Dog poorly and turned nasty

[Olliebaby]

Our (normally) lovely Cocker has been poorly recently, he is 10 months old and been in and out of the vets during the last week having a lump tended to. Anyway, the first day we got him back from the vets, he was just laying down on the carpet when I walked by and he just snapped - NEVER showed signs of aggression before. I corrected him and was a bit upset to be honest as it was a deep aggressive snap. Last night I was giving him his medication (in a piece of bread) and he spat the first bit out, so i gave him another bit and went to pick the other bit off the floor - this time he went more crazy, lots of growling, snapping trying to guard the bread. THEN 2.30am this morning I hear my Mum calling me, he had got on her bed and refused to get off. I went in as I heard him growling at her and I told him sternly to get down. He got down, hesitantly, lip started curing up then lunged and snapped again. We are so worried, the Vet has said "he will return to normal when he is better" but this cant be right, this growl is coming from deep inside and he means business!! My Mum is terrified which is not helping her as he will sense it and I guess play on it. What can we do? The vet says to be patient but we cant risk this turning into a huge permanent problem!

[Canary42]

Have it put down before something really nasty happens - I know, I've been there.

[rowanwitch]

If it gets worse Google Cocker Rage and see if he fits the full pattern... but give him a chance to settle back first don't do anything drastic though without seeing a behaviourist as it may be something that can be modified

[pastafreak]

Maybe he needs to feel safe. Could you get a cage for him...not to use as punishment,but as a 'safe' place with a cosy blanket and some favourite toys. Encourage him to go in there -particularly at night. He may then feel more secure-and you will also. He needs time to heal-and hopefully get back to his well self.

[Kiki-frog]

Oh dear, that does sound like one unhappy dog! I would guess that there are at least three separate issues here.
i. He's scared stiff of being sent away to the vets again, especially if he had an overnight stay there last week
ii. As he's still a youngster there's a bit of a power struggle going on and he's trying to assert himself as the top dog in his pack
iii. And of course he is still feeling lousy because of his illness.
Chances are your vet is right and he will settle down when he feels better, but of course if anyone in your family gets badly bitten in the mean time, that isn't going to help, and in fact will make your relationship with him worse. As you say, your mum showing fear is going to change the relationship dynamic for the worse.

I don't know what medication your dog is taking, but you could try asking your vet if he can have some kind of sedative to go with it. And can your medication be mixed in with something more palatable than bread, such as a piece of meat or his usual food?

I know of a brilliant holistic vet called Holly Mash (yes, that is her real name) who has a website and she might be able to advise on some kind of complementary therapy that might help him. Or consulting a dog behaviourist might help.

Try not to let him become 'top dog' in your household, otherwise this behaviour may well continue when he is better. Keep up with his usual routines and don't make too much of a fuss over him otherwise it could well develop into a permanent problem. In other words 'Keep calm and carry on!' as the saying goes. Good luck, and I hope he gets better soon.

[boxtops]

I'd go for the cage, to see how he is - I'm irritable when I am in pain, snapping is the only way that he can tell you how he's feeling.

[chrissa1]

Also, try giving him his pills in a small knob of Lurpack. It works a treat.

[Olliebaby]

Thanks everyone. His medication actually stops today and I think the suggestion of him trying to claim the pack leader role maybe true also so we will get working on this strait away. He is honestly a lovely tempered dog, as soft as mush so it was a real shock to us. My Mum was attacked very badly by a dog and it took her years to get over it and want her own so this has just really thrown a spanner in the works. He also snapped at the cat last night which he has also never done, they are like best buddies normally. Its just all of this happening in such a short space of time. He will be confided to the kitchen tonight to stop the roaming (which wasnt a prob before), we have given him his space to relax and recover I guess all we can do is monitor it. His dog walker is also a trainer so ive asked her to pop over at the weekend (give him some more recovery time, not to mess with him while he is still a bit touchy). I just hope to god its just down to him feeling poorly and not something long term.

[THEMOTLEY1]

Always a mistake, imo to let Dogs in bedrooms, especially if it's a young Dog trying to establish its place in the 'pack' it's always going to want the warmest, most comfortable bed, even if it is yours.
The crate idea is a good one although I prefer to use a dog gate at bottom of stairs.
Also he's been ill, give him time to recover then see how he behaves, might be some hard work ahead retraining him, just remember there's a lot of help out there......Good luck

[shihtzublue]

I agree with redhelen. I hate the crates but on this occasion it seems a good idea. Your dog is obviously in pain and is afraid of anyone near him.
I am sure if he feels safe then he will soon get back to normal.
I wish you good luck and hope he has a quick recovery.

[Olliebaby]

I know it was wrong to let him sleep where he wants a night, he slept in a crate til he was 6 months then slowly it just sort of happened that he slept wherever, completely wrong now I know. Guess we are in for a noisy night with him now but I know we have to address it immediately.

[sinderella]

MUZZLE.sorted

[josaphine32]

We have a cockapoo which is abit of a handfull, Mine does exactly the same as yours, she is on pain relief for inverted canines and can get really grumpy and snappy some times nasty, It's a battle at the moment but I think we are winning, A few tips, when you shut him in the kitchen tonight put a bit of your clothing or something that has your scent on it he should settle more quickly , Mine is not aloud up stairs, she also has to be invited on to the sofa, not just get up on her own if she growls because I have asked her to get off, then I shut her out the room for 10 minutes, (repeat process) If you drop food on the floor and do not want her to have it, try to step over the food so your claiming it. redirect his attention with a different treat take another step forward crouch down and hand feed him the new treat and pick up the food you did not want him to have.

Good luck

[THEMOTLEY1]

Disagree sinders, a muzzle stops them biting, does not stop them wanting to bite.

[sinderella]

the problem is the dog may bite.the muzzle solves this problem.