Agression after alpha male passes on

It is probably "all of the above" -- there is a void for 'leader" now with Axl gone -- But Ashton also feels a bit fragile because he hurts so "the best defense is a good offense" even in the dog world. 

Do you have a harness system that makes it easier for you?  We like a Sporn because it makes them less able to "pull" (sort of changes their center of gravity) and yet they can't pull their neck to make the windpipe sore.  We also use an Easy Walk on Luna for the same reason. 

 Not for all the time but for training at least. 

Leash work especially at home -- even IN the house -- start in a 'heel' take two steps and as SOON as he begins to pull you whirl around and go the opposite direction.  Every time he pulls you switch directions so he has to stop to know WHERE you are going.

But you may need to practice at home before you go out just to get him used to taking your instruction before you step outside.  In fact, even with an older "established" dog - when they get full of themselves and "forget" all their training, at my house they get busted back to "puppy" status -- they drag a leash ALL the time, and I go right back to "nothing in life is free" type of stuff where he's got to sit (or stand -- whatever your preference if you think a 'sit' is painful for arthritic joints) nicely in place to get anything from petting to meals.

Others (Jackie is awesome at training and so are many other forum members) will help you more than I can, but bottom line -- it can't just be when you are "on a walk".  It has to start at home **all the time**.  He won't magically obey you on a walk if he does as he pleases in the house.

You can use the GOOD things he does in the house to reward him. 

But in short, at least how *I* do it -- when I am outside with a dog who is stronger than I am, I keep them in a "sit" BEFORE the other dog comes near.  I may not go ON a walk if I can't go 2 feet from the front door without misbehavior.  But if I use the walk in front of the house to switch directions 95 times back and forth and back and forth that IS a walk of sorts.  And the up side to that is when Ashton gets "sore" from the arthritis you can just plain stop the walk there and then.

But I would surely NOT be walking both dogs at the same time if you can't fully handle Ashton.  I know time is precious, but all you have to do is have him pull you down in a road and lose both him and the female (or worse yet get hit or bitten yourself).  A walk where you aren't in control does no one good.

You asked about thyroid -- hypo thryoid IS a major concern and it surely can be the source of such stuff as a personality change (altho losing Axl is major but it can bring hidden things to the front that have been there a while).

Given that this is a golden who is 9 -- and your difficulty getting a good thyroid exam in Singapore (you might want to gift yourself with Dr. Jean Dodds "Canine Thyroid Epidemic" and then lend it to your new vet if she hasn't seen it).  Since she is TCVM trained, I'm sure the lack of good thryoid testing concerns her as well and it might be advantageous to supplement Ashton with thryoxine if this new vet agrees just to see if that helps -- or better yet, ask that vet to email Dr. Dodds and ask her about testing.

Just the presence of arthritis (and I"m right that Ashton's the one with the hip issues?) can cause nastiness to come out -- it's a natural defense mechanism (I'm gonna get you before you can REALLY hurt me!) particularly if he's always had a defensive streak anyway. 

I know you're working with the new vet on that.  Can you get White Flower Oil there (that's a link to show you the box -- sometimes it's blue/white and sometimes it's yellow/red)?  Or even just straight peppermint or wintergreen oils (essential oils).   But those can topically help arthritic joints -- even if just dribbled on if he doesn't want you to "rub" him.  But again -- rely on your vet for help -- she may have a topical she likes better.

I use a harness now, previously we used prong collar (from the trainer 2 years ago). I stopped using that because Axl used to jerk all of a sudden to find a pee spot. I noticed the pulling got worse when we changed to a harness but I could still handle Alphie. Thing is at home, Ashton is a star student. He sits in attention, looks at me and listens. But he does get anxious when a dog passes by the gate or a car stops right outside or door bell is pressed. I did try the 2 steps and stop, it worked for the moment, then the next step when I gave him heel command, he would charge and I will be dragged. I could handle both Axl and Alphie hardly getting pulled other than the twirling, and walking Ashton on his own wasn't too bad except for after he got attacked while on the leash and another unleashed dog. It was unprovoked and I had the scare of my life. So now Ashton can't walk past that house without growling or charging and its terrible. I used to put them on a leash at home after Axl and Ashton fought, just in case, and they were well-behaved since. But once out, different story... I would really like start on thyroxine, but vet doesn't agree, she insists they are fine (no hypothyroidism), I was really surprised really, I thought with the chi institute, certain behavioral issues would be based on their character as well as deficiency in some nutrients. In fact, alphie's very much easier to handle, she says because she's a girl... I'm gonna try to get the flower essences, I really need to calm Ashton down for all sorts of concerns, from getting excited before and after meals, fearing bloat (especially seeing how he gulps water), and walking being such a chore now (inconsiderate owners who don't leash their pups), and Ashton not really encouraged to run or walk too fast because he trips over his hind legs. I'm seeing Dr L tomorrow again for both, blocked out an hours' appointment hoping she'll do something for Ashton too, rather than allowing him to deal with any dull pain or ache "since he's already enduring it well".

Just wanted to say Hugs and good luck.  I do not have too much experience with this situation just lending support.

 Thank you Shadow. It's been tiring taking him for walks. BUT today at the vet, there was another husky and he didn't sniff or introduce himself, he didn't growl as well. MAybe it was the new environment. I spoke to the vet about this. She still thinks I'm over worried, and should just retest their levels bi annually, and that they didn't look like in such a bad shape that I seem to think they are. She doesn't think I need anything calming for him. I just hope Ashton doesn't keep acting tough that even if he's not too well or in pain he wouldn't show it.

Lee debbie

I honestly didn't think the training was an issue, but I need to calm him down

I don't think you should rule out training.  My suggestion is to read Jean Donaldson's book "Dogs are from Neptune".  There is a lot you can change with training and behavior modification but it's not easy.  Any of her books would be helpful.  Dogs do reflect their owners in many cases.  Insecurity  is the basis for most behavior that people label aggression. Of course a consultation with a veterinary behaviorist would be ideal but living where you do, that might not be feasible.  Only you can judge how serious your dog's behavior is but most experts advise avoiding situations that you can't control.  Each negative encounter is self reinforcing to the dog. 

 When I'm at the park, I see another dog and I make a detour before my guys spot the other dog. But there are many instances I couldn't control. The unleashed dog would charge towards us and attack right away or come sniff, and Ashton gets defensive. We walk past houses on the way to the park, dogs in their houses would bark, and Ashton would growl at them and I'll stop right there and make him sit and look at me. I try to hide my fear but I guess they can sense it. I 'try' to train them again and again, not to pull, not to tug, and just walk. Alphie has gotten it more or less. Ashton, he's an angel when no other dog is around. gotta relook into my training then

Another interesting thing, I found Dr Dodd's information form, I can actually send their CBC, biochem and free T4 results over for a consultation, though there is no blood involved in sending over but this should be the closest I can get right?

Lee debbie

Another interesting thing, I found Dr Dodd's information form, I can actually send their CBC, biochem and free T4 results over for a consultation, though there is no blood involved in sending over but this should be the closest I can get right?

 

Should help -- some of her testing doesn't need to go overnight (not sure if thyroid is part of that or not).  But getting her input -- particularly with the behavior issues you have -- would be a good thing.