Hello, I figured this would be the right place to get some initial advice on the situation with my parent's dog..
Here's whats up:
My parents own a ~10 month old Cavapoo (Poodle / Cavelier cross).
She's been with them since she was a 3 month old pup.
Basically, she's a cute and awesome dog. No problem feeding her by hand, taking/giving toys, brushing her teeth, bathing, combing.. a very easy going, playful and fun dog..
..until she takes possession of a sock.
Having taken possession of a sock, she will instantly 'transform' and become extremely defensive to the point where I'm actually concerned that something is seriously wrong.
Here is what will happen:
- She instantly stops responding to any and all commands.
- Will 'guard' the sock by lying down on top of it.
- Will growl and show her teeth when anyone dares to come close.
- Will bite - hard - when anyone tries to take the sock.
- Will continue guarding the sock like her life depends on it, for hours, even if people leave the room or enter the house. Normally she would be ecstatic and happily greet people. When she owns the sock, it's like she's 'zoned out'.
I've noticed she's actually 'shaking' from adrenaline and anxiety while she holds the sock, continually in fight mode, at the ready to engage anyone who dares to take it.
It's just bizarre.
I've got bitten on several occasions when I didn't notice she'd taken a sock and simply wanted to stroke her head, not paying attention. She bit hard enough to break the skin and cause bleeding.
The only way to end such episodes is to wait until she falls asleep or to take the sock by force.
By force, I mean by putting on thick gloves or by putting my foot on the sock and pulling it away. She will growl, snap and bite like a rabid animal at my hand/shoe until I've taken the sock away.
She will then immediately transform back to a normal happy-go-lucky dog.
So what is going on here?
No such behavior is displayed when dealing with food, toys or anything else.
I have no idea what's causing this but I've informed my parents that we probably need advice from an experienced dog trainer.
I have very little experience with dogs, but this does not appear to be normal behavior at all. In fact, it is dangerous behavior. If this continues, at some point, an unaware person or some kid WILL get bitten.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Here's whats up:
My parents own a ~10 month old Cavapoo (Poodle / Cavelier cross).
She's been with them since she was a 3 month old pup.
Basically, she's a cute and awesome dog. No problem feeding her by hand, taking/giving toys, brushing her teeth, bathing, combing.. a very easy going, playful and fun dog..
..until she takes possession of a sock.
Having taken possession of a sock, she will instantly 'transform' and become extremely defensive to the point where I'm actually concerned that something is seriously wrong.
Here is what will happen:
- She instantly stops responding to any and all commands.
- Will 'guard' the sock by lying down on top of it.
- Will growl and show her teeth when anyone dares to come close.
- Will bite - hard - when anyone tries to take the sock.
- Will continue guarding the sock like her life depends on it, for hours, even if people leave the room or enter the house. Normally she would be ecstatic and happily greet people. When she owns the sock, it's like she's 'zoned out'.
I've noticed she's actually 'shaking' from adrenaline and anxiety while she holds the sock, continually in fight mode, at the ready to engage anyone who dares to take it.
It's just bizarre.
I've got bitten on several occasions when I didn't notice she'd taken a sock and simply wanted to stroke her head, not paying attention. She bit hard enough to break the skin and cause bleeding.
The only way to end such episodes is to wait until she falls asleep or to take the sock by force.
By force, I mean by putting on thick gloves or by putting my foot on the sock and pulling it away. She will growl, snap and bite like a rabid animal at my hand/shoe until I've taken the sock away.
She will then immediately transform back to a normal happy-go-lucky dog.
So what is going on here?
No such behavior is displayed when dealing with food, toys or anything else.
I have no idea what's causing this but I've informed my parents that we probably need advice from an experienced dog trainer.
I have very little experience with dogs, but this does not appear to be normal behavior at all. In fact, it is dangerous behavior. If this continues, at some point, an unaware person or some kid WILL get bitten.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!