Clydesdalelover Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Hi hope someone can help, We have two dashies ( dashounds) girl & boy both desexed, both went through puppy class. Got them as puppies. Socialized very well. Until now. Our boy has turned into a monster, when strangers come to door he charges at door, if they come into house he tries to attack them, he has snapped at a stranger. But we try to keep him locked in bedroom if know people are coming, not sure why he has to do this now, am worried if he does bite someone he will have to be p.t.s. The female loves people & hasn't tried anything like her brother. We have noticed if someone comes to door & you pick him up he tries to bite your face, no contact made. Please any advice, But please no harsh comments, we love these dogs. He was neutered at a very young age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 You need to consult with a reputable behaviour specialist who can come to your home and properly assess what is happening. Having issues like this is nothing for you to feel bad about or for anyone to be critical of- the important thing is how it is addressed now. What area are you in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clydesdalelover Posted April 2, 2013 Author Share Posted April 2, 2013 Hi cosmolo was going to pm you but it said you weren't taking more new messages. This promblem is new he's always been a happy dog who loved everyone. But now he hates strangers. We have just moved to a bigger property, but problem was before move. As we're renovating we have tradies come in/ out all the time We have to put him in a room. As he has gone for a tradie as we weren't quick enough to get hold of him. He does try to nip or bite us if we sit with him. Im at a lose to why this behaviour has started, As hes never been mistreated probably spoilt. But all our dogs are, which he gets on really well with. We're going to take him to vet to rule out hormone probs But if all is ok then we need answers as to why he's changed. As for location could you pm me. Thanks Clydesdalelover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simply Grand Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 It's so hard to know with dogs as they can't tell us what's going on with them! Something may have happened to scare him or put him on the defensive and you may never know what it was. Also, as they grow up their hormones and even their brains change and all those things affect how they behave. All the experiences they have also shape them, and we as owners can't control all of that all the time. Good idea to take him to the vet to rule out any hormone problems, and also any pain or illness. You are definitely not the first and won't be the last to have this problem but the answer is usually unique to each dog and each situation. The best thing you can do is meet with a recommended behaviorist or trainer. They can actually see you and your dogs in the situation and get the best understanding of what's happening and how to improve things. Many many DOLers have had great results and no doubt you can too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 You are definitely not the first and won't be the last to have this problem but the answer is usually unique to each dog and each situation. The best thing you can do is meet with a recommended behaviorist or trainer. They can actually see you and your dogs in the situation and get the best understanding of what's happening and how to improve things. Many many DOLers have had great results and no doubt you can too. well said :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 (edited) Just wondering how old he is? There could be hormonal changes, he could be in pain of some kind. I had my lovely foxie suddenly turn on me, he bit me 3 times over a few weeks when I wasn't even moving. He had other strange symptoms at times and it turned out to be a brain tumour, he didn't know what he was doing ... He was about 7 yrs old. Edited April 2, 2013 by dogmad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corvus Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Might be his age. Territorial tendencies tend to kick in later. Although my territorial fellow started at about 12 weeks. If they get very aroused they can redirect their aggression on other dogs or people, which is also what my territorial fellow was doing. I would say while you are waiting for professional help, keep him well away from the door when people come. A general rule for any unpleasant or worrying behaviour is first find ways to manage it so it can't happen or so the triggers for it are less intense. The more they practice it the harder it is to change, so priority one is to stop 'feeding' it by letting him do it. I suggest he should not even see the people at the door for a little while. Get him as far away from them as you can, isolate him so he can't bite his sister, and if you can, don't bring him out again until the person is gone or until he has stopped being feral. I belatedly did this with my boy for a few months and it made a huge difference, even though I totally left it later than I should have. He still goes outside if someone comes to the door and he doesn't come in again until he can lie down for me at the door. And if it's someone he doesn't know, he comes in on leash only if they say they are comfortable with it. He's never bitten anyone, but I'm not planning on finding out if he will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clydesdalelover Posted April 3, 2013 Author Share Posted April 3, 2013 Thanks guys, yes we're taking him to vet to rule out any hormonal or bad stuff, we're also trying to get doggie yard built so they can go out side whilst tradies are here. Our fencer is due to come this week, I can tell you can't be done quick enough. They had a lovely doggie run at last property, they will have one here soon. He's never attacked his sister, but has gone me after I say NO I'm not afraid of him, have had a dog with brain tumour & she to went me plus our other dogs, she was p.t.s I'm praying this is just a age thing or hormonal imbalance. He's not old under two. He's such a lovely boy when only family around, it's when people arrive he goes off. A bit like jekl & Hyde with him at presant. Hoping vets have answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 I pm'd you- just wanting to make sure you received it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clydesdalelover Posted April 3, 2013 Author Share Posted April 3, 2013 I'm getting them through my email but it won't let me read them. Try pm ing me again, will keep checking my pm's if no reply tonight will Check in morning, Thanks for advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austerra Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 He could be in pain, maybe get his back checked especially being a Dachie, do the two dogs rough play much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clydesdalelover Posted April 4, 2013 Author Share Posted April 4, 2013 They do run around, but I wouldn't say they play rough, his last check up at vets he was ideal weight & he had no back issues. The main issue is his aggression towards strangers, he used to like new people coming in house, now he just wants to kill them. He bit my sister this morning left teeth marks. He did this as she was picking up so tradie could enter house. We've come to the realization that he will have to wear a muzzle, only while tradies are coming in & out we just can't watch him all the time. Poor tradies have to run a gauntlet if we're not quick enough. I would hate for him to bite someone else. As the only option would be p.t.s Just hope he's got a "hormonal" prob, but my gut is telling me something else is underlining with him. I'm just trying to figure out why he's so lovely when it's just family, but when tradies or couriers come he goes ballistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 I'm just trying to figure out why he's so lovely when it's just family, but when tradies or couriers come he goes ballistic. he is just maturing ...tradies etc are intruders .... plus he may well be now flexing his adult 'muscle' I doubt there is a hormonal problem ..certainly not testosterone if you say he was castrated early .... there are other hormones , for sure ... Biting when picked up while he is being aggro..could well me a re directed aggression ... he is so wired, and focussed..that any touch just releases that bite Do you not know when workmen will be at your house? If you knwo ..then lock him in a room well away ..toilet him on leash ..take him for his normal walk/s ..but leave him locked up. I hope you have made an appointment to talk with someone- A professional will assess him and the situation .... and give you help with a management plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 I agree you need some professional help, but in the interim I would certainly stop trying to interrupt his behaviour towards strangers by picking him up. Lock him away before they arrive, or if you cannot predict their time of arrival maybe leave a short 'tab' of a lead on his collar when he is in the house and use that to move him away once he is aroused. The bites to family sound like redirected aggression, picking him up and putting those teeth near your face when he is that aroused is not worth the risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clydesdalelover Posted April 4, 2013 Author Share Posted April 4, 2013 We have locked him away, but sometimes door gets opened & raging bull comes out. We're getting a doggie yard built away from strangers, but everything takes time. Yes I agree with the biting bit he was angry, but we didn't need him biting worker. The workers we got now go to back door as he's unable to get to back door. Puppy gate We've contacted the breeder we got them from in hope they maybe have a answer. But they to are baffled as they've sold boys to families with no probs later in life. We know he wasn't the runt of litter as the mum had a litter of 8 our boy was the 5th born. He's booked into vets so wait & see I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 It doesn't matter if is a runt or the biggest :) barring a serious medical issue ..it sounds to me like he has learnt some behaviour which satisfies him.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clydesdalelover Posted April 4, 2013 Author Share Posted April 4, 2013 I'd agree but it's not a behaviour we like him to have. Will try muzzle that way he can see the strangers & maybe realise these guys aren't out to eat him. They have come into the house & said hello to the dogs. We have 4 everyone is fine with them just not him. Even his sister doesn't act like him. Maybe it's a age thing, or him asserting dominance. But he's never been like this before. If only animals could talk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Dachies are very often serious guard dogs and they will bite anyone they see as an intruder. This is common to all breeds that are aloof with strangers. They are a breed that vets are very careful with because they are one of the breeds most likely to bite a vet despite being wonderful with their own families. After the vet check a behaviouralist is vital to help you control this dog. You said he as spoilt and that is probably part of the problem that he doesn't see you as being in charge so has decided to take over and needs to guard everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 (edited) This is common to all breeds that are aloof with strangers. No, it isn't. You may well be correct about Dachies, but you are not correct about 'all breeds that are aloof with strangers'. I have a breed known for its aloofness, as adults, with strangers. The breed standard calls for aloofness.. But I find it hard to think of a breed less likely to bite an intruder just for being there, and it is a rarity for them to be difficult with a vet. Attack their owners and it is a different story, but come visit my house and they probably won't even get off their beds unless they know and like you. Sorry to go off topic, but inaccurate generalisations are hard to let slide by. Edited April 4, 2013 by Diva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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