PLEASE HELP... with my aggressive puppy!

Lemony

I wouldn't normally get advice from the internet. I read information on vet web sites about the quantities/types of chocolate that would be harmful to dogs according to their sizes and weights, and I spoke to staff at the RSPCA who I trust as I know them personally. I am also aware that raisins can be harmful to dogs but usually it's only when large quantities are consumed. Anyway, I stayed up all night with my dog and he suffered no ill effects from his escapade (phew).

His latest 'quirk' is that he goes crazy if he sees a glass or plastic bottle! I found this out by accident when I rinsed an appletiser bottle and placed it by the door to go out with the recycling. The dog went crazy, barking loudly and play bowing and lunging at it. I think he was wild with excitement rather than fear. It was late at night so I moved the bottle out of sight. Today, I got the bottle out and the same thing happened again. I placed treats around it which he ate, but as soon as he'd eaten them the crazy behaviour started again! I also tried placing the bottle beside me when we played tuggy games which seemed to distract him and quieten him down (and I rewarded this behaviour), but later I put the bottle on the step and he went crazy again. I wonder if it's reflections on the glass setting him off?

gratefulforhelp_2

My (late, lamented) GS x collie used to do this. She hadn't been out of her house until I got her at 6 months old.
Anyone wearing a hat, carrying something, anything with wheels, anything making a noise, anything reflective...
At least you have got your pup younger to socialise him.
I managed to train her out of all of them except motorbikes...by the time she was six!!! Years of love and happy times, though, and well worth it.

tandraig

I understand your panic at the dog eating a cholcolate raisin! imagine how i felt when my staffy devoured a whole box of chocolate liquers (my dads christmas present) on christmas eve, foil wrappers and all! emergency trip to the vets - during which she was carsick thank the lord - sick again in the vets and the vet thinks that saved her - one injection later and leaving a couple of hundred quid lighter - we had to leave her overnight and picked her up the next day, she was absolutely fine!!!! may have been a bit hungover though - me i mean! i needed a stiff drink after paying the vets fee!

gratefulforhelp_2

Someone I knew as a kid had a bucket of fermented raisins for winemaking which their collie ate, they noticed when she fell down the stairs, sozzled.

She was quite fine, though, when she sobered up.

foreign_correspondent

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

Someone I knew as a kid had a bucket of fermented raisins for winemaking which their collie ate, they noticed when she fell down the stairs, sozzled.

She was quite fine, though, when she sobered up.

she was very lucky -
http://www.ukvet.co.uk/ukvet/articles/toxicology%20-%20raisins.pdf

Raksha

There are a lot of dogs out there who have survived eating raisins and other dried fruits, but there are other's who haven't survived

Lemony

Well after staying up all night with the little devil I am happy to report that he suffered no ill effects from the chocolate raisin incident.

I've been googling 'can dogs eat catnip drops' tonight because he pinched one off the cat earlier...

tandraig

lol that pup has strange tastes in food! i foresee you will have to become an expert on accidental poisoning in dogs! take heart lemony, he will probably grow out of wanting to eat everything he comes across - otherwise you will have to consider changing his name to Scooby Doo!

vl2588

For any serious behaviour problems please can I suggest you contact the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, whose members are properly qualified to give advice and are very careful with who they put on their members' list. As opposed to TV behaviourists, who are very impressive but often mistaken in terms of scientific behavioural principles.

Lemony

UPDATE: I've not been on here for a while so I thought I'd post an update for anyone who is interested. My collie/terrier cross turned out to be a Patterdale which explains why he is wilful, determined and full of energy! Most of the biting is now under control although he can still be a bit nippy when he gets over-excited. Unfortunately he has developed possesive agression and has bitten me several times when I have tried to take something away from him that he shouldn't have. I realise I may have created this problem by taking things away, but unfortunately he will get hold of anything and everything (for example he will grab sticks on a walk and eat them until he is sick so I HAVE to take them away from him). He also LOVES eating cat poo but that's another story. He is quite obedient generally, and is really well socialised and is ALWAYS friendly to other dogs and people. I have spoken to the RSPCA about the posessive agression and they are going to send a behaviourist out to see me. Apparently it is quite a common problem and they see it all the time. I will report back when I've had the visit and share any tips/advice I am given.