7 month old puppy biting

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Sez_R
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2017 4:05 pm

7 month old puppy biting

Post by Sez_R »

Looking for some help and advice please!!

We have a 7month old German Shepard cross Springer cross female named Daisy. Daisy is due to be spayed next Thursday.
We also have another 7yr old male collie cross lab named Charlie

We have a problem with aggression from Daisy...


Both dogs go to work with my hubby. Approx 3 weeks ago Daisy ran at and bit someone at matts place of work, she didn't break the skin. He says she seemed startled and the hair on her back was up.
We have been socialising her and trying to make sure she doesn't have opportunity to do the same again.

Last night the two dogs stayed with my sister and her partner. They know them and until 2months ago we all lived together.
I have just found out that Daisy growled, bared teeth and snapped at my sisters partner today. Daisy was asleep and Hollie (my sisters partner) came upstairs. Both dogs barked but Daisy was acting so aggressively that Hollie shut herself on the bathroom. The aggression continued when she tried to come out. My older dog acted to protect Hollie standing between her and Daisy.
My sister was able to get to Daisy and calm her, Hollie then meant down and said it was as if Daisy realised who she was and was fine again.

I don't know what to do next. If Daisy did that to Hollie then the same could happen with anyone.

Any suggestions welcomed!!
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Erica
Posts: 2697
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2011 9:35 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: 7 month old puppy biting

Post by Erica »

I would change the spay appointment to a vet check, firstly -- sudden behavior changes can be caused by medical conditions, so checking for joint pain, organ function, etc would be a priority before putting her through surgery.

Secondly, change the goal of socialization. At 7 months, it's not "socialization" as it is with puppies. That stage ends around 4 months. :) Right now, it's possible and likely she is instead in a "fear period." Ensure that all her encounters with people are very positive -- the people don't get too close, they don't interact with her, and someone she trusts gives her lots of treats. It might mean gating off a room or part of the house to keep Daisy in when visitors come 'round, for now, or crating her. Forcing her to interact with people at this stage will not help. She is likely only to get more scared of people, rather than less, if she has to interact with them on someone else's terms rather than her own.
Delta, standard poodle, born 6/30/14
Sez_R
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2017 4:05 pm

Re: 7 month old puppy biting

Post by Sez_R »

Thanks for your reply Erica.

She has had a recent vet check and this found no problems. I will contact the vet again.

I will try to make sure all interactions are positive.

My concern is that Hollie and Daisy have a very good positive relationship. Hollie was not working when we got Daisy and so they spent a lot of time together and Hollie did lots of positive training with her.
If Daisy was like this with Hollie then she could be the same with anyone.

Hollie also said that Daisy didn't seem to realise it was her and when she finally did she came over and nuzzled her and then didn't want to leave her side. Is it possible that she was spooked so much that she didn't realise it was Hollie?
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Nettle
Posts: 10753
Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:40 pm

Re: 7 month old puppy biting

Post by Nettle »

Go back to the vet and get some checks for epilepsy, sight, hearing, thyroid. Let's hope it isn't any of those, but you need to clear them out of the equation.

Otherwise, go with Erica's superb advice. :)
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

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emmabeth
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Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:24 pm
Location: West Midlands
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Re: 7 month old puppy biting

Post by emmabeth »

Echo the others - back to the vets for a specific check for anything that could be causing aggression - pain is a big factor, and a standard check over may well NOT reveal a source of pain, or something that is making your dog feel poorly, perhaps anxious, dizzy, confused...

It IS very scary when a dog you know well and feel you can trust suddenly behaves out of character and aggressively - its important to keep this in context... ALL dogs are capable of aggressive and violent behaviour, as are ALL human beings.

If your vet cannot find anything, and unfortunately it is possible for the best of vets to miss things, because animals cannot say how they feel, and things like soft tissue damage or feeling anxious or dizzy or confused just won't show up on a test, then the next thing to think about is asking about a painkiller trial, where your vet will give her a week or a fortnights worth of anti inflammatories to see if that makes a positive change in her behaviour.

You might also think about seeing a massage person, I prefer Ttouch practitioners as they are incredibly well trained and excellent at seeing tiny changes in movement and behaviour that show that a dog is uncomfortable or hiding pain.

What you can be sure of is this - there IS a reason for this - it doesn't just happen, dogs do not 'just turn'. Hopefully its an easily resolved reason such as pain or discomfort, or even a training issue (I think this is unlikely however), but there will be a reason.

In the meantime, please manage her safely so that she is not a danger to herself or the public. Don't take her to busy places or anywhere she will come into contact with people not ready adn prepared to cope with her )(ie, the vets), keep her happy and safe and comfortable whilst you investigate what's going on.
West Midlands based 1-2-1 Training & Behaviour Canine Consultant
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