Snapping!!
Our OES is 18 months, and adorable. Well at least she was up until about 3 months ago! If anyone approached her she would be lovable and love the attention, but over the last few months, if anyone approaches her, she barks loudly and snaps at them and it’s getting quite scary. I have to tell people not to go near her. On the opposite side, if she approaches people she is fantastic.. We cannot think of anything that might have happened to her to start this behaviour. Can anyone help??? xx |
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| I'd have her eyesight checked......and of course everything else including a thyroid panel. Then consult a dog trainer/behaviorist.
My first thought is she's having trouble seeing and has become frightened or was frightened at some point? Was she injured by a stranger? Are you projecting some fear when people approach you or a family member? Maybe the dog is transferring your own fear. Anyway, she needs to be out in public but not within public. She needs her walks and when people approach she should be taken aside and made to sit quietly as they pass. Any sign of trouble should be corrected firmly and quickly but not in anger. No speaking either. I think our excessive talking confuses them since they also learn verbal commands, but all the excess chatter is distracting. Also our "thank's ok Sweetie" when Sweetie is snarling is saying it's ok to snarl. Then you begin walking among people quickly correcting any aggressive action. All this needs to be done under a professional. Granted sheepies go thru a brain dead teenage time, but aggressive/fearful must not be tolerated. |
SheepieBoss wrote: All this needs to be done under a professional. Granted sheepies go thru a brain dead teenage time, but aggressive/fearful must not be tolerated. Fearful reactivity can also be an indication that it is a clinical issue and working with a behaviorist and behavioral vet can ensure appropriate medication. |
| I've had a similar issue with my sheepie who's now 3, it looks like she's trying to become an Alpha when she really is an omega dog and this is going against her grain and she's getting confused. She started to become dominant and its really difficult because their big powerful dogs its very easy to become frightened and even if your not aware of it your insides could be feeling different and the dog will pick up on this and hence the problem will get worse.
We have a behaviourist coming in tomorrow who will probably confirm this and we'll have to take a harder leadership role. The good side to her is she love people and all the attention but I also have another dog miniature poodle and just a simple thing of not letting the puppy on the sofa has hanged my sheepie back to the loving dog she is. Some where some thing has changed and most of the time it can be something very simple and you wouldn't think it could have an impact until the problem has escalated. I would also get her check out by a vet just in case there is something medically causing it. I've also changed her food to exclude ceral, she's now on Burns pork and potato as this could be causing big problems. |
| Thank you soooo much for all of your thoughts and suggestions, which are a BIG, BIG help!!
We changed her food a few months back, which I never thought could affect her and because it has been sooo cold we have not had her hair cut, which we would have normally! I will contact the behaviourist for some tips!! Thanks again! We love her to bits and I we don’t want this getting any worse xx |
| my bear does not let any one approach him ever...only little children...he has to be the one who makes the first move...maybe he feels his space is invaded i don t know...i tell trusted people to hold a treat and allow him to come to them...after thats happened he's happy to jump on them an lick their faces off !! |
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