Advice needed on dog aggresive dog

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daisybe33

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Hi

I have a 10 year old collie who came to me from a rescue centre at 6 months old.

when I got him he was not great with dogs but he has got worse and worse over the years which can make walking him a bit of a nightmare.

There seems to be no set pattern that I can see for his dislike of dogs. Some can put their head through the yard gate and he doesn't bat an eyelid, some walk within 50ft and he goes mad.

Since I have had him he has been on the yard every day all day and walked an hour at night. He has had the dentist, farriers dogs etc on the yard and used to play with them but now attacks (pins down)

I have tried walking him with other dogs, socialising classes, training classes etc and nothing has made any differance.

It is not on every occasion he sees another dog that he will go for it (and he will cross a field if the mood takes him) sometimes he will walk past on the lead and off and I take him with me to competitions and he is good for the most part.

When he goes for a dog he completely switches off to me and I really don't know what to do to change it..

I am lucky in that I can walk in our quiet village without really meeting other dogs but I don't want to end up with restricted walking.

Does anyone have any hints or tips on how to get his attention when he switches off (he doesn't care about food enough to stop him) or to get him over this or is it something we will have to carry on living with??
 
I would get yourself to a good trainer/behaviourist and get someone to actually watch you both interact and see what the triggers are, it's not something that can be easily diagnosed over the internet.
Is he actually drawing blood/breaking skin or just pinning down?

I would keep him on a lead if even for his own safety, it's not nice to have your dog pinned down by another dog, and if he met a dog like mine (I do keep mine on a lead) then he could have a proper fight on his hands.

Does he have any interest in toys or balls?
In what way do you correct him?
Please be aware that even thought you might not think it, your body language or demeanor might be influencing him.

Also he is entering his twilight years, if he is getting progressively worse bear in mind that it may be a neurological thing or maybe he is losing one or several of his senses and this may make him even more defensive.
 
Given his age Im reluctant to give any advice except have him checked over by your vet, I would be worried about his sight, losing sight can have very adverse affects on dogs apart from the obvious.

I agree with CC keep him on a lead and if he checks out with the vet then a behaviourist preferably one with experience of collies is your next step.
 
He has been given the all clear by the vets - it has been slowly getting worse over the years, not really a sudden thing.

He postures, he has never broken skin but like you say I don't want him to pin someone elses dog down.

I think I do definately add to the situation by being on edge but I don't know how to break the cycle.
 
Then Daisy I really advise the behavourist route,given his age this will be really difficult to overcome without the help of one. Your dog really means business now and one day he could meet something a lot smaller and do some damage. Or he could meet something like CC s or one of mine and your dog could come off worst.
 
I know, I totally agree that I need to do something with him. I think avoiding the situation has made things worse by not resolving it before it got to this

I'm just feeling a bit fed up as we have had a lovely long walk today but only because there were no dogs about and I am annoyed with myself as I think I have probably caused this.

Do you know of anyone who has been able to resolve this in an older dog through a behaviourist etc?
 
Get a full thyroid panel run first. If your anywhere near Hampshire I have a wonderful suggestion or if not you can still call her and she can find you someone closer.
 
I'm in North Yorkshire.

Katielou what would a Thyroid Panel show?

I'm getting quite upset with myself now for letting him down :0(
 
Why do you think you caused this?

If he's losing his sight, he will be more protective/aggressive. If he's in pain, he may also be protective and defensive.
 
I think I have contributed by being on guard myself for any dogs and he picks up on it and should have sought help with him sooner.

I feel a bit better today about it.
 
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