Sudden aggression off lead

spilly · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject:

I am so grateful for everyones kind words and advice, its is much appreciated at the moment as we can't stop thinking/worrying about Roly.
Basil : it was a full teeth attack in 3 of the cases and a quick bite on the others, I have walked him this afternoon muzzled but we did not meet any other dogs.
I can't imagine after 2 years he would suddenly start doing this because of his past, but maybe I'm wrong. He had his booster on the 8th September, has there ever been any links with aggressive behaviour after Boosters?
Brian and I are going to speak to the vets tomorrow and see what they say?
If I have missed personally thanking you I'm sorry

Helen

Basil · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 5:21 pm Post subject:

Good luck at the vets tomorrow, I really hope you find a solution I can imagine how worrying this is for you.

There is such a stigma with dogs wearing muzzles (wrongly) so I think it's great that you have put the safety of others first, so many people refuse to accept there dog could be an issue.

Mauf · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject:

Helen if its as dramatic a change as that I think you're right, I don't think its his past either. I wondered whether something had happened recently to upset him.

I hope the vet can find the source of the problem, without wishing ill health on Roly of course. If he's passed medically fit they should be able to refer you to a behaviourist.

Good luck tomorrow. Let us know how you get on.

spilly · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:34 am Post subject:

We took Roly to the vets and as expected he was fine, the vet explained that sometimes at the age of 2 -3 they are fully grown and can sometimes get too big for their boots so to speak but he thinks Roly is too old for this.
He has of course told us to see a behaviourist and my husband wants to take him to training classes to resocialise him, but I,m not so sure if that will turn hime back
The sad thing is I know I will never properley trust him with dogs again which is upsetting,
Thanks for all you support and advice

Helen

mrsm · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:44 am Post subject:

Aww Helen you sound so fed up and upset (reading between the lines ) understandbly .
Do think you're OH has the right idea go back to basics and training classes/behaviourist . Professional people deal with things like this all the time.

Do hope you can get to the bottom of things and Roly returns to his happy self . Best of luck and keep us posted Wink

Sleeping_Lion · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 8:36 am Post subject:

Helen,

When I first started training with Indie for working trials, the trainers there helped with dogs with aggressive behaviour problems (some quite severe problems ie couldn't be in a large field with another dog) and had a great track record for helping sort their problems out and resocialise them. In fact Indie was used a couple of times as a nice reintroduction to dogs, for dogs that had been dog aggressive, she's such a steady character. If this problem has only just started I don't think it would take a good behaviourist long to sort things out for you and turn Roly around again. They will also be likely to give you some good training for yourself, to help you keep the problem from reoccurring in the future.

Good luck and I hope you find a good behaviourist who can sort your problems out quickly and painlessly.

Joanne
x

Chocice · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:36 am Post subject:

I know you are upset, but don't despair. Find a good behaviourist and see what they say. You never know what solutions or explainations that they could offer and then Roly might be back romping with all the dogs again.

And even if you can never fully trust him again, at least you have a loving and loyal dog. After all, its great to let them off to play with other dogs, but its not the be all and end all of dog ownership.

Good luck!

AlfiesMum · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:03 am Post subject:

Hi, i can totally sympathise with what you're going through, although not a lab, my cocker spaniel at around 2 years old started to growl at every dog that came near me and it worried me silly, i too bought a muzzle and avoided everyone (although that didn't help the issue)

I decided to castrate him but after reading about it i read it could make things worse so i opted for the implant instead. My thinking was the problem was either hormonal or behavioural and with the implant i'd be able to see if castration would be the answer but unfortunately his behaviour didn't improve so i booked an appointment with a highly recommended behaviourist and it was the best money i've ever spent. I can now walk him unmuzzled and know i can control him which has made walks so much less stressful Very Happy

He's not cured by a long shot as i now have to wait for the implant to wear off. In Billys case he's VERY timid and scared and he learnt by growling and barking the other dog ran off so he continued to do it.

Anyway sorry for the long post but i would suggest seeing a behaviourist as they can see exactly whats triggering the attacks and how to sort it as you've worked out this isn't health related by seeing your vet but do make sure the behaviourist is properly qualified (theres ALOT that aren't out there Smile

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Mauf · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:25 am Post subject:

Well I'm glad he is well but can totally understand how upset you must be. I got very down and stressed over my dog's aggression and it wasn't until I saw a good behavourist that I could deal with it properly. In her case its defensive aggression caused by fear. As soon as she told me this I felt better because I learned to understand Bliss better and this gave me more control over the unwanted behaviour. She's doing much much better now.

In your case I'd say the sooner you get professional help the better because he's only been doing it a short time. You really need someone to diagnose what's going on and give you a strategy to deal with it. I also think your OH's idea of going back to basics is a great idea. We go to an outdoor training club and they've really helped to resocialise Bliss. At first she was a nightmare but everyone understands you're trying to help the situation and are very supportive. It also helps to talk to other people there who are having problems.

This might help you find a behaviourist or did your vet recommend one? http://www.apbc.org.uk/

It will get better, trust me.

spilly · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:04 pm Post subject:

I am so grateful for every ones's advice again and kind thoughts, if there ever is a reason to keep subscribing its because when its comes down to it most people are very kind/thoughtful to whatever you are going through at that time. We have got a trainer locally coming to see us over the next week but until then we are all quite in a state of shock as to what has happened this week, but I.m sure things will improve, he is such a big softie, so who knows what goes on in their head !!!!