Aggression in dog it need sorting.

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dottygirl wrote: »

Hi Im not sure if this will help but I cant read and run. A few years ago I got my lovely dog from a rescue centre. He was lovely however he kept running away. I could not afford a dog behaviourist (£160 referred by the centre) a friend recommended someone called Dognbone man. He was only £20 and he was amazing. I think they are a national firm. Hope this helps. I dont have any connection to the company hopefully you get the help your dog needs.

Have tried a search for 'dog bone man' but its not coming up with anything relevant unfortunately.

Caroline_a wrote: »

I too think this may be a health issue. Your vet may be trying to save you some money, but your dog really needs a proper assessment as in maybe a brain scan/x rays as others have said.

Personally, I'm not sure a behaviourist is the right call at the moment. Behaviourists are great, however if the 'bad' behaviour isn't observed (and you could pay ££s!) then the behaviourist won't be able to look at a correction or amendment of such behaviour.

If you could pin down each time it happens and replicate it for a behaviourist's visit, then that would possibly work, but from what you say it appears to be a very random aggressive act although from what you say, only at feet - is this correct?

It's difficult on here to give any sort of behaviour advice as of course we aren't seeing what the dog is doing, how he is reacting and if there is anything that he is particularly reacting to. So my advice to you is to think back, see if it is totally out of the blue, if there are other instances of aggression to a lesser degree, and go back to your vet to ensure that he helps you find the best next way forward.

Yes come to think of it it is directed at 'feet' mostly. Usualy mine and hubbys or our other dogs back legs. Which from what we gather is related to the Collie 'sheep herding' breed.

He will also go for doors if they are shut on him. Somedays its look at him in the wrong tone or laugh at him fooling around and he doesnt like it but other than this latest episode (which has been the most agressive to date) he's been ok but something needs doing before it gets to a stage it is too late and one of us (or someone else heaven forbid) gets hurt.

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vax2002 wrote: »

Why are you posting twice in different accounts ?

Im not???!!!!

elsien

How sure are you that it isn't an out of control play behaviour?
You know how puppies go for the feet because it's exciting and it gets a reaction? Mutt never grew out of that, and used to make a dive for my toes completely out of the blue, hard enough to draw blood. And trying anything like kicking her away would have made it worse because from her perspective that was just a continuation of the game and she was having a great time.

I've no idea if that's the case here or not - can you tell if your dog showing any body language that's associated with aggression when it happens? If you are able to have a long clear look at exactly what is happening and your dogs posture etc, then it might help a vet or behaviourist, whichever route you decide to go down.

Caroline_a

I know this might sound a daft question.... but what do you do when he goes for you? And what does your husband do?

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elsien I am not 100% sure but pretty certain its not play related. Not sure what body language I am looking for but it certainly looks agressive to me. Although I wouldnt know the difference between that and out of control behaviour it just feels like its definately not play.

Having said that it has made me think that the dog isnt bothered by our feet when we are playing with him. Eg playing ball, standing on his tugger rope and other such games.

It is just me, hubby and the other dog he shows this agression towards (thankfully?!) as when we have visitors or when my Mam came to stay over Christmas he doesnt show any concern of their feet in any way.

He is a rescued dog and we dont know his previous background but we had him from a very young pup (the shelter couldnt confirm his age and the vet said he was even younger than they guestimated!) Saying that though the shelter left us a lot more questions in the end and doesnt exist anymore I dont think.
So its could be a question of whether its something that hurt him in the past and never forgotten and still fears and weve overlooked it (I know some people beleive dogs live in the moment and dont remember what happend but I do beleive they have memories).

Either way I will call the vet in the morning and get him checked properly.

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Caroline_a wrote: »

I know this might sound a daft question.... but what do you do when he goes for you? And what does your husband do?

We try and distract him when we can before it happens (if we know its likey to happen) eg we will ask him to go in the garden or to find his toy, we dont exactly hype it up we try to be monotone and not make eye contact with the dog or any sudden movements. If we catch it before he strikes were usualy very calm. If its too late then were usualy a bit more frustrated ourselves naturaly.
It sounds a bit odd but we dont exactly do anything. Try to correct the dog makes it worse and gets out of hand, then again as we apear to be ignoring it how does he know this is 'bad dog' behaviour therefore we are just reinforcing / encouraging it?

Its a bit of a tricky question to answer in a way so hope it makes sense?

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Ive been thinking about it a bit more and some of it may well be food related.

I realised that he will go for the other dogs legs after theyve had their dinner (and more so lately even before they have finished).
Separating them to eat doesnt make a difference (nor does feeding them at separate times).
The other dog (Greyhound X Salukie) doesnt help matters as he is constantly in search for food (think he was starved before rescued). We have sorted out the stealing issue at mealtimes and still have to watch over them.
The Collie X Lurcher dog goes into the garden imediately after eating and starts playing with his deflated football (usualy shaking it around and growling) but this keeps him calm and hes not agressive afterwards.
The only time he is agressive at their mealtimes is when hubby (who feeds them) has taken his food bowl away before letting him into the garden! If the bowls are taken away after they are let out (whilst outside) there is no fuss (other than the leg bitting of the other dog sorted with a firm NO a few times or a cup of water if this is not heeded!

We stopped feeding treats as this caused a problem, the other night was the first time in around 6 months they had a treat (other than their weekly raw carrot).

The other issue the dog doesnt like is when we go to bed. Its not every night and theres no pattern to in the week its randon but he only has to suspect we are going to retire for the night (as we lock the doors, clean our teeth etc) and hes grumbling and ready to go for our feet. Am wondering if this is because he has some anxiety being left alone? There is once in a while a squabble or a scuffle in the middle of the night between the 2 dogs but saying that again its usualy started by the Greyhound X as he wants the bed the other dog is in so makes him move and switch beds or something.

Greyhound X as I said is always on the look out for food and will raid the dustbin given half a chance when we have to go out so to prevent it being strewn across the house weve resorted to putting it outside. Collie X is known to be agressive when eaten beef or beef flavours and weve known this since we took him in no explanation why but weve avoided any beef ever since even carefull when we cook it for ourselves.

Anyway am off out to my class a few hours so will check replies when I get back.

Thanks

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

http://www.dognbone.org.uk/


I have to admit, I would be seriously considering the nuclear option of him being PTS if there is no apparent physical cause and knowing that a vicious - not merely aggressive, but actually attacking people and other animals - dog could be rehomed and then rip the face off a child or dismember a cat because the rescue centre has assumed any attacks would just go away when adopted, or would just be put to sleep after a couple of hours' distress in kennels after I left the premises.


I'm not saying that should be your option, just it would be what I was considering if I had an animal that I was actually scared of; as the way I look at it would be nearer the attitude that just because a man was abused by his parents 40 years ago, that doesn't give him the right to smack me in the face on a Friday night because he thought I looked at him a bit funny, he would have to leave (in a body bag if necessary).

Gingham_R

vax2002 wrote: »

Just a question, what do the other 2 dogs do whilst this one is trying to rip your flesh from you ?
Do they intervene or do they fear away.
Most dogs would intervene and attack the aggressor, it is common pack mentality to defend the Alpha members.
however if they fear away, then they see the aggressive dog as the Alpha and there lies your problem.
The dog is challenging you for pack leadership.
A dog that does not recognise its master as its master is a dangerous dog that will turn on you.
last time you had trainers on your feet, next time you might not be so lucky.
Often a change of ownership can sort such dogs, some people will not put up with challenges and will quickly put the dog in its place.

Just to let you know, dogs don't challenge people for 'pack leadership'. Trying to deal with an aggressive dog by 'putting it in its place' is EXTREMELY dangerous.

Dominance theory is responsible for a great deal of damage caused by this sort of thing.

sukysue

Well I am just going to state the obvious and ask has he been neutered? Sometimes they just have too much aggression and need it done .He probably has been since you got him from a rescue home.I hope you get an answer soon as it's obvious you love him and want to sort it out. Good luck .