I have a 6 yr old cocker spaniel. Today out of the blue as I was walking him, on the lead, he really went for another dog who was walking past. The other dog did nothing to provoke him, my dog just jumped on him and started having a go. He must have tried to bite it too as he had hair round his mouth. I was in total shock as he has not done this before! He sometimes growls abit if a dog sniffs his nether regions ( a dog did bit him there once so he is bit funny about it), but never this. I could only apologise to the owner as was dumsbstruck....what should I do, why did he do it?
Advice/help with my dog
Is he neutered?
As a one off, I would probably see how it goes BUT keep him on lead and keep yourself between him and other dogs.
If it happens repeatedly, it might be worth a vet check to ensure there isn't a physical reason - if he is guarding an injury he could be wary of other dogs. If all clear, there are desensitising exercises you can do though it may be better to do so with a trained & qualified behaviourist. You basically keep the dog far away from other dogs for now, giving a high value treat when dog sees another dog but before the negative reaction. When dog is comfortable and associates seeing another dog with a treat, you can very gradually move closer. This is easier to achieve with a suitable 'stooge' dog - a dog you know won't react himself.
The other thing is - try not to be wary yourself as dog with 'feel' this and be on edge. I know it probably knocked your confidence in yourself and the dog but keep telling yourself it was a one off and you are being careful & try to be confident
As a one off, I would probably see how it goes BUT keep him on lead and keep yourself between him and other dogs.
If it happens repeatedly, it might be worth a vet check to ensure there isn't a physical reason - if he is guarding an injury he could be wary of other dogs. If all clear, there are desensitising exercises you can do though it may be better to do so with a trained & qualified behaviourist. You basically keep the dog far away from other dogs for now, giving a high value treat when dog sees another dog but before the negative reaction. When dog is comfortable and associates seeing another dog with a treat, you can very gradually move closer. This is easier to achieve with a suitable 'stooge' dog - a dog you know won't react himself.
The other thing is - try not to be wary yourself as dog with 'feel' this and be on edge. I know it probably knocked your confidence in yourself and the dog but keep telling yourself it was a one off and you are being careful & try to be confident
Bit difficult to say really, chances are he did give lots of very subtle signals that he was not comfortable with the proximity of this particular dog, maybe a flick of the tongue, looking away, stiffening of the body etc.
It's possible he just took a dislike to this dog, perhaps its body language was inappropriate for the situation and your dog decided he needed to make himself very clear that this dog was not welcome in his space.
Maybe your dog was a bit under the weather and short tempered.
Some dogs feel very threatened meeting other dogs on lead as they really cannot escape the situation.
It's impossible to know exactly why they do these things sometimes.
Perhaps you could find some really steady, well socialised dogs for yours to mix with to build his confidence, especially if he's been bitten before.
Maybe buy some books, Jean Donaldson has written a good book called 'Fight' which may be suitable or Grisha Stewart's 'BAT' (Behavioural Adjustment training) might be helpful.
Sorry I can't be more help
It's possible he just took a dislike to this dog, perhaps its body language was inappropriate for the situation and your dog decided he needed to make himself very clear that this dog was not welcome in his space.
Maybe your dog was a bit under the weather and short tempered.
Some dogs feel very threatened meeting other dogs on lead as they really cannot escape the situation.
It's impossible to know exactly why they do these things sometimes.
Perhaps you could find some really steady, well socialised dogs for yours to mix with to build his confidence, especially if he's been bitten before.
Maybe buy some books, Jean Donaldson has written a good book called 'Fight' which may be suitable or Grisha Stewart's 'BAT' (Behavioural Adjustment training) might be helpful.
Sorry I can't be more help
Yes, he has been neutered and he does socialise with other dogs on his walks in the mornings, off the lead, so may have been a one off but will be definitely be aware now and maybe have the treats or his ball as a distraction technique. I thought it was maybe because he was on the lead and may have felt threatened as the dog did pass him quite close by. I will definitely try out some of the advice you gave me and will look up the books you recommended, thanks guys, feel abit better now
