KONA UPDATE 7 MOS. LATER -- WE STILL HAVE HIM AND NO NEW BITES!!!

[Kona]

Hi everyone

 

I thought I would update this great community on Kona since everyone was so helpful and forthcoming.  We decided as a family that we could not bear to part with Kona.  My husband and I were dissuaded from re-homing by three very devastated and persistent kids.  We all agreed that we would work hard on training Kona and learning to anticipate and listen to his cues as well. We also felt that in many ways Kona is such an ideal, friendly and highly intelligent dog that we had to give him another shot. 

 

The months of boot camp wore on.  We kept him on a short leash, so to speak, immediately correcting any negative, aggressive behavior by removing whatever he was guarding ,kicking him off our bed/ furniture etc.  the minute he so much as grumbled.  After months of instant response to these behaviors, Kona became so aware of the impending correction that the mere mention of my husband's name (Brett) would cause him to instantly stop his negative behavior, come over to the person he growled at and do what we have come to call his "apology."  It is really the most bizarre thing.  Here is a typical scenario ( with ZERO exaggeration):

 

Kona would be on our bed with his "baby" (stuffed toy).  This is usually the only time Kona is grumpy -- at night, on our bed.  One of the children would enter our room and Kona would give a low growl and sometimes a snarl.  With that, one of my kids would yell "Dad" or later "Brett" (b/c Kona was so used to dad that they later used Brett to throw him off so Brett could catch him in the act).  As soon as the name Dad or Brett was yelled, Kona would immediately look toward the door for Brett and then go to the kid he growled at and literally stand on his hind legs with his paws over their shoulders and lick and snuggle and burrow his head into their chest,  until they pet or "forgave" him.   Brett would then enter the room and stare Kona down.  Then I would begin to report to Brett what Kona did and uncannily -- to almost shut me up while telling the story -- Kona would come to me and start pushing into me affectionately and insistently, nuzzling into my face -- looking for approval. Kona would then go to Bret with the same apology routine. This happened night after night for weeks on end -- and oh are those adorable "apologies" impossible to resist.  We swear we are going to youtube it one day as the whole scenario is so incredible to watch.

 

While we are still mystified by his seemingly dual personality at  those 1% times, we now feel confident that we have a handle on dealing with it and accept him -- weird personality and all.    Best of all -- I am truly no longer fearful for my kids as they have also learned how to deal with him and how to respect his cues and needs also.  We also have that magic word -- BRETT!!

 

Long story short -- HE'S A KEEPER!!!! Thanks to all who listened and offered advice.

 

Yours,

Maria

 

 

[Suzanne & Jack]

So happy to hear that your family's hard work and dedication to making Kona a valued member has paid off.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Thrilled to hear that you found the way to deal with Kona's behavior! What did you change your husband's name since Brett is now a reminder to Kona that he did something negative? WOL!!

Does Kona still grumble while he is on the bed or have you seen that behavior less now that he is consistently corrected?

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Excellent outcome!  Way to go Maria and family  :-)

[Ginny Nightingale]

YEAH!! So glad it worked! And I bet it brought you closer as a family as you all worked towards a common goal!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Great news!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Great news - so happy for your family!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Way to hang in there!  What a wonderful lesson that you have taught your children - that you can love someone even when they misbehave and that out of love you have to correct the behavior.  Great job!!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

You have done a wonderful thing and it is a blessing for you, Kona and your fond readers at DK.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I'm so glad to hear that everything is working out. Kona is lucky to have such a loving dedicated family!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Maria, you and your family are just amazing.  I applause your dedication to Kona :-)  Personally, being an inexperienced dog owner when we got Hunter I am not sure I would have been able to deal with your situation.  Actually I am certain I would not have been able to.  I would love to see that YouTube video.  These doodles are just amazing to me ~ oh and their owners ;-)  I wish you all the best and a big pat on the back!!!!