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Biting dogs and dog aggression problems

Testimonials from clients and some case histories

More tales from the dog behaviourist case files of aggressive dog behaviour problems.

Chester - A Cocker Spaniel had a food aggression problem and was a nasty biter of owner and trainer!
Maisy - a Boxer cross showing aggression to other dogs but not to humans, and also being rather bouncy!

Chester the biting Cocker Spaniel

CHESTER is a 3 year old Cocker Spaniel dog. He is much loved and well-exercised, average at least 20 miles a week. He is generally sociable and playful. He is friendly towards visitors and goes up to people for fuss voluntarily (unless he is on a walk when he is not interested other than for a brief sniff). He is not aggressive to other dogs and will greet other dogs and move on. He can be grumpy and play growls and barks at a friend's Spaniel when out on walks together but has never been aggressive or bitten her.

He enjoys company but also likes his own space. He can be jealous particularly if we fuss another dog or our cat. However we are concerned by some traits that have appeared over the last 18 months.

List of behaviours to cure:
- Possessive with food, however he will sit obediently for food.
- Possessive of toys.
- Can be aggressive if approached while in his basket or resting.
- Mostly he will get down off the bed on command but can be aggressive on occasions (only allowed on bed by invitation).
- Can be aggressive when on a short lead. Even if lead is not being held.
- Likes being in the travel cage, will not come out after a journey sometimes and is aggressive. Aggressive if someone reaches through a car window to pet him.Chases the cat but stops if she stops.
- Pulls on the lead. Recall not bad but poor if he is chasing something or finds something interesting to smell.
- Sits at the kerbside but will try to run out and chase lorries
- Aggressive described as growling, snarling followed by snap bite if you do not heed the warnings. A bite will leave a bruise, scratch or cut.

Oh good, I thought it was going to be difficult!

I spent two and a half hours with Michael, Sarah and Chester. Chester bit both of us but I persevered and he finally started to take notice and calm down. I never give in...

Six months later I got a call from Michael asking me to visit them again as Chester had been displaying some really quite aggressive behaviour.

We're really pleased you think Chester has made good progress since you last saw him. Your perception is bang on. I now realise that I chat to him and request or negotiate with him, where as Sarah will be firmer with him. Since you came over, he growled at Sarah once (he jumped on the bed without being invited and didn't want to get off). Sarah (technique deleted) and he jumped straight off the bed and into his basket with his head hung low.

I've now stopped "talking" to him and give him commands. The difference over the last couple of days has been quite remarkable. He seems calmer and more obedient but also more attentive, awaiting your next instruction. We also stop him from going into the cats room and if he follows you in there, he is sternly told to leave the room, which he does immediately.

Your comment that a happy dog is one that knows its place is also completely right. It seems Chester (just like me) is far happier knowing without any doubt that Sarah is in charge and all instructions are to be obeyed promptly or sooner. The breakthrough has now come that he recognises I'm second in command and he should also do as I say.

Thanks again for your help and we'll keep you posted of progress, good and bad.

Best regards, Mike.

Ade says: Well done Mike, couldn't stop laughing when I read that!

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Maisy the aggressive Boxer/Staffy cross

MAISY, Staffy Boxer cross, aged 6, had from 13 weeks old from a rescue centre. Since she was three years old, Maisy has become more difficult to handle, pulls badly, aggressive to other dogs, crated when left alone because she is destructive, has chewed and clawed through carpets, rugs.

After one session:

Hi ade,

Just wanted to say a massive thank you for helping me with Maisy yesterday. Today we went for a long walk & although not perfect (which I'm obviously not expecting straight away), it was the most enjoyable & least stressful walk with Maisy that I have had for a VERY long time!

I feel so much more confident after being given the skills by you to start taking control again. I left Maisy out on the back yard for a couple of hours today too & asked my neighbour to keep an ear out for me. She told me that she barked for about 10 minutes when I first left but then soon settled down so I am confident that she is going to be so much happier there than cooped up in a crate. I am off to buy her a kennel tomorrow.

Thanks again & I will keep you updated with the socialising.

Kind Regards, Carly

Hi again,

Things have still been going really well. I cannot believe the change in such a short space of time. I am struggling with the socialising though. She isn't lunging at other dogs as much anymore but I'm finding it hard to meet others with dogs that can help us to socialise, knowing the position were in. So I was wondering if we would be able to come on your next Pack Leader day at Elvaston Castle?

Thank you, Carly.

Well done Carly, see you at Elvaston.

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