Dear Dr. John,
My spouse and I’ve a two-year-old Goldendoodle and a four-year-old blended breed Shepherd. Every time the Doodle sees one other canine, he needs to lunge and get right into a struggle. Thankfully, we at all times have him on leash. Despite that, he has gotten to 2 canines and damaged their pores and skin preventing for which I needed to pay the vet invoice. Now, even our personal two canines appear to get grumpy with each other. Can you share any doable options that may curb his aggression? What may very well be the trigger? We have had him since he was a pet, he’s neutered and wholesome, and at all times candy with all folks. We are at wits finish. W.S.
Dear W.S.,
Sometimes, one doesn’t know the causative agent behind any given canine’s aggressive tendencies. It might need been one episode of which you have been utterly unaware, there may very well be an underlying well being concern. Sometimes there was a scarcity of socialization as puppies, generally it’s being protecting of you or possessive habits, and the longer it’s allowed to proceed, it could actually turn into behavior. The doubtlessly excellent news for you is that immediately, between coaching habits modification and medicines when known as for, we are able to normally scale back these aggressions.
I’d begin with habits modifying methods. When you stroll the Doodle, at all times have treats readily available. When he reveals these unhealthy behaviors round different canines, redirect his consideration to the canine deal with and provides it to him. This often called counter conditioning. After a month or two, you redirect any of his nervousness or aggression to being given a deal with and he learns to neglect his hostility in direction of some other canines.
There are additionally varied leaders and harnesses which have confirmed to be helpful. Continue to maintain him on a leash or use one in every of these however keep management! If these choices are unsuccessful, you would possibly want to think about habits modifying treatment used alone or with coaching methods. Trazodone is one drug used for this, as is Prozac. There are others as effectively. Your veterinarian ought to have the ability that will help you or you might also wish to seek the advice of with a veterinary behaviorist. Good luck!
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He could be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”