Albert tried to bite waitress in pub

[ali2010]

Last week we all went on holiday in a log cabin, Albert was a good boy for almost all of his holiday - on the last night we went to the pub for tea after a long walk.  Albert sat behind our table up a corner and for the most part either sat or lay down and had a few titbits off us
(he was on his lead and my husband held the lead).  The waitress came up to us to get our plates after we'd finished eating and Albert suddenly lunged for her under the table and tried to bite her.  The waitress was ok about it and we apologised profusely.  He had been in the same pub a couple of days earlier and we sat in the same seats and he was very well behaved that time

Can anyone give me any advice as to why he did this?

I've been thinking about it - if he had bit her properly and the police got involved it could have been a nightmare.  Obviously he had too much slack on his lead and perhaps we shouldn't have taken him into a pub anyway (although he's been in pubs before and has always behaved himself).  He's never showed any aggression to an adult before (although he does bark at teenagers in school uniforms sometimes!)

[amanda9586]

My view would be I really would not try to worry too much.  I've been through this with Poppy our cocker who never even growled till she was 3 1/2 years old at anything or anyone.  She then seemed to have a bit of a fear stage over the last year and has growled a few times at things or people - for her it seems to be fear related so maybe Albert just felt a bit threatened.  Poppy once growled at a waitress who was wearing a long apron even though she was trying to be friendly with her and yet since that incident we have been in loads of pubs, cafe's etc and nothing. 

Keep an eye on his behaviour and maybe if your in a pub again get him to focus on you with treats when someone comes over to the table. I would not make an outright ban on pubs just yet (far too much tasty food and beer!  lol!).

[Sarah.H]

If this behaviour was suddenly out of the blue (as in he's showed no concerns about this scenario before) then I would get him checked over by your vet. Being in pain or having a problem with his eyesight could cause out of character reactions, especially if the waitresses arrival made him jump and tweak something.

[HeatherandBenjy]

Could it have been that Albert was fast asleep (after his long walk) and the waitress startled him?

Could she have accidentally caught his tail or foot with her feet?

It sounds to me like he was startled and reacted. I would get him checked over for any pain (and I'm thinking particularly his hips if he'd been on a long walk and was then reactive), but unless you get other incidents, I wouldn't worry too much.

[ali2010]

Thanks for your replies.  I don't think Albert was asleep at the time - there was too much food around!!  One thing I have noticed recently is that one his eyes appears to be a bit cloudy looking in photos - the reason I mention this is that he has been startled a few times by people approaching him from side on, also he couldn't find his ball a few times when we were throwing it for him.  Makes me wonder if he has a problem with one of his eyes - will have to make YET ANOTHER appointment at the vets!!

[penguins87]

aw poor Albert hope he is ok 

think maybe the others have hit the nail on the head ..

[Sarah.H]

That's interesting. Please keep us updated 

[Jessie_Pup]

Thanks for your replies.  I don't think Albert was asleep at the time - there was too much food around!!  One thing I have noticed recently is that one his eyes appears to be a bit cloudy looking in photos - the reason I mention this is that he has been startled a few times by people approaching him from side on, also he couldn't find his ball a few times when we were throwing it for him.  Makes me wonder if he has a problem with one of his eyes - will have to make YET ANOTHER appointment at the vets!!

  Get his eyes checked and ask for a referal for an eye specalist.   Thats how we noticed with Dylan he has cataracts in both eyes. When his ball was thrown if it went out to the sides he could not find it.   That could be why he has had that sort of reaction. Dylan gets grumpy if dogs come up to him suddenly or bounce about round him.   Please get it checked out.

Erica.

[ali2010]

Erica do you think we need to get Albert's eyes checked urgently?  The reason I ask is that his insurance runs out next week and I wanted to get a better policy so am shopping around at the moment to get a much better policy - wanted to take him to the vets once the new policy had started ideally.   We rehomed Albert last October and I stupidly just got one of the cheapest insurance policies - wanted to get a much better on this time

[HeatherandBenjy]

Most policies when you start them have a period when they won't pay out for anything, so if you take out a new policy, you'll have to wait for that period to be over too.

[ali2010]

Oh no!  Don't know what to do now!  Would stay with the same insurer and upgrade to a better policy but the vet recommended we change as the insurer we are currenhtly with  don't often pay out

[Sarah.H]

They generally won't pay for pre existing conditions so if it's something that has been coming on for a while they won't pay out. I think you would be better sticking with who you are with for now.

[Jessie_Pup]

I am not sure how you would stand on your insurance and changing policy providers, others on here who will probably know.   All I can say is when you look at Dylan it is like he has a grey cover over his eyes.   He has to have checks on his eyes every three months to make sure the pressure in his eyes is not too high.  I do think you ought to get a referral from your vet to see an eye specialist.  We went to the Royal Vet College at Cambridge. Saw a chap there he was super and great with Dylan, who also liked all the attention from the students.   In some cases it is operable, but unfortunately Dylan has problems with his retina so was not a candidate for the op.


Erica.