Help!! Unneutered dog behaviour

[Dizzydancer]

3year old Labrador never shown any signs of dominance, last year was unwell with immune mediated poly arthritis- only outward sign was fear growl at being touched, taking himself away from us and not eating. He has been medication and symptom free since Xmas.
Since thurs he then became growling and cowering from my mum but only when in her house outside or at a friends house he was fine. He was fine with me (except one tiny growl) and hubby over weekend, mum came today fine initially they went for walk on returning again became growly. Tonight I have come home from work and he keeps sniffing and nudging me continuously until told to stop.
He is eating fine, joint ranges are fine, keen to exercise and integrate with us.

Could it be hormones?? He is completely fine with OH, mainly appears to be with my mum. One massive change has happened with her tho- they have taken in 2 female dogs who are a friends they are looking after while away- so when he went round he is no longer only dog- they did have their own female dog until October tho which he was always fine with and she has had these current ones for 2 weeks now.

Any thoughts appreciated? I know it could be his IMPA again so if it doesn't settle he will be back to vets for check up.

 

[Thriller]

Id have a vet check now tbh. A change in behaviour is never a good sign esp if it involves agression.

 

[Dizzydancer]

The only reason I am wanting to wait is the vet who treated him last year is on paternity leave this week and I really want it to be him who sees him as the others are all great vets but don't know what he was like last year. He does have an Appointment booked for fri with the head vet which I will take him to if he Continues to show this aggression this week.

I agree it is a concern and after spending 2k last year fixing him I do take his health extremely seriously- it just seems very strange that he is only doing it to my mum really.

 

[Alec Swan]

Any change in a mature dog's behaviour patterns, whereby they show aggression to those who they know and trust, would be cause for concern. Dogs will all so often mature at different rates, some becoming an 'adult' at 12 months, and some, never! At the age of 3 years, one would 'generally' expect that a dog, if it's going to attempt to usurp the previously accepted authority of its owner, would perhaps be the time, but coupled to his apparent cowering whilst giving off clear warnings, would lead me to suspect some sort of neurological problem, rather than one of his previous health problems.

It's difficult, if not impossible without actually witnessing the displayed behaviour, to give an opinion of any real value, and generalisations are all that can be offered. As you've mentioned that the dog remains entire, would I be right in thinking that you may be considering castrating him as a possible route to correction? It would be highly unlikely that neutering him will have any effect upon his levels of displayed aggression.

It would be interesting to hear of your vets view. Sorry if I'm not much help!

Alec.

 

[Dizzydancer]

Thanks Alec- he isn't cowering while aggressive this time, he was cowering last year when poorly. This time he is growling but not cowering. He is only doing it to my mum- hoping there is nothing wrong with her that he has detected!!
I don't want to castrate as I also feel it won't change anything- but I have a feeling the vet on fri will suggest it so I wanted a few opinions as to if anyone felt it would be an option. So thank you for your thoughts on that.

I will let you know what is said- I believe he will prob be started back on the steroids and see if that fixes his behaviour as it did previously, he is very stoical and when he was ill last year it took 5nonths before he finally couldn't stand properly which was when we got a diagnosis, until then he had only ever shown his change is behaviour which I would describe as a warning sign that he didn't want to be touched, we now no that was because he was sore when touched.