Divan85
Well Known Member
So we adopted a mixed breed puppy 2 years ago, she was 3 months old when we got her. She is a border collie x german sheppard cross. She is the most beautiful dog. She is well mannered, friendly, lovable and funny, we love her to bits. Unfortunately she started being aggressive whenever it came to feeding time. Something we never picked up on early on as she always ate outside and we walked away after putting the food down. It became worse to the point where she attached me twice, and I do mean full on attack, not just a defensive bite.
We took her to trainers who tried to see if she would get aggressive with them but she didn't, they also tried giving her treats and food and she did nothing, she didn't want to take anything from anyone, not even me. They said there is nothing wrong with the dog, she is not aggressive, if she had food aggression she would get aggressive with any food. She doesn't. If we give her treats and biscuits she is fine. Only with actual food (pellets). We then took a video showing how aggressive she gets and they said it is a mix of excitement and confusion which then leads to aggression. They came and did a home visit and she tried to get aggressive with them and they "sorted her out". They pulled her up on the leash to disable her and once she got calm they gently released her and she was fine after that. I took the leash and walked her around the back yard and she was fine, although she still did not want to eat. They said it was fine, if she doesn't want to eat then she doesn't get food. If she is hungry enough she will eat. So that night I fed her the first time on my own whilst on the leash (after taking her for a walk) and all was fine. That was December last year, since then I have walked her every morning and evening before feeding her and she was fine, no issues. Then last week she got sick, upset stomach. I took her for a walk but when it got to feeding she just sniffed the food once, twice and then attacked. I could disable her with the leash like they showed me. She ate fine again on Thursday. This morning again she did not want to eat and attacked. Luckily again I could control her on the leash. Waited for her to calm down and then I settle her down, tell her "lets walk"and then we walk around the back garden without issues. Stop, tell her to sit and then give her half a biscuit and then we walk again. Did that for about 10min untill I eventually sit her down again, give her half a biscuit and then take the leash off. Walk away and close the gate so she stays outside.
I love the dog and don't want to get rid of her, but I don't know what to do. It is a dangerous situation and what happens if she attacks other people, or worse kids. We will be looking to start a family towards the end of the year, or early next year and it is worrying that I have this potentially dangerous dog. We have had friends over with young children, 3/4 years old and she plays with them so gently it is unbelievable. I really do not know what to do anymore. It is heart breaking to think I might have to get rid of her, or even worse, put her to sleep.
Apologies for the essay. Has anyone here had similar experience? Any advice?
We took her to trainers who tried to see if she would get aggressive with them but she didn't, they also tried giving her treats and food and she did nothing, she didn't want to take anything from anyone, not even me. They said there is nothing wrong with the dog, she is not aggressive, if she had food aggression she would get aggressive with any food. She doesn't. If we give her treats and biscuits she is fine. Only with actual food (pellets). We then took a video showing how aggressive she gets and they said it is a mix of excitement and confusion which then leads to aggression. They came and did a home visit and she tried to get aggressive with them and they "sorted her out". They pulled her up on the leash to disable her and once she got calm they gently released her and she was fine after that. I took the leash and walked her around the back yard and she was fine, although she still did not want to eat. They said it was fine, if she doesn't want to eat then she doesn't get food. If she is hungry enough she will eat. So that night I fed her the first time on my own whilst on the leash (after taking her for a walk) and all was fine. That was December last year, since then I have walked her every morning and evening before feeding her and she was fine, no issues. Then last week she got sick, upset stomach. I took her for a walk but when it got to feeding she just sniffed the food once, twice and then attacked. I could disable her with the leash like they showed me. She ate fine again on Thursday. This morning again she did not want to eat and attacked. Luckily again I could control her on the leash. Waited for her to calm down and then I settle her down, tell her "lets walk"and then we walk around the back garden without issues. Stop, tell her to sit and then give her half a biscuit and then we walk again. Did that for about 10min untill I eventually sit her down again, give her half a biscuit and then take the leash off. Walk away and close the gate so she stays outside.
I love the dog and don't want to get rid of her, but I don't know what to do. It is a dangerous situation and what happens if she attacks other people, or worse kids. We will be looking to start a family towards the end of the year, or early next year and it is worrying that I have this potentially dangerous dog. We have had friends over with young children, 3/4 years old and she plays with them so gently it is unbelievable. I really do not know what to do anymore. It is heart breaking to think I might have to get rid of her, or even worse, put her to sleep.
Apologies for the essay. Has anyone here had similar experience? Any advice?