Aggression in dog it need sorting.

herbily · 31 January 2012 at 9:28PM

I'm a member of the Greyhound Gap forum, and people on there swear by Jim Greenwood, who's based in the Midlands:
http://greyhoundgap.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=New&action=display&thread=65852

I don't know whereabouts you are, but it's worth asking for recommendations either there or on the Lurcherlink.org forum - and it sounds more like a collie thing than a sighthound behaviour, so maybe a collie forum as well? (I've got two dozy greyhounds who wouldn't touch my feet with a bargepole - your dog sounds a lot like my sister's evil cat, and we don't take our shoes off ever when we go round there!)

If you are able to capture this behaviour on film, it might be worth it, because you could then show a behaviourist exactly what you mean, and they might have a better idea what's triggering this behaviour. Good luck, and don't lose heart - there will be people out there who know how to help!

dizziblonde · 31 January 2012 at 9:52PM

herbily wrote: »

I don't know whereabouts you are, but it's worth asking for recommendations either there or on the Lurcherlink.org forum - and it sounds more like a collie thing than a sighthound behaviour, so maybe a collie forum as well? (I've got two dozy greyhounds who wouldn't touch my feet with a bargepole - your dog sounds a lot like my sister's evil cat, and we don't take our shoes off ever when we go round there!)

Contacting somewhere like Wiccaweys (they're a collie rescue) might be able to help with pointing you in the right direction for help - like herbily said - doesn't sound sighthoundy (would do if the feet were the sighthound's pointing vertically up from the sofa making a snoring noise), but does sound a bit collie "nippy" type stuff.

Crisp_£_note · 31 January 2012 at 11:58PM

sukysue wrote: »

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 .

Yes hes been neutered we had to pay for this before to be done before we brought him home as the shelter wouldnt do it until the dogs found an owner.

The other dog (Greyhound) came 'intact' but we had him done within 6 months of taking him in. He wasnt exactly from a shelter more of a rescued off the streets / abuser by a neighbours son who took him in and decided he didnt want it anymore, but thats a different unrelated story!

Last resort will be to put the dog to sleep we have to exhaust all other avenues first!

quietheart · 1 February 2012 at 12:22AM

Think trying greyhound gap and the collie site is a good idea.
You clearly love dogs and will try everything you can to resolve this problem.
Was it a small shelter you got pooch from?I'm just asking because the RGT we got ours from do offer free behaviourist advice any time after rehoming.
I wonder if it could be a reaction to the his food. I'm assuming you've tried changing brands. I think GHs are particularly sensitive to additives and colourings.
Have you tried the crazy dog appeasement plug in or collar http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=dap+dog+appeasing+pheromone+collar&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&ix=hea&ion=1&biw=1440&bih=781&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=10536271504311746200&sa=X&ei=T3coT6nCDuev0QXT3pCJBQ&ved=0CG4Q8wIwAA
They sound ludicrous but I had a guide dog puppy who bit my feet at night, i think she was stressed about left at bedtime and together with some doggy valium it did calm her down.

krlyr · 1 February 2012 at 10:25AM

As quietheart says, diet could be a contributing factor here. Going for more natural foods - avoid Bakers, Pedigree, Iams, etc. like the plague. I've even heard of some dogs reacting to certain ingredients, e.g. cereals, as opposed to colourings or additives in food - there are several cereal-free foods on the market now. They may seem pricy but a good quality food is more digestible and as a result you feed less, so it may not work out as expensive as it seems. Don't forget about treats too - cut them out and use the dog's biscuits as treats instead, so you know exactly what he's eating.

sukysue · 1 February 2012 at 11:57AM

I don't know the more I have been thinking about it the more I just wonder if he has a mental/neurological disorder. I hope not but this behaviour is so strange for a dog in these circumstances. I mean he is loved and looked after well and you obviously worship him or you wunt be trying all ways to get around it. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason for the attacks. I don't really like some of the ways the dog behaviourist works some use fear and dominant tactics. I wonder if there is such a thing as a psychiatrist/psychologist for dogs? I expect you think I am nuts myself !lol! I am just talking aloud....Good Luck m'dear I hope you find a way to help him.

Gingham_R · 1 February 2012 at 12:07PM

There are many behaviourists who work using PROVEN methods, not intimidation, which is not a well researched, safe option unlike what programmes on tv would like us to think - eg the Milan type stuff.

This is the site to find that kind of behaviourist - ie one trained in kind, safe, effective methods. http://www.apdt.co.uk/

The dog sounds like he's playing to me, though it needs someone to look into it more.