Behaviour problems and pain

[Java]

Hi Guys,

My friend has a black GSD bitch who is now 2yo. Has always been the sweetest and most loving dog, a lot of effort in training was made and was well socialised. Despite this the dog is overexcitable and can be aggressive to other dogs to a point where since her companion sadly died of old age (this companion was the equivalent of the strong silent hunky type and kept said GSD effortlessly in order and happy by I think being a perfect leader) she has been best avoiding others unmuzzled. I don't see this dog very often but last time was at my friends was on the floor with a glass of wine watching a film idly grooming (as you do). The soppy girl was lying on her back and I was checking for matts in the long fur on the inside of her back leg. Doing this I only gently put pressure on the leg outwards and got a squeak and slight jump pain reaction along with the woooah glare. It then hit me that this poor girl may be in some trouble. Due to her breed and the fact i know her breeders wouldn't have checked parents I panicked slightly about her hips.

She is seeing the Vet asap but I am just wondering if anyone would agree with me that her issues with other dogs may be pain related? Like she is friendly and excited to see a potential friend and then gets all insecure and defensive as feeling bad? (she really seems to WANT to be friendly and play then it goes south somewhat). Can't wait to hear the vets assessment. There is no obvious lameness etc (which I know is hard to spot if bilateral) so friend is feeling bad but they are observant and anything otherwise obvious they would have picked up on but she otherwise seems a happy dogger.

Wine and Jaffa Cakes for making it through this long rambling post

 

[Leo Walker]

Thats exactly what we had with my whippet type lurcher bitch. Even down to the wanting to play then kicking off. I couldn't get anyone to accept that there was anything physically wrong with her for a long time, and her change in character happened so slowly at times I doubted myself!

Long story short I found an amazing back person who normally treats my horse, and she came to see her and found chronic back pain. She was extremely aggressive when being treated the first time, but settled down for subsequent treatments, although still had to be muzzled as it was obviously very, very sore and she was still snapping and being defensive.

4 treatments and a further 3 months down the line and shes a different dog. No more spats with my other dog, no snapping at people, and the only dogs she reacts to out on walks now are ones that react aggressively to her first

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Unless she has x rays, then the vet can't really diagnose issues with hips if you're thinking dysplasia. My vet assessed my dog and had no idea, but we could see it. After we insisted on x Rays, it was clear. If your friend does get x rays, I would suggest she sees a vet who's used to doing x rays for the BVA assessment. My vet didn't even block the legs so the plates weren't amazing.

It could well be pain that's making her react poorly to other dogs, or she could simply be unhappy with other dogs that she doesn't know, like mine. Loves dogs he knows, wants to kill all others then wants to be best friends.

 

[CorvusCorax]

She could query hip, back or muscular issue. Some dogs don't like being groomed. Or it could just be genetic. While it is not an excuse not to train or socialise, when stressed, dogs fall back on what nature gave them and also on their early experiences, despite our best efforts.