Help with increasing aggression
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| Hi John,
I'm very sorry you're going through this. The vet should be checking for anything wrong with OES, especially thyroid levels, and UTIs. I have to assume s/he's checked for the infection, but perhaps not for thyroid. OES are prone to low thyroid and that can cause aggression. If you feel that the situation is becomming hopeless, PLEASE let us help with more than words and get your girl into an OES rescue who has special people with aggressive OES experience! That will be her best chance at living a long and healthy and happy life if she is too much for you to deal with. But start with the vet, and maybe a second vet. The thyroid test is under $40. Another thing you might want to try towards behavior modification is the Nothing In Life Is Free approach or NILF.. Use the search function to see if you can find some info in here about it. Basically, you'll be re-asserting your position in the pack by controlling when she eats. I'm sure others will chime in with some more good advice, too. Good luck and keep us posted. |
Ron wrote: Hi John,
OES are prone to low thyroid and that can cause aggression. Good luck and keep us posted. I agree with Ron, have her thyroid tested, my Sheepie went through a major personality change this past spring.. agressive, anti-social, etc.. upon the suggestion of an experience Sheepie person, I had his thyroid tested and sure enough that was it. My Murphy is now back to his old loveable self...it's amazing what a good vet and understanding will do... at least that will be a starting point for our gir.... the thyroid test was a simple blood test and it was approximately 30.00 canadian. Brenda |
| Roxy has had ear problems and has extensive allergies--we treated these but I don't think the vet checked thyroid or ??UTIs?? (not sure what those are). I haven't met this new vet (our existing vet was a bit passive) but she seems very aggressive, requiring us to muzzle the dog before bringing her in etc. |
| UTI is Urinary Tract Infection.
Wishing you well and I hope you can find out what is going on. Definately get the thyroid tested as a start and as Ron suggested maybe get a 2nd opinion. Something is not quite right with her for her to all of a sudden change so drastically. If you can rule out a health problem then that is a start. Have the vet check for problems in the hips, early arthritis, wether she has pulled a muscle or has a pain spot that you do not notice as that can have them cranky if they are not well or sore somewhere also. A vet just manipulates the legs and feels all over the dog for any signs of Soreness. Best wishes and I hope all turns around good for you and your girl. |
| Hi John,
Welcome to the forum! I'm mom to three "boys" Merlin age 3, Panda age 6 and Blue age 17. Blue, was kept in someone's backyard the first year of his life and thus not properly socialized with dogs and has always had a quirk in his personality as a result. He's never displayed aggression towards humans but does exhibit anxiety when around other dogs (males) besides those he lives with. You asked if they get more aggressive as they age. In my experience, that's not been the case with Blue whom I've had since age one..he has gotten better with slow introduction to other dogs. He does have what I call old age grumpiness but that's often said with affection due to age. Your girl should be slowing down somewhat, so that shouldn't be a factor, as they mellow with age. Panda, was a rescue whom had been abused and displayed aggression when he entered my home. Desensitization and learning to trust humans has made a huge impact on this dog. After 2 1/2 years you wouldn't recognize the same dog - he's so gentle with other dogs, people, and even small creatures that share our home. It took a bit of work but with advice from the knowlegable people at this forum it can be done. I'd follow the advice given, have your dog checked for medical problems and instead of avoiding what you believe may be her "triggers" a slow introduction to them with a positive voice. Always end everything on a good note. The muzzle for example..try it yourself..have it on her for one second..immediately remove it..lots of praise, treat too perhaps. Next day, put it back on leave it for 2 seconds, then three the following day and so on. So in time and with consistency she will view it not as a bad thing. It will ease your mind when making your next vet visit. My boy Panda used to stress so much at the vets that I had him completely sedated so the vet could do a proper through check up which they would have been unable to do even with a muzzle. Who knows your girl may even be suffering from a dental problem and a muzzle could have been rubbing against it causing pain. You just don't know so a full checkout could eliminate any guess work. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Marianne and the boys |
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