I need help with my 3.5 year old collie cross rescue dog.  We have had him for a year now and despite a honeymoon period of  approx 3 weeks he has increasingly become more and more aggressive towards other dogs and now some people.  He is a very timid boy, but is very loving at home.  We also have collie cross bitch, who is a year older, bigger and has been with us since a pup - she is the dominant dog but they got on really well.

I now try to avoid other dogs, but when he does come in contact he at first greets the other dog with a wagging tail and then attacks seemingly without warning.  He has made a couple of dogs bleed.  In all other respects he is very well behaved - returning when called, sitting, staying etc.

He goes bananas if he sees another dog while on the lead.

Recently, he has started to get a bit snappy with humans - particularly men and teeneage boys.  The other day while on a lead, he was approach by a young girl, who despite being asked to stay away, came up to him and although we didn't see it the child claimed that he bit her.  The girl ran off before we could actually see any evidence of him biting but her friends later told us that she had to go to hospital. 

Earlier on in the year we took him to 1 to 1 training for a couple of months followed by group sessions but he got so stressed out when around the other dogs, his mouth became red and sore, his eyes very blood shot and he just seemed so much in a panic he was unable to think - so I stopped taking him.

I am now so worried and do not know where to turn - can anyone help?  I would hate to have to have him put down - at home he is such a lovely dog.

You mention the honeymoon period and you are quite right, after a few weeks dogs do settle and may show another side of their character! Did the rescue know he was aggressive towards other dogs? just wondered as some rescues esp. the bigger ones may have a behaviourist attached who may be able to help.

I have a few suggestions: you say he has become "increasingly aggressive" presumable over the year you have had him; do you feel there is any thing over rthis year (ie dogs in the environment, attacks, your way of dealing with it, training, your body language etc) that may have added to his aggression? :)

This may help to work out what has happened and it may be that you can take steps to recitify any possible "dodgy" areas here.

Next, i would suggest a very thorough vet check - not just a once over but get the vet to check for all sorts, such as liver and thyroid disorders. Dogs who have aggression problems may have undetected health problems; it can even be that one dog may be aggressive to just one other dog or family member, it does not evenhave to be blanket aggression.

I would then, if of course the tests are clear, ask for referral to a behaviourist who specialises in aggression, is experienced and possibly has stooge dogs which may help with the dog to dog aggression. The fact that he is also a bit aggressive towards humans (and presumable wasn't previously?) makes me think a good vet check is in order.

Hth a bit with some ideas.

Lindsay
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Edited to add; vets generally are not very experienced in diagnosing/reading thyroid panels, esp. some dogs who are "borderline" may still need medicatoin but vets may suggest the dog is fine. I have a friend with personal experienceof this with her Dobe (2 years to reachthe heart of the problem due to vet not knowing how to read the thyroid panel.). So it may not be a bad idea to get more info yourself if nothing else crops up :)

Thanks for the advice Lindsay - we certainly need some!!  I think it probably started as fear aggression but has he has settled into the family I wonder if he now is trying to protect my other dog and myself when we are out.  Also, he certainly seems very socially confused ie. wagging his tail then attacking. He is usually quite timid and on edge. I think he may also pick up my tension when we approach a dog,

We think he was treated badly in his first home, but we have little info about this as the rescue centre we got him from is very small.  He was very scrawny, weak and dirty when we first got him, the rescue centre had only had him less than a week.  They don't have a behavourist but have picked up the name of one who lives close by from this website - Angela Stockdale,  so I'm hopping to make contact with her.

He is due for his booster  next week, so will ask the vet about his aggression and possible physical causes.  After reading some of the posts last night I did have a look at hyperthyroid stuff - but he is like a string bean, he never puts weight on despite eating more than my other dog, who is larger, perhaps thats a clue!!

Bean :-)

Some thyroid conditions can make a dog very skinny.

Angela will be of great help to you.

Thanks Tohme, I'll do some more research before our visit to the vets, luckily we have him insured!!  I'm pinning my hopes on Angela - I understand she is holding a workshop for the next couple of weeks but will hopefully be in touch after.

I am so pleased you are near to Angela because as Tohme says she will be of great help, i have great confidence in her knowledge :)

Of course sometimes it is not possible to help a dog totally, but then you can learn and teach the dog varying coping strategies so you feel more confident out on walks etc...

Good luck!

Lindsay
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Beany,

Brain tumours can also cause erratic behaviour.  Make sure your dog gets a thorough physical exam to help rule out a nonbehavioural cause. 

Stacey

Thanks Stacey,  I would hate to think he had a brain tumour but will definately ask the Vet to rule it out.