Cocker Turned Aggresive

[Bazil Bush]

Hi All,
After some help / advice if possible please.

We've got a working cocker who's three in January who we've had since a pup.

He's been well socialised from day one, puppy classes, play time with friends dogs and once a week day care at a place which allow the dogs to play as a pack in a local wood area (we even took him out pre vac's but carried him about as we knew the impotance of the socialising piece)

He's a great family dog, friendly with people and dogs without issue until this week.

I got a message from the day care place saying that he'd been aggressive towards other dogs. Myself and the wife couldn't believe it due to his previous excellent nature however my wife had him out today with a friends two dogs (who he's been out with on numerous times) and to quote "he just turned and went ballistic at one of the dogs snarling and snapping"

I've got him booked in at the vets on Monday to rule out any medical issues but we're both in a bit of shock and unsure as to why and how we look to resolve.

Thanks in anticipation

[ReverendCounter]

Bazil Bush said:

once a week day care at a place which allow the dogs to play as a pack in a local wood area

I wouldn't be surprised if he may have had a bit of a nasty incident at day care and they haven't told you, and now he's on the alert to defend himself at the first sign of trouble.

[LordGrover]

Could he be in pain?

[Bazil Bush]

ReverendCounter said:

I wouldn't be surprised if he may have had a bit of a nasty incident at day care and they haven't told you, and now he's on the alert to defend himself at the first sign of trouble.

It's possible but the friends dog he went for today is as placid as they come

[Bazil Bush]

LordGrover said:

Could he be in pain?

Possible reason so I've got him into the vets Monday to do a top to tail (their words)

I'm probably going to ask for bloods too as I've come across a number of referances to potential thyroid problems causing agressive turns in previously good natured dogs

[Bullybutt]

I would go with pain as well. Hopefully Monday will bring some sneers.

[garythesign]

Working cocker owner here. Good choice!

Is yours still entire?

At around three ours started getting funny with other male dogs the same age. Not aggressive, but showing signs of trying to dominate. A few months after castration, he was back to his friendly way.

At the vets it may be worth asking about cocker rage. Not sure if working dogs suffer with this.

Good luck.

[Bazil Bush]

garythesign said:

Working cocker owner here. Good choice!

Is yours still entire?

At around three ours started getting funny with other male dogs the same age. Not aggressive, but showing signs of trying to dominate. A few months after castration, he was back to his friendly way.

At the vets it may be worth asking about cocker rage. Not sure if working dogs suffer with this.

Good luck.

Cheers, they’re a great breed.

Yes, he was castrated a while back at the age recommended by the vet. Not to diminish his character traits but we didn’t want to breed him and wanted to reduce potential health issues down the line if he remained intact.

Cocker rage usually, but not exclusively, shows itself during the first year so while not discounting it’s not top of the list currently.

Me and the missus are just at a total loss as to why this has happened. Not even gradual, it’s like a switch has been thrown this week to make him change so much

[Bullybutt]

I meant answers, not sneers

[loskie]

is he a red one? It may sound daft but I've known and heard of a few always red ones that develop severe behavioural issues. Hopefully you'll get it sorted.

[Bazil Bush]

Bullybutt said:

I meant answers, not sneers

No worries mate

[Bazil Bush]

loskie said:

is he a red one? It may sound daft but I've known and heard of a few always red ones that develop severe behavioural issues. Hopefully you'll get it sorted.

Yeah, he’s red / golden

[garythesign]

Bazil Bush said:

Cheers, they’re a great breed.

Yes, he was castrated a while back at the age recommended by the vet. Not to diminish his character traits but we didn’t want to breed him and wanted to reduce potential health issues down the line if he remained intact.

Cocker rage usually, but not exclusively, shows itself during the first year so while not discounting it’s not top of the list currently.

Me and the missus are just at a total loss as to why this has happened. Not even gradual, it’s like a switch has been thrown this week to make him change so much

I think that this is probably something physical. Hopefully the visit to the vet will clear it up.

Lovely looking boy. What’s his name?

[bobbysmithy]

Awesome looking dog. Hope it sorts out

[Bazil Bush]

garythesign said:

I think that this is probably something physical. Hopefully the visit to the vet will clear it up.

Lovely looking boy. What’s his name?

Thanks, his name’s ted

[Bazil Bush]

bobbysmithy said:

Awesome looking dog. Hope it sorts out

Thanks

[Enut]

My first guess would be that he's in pain but hopefully the vet can sort sort him out and return him to his normal passive ways.

Second guess would be that he's had a set to with another dog, win or lose it doesn't matter, it can alter his approach to other dogs rom then on and can be very difficult to train out of him.

Third guess, he's not beconme overly protective of a ball or toy has he?

[Bazil Bush]

Enut said:

My first guess would be that he's in pain but hopefully the vet can sort sort him out and return him to his normal passive ways.

Second guess would be that he's had a set to with another dog, win or lose it doesn't matter, it can alter his approach to other dogs rom then on and can be very difficult to train out of him.

Third guess, he's not beconme overly protective of a ball or toy has he?

The dog he had a go at who’s one of his “mates” (and who he’s been out with on numerous occasions previously) picked teds ball up before ted went for him. But previously there’s three dogs all out together and they all share them, basically whichever dog picks up a ball first the other two just look for one of the other balls if that makes sense

The first instance of reported aggression at the dog day care place wouldn’t have been ball or toy related as they don’t use them with the dogs

[RichTT]

Bazil Bush said:

The dog he had a go at who’s one of his “mates” (and who he’s been out with on numerous occasions previously) picked teds ball up before ted went for him. But previously there’s three dogs all out together and they all share them, basically whichever dog picks up a ball first the other two just look for one of the other balls if that makes sense

The first instance of reported aggression at the dog day care place wouldn’t have been ball or toy related as they don’t use them with the dogs

I think he's suggesting that there was a set to at the day care place that either wasn't observed or not reported to you. This has then possibly caused an aggression response with other dogs. Even if he was previously friendly with them.

I hope you get it resolved. My border collie had aggression tendencies and it really spoiled our time with him.

[Bazil Bush]

RichTT said:

I think he's suggesting that there was a set to at the day care place that either wasn't observed or not reported to you. This has then possibly caused an aggression response with other dogs. Even if he was previously friendly with them.

I hope you get it resolved. My border collie had aggression tendencies and it really spoiled our time with him.

Okay mate, thanks. One of teds mates is a collie who can be a bit cranky at times but the pair of them get on great

There’s another thing that’s come to light.

He's on a care plan that provides his vac’s plus regular flea and worm medication.

His recent medication for flea and tic has been changed to Bravecto which we gave him last weekend before all this started. I’ve subsequently had a look online and some of the feedback on it doesn’t read great.

Was wondering if anyone has had issues with this or I know there’s some posters who are involved with animal practices who post on here if they’ve come across it?