Aggressive cocker .....am now despairing

[PennyB]

I know this is controversial but I wonder what colour he is. I used to have a golden cocker and she would suddenly go into one. Vet reckoned it was the colour and was quite adamant that golden cockers were recognised as being susceptible to what he called "cocker rage".

You are clearly aware of the issues surrounding Rage; it is a shame that it is still linked to golden cockers and not presented in a more balanced and accurate way......Rage is rare, affects a range of breeds and Baileys behaviour does not, in any way, fit the profile of a dog affected by this condition 

http://www.cockerspanielrage.org.uk/whatisrage.htm

sadly some just associate rage with any cockers just because they once heard the term and mud sticks it seems

[djangonut]

I once sold a cocker which at about seven years just stared at the wall,  and if anyone approached, just turned and snapped at them.

It was finally discovered that he had toothache.  When the offending tooth was removed he was back to normal.

Has anyone checked Bailey's mouth?

John

[patti]

thanks to you all for your comments. Last year, COL recommended culture clash so I bought it straight away. I ought to re-read it to refresh my memory. I found Top Barks helpful last year, when we were going through the same. I know that a behaviourist is the best route to go down but at the moment I'm just feeling so disheartened and miserable. Bailey is now nearly 7 and for half of his life he has been reactive, sometimes worse than others. For alot of that time, my family have found it stressful. In a way, they feel a bit cheated because they didn't want a reactive dog.  They wanted a happy, easy going, fun to be with Cocker and because we lead an outdoor life, one that could join us when we travelled. I would definitely find him easier to handle if it was just the two of us but when I see how fed up my family are at the moment, its upsetting. I have always had dogs, but Bailey is our first family dog and sadly, my husand says he's the last.

[patti]

John, that's intersting. Yes, the vet recently gave his a mouth a good check whilst he was under anesthetic for his ears cleaning out.  All appeared ok.

[BabyB]

Bless you .  You seem to be doing everything you can for poor Bailey, and I expect many would have given up by now, so good for you in perservering.

Bailey's not had much luck with his health, and it can't be easy for him when it does play up.  But I'm sure with help from your vet (who sounds lovely) and a good behavourist, it will get sorted out.

I know it's stressful, and you feel helpless at what to do next.  I'm just sorry I can't offer more advice than what's already been given.

  to you, Bailey and your family.

[Elmo]

I think it sounds like you have gotten yourself down about Baileys behaviour which is understandable BUT as you say Bailey is a lovely dog around your family so look to the positives. Think of Bailey as a child with learning difficulties, they would need special help and support just like Bailey does.....not for your husband to resent him

Hooe you manage to find a good behaviourist to help you

[Top Barks]

I would love to have a look at the reports if any that were given to you by the behaviourists you have seen.
What was their diagnoses? what were their recommendations?
Often with a reactive dog I am afraid to say there is no cure or only part cure with regular set backs and management is needed for the duration of the dog's life.
Living with a reactive dog is not easy and has major peaks and troughs and at the end of the day your family and life have to be paramount.
It may be that a reactive dog would do better in a home where it could receive specialist attention but you now have the dog you have and therefore can only do the best you can.
sometimes you have to weigh up what is best for the dog and you and the conclusion you come to may not be the one you would ideally choose.
Mark

[patti]

The first behaviourist we saw introduced us to clicker training and diagnosed fear aggression.  Unfortunately, after 6 months, we felt that we were not making any progress.  With hindsight, we should have stuck at it longer but being completely inexperienced in dealing with a reactive dog and clicker training we gave up too soon.  The second behaviourist was a nightmare.  He came in to our home and practically preached the Dog Listener.  Both behaviourists were found through our vet.  We tried to put in to place the strategies he gave us but I didn't agree with the most of it and as Baileys behaviour was not improving, we went back to clicker.
As i've said before, our vet has been very supportive.  We have discussed rehoming Bailey but our vet felt this would be impossible because of his behaviour. He is now approaching 7 and I have to give serious thought about what to do because of my family, who must come first. We adore Bailey but he is definitely putting a strain on our family relationship.
 

[Hurtwood Dogs]

I really feel for you - I've never had a dog that is reactive or aggressive towards people but in my current circumstances (I have a young child so lots of friends and kids visiting etc) I know it's a risk I wouldn't be able to live with. Towards the end of last year there was a very nasty incident in my village where a 3 yr old springer bit a neighbours child on the face badly without provocation - the dog was destroyed despite the fact it had never done anything like that before.

I wouldn't rule out rehoming him totally - he might be happier in a quiet adult only household - you could even offer to pay for ongoing treatment of his medical conditions too.

No one can make this decision for you and you clearly love him to bits but at the end of the day if quality of life for you and your dog is constantly stressful is it worth it for all of you?

Thinking of you lots and you'll have my support (and I expect support from lots of others on here too) whatever you decide but I would urge you to investigate rehoming to a different type of household if you haven't already before you take any bigger decision to have him put to sleep.

Good luck this must be so hard for all of you

Hannah xxx

 

[Top Barks]

I really feel for you - I've never had a dog that is reactive or aggressive towards people but in my current circumstances (I have a young child so lots of friends and kids visiting etc) I know it's a risk I wouldn't be able to live with. Towards the end of last year there was a very nasty incident in my village where a 3 yr old springer bit a neighbours child on the face badly without provocation - the dog was destroyed dispute the fact it had never done anything like that before.

I wouldn't rule out rehoming him totally - he might be happier in a quiet adult only household - you could even offer to pay for ongoing treatment of his medical conditions too.

No one can make this decision for you and you clearly love him to bits but at the end of the day if quality of life for you and your dog is constantly stressful is it worth it for all of you?



Thinking of you lots and you'll have my support (and I expect support from lots of others on here too) whatever you decide but I would urge you to investigate rehoming to a different type of household if you haven't already before you take any bigger decision to have him put to sleep.

Good luck this must be so hard for all of you

Hannah xxx

 

My Bayley was taken to the vet to be PTS and look at him now.
Mark

[cdpops]

Patti
I hope you resolve these issues very soon, I really feel for you.
I have a reactive cocker, who too has been diagnosed with fear aggression. I know how you feel. Some times, although I love Charlie to bits, I wish we had never got him!
I go through phases when I think we have cracked things with him and then the smallest thing seems to cause him to react and we are back to square one. I am now resigned to the fact that we will always have to be very aware of Charlies potential, and he will never be the sit on my knee for a cuddle type dog.
We have no children, so it is not such an issue for us.
Good luck with whatever decisions you reach

[Hurtwood Dogs]

I really feel for you - I've never had a dog that is reactive or aggressive towards people but in my current circumstances (I have a young child so lots of friends and kids visiting etc) I know it's a risk I wouldn't be able to live with. Towards the end of last year there was a very nasty incident in my village where a 3 yr old springer bit a neighbours child on the face badly without provocation - the dog was destroyed dispute the fact it had never done anything like that before.

I wouldn't rule out rehoming him totally - he might be happier in a quiet adult only household - you could even offer to pay for ongoing treatment of his medical conditions too.

No one can make this decision for you and you clearly love him to bits but at the end of the day if quality of life for you and your dog is constantly stressful is it worth it for all of you?



Thinking of you lots and you'll have my support (and I expect support from lots of others on here too) whatever you decide but I would urge you to investigate rehoming to a different type of household if you haven't already before you take any bigger decision to have him put to sleep.

Good luck this must be so hard for all of you

Hannah xxx

 

My Bayley was taken to the vet to be PTS and look at him now.
Mark

I'm not suggesting this dog should be put to sleep - my post stated the opposite - I've urged her to consider rehoming to a different environment before she gets to that stage if she doesn't feel that her family situation is right for managing this dog just now. I was highlighting an incident that confirmed in my mind that I couldn't live with a dog in my house that was a potential danger to children - it wouldn't be worth the risk however much I loved the dog. This particular child that I've mentioned was very badly damaged and had to have plastic surgery to reconstruct her nose and deal with the scaring on the rest of her face after the attack - the people who owned the dog had to live next door to the child and her family also. The child was playing independently from the dog in the garden and both the owner and child's parents where present at the time of the attack - they don't know what triggered it as there was no direct provocation and dog and child where familiar with each other. I think I'd have had the dog destroyed in those circumstances too.

Did Bayley ever do anything like that before he came to you?

Hannah xx

[Top Barks]

I really feel for you - I've never had a dog that is reactive or aggressive towards people but in my current circumstances (I have a young child so lots of friends and kids visiting etc) I know it's a risk I wouldn't be able to live with. Towards the end of last year there was a very nasty incident in my village where a 3 yr old springer bit a neighbours child on the face badly without provocation - the dog was destroyed dispute the fact it had never done anything like that before.

I wouldn't rule out rehoming him totally - he might be happier in a quiet adult only household - you could even offer to pay for ongoing treatment of his medical conditions too.

No one can make this decision for you and you clearly love him to bits but at the end of the day if quality of life for you and your dog is constantly stressful is it worth it for all of you?



Thinking of you lots and you'll have my support (and I expect support from lots of others on here too) whatever you decide but I would urge you to investigate rehoming to a different type of household if you haven't already before you take any bigger decision to have him put to sleep.

Good luck this must be so hard for all of you

Hannah xxx

 

My Bayley was taken to the vet to be PTS and look at him now.
Mark

I'm not suggesting this dog should be put to sleep - my post stated the opposite - I've urged her to consider rehoming to a different environment before she gets to that stage if she doesn't feel that her family situation is right for managing this dog just now. I was highlighting an incident that confirmed in my mind that I couldn't live with a dog in my house that was a potential danger to children - it wouldn't be worth the risk however much I loved the dog. This particular child that I've mentioned was very badly damaged and had to have plastic surgery to reconstruct her nose and deal with the scaring on the rest of her face after the attack - the people who owned the dog had to live next door to the child and her family also. The child was playing independently from the dog in the garden and both the owner and child's parents where present at the time of the attack - they don't know what triggered it as there was no direct provocation and dog and child where familiar with each other. I think I'd have had the dog destroyed in those circumstances too.

Did Bayley ever do anything like that before he came to you?

Hannah xx

you have taken me the wrong way Hannah,  ;)I was agreeing with you!
With regards to Bayley having a go at kids, I have no idea whether he did or not but I still take precautions.
I have only seen him react to adults (mainly men) and to be honest he doesn't really do that anymore now.
I was trying to make the point that some dogs do much better in a different environment as I believe are you.
Mark

[Hurtwood Dogs]

I really feel for you - I've never had a dog that is reactive or aggressive towards people but in my current circumstances (I have a young child so lots of friends and kids visiting etc) I know it's a risk I wouldn't be able to live with. Towards the end of last year there was a very nasty incident in my village where a 3 yr old springer bit a neighbours child on the face badly without provocation - the dog was destroyed dispute the fact it had never done anything like that before.

I wouldn't rule out rehoming him totally - he might be happier in a quiet adult only household - you could even offer to pay for ongoing treatment of his medical conditions too.

No one can make this decision for you and you clearly love him to bits but at the end of the day if quality of life for you and your dog is constantly stressful is it worth it for all of you?



Thinking of you lots and you'll have my support (and I expect support from lots of others on here too) whatever you decide but I would urge you to investigate rehoming to a different type of household if you haven't already before you take any bigger decision to have him put to sleep.

Good luck this must be so hard for all of you

Hannah xxx

 

My Bayley was taken to the vet to be PTS and look at him now.
Mark

I'm not suggesting this dog should be put to sleep - my post stated the opposite - I've urged her to consider rehoming to a different environment before she gets to that stage if she doesn't feel that her family situation is right for managing this dog just now. I was highlighting an incident that confirmed in my mind that I couldn't live with a dog in my house that was a potential danger to children - it wouldn't be worth the risk however much I loved the dog. This particular child that I've mentioned was very badly damaged and had to have plastic surgery to reconstruct her nose and deal with the scaring on the rest of her face after the attack - the people who owned the dog had to live next door to the child and her family also. The child was playing independently from the dog in the garden and both the owner and child's parents where present at the time of the attack - they don't know what triggered it as there was no direct provocation and dog and child where familiar with each other. I think I'd have had the dog destroyed in those circumstances too.

Did Bayley ever do anything like that before he came to you?

Hannah xx

you have taken me the wrong way Hannah,  ;)I was agreeing with you!
With regards to Bayley having a go at kids, I have no idea whether he did or not but I still take precautions.
I have only seen him react to adults (mainly men) and to be honest he doesn't really do that anymore now.
I was trying to make the point that some dogs do much better in a different environment as I believe are you.
Mark

Ah got ya! Aye, that's what I was saying 

Hannah x

[patti]

Well, I'm glad you got your crossed wires uncrossed! I have found everybody's comments really useful and every time I look at Bailey and think of him being put to sleep, I cry.  I adore him and will do anything to avoid that happening.  Ideally, re homing him would be for the best but I don't know how I go about that.  Part of me feels that by even thinking of this I am letting him down but realistically I know that myself and my family have done everything we can.  I know that we can't carry on like this or we'll go mad. We've had a good day today. We haven't had any visitors and we didn't see another dog or human when we were having our walks.  If only every day could be like today.!