Dog advice! Anxious dog starting to be more aggressive

[Madsandfrank]

My dog is the sweetest dog with myself and his close friends. But he has always been territorial around the house, and not keen on strangers touching him, especially men. He has never bitten anyone but he did bite the postman's bag and often he growled and sort of run at strangers as if he was going to, but then backs off. It seems at the moment it is getting worse, and I think it is a reaction to anxiety. I try to avoid contact with strangers as much as possible but sometimes people just go down to him as he's quite cute.

His history goes like this: we had him at 10 weeks, but he wasn't handled very much before we had him as a puppy and has always been a shy dog because of it. Since then we have socialised him with humans and dogs of all walks of life. It seems that if you're in his inner circle he's fine, if you're not you've got no chance. He's a poodle X jack Russell. He also hates travelling in the car and we have tried everything we can think to make this a better experience so if anyone has any tips on that they would gratefully received

The most recent changes was we recently ish (January) have a new puppy. I don't think there is any real connection but other than that nothing drastic has changed in his life.


Its very upsetting and he obviously puts himself in a vulnerable position if it were to go any further. Does anyone have a similar experience and any tips on anything I can do to help.hom and manage the behaviour

 

[Pearlsasinger]

How old is he?

To keep him safe, I would ensure that he can never get near your front door/letterbox when he is loose - fence him away from there. And keep him on a lead when out and about. We find that ours are more territorial when walking from home but if they go in the car to a venue, they are not at all territorial but that will be a problem for you, if he doesn't like travelling.

I have sedated dogs who don't travel well, which has helped them to get used to it, so that they didn't need to be sedated for ever.

 

[AmyMay]

You can get a little yellow coat for him which signifies 'don't touch'.

I'd also be very quick to tell people to back off and not allow them to crouch down to him. You need to be really assertive in this as you are his advocate.

I would also not be so quick to dismiss the introduction of the puppy as not being connected.

What is the issue with the car?

 

[CorvusCorax]

Protect your dog, protect others, don't set him up to fail and don't give him the benefit of the doubt.
He is likely to one day bite and you could end up in bother and he could be put to sleep. That's the best management plan. Do not let him approach strangers and do not LET them approach him.
Keep him away from the door and crate or shut away when you have people round.

It's probably genetic apart from anything else.
What you say is territorial is probably a scared dog protecting his own personal space.
I've seen dogs spend their youth in kennels and be able to walk down the street like they owned it, and dogs that were heavily 'socialised' that have hit the deck at pretty normal household noises or slippy floors.
Both breeds can be prone to anxiety and neurosis - was he bred for a purpose, for looks, etc?
Was any care taken to select breeding animals with sound temperaments?
Dogs go back to their anscestors/the first thing they learned for help when they are stressed.
In a lot of cases, the dog learns 'I'm scared, I make noise, the scary thing backs off'. It works.

Can't help with the car unless I know in what manner he travels...where in car, crated or loose, can he see out?

 

[Cahill]

excellent advice from corvuscorax.
you need to keep him safe and not put him in stressful situations.

check out the `i need space` and `yellow dog` range of items.they have little jackets,covers for leads etc.
it is also useful to use a muzzle but you cant just put it on,you need muzzle training,lots of vid on youtube.

as above you need to be proactive in telling people to keep their distance.

https://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/index.php/online-store#!/I-NEED-SPACE™-Dog-Vest/p/33141095/category=0

 

[poiuytrewq]

I have one similar. Absolutely the best sweetest temperament with me but he will snap when scared. He’s scared of children so I make sure he’s never with them. He’d snap if someone put a hand in my car, for some reason he’s very protective of the car (not so much the house!) so again I make sure no one ever gets into my car before me or tries to get something I’m or out if the dogs in there.
I think some dogs are like this and as above it’s a case of working with it and not setting them up to fail.

 

[JillA]

I have one - it's fear aggression and although it feels counterintuitive to reward him for it, if strangers entering the house give him a small piece of his favourite treat he relaxes with them. I keep a jar of Schmakos by the door for that purpose.

 

[Madsandfrank]

Hey there! He's 3 years old.

Yes after the postman incident I have bought a letter box to go on the gate so there is not need for them to come to the door. Usually he is closed away when the doorbell rings but unfortunately managed to get out.

It's interesting you say this about walking from home. The reason I was spurred on to write this thread was because last night my partner and I walked the dogs to the local pub. The landlady bent over to him before I could say don't do that! He let her stroke him but as she went back up and to leave he started growling and lunging in her direction. Previous week, we went away for a few days in his father's caravan, again you turn your back to pick up your prosecco and someone's down there stroking him and he didn't particularly rate it by also wasn't aggressive?!


Maybe sedation route could help him to get used to the car? We've tried a range of travelling techniques that I will list in another reply.

Thank you for your advice!

 

[Madsandfrank]

excellent advice from corvuscorax.
you need to keep him safe and not put him in stressful situations.

check out the `i need space` and `yellow dog` range of items.they have little jackets,covers for leads etc.
it is also useful to use a muzzle but you cant just put it on,you need muzzle training,lots of vid on youtube.

as above you need to be proactive in telling people to keep their distance.

https://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/index.php/online-store#!/I-NEED-SPACE™-Dog-Vest/p/33141095/category=0

Thank you for this. I have thought about the yellow coat options. If no one touches him or interacts with him he is fine!!

 

[Madsandfrank]

How old is he?

To keep him safe, I would ensure that he can never get near your front door/letterbox when he is loose - fence him away from there. And keep him on a lead when out and about. We find that ours are more territorial when walking from home but if they go in the car to a venue, they are not at all territorial but that will be a problem for you, if he doesn't like travelling.

I have sedated dogs who don't travel well, which has helped them to get used to it, so that they didn't need to be sedated for ever.

Hey there! He's 3 years old.

Yes after the postman incident I have bought a letter box to go on the gate so there is not need for them to come to the door. Usually he is closed away when the doorbell rings but unfortunately managed to get out.

It's interesting you say this about walking from home. The reason I was spurred on to write this thread was because last night my partner and I walked the dogs to the local pub. The landlady bent over to him before I could say don't do that! He let her stroke him but as she went back up and to leave he started growling and lunging in her direction. Previous week, we went away for a few days in his father's caravan, again you turn your back to pick up your prosecco and someone's down there stroking him and he didn't particularly rate it by also wasn't aggressive?!


Maybe sedation route could help him to get used to the car? We've tried a range of travelling techniques that I will list in another reply.

Thank you for your advice!

 

[Madsandfrank]

Protect your dog, protect others, don't set him up to fail and don't give him the benefit of the doubt.
He is likely to one day bite and you could end up in bother and he could be put to sleep. That's the best management plan. Do not let him approach strangers and do not LET them approach him.
Keep him away from the door and crate or shut away when you have people round.

It's probably genetic apart from anything else.
What you say is territorial is probably a scared dog protecting his own personal space.
I've seen dogs spend their youth in kennels and be able to walk down the street like they owned it, and dogs that were heavily 'socialised' that have hit the deck at pretty normal household noises or slippy floors.
Both breeds can be prone to anxiety and neurosis - was he bred for a purpose, for looks, etc?
Was any care taken to select breeding animals with sound temperaments?
Dogs go back to their anscestors/the first thing they learned for help when they are stressed.
In a lot of cases, the dog learns 'I'm scared, I make noise, the scary thing backs off'. It works.

Can't help with the car unless I know in what manner he travels...where in car, crated or loose, can he see out?

Yes you are completely right. I think that I need to be more assertive with people as for whatever reason they seem to push it when I say "oh he's not friendly and quite nervous" and they go down to him. Realistically I should say "don't touch him he bites" and then assumedly they will back off.

In regards to his breeding; we picked him up from a man who is local on the showing circuit. Both mother and father were his pets... Both friendly. Originally my mother bought him as her dog, but he and I fell in love with one another per se. He is like my shadow and best friend. She wanted a small dog that doesn't malt- hence the purchase. Although I love him with all my heart they would not be two breeds that I would put tigether, not a breed I would buy prior to having him. He is the light of my life but I do think that both breeds combined could arguably create an animal irresponsibly. Our puppy is a cavachon who is a completely different character! The friendliest puppy in the world ever.

I just wanted to see if advice wise there was anything I could do to help manage the anxious behaviour. I love him so much and i get very upset that he gets so anxious over things, and reacts in such a way in fear. I worry that it may be training based and so if there are any tips in that area that may help they will he gratefully received. I'm sadly no dog specialist but am prepared to learn and try anything to make him happier because I just love him so much. If its nature over nurture I suppose the best thing I can do is avoid situations that make him feel nervous.


Car wise we have tried all positions! Loose, crated, front seat, back seat, boot. I've found he travels best in the boot but it's still not great... He will hide under my bed if he thinks he's going in the car. He's never been in a car crash, or been and had any horrendous vet experience that we've taken him in the car to. Since he was a little pup he's hated the car... Sickness maybe?

Thank you for your advice. I know when you are clued up about dogs it can be frustrating if they are mishandled out of ignorance. I have tried so hard to develop my knowledge in the dog sphere and don't feel completely clueless, but still need advice... And I do ultimately just want the best for him xx

 

[Madsandfrank]

You can get a little yellow coat for him which signifies 'don't touch'.

I'd also be very quick to tell people to back off and not allow them to crouch down to him. You need to be really assertive in this as you are his advocate.

I would also not be so quick to dismiss the introduction of the puppy as not being connected.

What is the issue with the car?

Hey there!


In regards to the puppy, do you have any idea how he may add to the anxiety? It may be that he is protective of him or? They get on relatively well. They've never fought or anuthing, but the puppy is a bit like an annoying little brother to Barney at times haha.

Car wise if you have a look at one of my other replies it gives the details. He hides under the bed if he thinks he's going in the car, and when he's in there he will shake.

Thank you!!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Very few dogs are protective of you/other dogs. They are protecting themselves and people/dogs just happen to be there. I'd also just be careful that his behaviour might rub off on the pup.

Bad nerves can skip generations and while his parents are friendly, you can never really know how they respond to environmental stress unless you see it.

The car might just be yet another scary, noisy, moving thing.
I'd go for a small, dark/covered crate in the boot. You can feed him all his meals in there, make a fun game of going in and out, and then widen it out to short journeys.
Cracked a big dog in a few days by making car = awesome recently.

I apologise if I come over as abrupt, I'm usually posting from phone and type as it comes into my head. I don't think you've done anything wrong at all!

 

[Madsandfrank]

Very few dogs are protective of you/other dogs. They are protecting themselves and people/dogs just happen to be there. I'd also just be careful that his behaviour might rub off on the pup.

Bad nerves can skip generations and while his parents are friendly, you can never really know how they respond to environmental stress unless you see it.

The car might just be yet another scary, noisy, moving thing.
I'd go for a small, dark/covered crate in the boot. You can feed him all his meals in there, make a fun game of going in and out, and then widen it out to short journeys.
Cracked a big dog in a few days by making car = awesome recently.

I apologise if I come over as abrupt, I'm usually posting from phone and type as it comes into my head. I don't think you've done anything wrong at all!

Thank you for your advice. You didn't come across as abrupt at all! It just seems you are very knowledgeable about this and I can appreciate that cluelessness can be mind boggling haha!

Will give that a go thank yoi

 

[Cahill]

i would look to avoid the situations with people where he may kick off as it sort of becomes habit behaviour,so the more happy times you have in the `bank`that becomes the norm.

lots of discussions on t`net about yellow dogwear in that however careful you are you still get people who dont notice/take heed and also some people think if wearing the yellow,everyone should get out of their way and they can walk where they want.

re the car thingy-if my 7yo dog is in a seat (with harness and seatbelt) he will dribble and pant and drool but travels quite happily in the back with the barjo tailgate.i have never figured out why.

my other dog doesnt like dogs who stare at him,i step to the side or turn and go the other way but you always get some numpty with a flexilead who says `its ok,mine is friendly` i just say very firmly `step away from my dog`he is what he is and we manage well.

i am sure you will get it sorted x

 

[JillA]

Really you should be getting the services of an APBC registered behaviourist (some insurers will pay) because it is all too easy to make aggression worse. If it does get worse you must stop any changes you have made, they are adding to the problem. Most behaviourists won't recommend treatment for aggression without seeing the dog (and having that preceded by a vet check to rule out pain) because it is all too easy to make it worse.

https://apbc.org.uk/help/regions

 

[Madsandfrank]

i would look to avoid the situations with people where he may kick off as it sort of becomes habit behaviour,so the more happy times you have in the `bank`that becomes the norm.

lots of discussions on t`net about yellow dogwear in that however careful you are you still get people who dont notice/take heed and also some people think if wearing the yellow,everyone should get out of their way and they can walk where they want.

re the car thingy-if my 7yo dog is in a seat (with harness and seatbelt) he will dribble and pant and drool but travels quite happily in the back with the barjo tailgate.i have never figured out why.

my other dog doesnt like dogs who stare at him,i step to the side or turn and go the other way but you always get some numpty with a flexilead who says `its ok,mine is friendly` i just say very firmly `step away from my dog`he is what he is and we manage well.

i am sure you will get it sorted x

He sort of has the same thing but if someone he doesn't know looks at him in the eye. I know to never look a strange dog in the eye but I think some people naturally make eye contact and that makes him react!

I think it is just a case of removing him from stressful situations.
Thank you!

 

[Madsandfrank]

Really you should be getting the services of an APBC registered behaviourist (some insurers will pay) because it is all too easy to make aggression worse. If it does get worse you must stop any changes you have made, they are adding to the problem. Most behaviourists won't recommend treatment for aggression without seeing the dog (and having that preceded by a vet check to rule out pain) because it is all too easy to make it worse.

https://apbc.org.uk/help/regions

Thank you for this. I think it would definitely benefit him. My biggest fear is making it worse for him or making him more aggressive and so I think getting a third party expert in is probably the best way to go. He is the most delightful easy going and loving dog with me and his "inner circle" which makes me think that it's definitely fear.

 

[Dopeydapple]

My boy who was an rspca rescue whose owners were prosecuted for his cruelty was never the most confident dog but as the bitch we had first was very dominant the pair worked well together, however when we sadly lost her he became very withdrawn so we found a new pal for him, they had several meets and got on fine, she is confident but laid back at the same time so thought this was a good fit however for some reason it seemed like once she arrived and stayed he took it upon himself to be number one dog as he was there first, this wasn't a comfortable role for him and made him anxious in many scenarios, we had to go right back to getting him out and about but only in spaces that he could keep a good distance from other dogs and even if needed turn away from them so he wasn't being forced to meet them before he was ready. He's now back to being a 48kg dope on a rope that we use to desensitise other reactive dogs. My point is don't dismiss the role the new pup could be having on an already anxious dog if it makes him feel he has to take on a job that he's not equipped for.