Please can I have some words of wisdom from the wise on the forum :) As you know Tara has had a bad paw for the last 12 weeks and has been on lead walks only. She had the bandage off on Monday and is now off the lead. She is still holding her paw up, although she uses it when she is walking slowly or running. A couple of weeks ago when it was hot she had a go at her choc lab friend - we don't know why, my daughter was talking to the owner and it just happened. Now, twice this week she has had a go at friends dogs :( The same pattern each time, we have been walking around a field, dogs off lead - no problems, when (in the same place each time - there are a lot of thistles in the grass - don't know if this has anything to do with it), she has just had a go at them. The first time it was a male boxer who has a bit of a reputation, but he is getting on a bit and at the time I didn't see who started it. This morning it was our friend's young, male pug. Now he is a bit of a pest and is always very attentive to her. None of the dogs were hurt except for the boxer had a bit of a bloody mouth. No yelps.

I don't want to make excuses for her, as she shouldn't be doing this :( I am just trying to understand what is going on here. We have a very friendly dog walking set here and I don't want her (or me) to be shunned :( She has always been excellent with other dogs. I took her to her training class last night - first time in 3 months - and she behaved perfectly on and off lead.

Help

Daisy

Just a guess, but she may be experiencing some pain from the thistles, and thinking the other dog has something to do with it?

Good point digger. After being bandaged for so long I expect her foot and pads are very soft and tender.

I've been thinking about this Daisy - and I wonder  if Tara's problem could be partly to do with association  - didn't she hurt her foot when she was on a run in this area?    That will mae her feel vulnerable, and then she is "protecting" herself from any other type of hurt.

The ground is still possibly painful underfoot to her as well, reinforcing the pain/fear threshold.    Personally, I would continue to walk her there, but on a gentle leader/halti lead, not staying away from the other dogs, but "treating" her when she sees them, giving her rewards for her "good" behaviour - BEFORE she gets a chance to be bad!!!

Honestly - it seems to be one step forward, two steps back all the time, doesn't it? - I know that's how I feel!!

Margot

Thanks all for the replies :) We have to walk in the fields becaust she musn't do road walking, because it's too hard on her foot. I had thought about the thistles hurting her and just being defensive of herself, but I didn't want to make excuses and ignore any other possible reasons :( Her foot is very soft and she still has a bit of a sore patch where the toe used to be and the main pad is missing. She can be a bit bossy with Bramble and on the odd occasion has a go at him, so she isn't a very submissive dog :) Daughter took her out at lunch time and met the same dog again (they live opposite) - so she put Tara on the lead (they put their's on the lead as well) and there were no problems. We'll just have to be wary if she's in close contact and ask people to call their dogs off her if they pester. She was such an angel at her training classes last night - even tho' she did most of it on 3 legs :) As you say, Margot -  it's one step forwards and two back :)

Do you think that illness/accidents can affect dog's personality long-term tho' - or is it just a temporary thing ?

Daisy