He has been sweet for the entire time we have had him (over 5 years). He is an 8 year old St. Bernard/Lab mix. Max, the dog, has recently taken to always laying in the way. When he is told to move, he begins to snarl and slowly gets up. He is part lab and probably has bad hips, but that is no excuse to be so snarly. Just today he bit my dad when he was told to move. I don't know what to do. I don't want to take him to the pound or anything, but it is unacceptable for him to do that. What if it is someone else next time? DOG BITE LAW - Why Dogs Bite People::
that docile dogs often become uncharacteristically violent and vicious when they The Dog Bite Law Adviser, Dog Bite Litigation Forms, What To Do If
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First take him to the vet and see if there is anything wrong with him,
if there is nothing wrong get u and ur dog a trainer or go to a training school.
And when he/she is better give them a great deal of attention and a big fuss.
Its most likely that in his age, his joints are beginning to bother him. Its very common in both breeds to have hip and spine problems. Take him in to the vet and have a full examination done (as well as x-rays of his shoulders, hips, and spine).
Try to gate off areas that he gets in the way the most (kitchens), and do your best to step around him until you can get him to the vet.
Severe hip pain likely is -- in his eyes -- reason to be "snarly"...especially if someone is nudging him in the butt with their foot to get him to move.
He should be examined by a vet. I'll bet you there is a health reason for his attitude. Arthritis meds may be all you need to make him feel better and stop the problem.
Don't dump him at the pound because he's old and sore. Take care of him.
ADD: In case you hadn't already guessed, Haylee <3 is *not* a vet. Your dog does not have Rabies.
you dog is in severe pain of some kind call a vet and have them look at your dog. I do not agree with vet I was always told by my vet a dog with rabies was "mad" they froth at the mouth and snarl and growl and their eyes are glassy and when they bit you it was contagious to you. and you had to go Thur a series of shots to save your life.
1. take him to the vet- this sounds like he is in pain and that is making him grumpy
2. contact an animal behaviorist that can help you learn to manage him in his remaining time
It could very well be the dog is sick or in pain. My dog is 13 years old and when I try to move her (ever so gently) she growls at me and sometimes snips. When I yell at her she just growls louder. I took her to the vet and she does have arthritus in her legs. Please take him to the vet just to check for anything serious.
yh.. take him 2 the vet and get him checked... if the problem carries on you have 2 show him who is boss... a gentle pat round the nose sorts them out. with and open hand, not a fist
I agree with everyone else, something is probably hurting him...has anything new happened around the house to make him upset? New prople, new schedules? I wouldnt take him out any where with kids or ppl around till you figure this problem out! Just to say he is getting up in age for a lab...usually they live to be 10-12!!
I dont agree with what the "VET" says...rabies...come on that is almost unheard of now!! Really look up the statistics about it!
Time to get the shotgun...
Your right in thinking it might be the hips. dogs are very good at masking pain so he might be in alot of pain. when you are telling him to move, by being aggressive, he might be telling you he doesnt want to move, it hurts too much. Take him to the vet and have him looked at, its your best bet.
put him to sleep
this mite hurt but you have to do it i am a vet okay and he sounds like he has rabies you need to take him to a vet and put him down i have to put down dogs every day but they always make it to dog heaven
You need to take him to the vet. Dogs can become that way if they are in pain - my baby girl Kahlua had a bad tooth, and was tearing up all her toys and attacking my other dog, sweet baby Bo. After her tooth was extracted, she became a way better dog. If your dog is in pain, he will snarl and be seemingly more aggressive. The vet can probably give him something for the pain, and once he feels better (the dog, not the vet) he will be more like his old self.
"You have to be the dominant aggressor."
It sounds like he is in pain and is grumpy about it. I would definitely get him to the vet and checked out before its too late.
You say he's been a "sweet" dog for 5 years...There's your problem..
You've ignored him, he's been such a good dog for so long that you've completely ignored, Excercise, Discipline, Affection.
He's completely bored...He's just an obstacle in your house..
You need to show your dog that he has a job !
Give him something to do...You have to step up to the plate here...A dog without a job is just a fixture in a household..It's not his fault...GIVE HIM A JOB AND REWARD HIM FOR IT.
A sudden change in behaviour like that just screams vet visit. Dogs just dont get aggressive for no reason.
He is probably in pain, or sick. Have you ever been sick or hurt before? I bet you weren't running through a field picking daisies...give him a break.
Now that I think of it, when my siberian husky was 14 she got severe arthritis in her hips. She would try to bite if anybody approached her from behind, or touched her back end. Of course, we were kind enough to know that she was in pain, and we left her alone.
If it is not a medical thing ask yourself this. Has the dogs exercise level dropped significantly in the last several months. Neglected dogs tend to untrain them selves and get pushy.
He is probably in pain. Think about if you were in pain and someone tried to jostle you, a movement that you knew would cause additional pain. His reaction is likely one of self-defense to eliminate any further pain. You should really take him to the vet and find out what is bothering him and if there is a medication you could get him on that would help.
When a normally sweet natured dog changes personality like that, it is typically indicative of an underlying health issue.
Whatever you do, please don't listen to the "vet" who is offering a diagnosis of rabies. Your dog is sensitive to touch and prone to aggression, however, unless you are failing to mention other things is asymptomatic for rabies. Other symptoms would include signs of nervous system damage, hyperactivity and hypersensitivity, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and paralysis. I'm not sure what kind of vet would even dare to gamble their professional license by making that kind of ridiculous diagnosis or recommendation without seeing the dog first, but I definitely wouldn't want to take my pet to them.
Before even considering euthanasia, please see a real vet.
He is most likely in pain. When an dog or any type of animal for that matter is in pain or hurt they will lash out. He may growl, snarl, or even bite. He is hurting and he needs to be seen by a vet.
take him to the vet, he is sick or in great pain and needs you to take care of him. Your parents should know this.
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