Sudden Aggression Towards Dogs

xlxJennyxlx · Rookie

Sudden Aggression Towards Dogs

Dave · Enlightened One

Hi Jennifer, not too sure how long you've had him but it sounds like he's coming out of his shell a wee bit, he's possibly trying to protect you from what he perceives as a threat from other dogs OR possibly he's frightened of the other dogs and is showing signs of fear aggression, anyways, couple of bits of advice..

1. Get him neutered!

2. I'm assuming you've had him for a while, has there been any change in his lifestyle / routine / food / any incidents with other dogs recently?

3. Think about NO. 2 above and drop the GAL follow up co-ordinator Carole an email, she'll give you some good advice carole@gal.org.uk

Good luck, let us know how it goes

cheers

Dave

Amber · Master

How long have you had him?

xlxJennyxlx · Rookie

Hiya we have now had Scamp since January this year and he has become a lot better after using his muzzle and ignoring his bad behavoir he rarely looks at anyone and is quite happy for people to pet him. His only fault is barking at the post man in the street lol how he knows it is the post man is a mystery to me but im working on it.

Jennifer

UndercoverElephant · Master

It is a strange one that, dogs usually really like me, but when I took a sumer job as a postie, they just kept going for me. Even after the round, when I was in civvies and minding my own business. After the summer, I went back to being a student - dogs liked me again, but everyone else started going for me...

Amber · Master

Sometimes it does take a longish time for rescue dogs to make up their minds how to react to things that they may be worried about. So it could be that after 6 months with you, he is only now sort of 'showing his true colours'.

Or, if you feel that the behaviour is very sudden and out of character, it may be worth having his thryroid levels checked.

I'm sure with consistent training and confident handling, he will overcome this!

takecon · Master

Hi Jennifer

I was just scanning the GAL Forum and I noticed your post as a result of a more recent reply.

Quite often when a dog settles in to his new home and begins to chill out - he will try to take advantage. Basiacally to see if he can become top (alpha male) and get all of the benefits but with the benefits comes the costs - need to protect the pack - including you from other dogs etc

If he is put back in his place - as a subordinate dog - and kept in his place with you and your daughter in the highher position - things should change

Charles

Steve · Master

We had Harry for a month and he was as good as gold with nearly every dog we came across. Then, as if a switch had been turned on, he started lunging, growling and barking at most other non greys. He's still doing it. It may take a good long while to break the cycle but we are confident he'll turn the corner over time - he's muzzled on walks and never gets off the lead.

Yesterday he gave it big time to two spaniels then did his best to grab hold of a terrier. Last night he lunged at one of the neighbours labs. My neighbour was great about it as her dog used to do the same and she's spent LOTS of time with a behaviourist to stop her dog lunging! Her lab was a VERY anxious dog that had been attacked hence the fear aggression. Her dog is now okay and sat peacefully for 10 mins whilst we chatted 10 feet apart. Harry had his growls at the start then stopped but then decided for no reason to have another go even though the other dog was was lying facing away.

I think what Charles says is very true but there's loads of other possible reasons for lunging. Harry's is probably cos he reckons he's top dog in the village but also cos he's got a very high prey drive, and also a bit anxious of non-greys. He's been neutered but maybe he had a third ball in there somewhere which was missed! Saying all this, the upside is that he's a big sook with people.