Odd Behaviour, Is it all the change?

Hi all,

Ole has always been a very loving and demonstrative dog. He loves to be fussed, cuddled and loved.

As you may or may not know, I have split up with my partner and due to money problems I have had to move back in with my parents. So different rules and circumstances for me and Ole. He is not allowed upstairs anymore, whereas he used to sleep with us on the bed before.

Ole always has been a nervous dog, he will back away if someone he doesn't know tries to stroke him. 2 weeks ago Ole bit my friend. I was mortified. He had never shown this kind of aggression before. He was in the car and she put her hand in to stroke him. I am not trying to make excuses for him, but I thought he might have done this because he couldn't back away like he normally would.

During the day he is fine, but after he has been for a walk at about 10.30ish at night, he usually goes to sleep. Before all the upheavel I could put my head on him or stroke him or cuddle him whilst he was asleep and he would be quite happy. Now if I try to do this he snaps at me and growls. This is upsetting me so much. I don't know what to do. I have tried to ignore him, I have shouted at him. I just don't know why he is doing it or what is the best thing to do.

He is a the vet snext Tuesday for a ball ectomy. I am hoping that this might help, although that is not the only reason I am having it done.

If anybody else has been through a similar situation and you can offer me some advice I would be very grateful or if you want iny more info before you comment just ask.

I am so upset that he is like this and I want my happy, cuddley boy back.

Thanks
Claire and my mum and dad who are also upset

Claire,

Your boy has had so much change in his life recently that is bound to have upset him. The incident with your friend sounds to me like your boy is very territorial & I can relate to this, as my brindle boy Zeus is the same. He has always been as you describe, he backs away from approach by strangers, takes to some people and not to others. I always tell people to ignore him and wait for him to approach them, it seems to work because curiosity often gets the better of him!

I do have to be honest and say that although having Zeus castrated has helped him be a calmer boy (don't expect instant results, it can take several months), I would never 100% trust him and I am very careful when we have visitors and will usually put him in a seperate room if there are kids in the house that he doesn't know (again, some he likes & some he doesn't). I don't consider Zeus to be aggressive, however he has always been of a nervous disposition. The reason I think he is territorial is that I can take him to the park off the lead and he has never shown any signs of aggression towards human or canine!

I would be interested to know about your boys breeding, as I have been looking very closely at some of these issues occuring in fawn/brindle lines. I will PM you about this.

I think you will have to keep a close eye on things and maybe seek advice from a behaviourist, but also give him time as life is rather unsettled for him at the moment. How is he with your parents?

Good Luck,

Debbie

Hi Debbie,

Thanks for your reply.

Ole is also the same off the lead. He would hurt anybody or animal when running in the park. And I also tell people to ignore him and to let him approach them.

He is mostly fine with my parents. He has snapped and growled at my mum in the same way he has with me. One of my main concerns is that he doesn't do this to my dad as he has been bitten so many times, by so many dogs that he is understandably wary.

Claire

Hi Claire,

I have read your PM & so I'm now aware of the background to this litter.

It sounds like your boy has some serious issues and so I would get help from a behaviourist as soon as possible, your vet may be able to recommend someone. Castration may calm him a little, but I don't think it will solve all the problems.

I'm going to say something I may get blasted for by the others, but here goes:

There may come a time when as a novice owner you will have to consider re homing your boy to someone that can cope with him, before he does something that will have terrible consequences for both you and him.

I don't say that in order to upset you, but with your dogs welfare uppermost in my thoughts.

Get proffesional help first and then see how things go.

Keep us posted.

Debbie

Mean't to ask, did you take him to training as a pup and did he get lots of socialisation?

Oh Claire,
am so sorry you are having such problems with your beloved boy

As Debbie says, he has a lot of changes recentlly too..... but hang in there Claire, you must feel absolutley awful........ agaion as Debbie says, the ''ball ectomy'' should help, but of course not overnight.

As some of you know, Vinnie and Titan (Vinnie's worse) are terribly shy, and I INSIST that people let THE DOGS GO UP TO THEM AND TO IGNORE AND NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH THEM

I also have a wonderful friend who lives in Kent and is a qaulified canine behaviourist, so if you would like can pass on contact details to you, via PM......

But Claire, just try and hang in there, I know it is hard.......... I know how much you love your boy and how much you've enjoyed him, my heart aches for you, it really does. If ever you want a chat, just PM and I'll give you my number.............

Take care, and keep us posted and good luck.#

Love Nik and the Hounds xxx

Sorry Claire, I just wanted to add that if this is a fairly sudden change in behaviour, ask your vet to check him over in case there is a physical cause. It never hurts to get these things checked.

Good Luck,

Debbie

Hi Claire,
Very sorry you're having problems with Ole, maybe with all the upheaval you have had to go through he is reasserting his position. I'm sure with some good advice from people here you may be able to nip it in the bud before it becomes an established behaviour pattern.
Good luck and take care of yourself too,
x Lesley

Hi Yaz,

Ole will be 2 on Thursday.

Claire

Hi claire , not far from you eh !! theres been some sensible suggestions here , but can I ask was your partner your danes favourite basically was he top dog in your house or have you always been the one , who kept your dane inline , and are you at work all day , I ask this as we have a petcare business and we see this problem sometimes , is he clean in the house too , pm me if you like , we can try and help !! thanks trev . xx

Hi Claire,

If Trev's willing to give you a helping hand, it looks like he is the man to help you!

I really hope you can get together and things work out well. Keep us posted.

Debbie