewhere else. He’d only known not trusting people and losing his home each time he bit. Linus was purchased as a puppy and lived with his original family until he bit them, and was rehomed to home #2. He bit in home #2, and wound up in a shelter in Las Vegas. The shelter called the number on his microchip, and he went back to his original family (home #3). He bit them again, and was rehomed to home #4. He bit in home #4 and wound up in the Irvine shelter as “rescue only” in 2019. His original family contacted us, saying they wanted him back, so QBSDR pulled him from the shelter and reunited them, putting him in home #5. They came for private training sessions at the ranch, and managed Linus’ behaviors for almost two years. Somewhere along the way, the crate and muzzle were no longer being utilized, and Linus got his old privileges back. Not long after, Linus’ old behaviors came back. The final incident before coming to us involved him guarding his owner while she was in her room. Linus charged his owner’s mom as she came out of the bathroom and nailed her on the leg. In most cases, a dog with Linus’ history would have already been euthanized. We firmly believe that there is good within every dog. It’s our responsibility as their human caretakers, to bring it out. Setting Linus up for success means not giving him the opportunity to make the same poor choices. Everything he knew went through a complete overhaul - everything in his life is controlled. Every interaction was thoughtful and intentional to re-establish his perception of what a relationship with a person is. He’s already showing us what he’s capable of. He’s made vast improvements with not guarding spaces, is respectful about waiting for his food and at doorways, is fine being leashed up, having a muzzle put on, and having his undercoat plucked and brushed. Linus still has a long road ahead, but the uncertain, tense boy we knew is much more relaxed, and having fun just being a dog, and learning how to trust again.