Sorry to take so long for an update - I've been in bed for the past week (including Christmas) with a nasty dose of flu - I intend to make up for it tonight though!

Well, I took Toby to the vet and found there to be an absess in his ear, that according to the vet may have been there as long as three or four months. He went under the anasthetic and had it drained and is back home with us. He appears to be fine and behaviour wise he is loving all the attention he is receiving as every visitor brings along some goody for him.

For the time being we will be keeping Toby, but with a very close eye on him and no contact with my daughter unless under very direct supervision. I don't know how much discomfort the absess was causing and if it was a 'reason' for his nasty behaviour. He never flinched or disliked me touching him near his ears and he definetely gave no sign that he was in pain, but the vet believes that an absess the size of Toby's would have caused him discomfort and made him grumpy. His ear is still a little tender but is well on the mend.

I can't help but feel cross that this wasn't picked up before, but as I was not aware it, I don't see that it would have been.

So lucky Toby has had a reprieve and I cross my fingers that once his ear is all better I will have a happier dog because if he snaps again I won't have any dog at all.

Will keep you all posted.

Poor Toby. The abcess would almost certainly explain his snappiness (sp?). Hopefully now that he's not in pain he'll be a happy friendly dog again.

I hope everything works out for you and Toby and your daughter has a loving relationship with him.

Heres to 2002!!

Fiona

Dear Helen

i have my fingers crossed that all goes well for the future. Poor Toby and poor you - good whishes for 2002.

Pam n the boys

Oh Helen, poor Toby the absess certainly would not have improved his temper. Have you ever had one? In the ear it must be as bad as tooth ache. I do hope that once the ear has healed you will find you are able to have more confidence in him, how does your daughter feel? all the best Jackie H

I do agree/feel that this may well have been the problem, thank goodness the vet found it and it was sorted. I do have a belief that many dogs - of course not all of them! - do have health problems that often remain undetected and that in some cases this can cause aggression.

In the wild, an animal daren't show weakness, and especially pack animals such as dogs because they all work together to bring down their prey and although they do someitmes "look after" theweaker ones, it isn't a position a dog would choose to be in. So often it is a similar case in our own homes, with the dogs stoically pretending all is fine and they aren't in pain. (Prey animals such as guinea-pigs also do this. It's sad as they have often gone beyond the point of help by then and just keel over.)

My friend recently was just taking on a case of a Rottie that was starting to get very aggressive, and on examination he was found to have severe hip displasia. The owners didn't want the op. and also didn;t understand the effect the pain had on their dog although it was explained by the vet and my friend. Shortly afterwards the owners told him off for chewing, a bit too roughly (ie. whacked him) and he went for the woman's face and she had to have 16 stitches. Very sad as of course the dog was put down and that was the end of it. This is one reason why i feel very strongly that dogs should always have a vet check up in such circumstances, especially if the aggression is a change of personality.

Because Toby is such a youngster it's difficult to know what his personality really is I guess! . Of course there is always a chance it wasn't the abscess but let's hope that he will contunue to improve and that both you and your daughter are able to feel confidence about the situation. You certainly sound happier! :)

Best wishes
Lindsay

Don't know about dog and Guinea-pigs but I'm quite ratty if I hurt and my husband well, we all go on tiptoe. Jackie H

Funnily enough i am quite good with bad pain but terrible with small stuff such as a headache that won't go away!!! With toothache i just moan and moan and moan.....I was better as a child when i broke my wrist!

Lindsay

Hi everyone!
I'm new to this board and was interested in this topic.
I have first hand experience regarding dog bites and the damage that can accur . My daughter was bitten in the face by our german shepard when she was 18 months old. She recieved over 100 stitches on the outside of her face and more internally. The dog had been 6 years old and intact. He was chewing a bone at the time and did not give warning, but just snapped. The damage was devastating. The dog put to sleep. It was a very unfortunate incident that could have entirely been pervented. Since it has accured I have done much research into the matter.
Always fix your pet dogs by 6 months of age. Curb aggressive tendencies by never playing games such as "tug of war".
Always make the dog do something such as "Sit" before feeding it treats and dinner. Do not let a dog Jump on you, it is a sign of dominance.
Do not let the dog sleep in bed with you, instead do consistent crate training.
Always be the pack leader.( Read: How To Raise a Puppy You Can Live With by Rutherford and Neil)
When you are raising the puppy, touch it everywhere and praise it for it's good behavior, never ever hit the dog.
Choose a breed that is known to be good with children.Check out the puppies parents. Purchase from a reputable breeder.
The puppy in question should never be around children, and genetically speaking, if this puppy were ever bred, he could pass the behavior on to his offspring. You need to find a home for this dog that has no children and the new owners need to be made aware of the dogs behavior. Believe me, if you start again on your puppy search more informed and educated (by reading something about picking a good breed and breeder and how to raise a puppy) you shall have great sucess. Your family and this dog simply do not suit. It sounds like you have done what you can but the trust is still not there. Time to place him elsewhere. He too will be better off in the long run. Since my bad incident with dog bites, I have actually become a breeder. Breeding is a highly selective process. Sometimes breeders become to interested in breeding the most beautiful showdog and they forget about temperment. I breed for temperment and health first. Make sure your breeder does too.And no, no more german shepards for me it is Shetland Sheepdogs all the way!
I hope I helped a little in your decision. Good luck!

Welcome to the forum bumblebeeacres :-) Leigh

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