Dog's behaviour change

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Dog's behaviour change

Posted : 9/26/2006 8:59:47 AM

Our dog has in the course of a few months become aggressive, would appreciate any opinion on why. she is labrador + unknown, we adopted her when she was 1 from someone who kept her tied up to a tree all day :-(
She is now 2+ish. We had a baby and moved house this year, and she spends most of her time in a large fenced porch. Soon after the house move her behaviour began changing.
She barks at people 50+ yards away. She fights with smaller dogs (even on a leash), and she barks and growls at strangers even if we let them in - went as far as biting the shoe (luckily) of a repairman.
We either tell her off, or put her in an inside room when strangers arrive.

Any ideas as to what could bring about this sort of change ?

Thanks

luvmyswissy

Posted : 9/26/2006 9:53:31 AM

2ish is the age that dog behavior does change. Adolesents is when if they don't feel your leadership they jump in (even when they don't want to). I would call a behaviorlist for an evaluation and implement NILIF to start building leadership.

mudpuppy

Posted : 9/26/2006 10:11:58 AM

2-ish is when dogs start to feel like adults. As adults, they may suddenly become dog-aggressive and initiate home guarding behaviors. However, I think all sudden behavior changes should have a vet check just to make sure there isn't something physical wrong.

She could also just be super-stressed by all the changes in her life, and really anxious about being isolated out on a porch most of the time. Anxiety and fear often manifest as "aggression".