We may have to give him back...

giftgrub

We rescued a dog (spaniel) about 5 months ago, we knew he'd been abused by his previous owner (a woman) and were willing to make the effort to sort him out.

Initially he was very wary of my girlfriend and took to me more, however over the past month or two a more vicious streak has started to come out.

Its wierd..he can be all playful and then turn, right now he's lying on the floor, not a bother, before that his head was on my knee getting scratched

But only this morning he wouldnt let my girlfriend out the front door, when she went to move him he had a go

We called in a dog trainer, if i hadnt been holding him he would have attacked her.

He has bitten a friend of ours (bit shocked but they were cool), and i know the next time we might not be so lucky and end up getting sued for all the money we dont have...

Its not easy as we've become attached to the crazy hound.

What to do?..Anybody want a crazy spaniel?

Chuchu

Stick with it and do some reading up on training yourself. It will be well worth it believe me. We got a chihuahua from the pound nearly 8 years ago (see departed pets thread for a pic of the mischievous pup! who sadly died last Jan.) he was badly treated also and at least 7 yrs old when we got him so we knew we were taking on a handful. Even though we have had plenty of chihuahuas over the years poor Taz's background and insecurities did make him stand out temprament wise from all the others, but we loved him even more so after putting in so much work! Looking back now it was at least a year before he had settled in properly, at first he simply just did not like certain members of the family for no apparent reason!! But this went with time, your girlfriend needs to be firm and vocal when he behaves this way and to stand her ground, also she could make a point of being the one that feeds him from now on, eating herself first in full view of the dog, so he knows who is boss.

nando

Out of interest is it a Cocker Spaniel?

Also definitely take it to your vet for a full check up to make sure there is no other reason for the aggression and discuss the viscious episodes with her/him.

I'd also recommend you talk to your vet about going to a propely qualified animal behaviour specialist - there are only a couple in the country. Orla Doherty for example - she's in the golden pages. (not dissing the trainers but sometimes a problem is beyond a training issue)

It is tough because you love the little guy now despite his temperament. But remember to be safe around him all the same!

Nala

I wouldn't be surprised if it is a cocker spaniel, any I've ever known have always been snappy. Especially the golden ones, (they're proven to have worse temperments).

nando

I had a beautiful Golden Cocker Spaniel for 16 years and he was the dummest but gentlest (excuse my grammar!) dog that I or anybody I know has ever met. (and he was basically untrained)

I really don't think anything has been proven about Goldens having worse temperaments (links??) I know dozens and out of those maybe two are a bit snappy - and these are poorly trained imho.

It is true that Golden CS are more likely to suffer from the genetically linked disorder of Rage Syndrom than Blacks or Roans or other colours. But the overwhelmingly vast majority of Goldens are normal. I don't think anything else has been proven about their temperament. Also many other spaniel and non-spaniel breeds are known to suffer this syndrome.

The syndrome is not a "catch-all" phrase for all spaniel agression but I suppose it could be worth discussing it with your vet or a behaviourist.

EGAR

Here is a link which is very informative re Rage Syndrome:

http://www.cockerspanielrage.org.uk/

trilo

I've got a cocker spaniel cross and like that she can turn. Very protective of me to the point of growling at ym bf when he kisses me. But a while ago i strated putting my foot down with her. Shes too possive of me, even a friend went messing with me one day and she attacked her.

The Alpha Dog approach is my favourite way to train dgs now. See Jan Fennell
http://www.janfennellthedoglistener.com/ Her books are fantastic. She has a show on Animal Planet, havent a clue when its usually on, but it was on last night around 6pm.

Basically your new dog thinks shes the top dog and you are her partner and everyone else comes second and below her and you. SHe is the Alpha dog and she is going to protect her pack.

Try this exercise a few times with her in relation to the biting when playing. If she does so, say nothing to her but walk away from her, give her no attention for this behaviour.

A few other tips.
1) Ignore her, giving no eye contact or speaking whenever you come home at night/day whenever, for about 5 mins, and then YOU ask her to come to you.

2)Anyone else who comes into the house, ask them to ignore her too. A dog has more respect and will generally like a person better if they ignore it. Two of my friends do this to my dog, and my dog is absolutely crazy about them, knows its them instantly and stops the barking.

3)Do not give lots verbal critism like stop that etc when the dog does behaviour thats not good. like not letting your gf out the door,but calmy get him and remove him from the room saying nothing in the process.

i've started doing these things with my dog like no. 1 and she is much more relaxed when i get home.
she also used to get very angry when my bf came upstairs at night, he started giving her semething nice at night time so now she thinks its a positive thing him sleeping upstairs.

trilo

Sorry, was just looking through jan fennells site and see there is a dog trainer in ireland that follows the amiechen way.

Heres her addy if you want to get in contact.
jacquelinemurk@eircom.net

Its something i may consider doing too.

EsmeWeatherwax

Oh Jan Fennell is great, her book was very good. Im trying to get everyone in my house treat our dog like that. Hes a Labrador-German Shepherd cross, and hes a big lad and very hard to control on the beach and on walks sometimes, though hes calmed down a lot on walks. I ignore him when I come into the house, and ignore him when hes being bold for attention, but then my sister comes along after Ive reprimanded him and gives him hugs and kisses and calls him her little puppy...hes nearly as big as a Shetland pony for feck sake!

Grrr...annoying.Bit off topic, but is off my chest now;)

Consistency is the key with animals..they respond very well to it.