My dog just attacked me and DH

[inlectorecumbit]

We have a 4 1/2 year old cocker spaniel. Tonight he grabbed a balloon and started guarding it. DH took it off him and he attacked him and has severely bruised his arm and leg. This was after he drew blood from my hand.
This is so unlike him he wasn't threatened and we didn't take it off him- he did snarl at me last week when he had finished his dental stick as l walked past
I have a 3 year old grandchild and l am scared. I think he has to go.
Any advice l need handholding

In case your vet isn't one who believes in cocker rage...and just because it might be helpful.

It ultimately doesn't matter why the behaviour is occurring it's whether it's manageable or not, if it's not, it's not.

As to "fault" here's what my behavioural specialist (she's a vet, not a trainer) says...

Unless you've grossly mistreated or trained your dog to bite, it isn't your fault. Dogs develop behavioural issues like that because there is something wrong with them, physically or mentally, yes environment will have played a part but without abuse, neglect or encouragement from you that alone won't have caused it so it's not your fault.

It was about my dog, but, I think it's useful in general because with mine if I keep that in mind I can go, could I have done things differently? Yes, of course I could...but would it have made a difference? No, not really - any mistakes I might have made should never ever resulted in the extent of behaviour problems my dog has.

In your case, healthy well adjusted dogs don't bite their owners in the situation you're describing...so even if a different training method might have been a bit more succesful or you could have handled differently, those alone aren't enough to cause that, your dog has to have something wrong to start with.

That helps me anyway, I hope it is a bit useful.

And sorry about your rubbish day...

Yes, the dog has to go.

The balloon thing - I knew a Samoyed who thought balloons were puppies and would herd them all together and look after them.

You've had a hard day.

Really sorry this is a decision you have to make make op

Muzzle the dog around children from now on. Choose a muzzle the dog can still drink through. No excuses for not muzzling until you seek professional advice.
We had a Parsons JRT who guarded toys and food and it took some effort but we did manage to stop this. Start with food. When you put the dog food down, make sure the dog sits and waits upon your order to eat, and only eats when you say it can. If the dog lunges for the bowl remove the bowl (if you lower the food bowl slowly, whilst giving the command to sit and wait, you will have time to lift the bowl up if the dog lunges. Keep repeating until the dog allows the bowl to the floor whilst still sitting and waiting for the command to eat).
Move on to treats next. Make the dog sit, make the dog focus on you so the dogs is waiting on your command to take the treat when you are ready and you say so. If the dog lunges, move your hand with the treat away until the dog learns it has to both sit and wait for the command to take the treat.
You can then move on to toys (do this last as you need to crack food and treats first!). You know you have cracked it when you can offer a treat, take the toy from the dog in exchange with the same sit and wait command. Get the dog to sit and focus on the treat rather than guarding the toy. No focus no treat! Simples!

You have a long road ahead, but a dog that guards and draws blood when snapping to defend food or toys is no joke. I ended up in A&E with a bite to my hand before we had to face that we had a real problem with our dog. The dog is now fine btw so it is possible, but not easy.
It would be good to see your vet and enrole in dog classes to give you your confidence back too. I expect you are quite shaken.

Oh sorry, OP, I did not see the post that came later re Cocker rage. I must admit I had never heard of this so my advice may not be right for your dog if it is not just about guarding food and toys.
I am so sorry you are going through this.
I am sure you will get good advice re Cocker breeds and make the right choice.

Yukduck
Thanks for your post. The strange thing is that around is food and treats he is great. I can add to and remove his food while he is eating it no problem. With treats he sits, stays spins lies to command -l can put food on his paws which he will not touch until given the command. We have spend a while training him. It seems to be certain " triggers that set him off but these triggers are unknowns to us".
Last autumn we spent any sessions with a dog trainer/behaviourist trying to sort out his anxiety (perhaps it wasn't that alone in retrospect).
My heart hopes that the vet will wave a magic wand tomorrow to make it all okay, my head says that the trust is gone and replaced with some fear of what he is capable of.

You are doing the right thing I think.

I hope it all goes well for you. These things are heartbreaking but you are going to the vet for expert advice and the vet will know the best thing to do based on years of experience.

I feel for you op, it's a horrible situation. I wouldn't be able to take the chance with a small child around. An accidental nip is one thing but biting deliberately several times is a danger sign:

Oh OP I'm actually in tears for you here.
I'm so sorry you are going through this after just losing your lovely mum too.
Wishing you lots of love and strength for your vet visit (((unmumsnetty hug)))

OP, where in Scotland are you? If you are still considering your options I know of a few exceedingly good and highly experienced trainers/behaviourists who I could put you in touch with if you would like.

So sorry OP that you're having to make this decision. Wish you strength to get through the day.

That's an attack, not a bite and I wouldn't want to be responsible for an unpredictable animal like this. I certainly wouldn't want him near anyone, child or adult.
Thank heavens it wasn't your grandchild he attacked......

I missed that you were in Scotland...if you're within travelling distance of Glasgow or Edinburgh vet schools...or I think stirling as well I can give you a behavioural vet to be referred to.

op. I really feel for you. In your situation I would pts even though I wouldn't want to.

Well what a day -most of it l spent in tears.
DH googled and was on the phone all day-to dog walker specilaists etc. We will only get one shot at getting this right
The upshot is we saw his usual vet who had seen him 2 months ago, she listened and examined him -he was tender over the lumbar spine but she wasn't convinced this was th cause.
She suggested she referred him to Glasgow Vet school (as suggested upthread) to a specialist vet called Samantha Lindley who is an expert on behaviour to seek her advice. is anyone can diagnose Cocker rage it will be her. It was just be resource guarding
In the short term he will be muzzled when out, he will not be off the lead and walked by DH or myself. There will be no contact with DGD or any other child ever again in doors.
So he is not out of the woods but at least l can put my hand on heart and say regardless of the outcome we have tried to get the correct diagnosis and action to take advice from a professional.

oops or should l say was it resource guarding...

Sam's great btw, and if there's a slight chance there's an issue with pain, she'll look at that too.

If it's out of character, take the dog to the vets. There could be a health reason causing this. He could be in pain so being snappy.

I would take the dog to the vet for definite. If the behaviour is uncharacteristic then, as other people have mentioned, he may be ill or in pain.

However, I would definitely keep it away from your grandchild. If the dog is said to be unwell by the vet, and is back to its old self dyer treatment, then yes keep the dog...but always be wary of it around grandchild (it may attack again if unwell?) I think it's u reasonable to stop the child from 'bothering' the dog...the dog should be well trained enough not to bite etc under any circumstances if you are ever going to allow it access to a child!

If the dog is not unwell and has just changed its behaviour, then I would be inclined to get rid of it. Sorry to sound harsh...but what's more important...a dog, or the safety of your grandchild?

So yes get the dif checked out, but your top priority has to be your grandchild...and your safety also.

Samantha Lindley has an excellent reputation and lectures vets and students in behaviour and pain as well as seeing patients. If anyone can give you good advice she can. But please remember that this is your life too, make sure you only take on what you and your husband can cope with.
My parents had a slightly aggressive, very unpredictable rescue dog and although they were very responsible (dog separated from children, usually by 2 doors!) and we still visited with our kids I know my sil used to make up excuses not to visit.
Best of luck op.

I think this is quite a good outcome. All the best for you and your ddog

That's really good to hear OP. Hope you have a good outcome from it.

At least a bit of breathing space. Well done you for doing all you can. When a dog is a much loved member of the family, it is not easy or straightforward to march off to the vet and have the animal PTS. It really sounds, OP that you are being really sensible and thoughtful about a really difficult situation. No dog owner wants their dog to live in pain, wherever the pain is coming from. When our first dog was PTS I wanted to believe in fairies at the end of the garden. I couldn't bear it. There is still some hope for your dog, and I admire your commitment and tenacity. Whatever happens next, your dog is so, so lucky to have you.