HELP! 2 year old OES AGGRESSION! Came suddenly.......
It's certainly great to have this forum! Our OES is 2 years and 4 months old, and began showing signs of aggression as soon as he turned 2 (almost to the day!). He has bitten 3 people now, all of whom have been family members/friends. These are people that he was once playful with (as he was with pretty much everyone!), so everyone is baffled by this, as are we. We have had a couple of trainers- they say he has 'fear aggression,' which makes sense, as every incident, our OES has been in what he perceived to be a 'stressful situation' ( lots of people/kids/dogs in the house/new environment with lots of new people etc). He has also had anxiety from day 1- he has always been somewhat on edge and jumpy (although he can be lazy and sleep the day/night away easily!). When you sneeze, he gets anxious and runs up to you barking and kissing you (as if he thinks you're hurt). This shows that he is indeed a loving boy, but also very anxious/easily stressed. Even before the aggression started, if someone came to the door, he would get so excited, he would make distressing groaning sounds when we made his lay down, as to not jump all over our guests. he would then always get a toy to bring to the guests. He has also had health issues from day 1: constant allergies, ear infections, arthritis, glaucoma. We're getting all that sorted at the moment, as our trainer thinks that perhaps his health may be contributing to his aggressive behaviour. I really do not think that is the main issue, although I'm sure his health issues are not helping the situations. Have read a lot about hyper thyroid (sp?) and that may be an issue? Getting him tested for this 2 days from now. Anyway, we now put a muzzle on him when small children are around, or any company really, as we don't want any further incidents. 98% of the time, he is an absolute joy to have around, and has always loved people, and other dogs and has been a playful class clown- the archetypal OES, and we love him immensely. Of course, we really do not want to give him up- we're willing to explore every avenue to get him on track. We're just so heartbroken this has all happened, as we know he is a loving dog with serious issues, and it all came fairly abruptly. We're thinking it could be in his breeding? We got him from what we thought to be a reputable breeder.. He will sometime make a slight growl sound when he's laying down and I command him to move, but as soon as I say 'What?' in an assertive voice, he'll get up, start wagging his tail, and come over trying to kiss me, as if he just realized that he's not supposed to do that and feels bad about it. After he bit 2 of the people, he went back up them wagging his tail, as if he felt badly, then starting growling lowly again?!! Is he perceiving these people as a threat to my wife of myself? Anyways, any support/advice would be helpful, we are thinking of an intensive training program, where he lives with the trainer for a specific period of time, as we are at our wits end, but willing to try anything to help our OES be the fun-loving boy that he his. Many thanks. |
|
|
| WOW sounds like you are really trying. I have no advice otherthan is he neutered?? there is controversy on this subject but it is worth a try. Also depending on where you live is there a vet school near you? The U of PA near me has a behavorial clinic. They have a wealth of current treatments etc. Have you thought of something like that?? I think the muzzle is a good idea (I hope it is a basket muzzle) and trying to reduce his anxiety. A good group training class to help socialize outside the home may help too Wishing you the best with your  |
| my wager is on the problem being a health issue. your description of his temperament seems normal sheepie otherwise. will be waiting to hear about thyroid testing. |
Guest wrote: my wager is on the problem being a health issue. your description of his temperament seems normal sheepie otherwise. will be waiting to hear about thyroid testing. Fear, stress, anxiety and aggression is not normal sheepie behavior! Dogs also do not feel badly about things. Its a reaction to your reaction. He knows that he isn't supposed to do it and he is waiting to be reprimanded. He is too young to have all those health issues and come from a reputable breeder. (It does happen rarely but wow at 2 1/2?!) It could be health issues is why he is biting. Especially if his vision is impaired due to glaucoma. He also could be hurting due to his arthritis. Growling is a sign he wants you to stay away. Do not reprimand him for growling. That often leads to biting without warnings. Is he crate trained? A crate may give him a safe place for him to get away if he feels threatened and give him time away when he isn't feeling well and also a place to put him when company comes over to avoid anyone getting bit. |
| Thanks for responses! He is not crate trained, we've never had the need for one, his safe haven is under our stairs where he likes his blanket. Since he was a pup, he generally loves people, so wants to be around them, I doubt he would go to a cage. We certainly do not reprimand him when he growls; however, we cannot have it so he is growling at us regularly, much of that I think is him being dominant, which we are working on. Yes, the health issues are strange for such a young dog, we contacted OES org, and apparently the breeder we got our pup from has been getting numerous complaints recently, have tried contacting the breeder, but he has only responded once with very little helpful information. An awful situation..... He has tests for thyroid tomorrow, that may give insight...... |
| You said something about allergies, is he on steroids for those? I hear that can cause aggression. You said arthritis too, so maybe pain from that could be causing it. |
| I think you first get a clean bill of health from the vet, thyroid, ears, eyes, possible allergies. (one of mine is allergic to lamb and will get really nasty if he's had it) Then I would consult a behaviorist. I think sending the dog away is a last resort, because the trainer can't correct behavior if the setting doesn't provoke it. You want your dog to behave in Your environment and changing the dogs surroundings may inhibit getting to correct behavior. Ask the vet if he can suggest anything, or someone near you who may be able to help. I agree with 4dognight -neuter if he isn't already. Some say this has no effect, but in my own experience it can make a huge difference. Every home dynamic is different from house members to how corrections are handled, to the dogs own personality. The cause here could be a million things. Rule out one thing at a time. DO NOT discourage his growl, it is one of his only ways of warning. He sounds like a a fear biter. You don't want the warning to go away, or you will only have biting left. Bad news. Good luck. I'd hate to see anything happen to your boy over this. Shellie |
| Maybe the people getting bitten need lessons in avoiding a dog when it is in a snappy mood also. Does he bite you? |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|