Aggression

[taffy]

Have a massive problem with my 7 yr old bitsa Lucky.

She used to be only aggressive to staffies so I have been taking her to training to correct it and it depends on the day as to which dog she doesn’t like.

Her aggression has gotten 100 times worse. She used to be fine with the cats now she tries to snap at them and snarls. I only allow her with Edward under strict supervision, as I don’t know what she is going to be like from one minute to the next.

The biggest problem with her is she keeps snarling at my almost 1 yr old when he is crawling around the lounge. Now he doesn’t have to be near her, he can be over the other side of the room.

She has NEVER had a bad experience with a child. My boys are gentle with her and she never showed any aggression with my 2 yr old.

She fixates on Patrick (the younger of the two) and growls. I reprimand her as soon as she shows any sign of aggression but she will just constantly do it.

It has only really increased in the last month.

She is due to go up to the next grade in training in the next 2 weeks but I am thinking of holding her back as it is off lead and I honestly don’t trust her not to go another dog. She just missed biting me a week ago, first time she has ever tried it and if I hadn’t moved quickly she would have gotten me. I have never had a dog that had shown aggression to me so I am in new territory here.

She is good about 90% of the time, behaves perfectly but she just seems to snap with no warning or reason

What would you do in this situation?

[MrsD]

Get professional help!!!!!

I would be getting a vet to check her out first of all, as to me it sounds like she could have a physical problem that is causing it. If that is all OK I would be getting a behaviourist to help as IMO that isnt the sort of problem that you can fix on your own.

Good luck.

[Erny]

The biggest problem with her is she keeps snarling at my almost 1 yr old when he is crawling around the lounge. Now he doesn’t have to be near her, he can be over the other side of the room.

If you don't already, make SURE that you have these two apart by way of secure barrier. Don't take ANY risks. In fact, don't allow her near or around any children. At all.

She is due to go up to the next grade in training in the next 2 weeks but I am thinking of holding her back as it is off lead and I honestly don’t trust her not to go another dog.

Wise move. And I am/would be surprised that any obedience school would allow a known aggressive dog to partake in off-lead exercises.

What would you do in this situation?

Engage the services of a behaviourist qualified and experienced in matters of aggression. And quickly. This is not something you want to muck around with nor take advice on over the net. Too dangerous and advice which doesn't match to your individual dog could do more harm than good.

Edited August 28, 2007 by Erny

[Janba]

I would also get her vet checked to eliminate the possibility of a physical cause and would get professional help as quickly as possibly.

[taffy]

I know I cant fix it on my own, The people that run training can also come out to your house to help with behavioural issues. I have spoken to them before about it and just wanted some others opinions

cf

[taffy]

I was thinking vet as well, the only thing that has thrown me is she is perfectly healthy, hasnt changed eating, doesnt seem stiff or anything so I kind of forgot going that avenue

[taffy]

I just talked this through with OH and the vet,

Hope I am making the right decisions here, I am pulling her out of class until after the vet has given us the ok but still doing the training we would be doing in class at home (I think that makes sense) and walking her is going to have to be late at night and early in the morning as there are quite a few kids in the area and cats.

The vet is going to do a full health check on her, bloods etc, hopefully she wont need to be sedated he said but if she does he will assess her first as to see if she can cope with it. I do trust this vet, he knows what he is doing. I just dont know how I will go if he says she needs to be PTS but at the same time Patrick has to come first

I am sorry if this post is all rambled, I am just trying to get everything straight in my head as to what needs to be done and what our options are but its not working too well

[Kaos Central]

You cant be too careful when it comes to children and dogs..... you are doing the right thing. I hope everything works out for you.

[Poodle wrangler]

It sounds like you are doing the best for your dog .

Your child has to come first, of course! If that means the dog needs to be PTS, then you will do the right thing, I'm sure. No matter how awful it is an attack on your toddler is far worse. I've just been reading the thread about a newborn killed by the family dog . The aggression is there and you must act.

I have kids and understand how quickly accidents can happen. I can no longer take my kids to see my parents unless their dog is elsewhere, after he attacked my dog unprovoked- we had them separated and their dog was even on-leash but one of the kids opened the front door, my dog slipped through --> . You could have toddler and dog securely separated, then another child/ visitor/ anyone forgets to close a gate or door ---> something awful happens. Cannot risk it!

Best wishes.

[taffy]

I looked at that thread just after I started this one. I know something needs to be done, if I can see the warning signs and DONT do anything and something happens I would never forgive myself and anything that does happen will be purely my fault.

I just hope the vets can find something treatable