Ask The Doc: Behavior

back to topic list

I have a chocolate lab, who will be 6 years old in January. I adopted her when she was 1.5 years old, and she has been an outstanding pet. The question I have is this: In the past year, she has started to show more aggressive behavior towards other dogs. Previously, she would always play with any dog that was present, but now it is hard to take her on walks, if there are a lot of other dogs around. She was never a barker, but now barks and tries to lunge at other dogs while on her leash. She also barks at dogs while we are in the car, which she never did before.

About a year-and-a-half ago, she was mildly attacked by a German Shephard/Wolf mix, while she was on her leash, relieving herself. She wasn't hurt physically, but I think this behavior may be related to that incident. I'm not sure what I need to do, so would appreciate any assistance you may be able to provide. She has not shown any aggressive behavior to humans, or to dogs she already 'knows.'

Dr. DeMichael: I'm not really a trainer or behaviorist so I don't know the validity of my comments. However I would wonder if she exhibits the same "aggressive" patterns when she is off leash as well as when on. And also if you have noticed any behavioral changes when she is in the comfortable surroundings of her home.

While there are medical conditions that can alter a dog's attitude, I'm not sure if that is what we're dealing with here.

As example, ovarian tumors can cause behavioral changes. So I would ask if your dog is spayed or not.

I'm not trying to make her aggressiveness a medical issue, but I don't know why she would change her mild demeanor a year and a half after the German Shepherd threatened her. Why didn't that incident affect her say 9 months ago, etc.

The only thing I can recommend from a non-medical aspect is to evaluate her entire situation and try to determine if there is anything that has changed in her environment that might cause her distress which then manifests itself as agression when she sees other dogs.

I am sorry that I can't provide any better insight for you but behavior correction is not something I can address with a high degree of confidence.