Spaniel aggression to other dogs

I am so angry reading this on your parents behalf and the dogs .
The sweetest young springer in the world would be a big ask for people of your parents age .
I hope it works out ok .
 
cinnamontoast said:
We neutered Zak in the vain hope that it would curb his aggression to other dogs. Pointless.

Flooding, as Alec mentions, may work, but I know mine would simply go down fighting in a bundle of bigger stronger dogs.

He's adorable with people and I think he'd have been PTS or passed from one to another had someone got in there first. Good job we were first to view.
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I've split your post up to ease a reply......

Neutering a dog, as you've discovered prevents a dog from reproducing, and generally little else.

'Flooding' a dog with what it fears, only works when the flooding process has no apparent effect. If a dog is presented with other dogs which en-masse refuse to fight, then that is positive 'Swamping'. If every dog is prepared to beat nine bells out of the aggressive patient, then that patient has its fears confirmed. If there is a blanket refusal to become involved in physical contact, then the aggressor will (hopefully!) very soon learn that their behaviour achieves nothing, BUT, the system needs human reinforcement, and it needs to be firm, and that the dog needs to understand that such behaviour will not be tolerated. The ideal arena, on the only occasion that I've been involved, was a completely enclosed and contained tennis court. Four successive days, and though there wasn't a reversal, the dog stopped her behaviour, mostly. She was never truly stopped, which brings me on to your third line ....... Swamping dogs with what they fear isn't about overpowering the animal, it's about the animal understanding that the only thing which it has to fear, is the displeasure of its owner, and that what it previously feared, is an irrelevance. Animals which are beyond the age of 3-5 years, are generally beyond help, at least by the course which I would follow. The thought patterns are too deeply entrenched.

It's surprising how often dogs which are as soppy as they are with humans, can be as aggressive as they are with other dogs. I've had serious GSDs which with humans were approaching being properly dangerous, but with other dogs, they couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag. I've also had majorly dog aggressive dogs which were completely useless for man work. I suppose that it's logical if we think about it.

All so often, the animal's early life, and as a puppy, is the reason given, but the truth is that genetics can, and all so often do, play a huge part in a puppy's make up, but that's an entirely different subject!

As you say, had your dog not come to you first, and had he been around the block, for several laps, then his life expectancy may have been very short, which is a pity, even when it's the best answer.

Alec.
 
Suelin said:
What to do about stubborn parents eh? .......

This dog is trainable, the major problem is the age of the owners, who with the best will in the world, are definitely not able to sprint about after the dog anymore. I will keep you all posted regarding the outcome. In the meantime I will be pushing the Springer rescue to see if mother will agree. Did I tell you all she has attitude?

........
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Suelin, I'm rapidly reaching the conclusion, and having also read the part of your post which I've deleted, that the problem may not be the dog, but the APs!! I suspect, again from what you say, that the dog could be 'improved upon'.

An offer for you; Bring the dog to me, over a weekend, I'll have a look at it and give you an opinion, and then if everyone is in agreement, it can stay with me, probably for a month or so, if I bring about a significant and sustainable change, then you can give me something for the dog's keep. If I send the same idiot home, then there will be no charge. How does that sound?

Should you now be doing cartwheels, two points for you, firstly that the work which I do must be replicated, and secondly, there will be no violence used towards the dog.

Alec.

ps. I'll admit that the above is a case of putting my money where my mouth is!!
 
That is a lovely offer Alec. Thankyou very much, I will put it to the parents but can promise nothing. Further I would worry that they won't keep up your good work. All dogs in that household are spoiled rotten whether they deserve to be or not. For instance. This dog had a go at my whippet bitch. I bellowed at her, she then went to sit next to father who promptly tickled her ears!!!!!!!! What would you do eh???? Other than bellow at father, who fortunately for him, unfortunately for me, hadn't put his hearing aid in!!!!!! Yee Gods this may be the death of me.
 
Suelin, the offer remains, but the chances of success are minimal, as you are obviously aware.

I'll also add that throughout this thread you've maintained a common sense approach, which should be applauded! The real trick will be, maintaining your sanity!

Alec.
 
Further to this thread, my mother has just realised that she and father cannot cope with this dog. The major problem is that she is too strong for father to walk her and needs more than they can give her. (No surprises there then) The aggression appears to only manifest if another dog gets in her face and invades her space. If they keep their distance then all is well as far as I know. She has now been spayed and is up to date with vaccinations. She is as good as gold in the house and with people and they are very sad to have to make the decision to let her go. They would have kept her if it wasn't for the fact that they are unable to exercise her enough and she is too strong on the lead. Father is very wobbly now. It has fallen to me to find her a suitable home. She is trainable I am sure and I would have had her except that I have 4 dogs and I really don't want to deal with potential injuries if things got out of hand. I feel awful for not taking her but I am at my limit really with the dogs I have. If anyone can either put me onto someone suitable or feel they can take her on then please let me know. She needs someone sensible and consistent without another dog I feel. Many thanks for all of your input previously. The dog is in Northamptonshire.

The facts are as honest as I can be, there is nothing to be gained for the dog by me being any less so. The "charity" that rehomed her to my parents have refused to have her back.
 
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I'm saddened by your post Suelin, but applaud your stance. Sadly, I can't be of any use to you, but did't want to leave you with no moral support, at all. The 'charity' concerned? I wouldn't have given them the option of taking the dog back, I'm sorry to say. They seem to be a collection of well meaning idiots.

I hope that you find the answer, and with the agreement of your parents, too.

Alec.
 
Ditto, Alec. I think you have reached the only sensible conclusion, although you are now left with the difficult bit, finding a suitable home. I would love to be able to help, but like you Suelin I have 2 springers and a JRT and I think adding another would be a recipe for disaster. My eldest ESS is a girl who is top dog, very bossy and keeps both boys in their place. She has always been like this and it is for this reason my younger 2 dogs are both boys, I couldnt risk 2 girls fighting! She will do as she is told by myself and OH but takes no truck from other dogs, fortunately when we are out walking she tends to keep herself to herself and if another dog gets to close she might growl but doesnt attack. It doesnt sound like anything that couldnt be sorted with a younger, physically more able person with the right sort of dog sense. My own experience of some of these so called "rehoming centres" isnt terribly positive. Im afraid I always go for puppies, so I can mould my own adults, but both people I know that have rehomed a dog have ended up with something completely unsuitable and in both cases ended up having the dogs PTS within 18 months. Very sad because it gives the reputable, hard working ones a bad name as well.
 
Thankyou so much for your support. Very very much appreciated. Keep your fingers crossed that I may have found a solution today (first choice) and I have a backup if necessary which will be okay although to go straight to a good home would be preferred rather that rescue kennels and on to a foster home. Just such a shame for the dog. I hate to see them go from pillar to post like this but in this instant I have little option other than pts and I feel in all honesty that this would be unjust in this case. I will keep you posted and thanks again for your wonderful support.
 
Suelin is it possible for you to pm me with a picture please? Only I know of a springer bitch that was recently rehomed to a good and experienced home but was passed on from there. Curious to know if it's the same dog, although not local to the area your parents are in.
 
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