Cranky canine
Monday, November 30 2009
Nobody wants an angry pet but what can be done if your four-legged friend wakes up on the wrong side of the bed?
Donna and Gav have written in about their two-year-old, male, Cavalier King Charles spaniel who is showing signs of aggression towards them: “When we first got him we would walk past him in his bed and he would growl, as if to warn us to go away and as if he would snap at us next.... He will also take our shoes and if we went to get them back he growls and it’s like he uses it for comfort. Since we got him we have shown him much love and affection and he has got better but he still does growl at certain times. You could just be walking over to open the curtains and if he’s in a mood he will growl. We have another Cavalier King Charles spaniel and they get on, it’s just the growling warning noise he gives us. We tell him no and tried to spray him with water every time he does this as punishment but that didn’t work.”
See what Blue Cross head of animal behaviour, Julie Bedford has to say about the issue.
Animals can exhibit many different types of aggression when they feel vulnerable or are simply over-excited. Much like any relationship in life, understanding your pet and its behavioural patterns will take time and patience.
Sometimes the cause of your pet’s behaviour may not be obvious. Wendy Adams, chief vet at The Blue Cross animal hospital in Grimsby, advises to first look for any medical problems that might be causing your pet to behave in an unusual manner.
She says: “Sometimes our pets show aggressive behaviour towards us because they are in pain, so it is very important to rule this out before tackling any behavioural issues. Dogs can break a tooth if they enjoy crunching tough objects and this can lead to a broken tooth exposing the nerve which would be agonising for your dog and not easy for you to spot. Arthritis can also crop up in younger dogs and some breeds can also develop painful congenital conditions which, if your dog is suffering from one, will cause him a great deal of pain and make him defensive. It is worth booking a full check-up with your vet to be on the safe side.”
Once health problems are eliminated, seek advice from a qualified animal behaviourist. Pet owners who are eligible for vet services at The Blue Cross animal hospital also have access to a team of animal behaviourists for help and advice if it is needed. Other pet owners could consider seeking professional advice and although it may seem expensive, the personal support, advice and training from a professional may save you the risk of being badly bitten later on. Think of it as an investment in your pet, you may even be covered by your pet insurance.
If your pet is acting in a troublesome way, it can be easy to feel frustrated and annoyed but it is important to maintain your cool. Blue Cross head of animal behaviour, Julie Bedford, says: “It is really important not to punish your dog when he is growling because confrontation makes you appear threatening and this is likely to increase his aggression. Instead, you need to teach him to willingly back off items when you say "off", if your dog is stealing or guarding toys. You can teach this by using tasty titbits such as cooked chicken or fish.
• Have tiny pieces (about the size of your little finger nail) of something he really likes.
• Give him a piece at a time saying “take it” as you give it to him.
• Occasionally as you hold the titbit between your finger and thumb say “off”. Only say “off” once (and make sure it is in a calm, friendly voice – it is important that this is just seen as an instruction not a telling-off). Keep hold of the titbit and if he tries nibbling and licking, just ignore it.
• As soon as he moves his mouth away say, “take it” in a happy voice and move the treat towards him and allow him to take it.
• Remember to do many more “take its” than “off” to keep his interest and enthusiasm
• When he has learned this on food you can use it during play.
Until you can get a qualified behaviourist to come and assess your situation here are some emergency measures to prevent your dog from ’stealing’ your items and prevent his growls.
Firstly, he does not realise the value of the items he steals, just that some items are more likely to engage you in ‘chase’ game. This makes the stolen object high-value to him and encourages him to compete over taking it and even guard it from you – almost in the same way you may be taking the item from him and hiding it out of his reach. If you are in a situation where he gets an item he shouldn’t have (like your shoes) ignore him but pick up one of his toys and play with it. Don’t look at him or try to encourage him to come to you, just focus on the toy. He will come and try to join in but continue to grab the toy away from him for a few more seconds. When he drops the shoe to focus on your more exciting game with the toy, carry on and surreptitiously remove the shoe.
Occasionally when your dog picks up one of his toys that you leave around the house, react in the same way as you currently do when he has something he shouldn’t have. This competition will make him more interested in toys and see things that he shouldn’t have, such as shoes, as boring.
You already have an idea of when and where your dog growls at you as you approach, for example when you open the curtains. Rather than let him practice this behaviour, plan ahead and call him away from his 'growly' areas before you need to go into them. As soon as he moves away give him a treat for responding. Practice this a few times a day, not just when you want to go to open or close the curtains. He will quickly move away from the areas and you will have the opportunity to reward him which will help build a trusting, positive relationship.”
For more pet care advice visit www.allaboutpets.org.uk. For more information about The Blue Cross visit www.bluecross.org.uk.