Chemical Imbalance

Discussion of Victoria's TV show, It's Me or the Dog.

Moderators: emmabeth, BoardHost

Post Reply
David
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:02 am
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Contact:

Chemical Imbalance

Post by David »

Victoria, You had an episode in the UK where there was a beautiful white snow dog of sorts. The problem was that the dog was very aggressive towards the woman of the house and would bit her when the husband was not around (the husband was in denial that his dog would ever do this). The reason I ask is that the dog had a chemical imbalance of which type I can not remember. And the imbalance was causing aggression. My questions are what was the imbalance and how did you detect/suspect that the dog might have this type of irregularity?

I ask because we have a dog that we care for that no matter how long you wait (I have waited 20 minutes) will physically shake if it does not get her way. This is the same either before or after a good long 45 minute run. The dog is not aggressive but the best why of describing it is this: if this was a child she is SO hyperactive that I would take her to a specialist to seek medical treatment.

Thanks!
Check us out: www.petminded.org
Walking Your Dog When You Can't www.petminded.org
ckranz
Posts: 1028
Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:18 pm
Location: San Diego CA

Post by ckranz »

I believe the episode you are refering to the dogs name was diesel a very aggressive husky.

One of the first things to do with dogs who hve behavioral problems is to eliminate any possible medical reason which may contribute to the bad behavior. All the training in the world will not overcome aggression responses that are due to chemical imbalances or pain.

The most common chemical imbalance which can lead to aggression are thyroid problems. Hyperthyroid if I am not mistaken, which can be controlled through medication. Once the conition is controlled then training can be effective to more effectively mange or eliminate aggressive behavior.

Likewise with pain...think of how grunpy you are when you hurt. Dogs have the same responses to pain in terms af guarding and grumpiness. Take away the pain and they will quickly return to their happyselves again, or like above, be receptive to training.
puglvr
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:24 pm
Location: renton, washington
Contact:

Post by puglvr »

[quote]
I believe the episode you are refering to the dogs name was diesel a very aggressive husky. [/quote]

I think the episode he is reffering to is Jed the 3 year old 50 lb. american bulldog. And i think he had thyroid problems if i remeber correctly.
K9S R GR8!

Pugs are like potato chips, you cant just have one!
User avatar
Mattie
Posts: 5872
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:21 am

Post by Mattie »

It is best to rule out any medical problems first also what we feed our dogs can cause a lot of problems, like children they react to many additives, far too many dog foods have a lot of additives in.

If you can put the ingredients up we can tell you what is likely to cause problems or not.
[url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/Nethertumbleweed/PIXIE.jpg][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/Nethertumbleweed/th_PIXIE.jpg[/img][/url]
clarian.dix
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:37 pm

Post by clarian.dix »

Yeah it is best to rule out any medical problems first also what we feed our dogs can cause a lot of problems,may be some time too many dog foods have a lot of additives in so i'm too curious on what my dogs eat...






_________________
Bariatric Surgery
User avatar
Cracker
Posts: 160
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:47 am
Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada

Post by Cracker »

Medical issues that can cause aggression include:

Pain (which could be caused by injury, deterioration of joints, or other medical disorders like urinary tract infections, ear infections, dental issues etc etc)
Anxiety (often related to neurochemical issues like serotonin or dopamine imbalances)
Hypo or hyperthyroid (hypo being most common in dogs)
Adrenal gland illnesses like Cushings or Addison's disease
Diabetes
Tick borne disease like Lyme disease
Etc.
This is why aggression or behaviours that seem "abnormal" should FIRST be looked at as a possible medical issue...as any behavioural modification or training will be for naught if there is a an underlying problem.
Maggi Burtt
Tailspin Petworx

[img]http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq216/tailspinpetworx/Picture010-1.jpg[/img]
thpr
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:07 am

about thyroid problems

Post by thpr »

ckranz wrote:The most common chemical imbalance which can lead to aggression are thyroid problems. Hyperthyroid if I am not mistaken, which can be controlled through medication. Once the conition is controlled then training can be effective to more effectively mange or eliminate aggressive behavior.
Hi,

Have you or has someone else here been through thyroid problems?
[url=http://www.thyroidproblems.org]thyroid problems[/url]
clickerbabe
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:54 pm
Location: Ireland
Contact:

Post by clickerbabe »

Another very common cause for medically caused aggression is epelepsy or seisure activity in the brain that may not be obvious. I have seen this a lot and can present itself as odd or repetitive behaviour. As has been said already, always check for medical reasons 1st.
Above all things, be kind.
keyguard123
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:30 am

Post by keyguard123 »

Hi all.
I want to know that due to chemical imbalance is it possible that dog run behind some known persons also ?
acai berry
clickerbabe
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:54 pm
Location: Ireland
Contact:

Post by clickerbabe »

Keyguard, what do you mean? Can you give more detail??
Above all things, be kind.
Post Reply