One of my dog aggression behavior cases has been complex; however, we have made huge progress so far. My clients have given me permission – their blessing – to share their story as it may help others.
They reached out to be because one of their dogs has a bite history to people and to their other dog (the large black shepherd mix).
I saw so many different contributors to their dog’s ‘aggressive’ (meaning growling, lunging, biting) behaviors. Sudden environmental change, good possibility of pain and possibly other physiological issues, resource guarding, fear of unfamiliar people/noises, chronic stress – as both dogs show fear and anxiety around each other. We are going to need to address the stress of their other dog too.
When I began working with them, Grizzly was very quick to growl, steal from and go after their other dogs. He had low tolerance for humans too – of their hands coming close, sudden movement, getting too close to a resource.
There has been a lot to work on. Due to the complexities of this case, I brought on board Dr. Jill Sackman, DVM, PhD, a veterinary behaviorist with Animal Behavior Consultants of Michigan.
Initially there were a lot of adjustments to their house structure and ways to give the dogs enrichment safely. Neither dog has had their medical tests yet but we have been working together as a team with their veterinarian for an exam this week including x-rays and full bloodwork.
Dr. Sackman changed Grizzly’s anxiety medication.
That ONE MODIFICATION was quite literally life changing for this dog who was showing aggressive behaviors…and for everyone!
The video below was taken at my first visit since that modification (that was three weeks ago). I could see right away a difference. I was behind a gate in the beginning and he approached me right away with a loose body. For the very first time, I felt it was safe for my client to drop Grizzly’s leash when I went in the space. There was not one single growl. He did show some body language of discomfort and wanting distance at times – which we gave him – but his threshold had grown so high that he was able to communicate with turning away, blinking, lowering his tail, disengaging instead of growling.
As a result, their other dog was relaxed too. AND very importantly, when given choice, Grizzly CHOSE to come, be around us and do some behaviors.
I need to also point out that food was involved. Grizzly would have growled and gone after their other dog for being too close before. This simply could not have been done safely before Friday. We tested it with him on leash the first half of our lesson.
The girl in the video with me is their daughter who has been worried being around Grizzly. Look how amazing it is to see them interact like this!
I am still very aware that all those underlying issues are still present. We are in the process of addressing those. I was very careful NOT to encroach on his space or reach my hand toward him as he has a fear of hands coming close (could possibly be pain related).
The family also said that week was the first time the two dogs played with very nice soft play.
Since then, we have continued to see improvements.
Like I said, a lot more to do but I was flying high on Cloud 9 when I left their home on that day and each day since. Now we’ve got a threshold where we can do teaching.
X-rays, bloodwork and an exam are being done soon.
Moments like that truly give this work purpose. All of us were beyond excited. The family really hadn’t had hope for their dogs until I got involved.
