5yr old dog suddenly displaying food aggression

[rookiemere]

So Rookiedog is almost 5. Generally good although can be impetuous around squirrels, deer or rabbits.

We mostly wfh and no big changes since we've had him, he goes out with a dog walker twice a week. We recently went away for a weekend and he stayed with her, but she messaged us to say he had not been behaving well on walks - running off and barking at other dogs.

We've gone right back to basics with training and giving him treats to remind him of recall and if he behaves nicely with other dogs. But had a scenario today that I didn't like at all. I met someone I know vaguely out with her dog. Rookiedog got a treat from her but when I went to reciprocate with her dog, he started snarling aggressively so the other dog moved away.

Any thoughts about how to handle this ? Up until now he has been pretty laid back.

My first thought would be pain if it’s suddenly started happening. What breed is he? Is the any chance of back problems or hip dysplasia in his breed?

My old spaniel suddenly started getting very aggressive around food and his larynx was collapsing but he hid it very well (no shortness of breath or sounds) and it wasn’t until I took him to the vet it became apparent.

@Ostryga he's a cross - Goldendoodle - Retriever/poodle .

I did wonder if it was a health thing, but he seems perfectly healthy in every other respect. I could check with DH when his next check up is due.

They’re buggers like that! They do mask pain very well.

I would personally get him to a vet next week and get a once over. If it’s out of character for him it would concern me. Could be nothing but pain and food can get very interlinked so they lash out when eating as it eases whatever’s going on for a few mins.

If he's been spending time with other dogs could it be, they've eaten his treat and tried to eat his dinner? He's never had to guard his food/ treats before, but now thinks he has to.

@Ostryga I checked with DH and he has been to the vet for his biannual check up in the last month and apparently he is fit as a flea, so I don't think it's that unfortunately.

@Beautiful3 - it is possible that another dog ate his dinner. If its plain kibble he only eats it when he is hungry. Not sure how we address that though.

A lot can change in a month so I would go back for a full vet check - not just a feel over by the vet. I would want a blood test.

In the meantime dont give treats when other dogs are around.

I'm not sure it is a health thing though. When I say it happened suddenly, I think it ramped up quickly, but it may have been getting a bit worse over the past month or so.

If he’s left food and other dogs were around it is entirely likely they stole it. So he’s resource guarding. Don’t have food or treats around other dogs and leave him alone to eat. I would rethink this dog Walker too.

@Wolfiefan he has been with this particular walker for 4 years, she has recently done a lot of dog behaviour training courses so I think she is pretty skilled. Why do you think we should rethink the dog walker- is it being in a group, or how she handled it ?

I would want him back to the vet for a full check up - including bloods if possible. Several conditions (including low thyroid) can cause aggression in dogs. I know you say he was seen last month, but most health checks at the vet are a cursory glance over at best - they'll briefly check eyes, ears, teeth, listen to their heart and weigh them - but won't do much else unless you specifically tell them you have concerns.

If he gets the all-clear health-wise, then I would wonder whether something has happened while he's been out with the dog walker. You say he stayed with her for a weekend - so I wonder if another dog stole some food off him, or he had a bad experience getting told off by another dog, and is now responding in kind.

His behaviour on walks also makes me think that he could have had a bad experience, and now he's running at other dogs and barking to try and prevent a repeat episode from happening again. Lots of aggression in dogs is based in fear - they react by growling, snarling and lunging because they learn that by behaving that way, other dogs won't come near them. So in their mind, if they bark/lunge/snarl - they'll be safe.

I would be stopping the dog-walker for now and getting the help of an APBC accredited behaviourist (NOT a trainer) who can come and see you in person and see the behaviour for themselves.

@coffeecupsandwaxmelts thanks.

Wow these are quite full on responses, I was hoping I'd just get some training tips. I was actually thinking of using our dog walker for some training sessions, but it does make sense to go with someone different.

Resource guarding isn't something to be messed around with as unfortunately it has the potential to go very wrong, very fast.

Nobody worth their salt should be advising you on resource guarding (or any aggressive behaviour) without seeing your dog for themselves. Body language is so, so important in cases like this - and there could be a lot of signals that you're missing which are really important to take notice of.

Makes sense thanks - looking up to see if any local behaviourists.

I'd echo getting a vet check as any new behaviour should be checked out. Then contact an APBC behaviourist for further help. Hopefully it can be improved.

Again please get a full vet check with bloods and describe the problem. I know I’m banging on about it but dogs hide pain incredibly well.

I'd second resource guarding-and it seemed it increased around time of staying at dog walkers. If she's boarding quite a few dogs, it's possibly exacerbated it.

Thanks all

Just be aware anyone can call themselves a behaviourist. Dog training advice and support on FB can signpost you to a good one.
Re dog Walker if staying there means your dog is developing behavioural issues then you can’t use her anymore for that. If she’s fine as just a Walker then ok to keep it to just that. But running off sounds like she can’t cope with your dog or your dog isn’t happy with the Walker.