Murphy, what's going on?

[Murphys Law]

I have mentioned in previous posts that Murphys fear aggression has got far worse in the last few weeks to the point where I can't let him meet new dogs at all any more

Today on his walk he started scent marking and cocking his leg, something he has never done before. He is 3 in July and was neutered when he was 9 months old (something that I really regret)

I can't help thinking that these behaviours might be related?

[Archie bean]

Sounds to me like there's possibly an in season bitch in the area? Even neutered dogs can react to them. Archie certainly does.

[Murphys Law]

Sounds to me like there's possibly an in season bitch in the area? Even neutered dogs can react to them. Archie certainly does.

Interesting. I wonder if Millie (8 months) is about to come into season. Though she is showing no signs at the moment.

[elaine.e]

I'm thinking the same as Emma (Archie bean) that the reason might be an in season bitch, and at 8 months that could be happening to Millie.

11 year old William was castrated at 15 months because of an undescended testicle. He's never marked and doesn't cock his leg often, but he always aware if any bitches that he knows (like my friend's two Border Terriers) are coming into season. He's not interested in doing anything more than a delicate sniff but he's certainly aware. So perhaps that's what's happening with Murphy?

Strangely enough, it's an aspect of life that seems to have bypassed 6 year old entire Louis completely . He cocks his leg endlessly on walks but has never shown any interest whatsoever in the ladies.

[Murphys Law]

There are definitely no physical signs that Millie is coming into season but that doesn't mean she is not about to. I will be sure to check every day.

It's also makes sense that another dog has come into season in the neighbourhood. It was very strange watching murphy cock his leg after nearly 3 years of squatting.

[Murphys Law]

Millie came into season this weekend so that could explain Murphys strange behaviour. He seems happier now that I have stopped taking him to the field. Maybe he was stressed in the company of other dogs?

[lescef]

Millie came into season this weekend so that could explain Murphys strange behaviour. He seems happier now that I have stopped taking him to the field. Maybe he was stressed in the company of other dogs?

Or are you less stressed? Dogs pick up on our anxiety too.
I felt that Maddie was more relaxed after we gave up Rally. I didn't have to worry about her behaviour in class ans we didn't have to practice every day (think it reminded me of the piano practice my mother used to make me do)   

[Murphys Law]

Millie came into season this weekend so that could explain Murphys strange behaviour. He seems happier now that I have stopped taking him to the field. Maybe he was stressed in the company of other dogs?

Or are you less stressed? Dogs pick up on our anxiety too.

That has probably got a lot to do with it. I could feel my stress levels rise drastically when Murphy was approached by another dog. It certainly wasn't helping.