****Vallhala****

[ARD91]

Hi Vallhala,

I've been searching the posts alot of tonight as I'm having a problem with an aggressive dog.

He is 16 months old and a chocolate lab mix.

Most of the time he's a very affectionate, well behaved dog, however, he can become aggressive at times. This has become more apparent in recent weeks, and the vet has tried him on herbal medication.

This evening he snapped at, and bit, my aunt. He didn't break the skin, but left a bad bruise.

We phoned the vets straight away and they have expressed wishes to put him to sleep.

I saw on other posts that you have contacts where you can help to rehome an aggressive dog.

The vet wants to put him to sleep tommorow afternoon, and my mother would like him rehomed, if it is possible, asap. She has grown extremely frightened of him and is reluctant to keep him in the house as she spends alot of time in the house alone with him.

Obviously, we would only rehome him if it were to a safe, secure environment for both oscar and his rescuers.

I really hope you can help.

A.

Whoa no way should a dog be put to sleep by a vet until it has been seen by a qualified behaviourist. I can not believe that the vet has suggested this and I would be interested to speak to the vet about this as it really is not common practice.

Dogs snap and bite for many reasons but often through fear. The fact that the clicker and other methods did make things better but in your words "have worn" off means that it is very likely a behaviour that can be changed.

Do see a behaviourist you could try
- Northern Ireland dog trainers these

or

one of these - Northern Ireland Dog behaviourists

The second link will usually be covered by most pet insurance companies (although not the basic supermarket one)

You really must try all avenues before PTS this dog.

I have had many "aggresssive" dogs and within weeks sometimes days have changed their behaviour it can be done.

Good news guys!

I have literally spent all day on the phone to different vets and trainers recommended by them, and we have got a guy coming to the house to do one to one with my mum and the dog to fix the pack structure of the house! Thank you so much for the advice and support you've all given! Appreciate it so much as it would have broken my heart tohave them put him to sleep :)

Hopefully this works!

We took him to advanced vets in Lisburn. They said there is nothing else they could try, so I contacted my own vet that I take my own cavaliers too and he was disgusted at the advice advance had given.

Advance had also told mum that when Oscar was aggressive to smack him on the nose with a rolled up newspaper and put him in a darkened cupboard? I fail to see how adding violence to the mix would have helped?

He is going to a bahaviouralist called Keith? He's done tv and trained many aggressive dogs known to my own vet.

"Advance had also told mum that when Oscar was aggressive to smack him on the nose with a rolled up newspaper and put him in a darkened cupboard"

I'm open-mouthed in shock, anger and disgust. If any two things are going to encourage a dog to be aggressive they will be violence and fear.

That vet should be struck off!

Sorry... I should have added well done, and I hope it all goes really well for you. It's heartwarming to find owners who really care and who will go the extra mile. :)

Yay. Well done op and your mum. Training is hard work, but when you have a dog with 'ishoos' it's very rewarding watching them change into a confident, happy pooch. Although if you are anything like me calls of 'That's it if that bleeding dog does not stop, he's off to the sausage factory, I have had enough' will be heard regularly

Who regulates Vets in NI? I'd be considering putting in a complaint if I was you. The advice that vet is giving is dangerous, not just to the dogs, but to the owners too. Hitting an agressive/nervous dog is the worst thing you could do. And lock him a darkened cuboard??? That cannot be legal surely?

Good luck with the training op and your mum. If you need any extra help or just to vent Mn always came up with answers/advice for me

So glad you are finally getting proper help. I do try never to criticise fellow vets, but I too am at the advice given to you- so glad you got a second opinion. We're not all that bad, honest! Wish you all the best with Oscar's training

jooly the only advice from vets that I have questioned is what has been posted on mumsnet - in rl I have only ever had fantastic support, advice and professionalism from vets. Great people!

I just adopted a 2 yr old male Rottweiler from a Rescue a couple of states from me. Apparantly he wasn't evaluated by them and bit someone, breaking the skin and then wanting to go back to bite again. The man who was bit is a kennel owner and wouldn;t go to the ER and opted to go to his personal Dr so they dog wouldn't be PTS.

Now my Vet won't treat him even though he hasn't seen him yet.

It's difficult to get his prior history as the man who surrendered him will probably only say what you want to hear and sadly not the entire truth.

I haven't experienced any aggression toward me but after seeing how badky he bit someone, I need to go above and beyond to protect others.

I have 2 emails out to Trainers who will accept a dog with a bite history and I hope they do contact me as my Vet wants him PTS.

How do I find a Vet willing to take him as a patient? I live in Massachusttes.

Donna