I may be onto something as a woman I work with volunteers at a rescue/no kill shelter and is able to get me in touch with a behaviorist. They will evaluate and recommend appropriate direction.
I'm not cool with putting the dog down, especially as a first step.
Regarding how a dog thinks...
I have a fenced 2 acre yard and 2 metal crates. I leave 2 dogs in the yard all day because I think keeping them crated is crap, yes they're dogs, but I wouldn't want to be in a metal box all day. Now by understanding how they think, how am I supposed to stop them from digging to China in the middle of the lawn while nobody is home all day?
Then once they've ruined something, I'm supposed to ignore reactive discipline because I should have known better as to how they're thinking?
Guys, these are just thoughts that (in relation to what I'm dealing with) pop into my head when it's suggested to read a dog book. I'm truly trying to fathom the direction you're pointing me in.
My gut says, "they're dogs, they're going to trash crap." When they do, they get in trouble from their master, "pack leader." They are very smart and know what is bad...like kids. When I was a kid and did something bad, I got in trouble. If I "bit" back I got smacked harder...I now understand the pecking order of life, respect, and what's right/wrong. Wouldn't change a thing.
This could lean PARF-ish quickly...I'll cut it off there
