Help With Aggressive Dog

[waffle]

My dog has recently become aggressive towards people. Not everyone, he just seems to dislike some people. My uncle took him for a walk and said he went for someone and was very aggressive but he managed to pull him back in time. Nothing bad has happened yet but I'm afraid he may bite someone so I was thinking of buying a muzzle. If anyone could recommend a good one then it would really help.

I don't want to muzzle him but i see no alternative He has cancer which is most likely in his brain (affecting his behaviour), he is on chemo and he is missing an eye so he is easily startled on his blind side.

If anyone could help I would be very very grateful.

Thanks in advance

[persephone]

doesn't sound good. I'm sorry.

It is not only biting someone.. it is the act of lunging toward someone which can scare/anger people,too ..and that won't change, with him muzzled,unfortunately.

for muzzles .. CLICK HERE

may I also suggest seking advice from a veterinary behaviourist ..who will understand what is happening in your dog's brain..and advise you on management strategies.

[Tralee]

My dog has recently become aggressive towards people. Not everyone, he just seems to dislike some people. My uncle took him for a walk and said he went for someone and was very aggressive but he managed to pull him back in time. Nothing bad has happened yet but I'm afraid he may bite someone so I was thinking of buying a muzzle. If anyone could recommend a good one then it would really help.

I don't want to muzzle him but i see no alternative He has cancer which is most likely in his brain (affecting his behaviour), he is on chemo and he is missing an eye so he is easily startled on his blind side.

If anyone could help I would be very very grateful.

Thanks in advance

Your dog has low tolerance and, quite frankly, that should not be surprising.

Why do you need to exercise your dog around people?

Do the dog, yourself and the community a favour and nurse him/her through the time you have together, while the dog is ill.

If you want your dog to interact with people then allow the dog to have visitors.

The extra attention and special treatment can have miraculous results. (Called the Hawthorne Effect)

Why not get the dog an eye patch?

It would alert people to your dogs special needs.

[JulesP]

I think you need to have a chat to your vet about this development. You have been given a warning and so far nothing bad has happened. I've read some bad stories about what dogs have done when effected like this, things like launching themselves through windows to attack people.

This isn't an aggressive dog it is a sick dog. If it was my dog I would giving him his wings. If the cancer is in his brain is the chemo going to work?

I am really sorry that you are going through this.

[Nekhbet]

Partial blindness can put a dog on edge, and if he is sick as well he will be very ready to snap. Dont walk the dog, leave him be or just take him into the front yar to watch whats going on, take him on car rides if he fees up to it. Keep him safe, dont push him into society which causes him stress.

If it is a tumor in the brain, speak to your vet about options, preferably a specialist or a veterinary oncologist. Personally if my dog had cancer in the head/brain I would keep it comfortable for as long as possible then euthanise when quality of life wasnt there any more.

[waffle]

We're seeing a specialist already and have had a consult with an oncologist. Vet says he is doing well, we started chemo before the cancer was really affecting his quality of life, and there are no physical signs the cancer is progressing. So he is still very active and was perfectly fine to be walked before but I guess I gotta accept it's getting worse. Pretty sad as he loves walks. I will talk to my vet as soon as possible. And yes, there is treatment if the cancer is in his brain, one of the drugs he is on is called lomustine if you're interested.

I really wanted to give him the best life possible before he goes so its pretty sad I can't really take him out anymore, but I'm glad there are alternatives and I like the idea of car rides and visitors.

Thanks for the support and i appreciate that you give the best advice you can even if it is sad. I'm very thankful this forum exists

[Nekhbet]

I know its hard. My rottie cant be walked his legs cant take him for more then a block or two. So he goes on a lot of car trips so he can see the sights but doesnt have to walk around

[JulesP]

I would be really careful with visitors in your house. I would personally be keeping him away from people, wouldn't want an accident at this stage.

How do you walk him? I would be walking on his blind side (to make him feel safer) and I would be having him in the heel position. I would be going off the path and getting him to sit to allow people past.

[Rusky]

would a greyhound muzzle fit him ? there are leather and metal open muzzles like a hanibal lectar one ... Don't use a micky muzzle like the cheap and nasty ones they sell everywhere as those are only suitable for very short term use and certainly not for walking.

I am not a fan of plastic muzzles but the one on the pro 9 site someone just posted looks ok, nice and soft.

When you muzzle a dog everyone keeps away silly hey cos not it can't do any harm.

Your poor dog, I am so sad for you. Maybe it is time to just play and stay home as everytime he gets upset it can take up to a day to settle and that can't be good for his condition.