Lokiismycopilot
Forums Novice
I'm at a bit of a loss, and hoping for some advice, or at least a sympathetic ear. It's a long story, but here goes:
Bit of backstory, I got my sheltie, Loki, from a "free dog" craigslist ad in September 2014. He'd been dumped in the country, and he was emaciated, matted, and terrified of everything. My vet put him at around 8 months old. I wasn't really intending to keep him, just wanted to get him healthy and find him a good home.
But from day one, he got along beautifully with my cranky female pomeranian, and while terribly shy, was very sweet and submissive. So I kept him. Took him everywhere with me. And he just blossomed, was great with other dogs, loved to go on vacation, fine with crowds and loud noises; still skittish with strangers but very friendly once he got used to you.
At his routine vet visit last summer, I was told he had severe patella luxations on both hind legs, and needed surgery. A specialist out of town ended up doing a more extensive procedure on the worse leg, and he was kept confined or on leash walks only for 12 weeks during the healing process. By the end of the three months, the vet was happy with the results, and after some physical therapy, decided surgery on the other leg wasn't necessary.
This is where things get weird. Post recovery, I get the all clear from the vet, and start taking him places with me again. Only now, it's aggression city. At first, growls when I petted other dogs at the park. Then growling and barking in the car, if a person passed too close. Then growling and lunging at dogs we passed while on leash. Now, it's progressed to lunging and snarling at people, and he's nipped one person who brushed past me on the sidewalk (no blood drawn, but nonetheless).
I did change jobs after his recovery, and took some extended vacation time (so I was home more than usual), but his routine is basically identical. He still behaves normally with my other dog.
I had his thyroid tested, and was well within normal range.
I've tried time outs, just removing him from the situation; I've tried redirecting with commands/treats; I've yelled, I've pleaded, I've cried.... Nothing works.
And it's unpredictable. Sometimes, we go to the park, he's totally fine. Off leash is better than on, and he's got great recall and does "check in"with me frequently while playing. He's absolutely never been aggressive with me or people he knows well. But somehow his default reaction to stress turned from super submissive and easy to reassure, and into leash pulling growling snarling "Fight me!"
I miss my dog. I miss being able to take him places, and let him socialize without thinking he's going to attack someone or something. And just do not know what to do.
Bit of backstory, I got my sheltie, Loki, from a "free dog" craigslist ad in September 2014. He'd been dumped in the country, and he was emaciated, matted, and terrified of everything. My vet put him at around 8 months old. I wasn't really intending to keep him, just wanted to get him healthy and find him a good home.
But from day one, he got along beautifully with my cranky female pomeranian, and while terribly shy, was very sweet and submissive. So I kept him. Took him everywhere with me. And he just blossomed, was great with other dogs, loved to go on vacation, fine with crowds and loud noises; still skittish with strangers but very friendly once he got used to you.
At his routine vet visit last summer, I was told he had severe patella luxations on both hind legs, and needed surgery. A specialist out of town ended up doing a more extensive procedure on the worse leg, and he was kept confined or on leash walks only for 12 weeks during the healing process. By the end of the three months, the vet was happy with the results, and after some physical therapy, decided surgery on the other leg wasn't necessary.
This is where things get weird. Post recovery, I get the all clear from the vet, and start taking him places with me again. Only now, it's aggression city. At first, growls when I petted other dogs at the park. Then growling and barking in the car, if a person passed too close. Then growling and lunging at dogs we passed while on leash. Now, it's progressed to lunging and snarling at people, and he's nipped one person who brushed past me on the sidewalk (no blood drawn, but nonetheless).
I did change jobs after his recovery, and took some extended vacation time (so I was home more than usual), but his routine is basically identical. He still behaves normally with my other dog.
I had his thyroid tested, and was well within normal range.
I've tried time outs, just removing him from the situation; I've tried redirecting with commands/treats; I've yelled, I've pleaded, I've cried.... Nothing works.
And it's unpredictable. Sometimes, we go to the park, he's totally fine. Off leash is better than on, and he's got great recall and does "check in"with me frequently while playing. He's absolutely never been aggressive with me or people he knows well. But somehow his default reaction to stress turned from super submissive and easy to reassure, and into leash pulling growling snarling "Fight me!"
I miss my dog. I miss being able to take him places, and let him socialize without thinking he's going to attack someone or something. And just do not know what to do.
