Urgent cocker rage suspected, please help

[Jan/Billy]

Please please don't get your puppy pts.. he's just a baby and if yu look through some other threads on here you'll find other instances of people having feared their dog has cocker rage only to find its a guarding issue and a good behaviourist has been able to help.

I remember posting on here years ago panicing that Billy had Rage. I dread to think what decision we would have reached if it wasn't for this site.

I'm no expert at all, but I'm sure its not the right thing to do to give up on your pup at such an early stage in his little life.

I feel the same, he's so young he is still learning

[Top Barks]

Have you had a professional behaviour councillor who knows cocker's and their behaviour indicate that rage may play a factor?
Have you seen a veterinary neurologist?
How can you diagnose Rage?
This does not sound like a case of rage to me.
As others have said please do not have your dog PTS until you can have him properly assessed.

[Mudmagnets]

I have to admit I do not know the first thing about 'cocker rage' only what I have read on here, but I am sure the people who do know will be only too willing to help you given the chance. If you would like to tell us where you are, then hopefully someone near you could tell you what help is available locally.

Please give your pup a chance as it looks from the responses very likely that this is not cocker rage, but something else that can be hopefully sorted - all be it in the long term.

I hope you get some positive news soon

[Jan/Billy]

I have to admit I do not know the first thing about 'cocker rage' only what I have read on here,

I am the same, I think most people are.

I think there are very few people who have actually experienced/witness it. We saw two behaviourists who combined had over 40 years experience as behaviourists but yet neither of them had ever come accross a dog who they diagnosed as having Rage, it really is rare.

[michelle123]

Agreeing with what everybody else is saying. 

Has anything happened between your mum & the pup ??   

Where abouts are you - I am sure that somebody might be able to make a recommendation for a good behaviourist. 

Please think through your decision and explore all avenues   

[stuffster]

Hi, I just wanted to add to what everyon else has said that this is almost certainly NOT rage - it has none of the symptoms or characteristics.

If you really feel you cant handle the dog or cannot go down the route of seeing a behaviourist, then for doGs sake, talk to some rehoming centres first, as many of them are willing to deal with dogs with "issues".

If you tell us where you are based we can a) recommend some good behaviourists or b) recommend nearby rehoming centres that can help find a new home for your dog.

There is no need to execute your dog for what is almost certainly a solvable problem.

[SkyeSue]

Such a shame the OP is not on line to see these replies - hope they return before tomorrow morning 

[Jane S]

If you tell us where you are based we can a) recommend some good behaviourists or b) recommend nearby rehoming centres that can help find a new home for your dog.

From the OP's IP address, it appears she is in the East London area if anyone has any London-based behaviourist recommendations.

[PennyB]

I have contacted the vet who says he is in perfect health.

The only way your vet can truly suggest this is if you have a full blood panel done on your dog (unless you have already done this) --- an abnormal or low-normal result re thyroid test can also affect behaviour in a dog as well.

As others have suggested it is far too easy to think of rage as an answer which is why you must also get a cocker savvy professional to see him who isn't blinkered by only this conclusion --- if he was another breed of dog would you say the same.

[wrenside]

I am desperate for help and some advice

Firstly, welcome to Cockers Online  You have done the right thing by coming to this forum for good sound advice. 
Many of the people on here are very experienced cocker owners, work in veterinary practices, run dog rescue shelters, are dog behaviorists etc... so together we're a pretty knowledgeable lot 

Your cocker pup sounds like a very loving and healthy dog although clearly you are experiencing some very disruptive and distressing behavior from him 

My advice to you is to cancel the appointment with your vet tomorrow (there's no point in making these sorts of BIG decisions when you're feeling overwhelmed, desperate and stressed, as its likely you will regret your decision after you've calmed down), take a deep breath to clear your head (believe me we all know how frustrating dogs can be  ), have a read through some of the information here on the website about 'rage syndrome', behaviorists in your area, cocker rescues etc... chat to some of us a bit more about the detail of your pups behavior - as it's most likely some of us will have experienced very similar problems to you and will have good practical advice for you to try out   

In the mean time try to keep your spirits up  As you say you have a wonderfully loving young pup who's healthy 
Try to keep him away from flash point situations with your mum (maybe get your mum to feed him to see if he starts to see her as a friend rather than a threat  )
If he has a go at your mum leave the room yourself to show him that you disapprove rather than grabbing him or shouting at him as he may see your involvement as you supporting his behavior.
Tell your mum to ignore and back away from him if he is aggressive so as not to aggravate his aggressive response to her.

I'm sure that with our support (feel free to personal message any of us for a private chat) your little chap will learn how to behave in an acceptable manner and you will enjoy having him around you once again 

I live in London (South West) so there's some of us in your part of the world   

Keep your chin up girl! 

Mary xxx 

[aledlewis]

I'm no expert either - but please accept the advise given here. It's good sound advice from people who understand and can and will help you.

A big cuddle is sent to you from all Poppy's family. x

[Elisa]

I don't think your dog has rage, and I hope you don't do anything rash 

It sounds to me as if your dog has a bad guarding issue with the room and your mum.  A behaviourist will be able to advise you how to manage this.  I believe some dogs can be so sensitive, that it just takes some minimal behaviour from us as owners, for their behaviour to escalate through fear and stress.

While you are waiting for an assessment from a behaviourist, get your mum armed with some really tasty treats.  Everytime, she moves to leave the room, or entering the room, she should throw your dog a treat.  With time, and it won't be immediate, your dog will associate your mum's behaviour with a positive reward - a treat!!

Has your dog actually bitten?
Does he guard his food, treats, toys?
Would his breeder be of any help?
How long ago was he neutered?

[Tasha]

I have an excellent behaviourist in Essex who covers east london and they deal with the pts cases from both the weimaraner club rescues and have successfully turned around our worst cases with great success.  She would be more than happy to help please call Kim on 01621 776381 they deal with all breeds and work for both the police and the guide dogs.

Sounds more like your dog has become over possessive of you not cocker rage otherwise you would also be on the receiving end of his attacks.

[LurcherGirl]

The first thing you need to do is have him tested for thyroid problems! He is young, but it is not unheard of. My American cocker has displayed some worrying aggressive behaviour including major resource guarding (not towards people, but towards other dogs including our own) and he is less than two years old. He has just been diagnosed with hypothryoidsm and being on thyroxine for just over two weeks has already brought on a major change in his aggression issues! We have not had a single growl with our other dogs and he is very relaxed now around toys and food... He used to be a ferocious resource guarder.

Do make sure that your vet does the test and don't let him fob you off with the dog is too young or doesn't show any symptoms. They also need to do a comprehensive test, not just the basic one and they should contact Jean Dodds in the States (thyroid specialist) for correct interpretation of the results.

If the thyroid comes back clear and a thorough health check is clear, then you need to contact a behaviourist and get it looked at. Might be worth getting a behaviourist in rather sooner than later so you can learn how to best manage the situation.

It doesn't sound like cocker rage as there is a trigger... cocker rage happens without a trigger, like an epileptic attack! So it is unlikely that it is cocker rage, but could easily be something like thyroid.

Vera

[LurcherGirl]

If you tell us where you are based we can a) recommend some good behaviourists or b) recommend nearby rehoming centres that can help find a new home for your dog.

From the OP's IP address, it appears she is in the East London area if anyone has any London-based behaviourist recommendations.

I do behaviour work in South London and having a cocker (American) myself have experience with the breed!

Vera