Shar Pei

[2pups]

We know of a 1 year old Shar Pei who has been raised from a puppy by a very caring owner. The owner was with this puppy almost 24 x 7. Two months ago, the owner was away for 10 days with the Shar Pei staying in a dog friendly home with 2 small poodles. Upon the owneres return, the Shar Pei did not recognize the owner and was physically agressive toward him. Last week, the owner was bitten several times by the Shar Pei. Is this a situation that can be corrected?

[***Melissa***]

The first thing to do is to take him to a vet for a full check up (blood tests and everything). It often happens when a dog has a medical prob (pain, etc), that he gets a little "agressive". That is the first thing to do. Do keep us updated, and if the vet ruled out any possible medical probs, the experts will help determining what the prob is & advise you on how to deal with it. But if it's a medical thing - nothing else will work, and treating is the only way it will stop.

[***Melissa***]

...and treating is the only way it will stop.

Treating = medical treatment for the illness or pain, etc

[2pups]

Thanks Melissa. What I am most concerned with is the fat the Shar Pei turned on its master. Is that a 'reversable' condition?

[***Melissa***]

The first thing to do is to establish WHY he reacted, and the most common reason for this is some sort of medical prob (even a minor one). So that's why it's important to get a vet to check him out (a full check up).

Only after he was cleared by a vet one could look into other reasons what made him react.

Even though the reaction was towards his owner, it doesn't necessarlily mean it was meant to be specifically towards him. It might be that at that specific point in time he was hurting somewhere, or something happened which made him react - and he would have reacted towards anybody at that specific time.

It could be that for what ever reason he felth threatened (sp?), and maybe he growled first, and if ignored he reacted. Some dogs are learned not to growl, and that is the worst thing one could ever do - a growling dog tells you: You are making me uneasy, so please leave me alone. Then that's what one must do. If a dog learned that his growl is ignored he will bite (if not immediately, then eventually).

So it could be many many reasons. That's why it's important to get him cleared by a vet. If it's a med prob, nothing one does will help, except working on the med prob. If it's not a med prob, one must determine exactly WHAT is was the dog reacted to, or WHY he reacted. When the reason for the reaction is known, only then will you (or anyone) be able to help the dog.

So...do get him to the vets.
In the meantime, can you describe EXACTLY what happened when the dog reacted (and prior to that)? All the details are necessary, even if they seem insignificant, so please, do give as much info as possible.

[***Melissa***]

Oh...To answer your question on whether it's reversable:

I belief any behaviour is reversable...or 'fixable'. The amount of time and work depends on the situation though.

But say there is something stuck in his teeth for example, which is really hurting him...and the people around him wants hugs & kisses but he's really hurting badly...if I were in his shoes I'd aslo be very grumpy But as soon as his pain in his teeth (or leg or rib or ear or wherever) is fixed he'll be his old self again.

Say it's something serious like a disease that causes a lot of pain. Then yes, he will be grumpy, and then it's your (or the owner's) job to make sure he's comfy and not to do anything that make him feel unfomforable - even if it means keeping a distance, not touching him, etc. Then it's necessary to respect him not feeling well - like when my grandpa had cancer, in his last few weeks he was extremely grumpy, but we all understood he had pain, and we understood why he was so grumpy, so we respected that. It's the same with a dog. Just help to make the person / dog as comfy as you can, but accept the rest.

If he was frightened, or felt he had to defend himself - you (or the owner) will work on it by ignoring him, keeping one's distance and gradually build up trust (there are ways to do that). And there can be different things that scare them - some dogs are fine with whoever, but as soon as "whoever" puts on gloves, or a hat (or whatever), that dog becomes scared of the person wearing those.

So it could be anything really, that's why it's important to get him to the vets.
And do keep us updated. If it's not a medical thing we (the experts here) WILL be able to help you (and the owner).