Biting
I have him in an "in-home" obedience school, 3 weeks, doing great with that.. then with the holidays, his "surgery" we skipped 2 weeks. I continued to work with him. On Jan. 8th, I had to board him at the vet, was going to be gone for 3 days, a new grandbaby coming. Took his food, his toys, everything was fine. I went to pick him up and the vet told me he was suffering from "stress" and had started having diarrhea. He told me to keep an eye on him, I gave him special ID food, etc. He continued to get worse, started vomiting, couldn't keep anything down. Back to the vet who checked him throughly, said he was healthy, found no problems, prescribed meds [antibiotics] and he is now just going off them, the vet said he may have had a "bacterial infection"... In the midst of this, the new baby was born, brought to my home, we have allowed George to come fairly close, sniff the baby, have not made him feel one bit less loved.. they will be here for about a mo. A few days ago, George started growling at my son when he went to take him out, then tried to bite him. I squirted him with a squirt bottle [trainer advised], it didn't happen again for a few days then he did the same thing again... my son is the one who had the baby.... Today, my 8 yr old grandson was here, as he is almost every day. George greeted him this morning, rode to school with him when I dropped him off, licking his face, everything was great... this afternoon my grandson came back, he was playing with George, I was right there, and George turned growled at him. My grandson did nothing to provoke him whatsover....I took George to his crate [probably the wrong thing to do, then let him out in about 5 min. A few minutes later George growled at my grandson and bit him, actually broke the skin on his upper arm, teethmarks. I squirted him, corrected him and took him back to his crate because I was afraid he might hurt someone.... The trainer has not returned my calls, she is sick, the vet [who I love and have used for 9 years] is off for the weekend... The other major change is George is that he doesn't act like a puppy as he did before I picked him up at the vets.. he hardly chases his laser light which he adored, rarely plays with his toys, and mostly mopes and sits by me with his head on my lap.. he has not growled at me. I am home all the time, office is at home... Anything anyone can tell me would be so greatly appreciated... could he be sick and we not know it??? Is it even possible he was so upset because I left him 3 days at the kennel??? He was perfectly fine until I did that, then the sickness, at the same time, change in personality and now the biting... Thanks so very much, don't know what I would do without all your posts... Warm regards, Joyce |
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| Joyce,
First let me say, I'm sorry about this! It can be very unsettling and I hope things get back to normal soon. I would be very concerned about his time in the kennel and how he was handled. I know this is your Vet - but maybe they aren't properly equipped to deal with long term guests. Presley acted very similar when returning from a kennel stay once. It was very upsetting to say the least. I think with all that has gone on with your family and George in the past few weeks - it all may have just gotten too stressful. I don't think the advise of squirting him when he growls is appropriate. I'm not sure how the rest of the training has gone - but positive reinforcement training is something you should look into. Squirting him or punishing him for this behavior isn't going to help - it may make him worse. I would speak to someone who provides positive reinforcement training and also - a group class will be better for him so he can become socialized, etc. Punishment type training can often backfire - especially if a dog may be proned to aggression. I would suggest getting the book, The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training, by Paul Owens, Norma Eckroate. Cesar's Way : The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems (Hardcover), by Cesar Millan, Melissa Jo Peltier People Training for Dogs, Cesar Milan's DVD He could not feel well - that's a real possibility. I would be concerned about his illness following the Vets - it seems he may have picked up something or it could have been the stress (which if it was that stressful - it may account for his behavior too). Try not to alienate him from the family - even though you will need to be careful with him and the children. He may grow more jealous and act out if he is alienated. This could all just be adding to his stress - with the addition of the baby, etc. and I'm sure your house is not as calm as usual. I would recommend speaking to someone about the behavior and positive training asap. You can contact Grannie Annie from NEOESR (grannie.annie@neoesr.org) - I'm sure she'd be more than happy to offer you some guidance. Best of Luck. I'll keep you in my thoughts! Kristen |
| Also in addition to everything Kristen said, you mentioned he was nuetered less than a month ago. Do you know if it was disolving stitches that were used? If not, there may be a stitch in a very senstive spot! I've seen this happen many times, and when it heals over the stitch you can't see it anymore, but it can be very painful and irritating, it would pull everytime he moved, and he may have just moved the wrong way. I tend to agree with Kristen though, it sounds like there has been a whole lot going on in his life, so he may be just stressed and overwhelmed.
I would suggest spending as much time as you can with him, not overstimulating with play or rough and tumble things, but just cuddling with him. I have found the best way to deter a dog from biting is to yelp like a puppy loudly, and show your disapproval by ignoring him. Perhaps put him for quiet time in a room by himself when he shows any of these behaviors, but I would try not to use his crate since you want to keep that a safe, happy place for him. Kudos to you for thinking it through and trying to help your boy! I'm sure you'll work things out.  |
| Thank you both so much... I neglected to mention sometimes when he goes to sit, he does it very carefully, almost as if he has arthritis or something.. very slowly... I am wondering about the stitches from when he was neutered. Would have never even thought of that. Yes he still can bound up on the couch...
I definitely know something is not right with him, my entire family says the same thing. He looks the same but it's not our dear George. We will give him lots of extra hugs tonight. I've kept him by me almost all the time since he came home except at night, when he is in his crate, and that's only a few feet from my bedroom where he can see me. Thanks again! Joyce |
| I have a 10 month old sheepie that has recently started growling and biting. He was neutered at the end of November and prior to that he never growled or bit. I tried to remove a glove from his mouth and he bit down really hard on my hand, breaking my skin. I ignored him for the rest of the day and things seemed okay. Two days ago, my husband was retrieving Max's toy under a chair and Max growled and snapped at him. I'm worried he's going to bite one of my children or visitors. When Max was neutered, he had xrays and the vet found he had moderate dysplasia. Could this possibly be the reason for his bad temper? Please advise. |
| I wouldn't think that the dysplasia would be painful enough at this point to cause him enough discomfort to snap/growl. Does he seem to be in pain (maybe something to do with the stitches as Willowsprite mentioned)??
This is obviously a concerning behavior. What kind of training has he had ??? I would recommend a positive reinforcement class - having you and your husband have a leadership role in the relationship. You will have to follow the "nothing in life is free" way of living. Sometimes thyroid problems can cause aggression (and fear) - you could check into that as a possible cause. Hypothyroidism is unfortunately common in OES. http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTM Also - there are links between high protein diets and aggression. Be sure to check the protein content of his food (I would not be feeding him puppy food). If you have contact with your breeder - I would suggest discussing this behavior with them. They should be made aware of possible temperment problems within their lines. (They should also be made aware of the dysplasia). Good Luck! Kristen |
| Thanks again for your help. I got the book, The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell that Kristen recommended, am reading it already. Just an update on George... each day he seems more depressed. He holds his favorite doll in his mouth for long periods of time, sighs and goes to sleep. He sleeps much longer during the day than he ever did before all this occured. Rarely makes a peep, quiet all day long.
The only time he acts like he did before I left him at the kennel is when it's meal time.. he hops and goes to his place and sits like he always did. I feed him 3 x's a day. He knows the word treat and has always run as fast as he can to his crate, goes inside, plunks down without a word of encouragement, it is so funny to see. No matter where his crate is, [I sometimes have it right outside my office, sometimes in the kitchen, all depends].. he knows exactly where to go. That has not changed so I know he can still run, hop and get excited. About food and a treat. Yesterday I took him for what I hoped to be a brisk walk and he just moped along. He has a "friend" black lab pup next door who he used to romp and play with. Yesterday he just stared at him, didn't even bark and turned away. He doesn't even bark when I come in the door, also a huge change. Does anyone suggest I take him to another vet for a second opinion, or back to the one who says he is Healthy, just stressed? It's 3 weeks today since I boarded him, he is not sick anymore, eats, it's his personality that is no longer the same. No more growling or biting but my grandson has not been here since the last incident. He'll be here tomorrow. Thank you again... Best, Joyce |
| Joyce,
I think you should take him somewhere for a second opinion. I don't know if he is just reacting to the baby and/or changes in the house - or if he doesn't feel well - but either way - I'd get him looked at. It seems that something is going on. Hang in there! Kristen |
| Roger had kennel cough a few weeks ago and got kind of grumpy. So if they don't feel well, just like us they slow down and don't want to play as much.
As for the visit coming up. Put him on a leash before the family comes in. As the group enters I would have him lay on his side as they stand in front of him for about five seconds they don't look at him at this point(a submissive position, establishing the pecking order) then they pet him all they want. After that go on as normal. If he shows aggression use your hand as a mouth gently but firmly bit his neck (with your hand) this is what the alpha dog would do to put him in his place in a pack. You can make a displeasing sound or tell him no or sit at the same time. Do not pet and comfort him at the time or right after he has been aggressive. If he is behaving correctly make a point to stroke his shoulders or head with approval and or praise him at the time the correct behavior is exibited and as often as is warrented until the correct behaviour is established. This is the correct positive and negative consequence to his behaviour. This has worked for me. Good luck and remember this is just the best thing I know to do. There have to be several other just as good ways to get the same result. |
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