Author Topic: Why is he barking/ sometimes aggressive?  (Read 928 times)

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Offline Archiesmum

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Why is he barking/ sometimes aggressive?
« on: August 27, 2014, 06:10:51 PM »
Hi I have a 15 month old neuter show cocker

He was a lovely dog then bout six months ago and nothing changed in his life, he wouldn't be left anymore, started barking at EVERYTHING I can't watch TV now, birds screeching, people coughing keys jangling pianos laughing ( although he is ok with all these things in real life just not on the TV)

Goes crazy if a dog barks in real life

THEN he started waking up randomly from sleep hackles up tail erect barking crazily high pitched trying to get out lounge door or other door? Now I'm aware he can hear and smell a lot better than me but at night when in crate 11 pm til 8 am not a peep? So presumably still cats etc prowling bout?

Is it rage syndrome?

Been three diff vet practises no thyroid issue or health issue

Two behaviourists given up on him

Tried EVERYTHING. I have had two springers so I'm used to high energy dogs etc he is walked two to three hours a day off lead. He is trained socialised etc etc

Tried anti anxiety meds. Has plenty toys chews kong etc trained every day at beach

Try diffuser pheromones etc etc etc

WHY DO U THINK IT IS.?

Is it territory guarding or a rage aggression thing?

He used to bark in garden minute door open he barked pretty muvh whole time so of course now neighbours are enemies ( even tho only two mins to cock leg) however in the summer I opened back gate and rigged up small gate so he could look over and barking reduced by both 85 p c

However last few weeks he now snarls and growls at people who previously he loved?

He has started snarling at kids. Small ones same eye level?

He bite me but didn't draw blood ar Easter. We heard sound in garden. As I got up to investigate he started really high pitch squeal hackles up scratching at door couldn't wait for me to open it and bite on thigh six inch bruise.

Is it rage syndrome? Or some random aggression thing?

My mum glosses over says  ge just a young excitable dog other times he so gentle friendly loving.

The same dogs he screams at from behind his gate he plays with fine when out the garden?

He WILL not stop barking if another dog barks when he in house I have try ALL the methods.

Yet he never barks on a walk?

All the stress has put me in hospital. I will not give up on him. But I would like any advice why he is doing this? No one seems to know

He currently is staying with my mother in a flat. She can watch anything on TV he never barks?

Is he just over protecting me?

A vet said a golden cocker of 18 months she has just put to sleep was acting same at his age.

Any help please!

Offline Karma

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Re: Why is he barking/ sometimes aggressive?
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2014, 07:40:29 PM »

Firstly, it doesn't sound like Rage to me - you have identified many triggers for his barking/aggression, which just does not fit with Rage (which is very rare).

What methods have you tried to curb the barking?  What did the 2 behaviourists suggest was happening??

If you are willing to post where you are, someone might be able to suggest a behaviourist who isn't just going to give up on him if it isn't an easy fix.


From what you describe, it sounds like something spooked him, and he has generalised that event into high anxiety in your house - so any small "threat" reignites that anxiety.  Honey has a lot of barrier frustration, and sounds like she is mauling something when she is let out of the back door - as you described, during the summer when the door was left open, her garden barking was greatly reduced. 
We have managed to get her to respond to being called in (for a treat) the minute she starts barking in the evenings now (but it's taken quite a long time). 

It does sound like he could benefit from some T-Touch, it would also be worth looking at the "Protocal for Relaxation" (should be easy to find on a google search).  But really someone needs to observe all these behaviours and give you a more personalised training scheme....

Remembering Honey. Aug 2007-July 2020

Offline Helen

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Re: Why is he barking/ sometimes aggressive?
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2014, 09:14:25 PM »
Sadly I think he's picking up on your anxiety and it's a vicious circle now and more and more things in your home are becoming trigger points and that is why he is far more settled at your mothers.

Take a look at the channel 4 programme,"the secret lives of dogs" - I just watched an episode and there were anxious fearful dogs on there which I feel may echo your situation  ;)    You do need to find yourself a behaviourist that is sensitive to fear based aggression and is prepared to work with you dog.  Have you checked the APDT trainers locally? http://www.apdt.co.uk/

When you say thyroid tested, was it a full thyroid panel?  Did they send away the blood to a lab? You have to be particular about the thyroid test and insist on having your dog’s blood sent to a reputable laboratory and tested for all the thyroid hormones and auto-antibodies to those hormones. Thyroid tests in-house at your vets, or simple tests of your dog’s “total” T4 levels, are inadequate for diagnosing hypothyroidism.

and please do not ever go back to this vet "A vet said a golden cocker of 18 months she has just put to sleep was acting same at his age" - the symptoms you have described are not indicative of rage and are very likely fear, stress or anxiety based.  So very sad this dog was PTS  :-\


helen & jarvis x


Offline MIN

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Re: Why is he barking/ sometimes aggressive?
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2014, 09:44:36 PM »
yesterdays episode has  dogs showing agression via barking, might be worth catching up on it if they do a i player thing
Run free and fly high my beautiful Gemma
2011 - 2023 

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Offline chrisp

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Re: Why is he barking/ sometimes aggressive?
« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2014, 05:40:42 PM »

A vet said a golden cocker of 18 months she has just put to sleep was acting same at his age.


Good advice from above.

You definitely need to change your vet!  I'm in shock and disgusted the vet has done this!


Offline **purpleprincess**

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Re: Why is he barking/ sometimes aggressive?
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2014, 05:52:44 PM »
That episode about the Secret Lives of Dogs was fantastic! And I felt so glad that the advice we'd  been given by a behaviourist echoed what they said. We've had such good results.
Owned by Luca, the chocolate roan cocker spaniel :)

Offline Lenny

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Re: Why is he barking/ sometimes aggressive?
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2014, 10:51:18 AM »
Hi Helen,I find Lenny is more prone to barking and up and down all the time when he has less exercise than he's normally used too and often have to walk with him for many hours before he really settles down. Don't worry as its reassuring to know others have the same problems I have with mine! What a fantastic forum this is. Hope you get this sorted.  Good Jon there worth it eh. Might get a gold fish next time.