Sudden aggression off lead

spilly · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:11 am Post subject: Sudden aggression off lead

Hi, Can anyone help us, we have had Roly 2 years ( ex rehomed lab ) and he has always with the exception of minor scuffles loved running and playing with other dogs. I regulary meet a group of ladies in the park for morning walk with lots of different dogs and he has always been great. I have changed my job 6 weeks ago but still meet up twice a week and Roly gets a long off lead romp on the moor every afternoon, where he meets other dogs.
Two weeks ago he had a proper go at a small spaniel in the park, I put him on the lead and apologized to the woman, then last Sunday while walking in the woods a woman appeared with 2 dogs , he ran past the first one and just went completely mad at the second. Both my husband and I were shocked and the lady was ok about it but I wanted to go and get a muzzle there and then. Then to top it off my regular walk with the ladies this morning was completely ruined by Roly having a go at three dogs he knows well and has played great with before. I came home in tears and from now on will walk him with a muzzle.
He was checked out a couple of weeks ago when he had his jab and all was well, can I still walk him with lots of dogs if he is muzzled, I don't want any ones dog to get hurt.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Helen

frilly · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:40 am Post subject:

I can't offer any help but just wanted to say how sorry I am for you. I am sure that somebody on here will have some good advice that can help.

Keep positive. I am sure you will sort it out.

Chocice · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:54 am Post subject:

I wouldn't have thought his behaviour would change for no reason.

I hope someone has a suggestion for you. Poor Roly and poor you! Hope its gets right soon.

spilly · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:43 am Post subject:

Thanks for support, I,ve just gone and brought a muzzle as I am so scared he will hurt another dog,
Helen

Chocice · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:

I'll bump this for you and hopefully someone will have some advice to offer.

Jemima · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject:

I'm so sorry to hear of Roly's troubles....I haven't got any experience with this, but it does seem strange that his behaviour has changed so dramatically, especially as he was perfectly fine before. It makes me think maybe its got something to do with his health, but as you said, he was checked out a few weeks ago, so the mind boggles. How old was he when you rescued him? Maybe he had a bad experience before with certain kinds of dogs, and something has happened that has snapped his memory back into focus.

I would try keeping him on a lead, and muzzled if that makes the situation better, and see if one of the women you walk with would mind helping you and Roly to reintroduce him into socialising correctly. I.e. if he starts to show aggression towards another dog, get that dog to come over, whilst you get Roly lying down, on his side of back and let the dog he was aggressive towards sniff him. I've heard this is quite a good technique to use.

But, like i said, no real experience myself but i'm sure someone might be able to help. If the problem persists, maybe seeing a behaviourist for some one-on-one work might help?

Good luck and I hope Roly's behaviour improves soon! Hugz x

Mauf · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry to hear about Roly's problem, as an owner of a rescue labx I sympathize. My dog also has aggressive behaviour in certain situations and with certain types of dog, so I know how upsetting it is.

IMHO you definitely shouldn't avoid other dogs as you need to keep socializing him. A muzzle is a good idea cos it'll give you confidence and keep other dogs safe. Bear in mind though if he does start something and the other dog retaliates that Roly could get hurt. So it might be worth getting an expert opinion from a good behaviourist or trainer as to why he's doing this and how to treat it.

Can you think of anything which would have sparked this off? What sort of dogs does he go for? Entire males? Black dogs? for example.

carene · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject:

I would advise you to ask you vet to refer you to a behaviourist as soon as possible. You need someone who can actually observe the dog's behaviour first-hand.
Incidentally, did this happen for the first time after his booster? I ask because our late lab's aggressive behaviour escalated exactly a week after his booster - I will always wonder if there was a connection, but of course we will never know. I trust you can work through this - but do please get the help you need.

Basil · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

Can i ask what exactly you mean when you say 'had a go' there's a huge difference between a barky lunge (still scary I know) and a proper full on teeth attack , although in your case i would seek advise on either as it's so out of character.

I think it's great you are considering a muzzle to prevent injury but I would repeat the visit to the vet for another check over and ask advise on a local behaviourist - mild mannered dogs rarely just turn for no reason and it's very possible you can nip this in the bud with expert advise face-to-face.

My own dog is a complete submissive wuss, yet he started barking at certain dogs all of a sudden, in the course of a week he went from never barking at a dog in his life to barking at 5. To most people this wouldn't be major but it was very out of character, only days later he became very very poorly with sickness and severe bleeding.....luckily he recovered but I wonder now if his odd behaviour was linked to the illness......he's not barked at a dog since.

Jemima · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject:

Off topic i know but absolutely loving your sig pic of Basil Sarah...he's just gorgeous Very Happy