Grumpy Boys

[Deb H]

Henry is quite a fearful dog and he has been known to get his retaliation in first. I think it is to do with anticipation of something happening possibly body language and pheramones from other dogs all very stressful i know that.

[Rhona W]

Casper is the same. His reaction to other dogs is unpredictable. Sometimes he will ignore them totally. Other times he will bark at them from a distance. He'll walk past, but keep an eye on them just in case. And then other times he will bark, chase and snap at them. Until they stop running and then he'll come running back to me, squealling like a little piggy!

[Penel]

Casper is the same. His reaction to other dogs is unpredictable. Sometimes he will ignore them totally. Other times he will bark at them from a distance. He'll walk past, but keep an eye on them just in case. And then other times he will bark, chase and snap at them. Until they stop running and then he'll come running back to me, squealling like a little piggy!

Casper is only a few months old though so hopefully this is something you really can overcome quite quickly with some mega socialising.

[Luvly]

 

[Top Barks]

But a fearful dog wouldn't run over to a dog and be aggressive would it - it has no reason to defend itself if the other dog isn't anywhere near it does it ?............ I guess none of us can tell without seeing the dog's behaviour eh...

Douglas does! but I guess your'e right, you do have to see a behaviour in context to try and get to the root of it
Mark

[Shirley]

Shirley hows cooper today? he back to himself with morgan?

Yes, he's fine today, thanks.  Completely back to himself    They are bossom buddies again 

The dog was passing fairly close on the beach from what Eric told me - I don't know if Morgan going up to play had anything to do with his reaction    Gill mentioned the fact that Vegas is seeing a behaviourist about problems that 'started out' as fear aggression - I think this may describe Cooper's problems too.  He used to back away and squeal when other dogs came near him but like I say, at some point he decided to attack rather than hide.  I remember the first time he did this - he was on his lead and an off-lead dog came bounding up to us - he obviously decided he had no choice in that situation - flight wasn't an option.  I think it's probably more a learned behaviour now, rather than instinct - he did this a couple of times and it got rid of the dog, so now it has become his form of defence.  I'll wait to see what solutions the behaviourist has to offer Gill - unfortunately we don't have anyone locally, with experience of behavioural problems in dogs   

Thanks again for all the comments and discussion, it's really interesting 

[Rhona W]

Casper is the same. His reaction to other dogs is unpredictable. Sometimes he will ignore them totally. Other times he will bark at them from a distance. He'll walk past, but keep an eye on them just in case. And then other times he will bark, chase and snap at them. Until they stop running and then he'll come running back to me, squealling like a little piggy!

Casper is only a few months old though so hopefully this is something you really can overcome quite quickly with some mega socialising.

I'm really hoping so Penel. At the moment we have good meets and bad ones, but we're persevering!

[Shirley]

Thanks for all the advice on this, everyone. 

Took Cooper to the vets today and he's got an infection in one of his anal glands, which I think could account for his unusual behaviour towards Morgan - though the locum vet (who has never met him before and didn't even speak to him or fuss him to reassure my little 'un that he needn't be scared of her ) sniggered when I suggested that the two things might be connected    She then went on to give me a big lecture about buying dogs with docked tails  and basically ranted the whole time.  I'm not going back until she's gone   

She had to shave round his rear so poor Cooper is sitting here with a bum like a baboon but getting lots of hugs and cuddles even though he's still stinking 

[denisec]

Hi Shirley

I don't have any adivice, but just want to say that I hope everything works out and you find a solution to your problems.  I can imagine that being so close to the baby arriving is only adding to your worries.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress, oh and lots of pics when the baby arrives 

[*Jay*]

Oooh the indignity of a shaved bum Poor Cooper!!

Sounds like a lovely vet you got there

[Mary]

Did you grind your teeth throughout the lecture Shirley?  Sometimes it's just not worth argueing is it?

Poor Cooper, I hope you're right and that it may have been related to his recent behaviour .  Best keep the camera away from him at the moment

[Shirley]

Did you grind your teeth throughout the lecture Shirley?  Sometimes it's just not worth argueing is it?

Poor Cooper, I hope you're right and that it may have been related to his recent behaviour .  Best keep the camera away from him at the moment

Yes, managed to keep my cool.....which isn't easy for me at this moment in time 

We're determined to tackle this problem head on, before it grows into something more troublesome   .  We had started him on Rescue Remedy in his water as well as Skullcap and Valerian tabs but not sure whether to stop this while he's on the antibiotics    What do you think?? 

Also, although we have always made him 'sit' or 'down' before getting a treat, he is very demanding of our attention, so we've printed out the NILIF guidelines and are making sure that everyone who comes in abides by the rules    The people who have actually managed to befriend Cooper know they are honoured and are disgusted that they can't just come straight in and cuddle him 

[Magic Star]

Poor Cooper, give him a cuddle from me and Indie