Out of character

[rollright]

George, my 18mnth westie just went absolutely mental at two young boys in the park. He's usually a really friendly dog and will greet everyone, and i let him off the lead in the park. Anyway today two small boys came up to him and asked to stroke him, i said yes, and they bent down to touch him and he cowered and went mad, aggressively barking and growling at them. I went to grab him by his collar and he growled at me. I stepped back and then just grabbed him by the collar and he squealed so loudly, very strange. I had him on a short lead and took him home, the minute we got back i told him to get in his cage, and i have just shut him in there. He's usually a really friendly dog, and this is the first time i've had to punish him by putting him in his cage. i'm not really sure what brought this on, but how long should i leave him in the cage, if at all? Thanks for reading!

 

[Skhosu]

tbh putting him in the cage will nto be associated with the growling. Is it possible he is in pain?

 

[CAYLA]

I agree...I would get him checked over..to rule out any ailments....could he have had some kind of bad/unpleasant experience with a fella/male....that maybe u could be unaware of?
Have u ever chastised him before?

Although it is out of character for him...to be honest I have only ever met about 2 nice westies

they are the no 1 pampered pet...with a huge attitude problem ...we rehome LOTS of them :crazy

Is he castrated? just out of interest.

Crating him...would serve no purpose...esp as the event had passed.

Let us know...how he gets on/if he repeats the act.

 

[milor]

18 months old ? - sounds as if he's hit the 'teenage' stage when he will be trying to assert himself - he's a terrier, bred originally to stand up to foxes etc and although people treat them like cute lap dogs - they can very often be agressive little b*****rs

- you could try taking him to ringraft training classes where a variety of experienced people will approach and touch him in a controlled environment. If you use a clicker and treat method to reinforce each time he is good with people this will help too.

Crating him after the incident is totally meaningless to him - he will not associate the 'punishment' with the 'crime'