Puppy suddenly turning aggressive

[tinygigolo]

Hello, first time dog owner here hoping for some advice. We adopted a rescue crossbreed puppy about 2 months ago - he's now 6 months and generally soppy as anything, amazing with DC and loves a fuss. However he's always been a bit wary around men.

A couple of weeks ago this has escalated and he has in the evenings taken to baring his teeth, snarling and lunging at DH. He spends most of his day with me as I work from home, DH works long hours so I do most walks with the kids. He's always been more taken with me, doesn't like being away from me and I think he's threatened by DH spending time with me

DH is understandably really distressed and already talking about rehoming. Any suggestions on how we can resolve this without taking this step, which would devastate DC (who don't see this, it's always after they've gone to bed)

I echo all the stuff about foreign dogs I'm afraid. I see it all the time. I would add two things:

1. Make sure he has been tested for Brucella. It is common in foreign dogs, is pretty much untreatable, and is a zoonosis so it can jump to humans. This is relevant especially if you have immuno suppressed people visiting you, or children.
2. If he has been with you for only two months, he will only just be starting to get his feet under the table. This could mean that he behaviour traits will get worse quite quickly.

If the vet cannot advise, then make sure you select a behaviourist who is registered with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council.

https://abtc.org.uk/

Chi's can be tricky
Hopefully you will get sorted but if not I do hope The "Rescue" will take him back.
I have heard of cases where they won't and/or just pass a dog onto the next unsuspecting family

@tinygigolo I know you say he was born in rescue but he’ll still have spent his formative months with street dogs and semi-ferals in a rescue (which will be nothing like the rescues you see here) before spending several days stuck in a box being transported to the UK, before being handed over to a total stranger for a month before coming to you, another stranger.

His short life has been full of constant upheavals and I would bet that your home is the only place he’s ever spent a considerable period of time. Now he’s settling and has become used to you, he will no longer be as shut down and will feel more able to react to things that are frightening or upsetting it.

A vet check and a meeting with a behaviourist is a good call but there are reasons why people don’t recommend these overseas dogs, especially to owners with no experience and/or with small children.

They really aren’t pets. Even if they’re into rescue, their genetics will be strong and in the same way collies herd and labs retrieve, these dogs have it hard-wired into them to guard food and to be wary of strangers (at best).

Not another bloody Romanian rescue!

While I do agree I also think its important that people feel they can come here for advice and for the advice to be relevant we do need to know this.
It would be a shame if someone like OP felt they couldn't post so even if this dog can't be helped other people may read this and decide not to make the same mistake.

First don’t panic! This is sadly very common with overseas rescues. They go through so much in their short lives and many struggle to adapt. Plus you have unknown breeds in there too. He’d now be coming out of his shut down state and starting to get more confident to express his worries.

It’s not unsalvageable but you need professional help in the way of a good trainer or behaviourist. This will help you decide if it’s achievable long term or he needs to go back to the rescue. I’m a trainer (with behavioural qualifications) and I’ve had experience if this situation.