[Dunixi]

A bit of background:
My mom has a 3 (ish) Autralian Shepard/ Springer Spaniel mix, named Casanova. They got him from a yard sale. The lady was moving and had to give him, his two siblings and mother away. For the first two months my mom and her fiance had this dog all was good. I could go over whenever and let myself in the house without a problem. Then one day, while playing fetch in the yard, Casanova starts to chase the toy then turns and comes charging at me, teeth bared, snarling, barking. He actually got ahold of my jeans before I could get away. Thinking it was a fluke, I went back to their place that night to get some money for gas. Once again, the dog went after me. This time mom's fiance had to grab him to keep him from biting me. Since that day whenever I come in the yard he goes stock still, tail straight out, head down, teeth bared, then full blown barking and growling. My mother tells me he's not gonna bite. She also tells me he is going great at meeting other dogs. "Oh he loves other dogs. He is just really excited to meet them" where her words.
So I, after much pestering from her, took my 3 year old Husky over to meet him. I knew it wasn't going to go like she planned. Of course, as soon as Tiberius got even close to Casanova, Casanova went from happy tail wagging to snarling, barking and trying to bite. Gordon, Mom's fiance, had a good hold on his leash thankfully. Tiberius just ran behind me, and leaned into my legs.

So bringing Tiberius over there was mistake number one. She understands that now. Her next idea is to take both dogs on a walk together. I won't go into her house if Casanova is inside. I don't trust him. How can I explain to her that this isn't the best of ideas? I know she is just trying to help socialize Tiberius...but I don't want to be within 100ft of her dog especially when she can't keep hold of him on a leash. Thanks in advance.

 

[Keechak]

the only way I would let that dog walk with my dog is if it was muzzled

 

[Dunixi]

She refuses to muzzle him. She has herself (and her fiance) convinced he's not going to bite because me and my dog are the only people he's goes after like this. He went after my little brother once and my brother hit the dog in the head. I don't condone hitting a dog, but this time I think the dang thing deserved it.

 

[Lolas_Dad]

Next time you go over if the yard is fenced in have your mom put the dog outside before you go over. When you get there have some treats like cooked chicken. Throw the dog a few pieces. I don't mean the whole piece at once and certainly not the bone. This way the dog will see you as a friend. It will probably take a few times of doing this but eventually the dog will catch on and will probably look for a treat every time you go over there. If the yard is not fenced in then make sure the dog is outside on a leash and do the above.

 

[Dunixi]

Their yard isn't fenced. He is usually tied out to their back porch when I come over. I'll have to try the goodies. Thanks. Maybe I can bribe him into loving me lol.

 

[cshellenberger]

Your mom needs some professional help for this dog, I would refuse to go over UNLESS she has a behaviorist or a trainer that specializes in aggressive dogs there to observe the behavior so they can get it stopped or at least under control. DO NOT try to amend this yourself, you could just end up rewarding the bad behavior and making it worse.

 

[Dunixi]

Thanks all. I mentioned to a coworker this morning I was going to take Tiberius to the Aroostook State Park, and she decided she was going to get her truck to bring both dogs in. I told her if Casanova wasn't muzzled, Tiberius and I weren't going...she got mad at me. I told her that I was thinking of my safety and my dogs safety. She was still mad.

CS, I'll mention that to Mom although I'm not sure it would do anygood. She doesn't want to see the dogs behavior. I'll see if I can find a behaviorist or trainer that will come up here or is near here. I am taking Tiberius to training classes, and she wants to sign up for the same ones so the dogs can go together...*sigh*

 

[deege39]

I'm sorry your mom is acting oblivious to her dog's actions...

Those same people that believe their dog "won't bite" are the same people that wind up paying someone's doctor's bills for a dog bite, or paying legal fees...

Just keep strong- Your mom may get mad, but maybe she's only mad because she knows that deep down she knows that you're right, although she doesn't want you to be.

When I went on trip to see my grandmother I brought a muzzle with me for my dog. Donatello can be unpredictable when meeting new dogs, so I wasn't going to take any chances... I think more people should start underestimating their dogs and always take precautions as if their dog would bite.

Good luck.

 

[hulkamaniac]

Your mom needs some professional help for this dog, I would refuse to go over UNLESS she has a behaviorist or a trainer that specializes in aggressive dogs there to observe the behavior so they can get it stopped or at least under control. DO NOT try to amend this yourself, you could just end up rewarding the bad behavior and making it worse.

I agree with this completely. Your mom could potentially have a "red zone" case on her hands. For whatever reason she has a dog that is dog aggressive and worse, is people aggressive (at least toward you. You didn't mention any aggression against other non-family members). This is something that definitely needs to be addressed by an expert.

 

[Dunixi]

The only other person is aggressive toward is their mail lady, who is also their neighbor. We seem to be the only two people he is aggressive toward. They have kids that live next door, and the dog loves them. My biggest fear isn't for me..its for my mom and brother. I am really worried that this dog is going to go off on one of them one of these days.

I am going to talk to her about getting a muzzle for him, and I'll even get one for Tiberius even though I know how Ti is around other dogs. Maybe if we both muzzle the dogs she won't be so against it?

 

[deege39]

The dog is perfectly healthy right?

I'm just asking because I re-read your original post, and it seems really strange that he went from playing fetch to trying to attack you...

 

[Dunixi]

At the time he first came after me he was suffering from an untreated flea allergy. So after they started treating his sores and got him flea free. I tried going over again, and the dog tried to bite me. He came down the stairs, stood at the end of the hall hackles raised. Then 85lbs of dog came at me. I told him to sit, and tried to stand my ground. He wasn't stopping so I bolted, and shut myself in my mom's bathroom. Since then I have only been near him once..and my mom let him in the driver's seat of her car while I was in the passenger seat. I just kept feeding him chex mix. His hackle were raised a bit, but he wasn't growling...I'm convinced the dog is mentally unstable.

Edit: I forgot to add it to the first post. When they adopted Casanova, they were told by his previous owner he was a trained hunting dog. Did great with retrieving. Had great leash manners, never pulled and new sit, down, stay, and fetch.
He knew none of that....I don't think they did much of anything with him.

 

[Nargle]

From what I've read, that sounds sort of like Rage Syndrome, especially going from happy-go-lucky to full blown attack mode within the blink of an eye, and the fact that he's got Springer Spaniel in him. I think a trip to the vet is in order =(

After you get him checked out by a vet, and if he appears to be healthy both mentally and physically, then definitely get her to call a behavioralist!!

Also, Rage Syndrome doesn't typically discriminate between people, but then again, they could be ignoring his outbursts and are in denial, or they just haven't caught the brunt of one yet, simply by chance. This is only a suggestion, though, I'd definitely see what their vet has to say about the whole situation.

 

[cshellenberger]

***SMACKS SELF INTHE HEAD*** I didn't even THINK about rage syndrome, definately something you should let your Mom know exists so the dog can be checked out. There are several retrieverand spaniel breeds that are effected and mixs can be as well.

 

[Dunixi]

I'll mention that to her. I know he's been to the vet a few times since he has come to live with them, but Mom never mentioned his attack or attack like behavior to them. I mentioned muzzling both dogs so they can walk together, and she ddn't like that. I even offered to muzzle Tiberius even though I know how he is with her dogs..he just shys away. She actually considered it at that point

Thanks for all the info guys.

 

[Dunixi]

I wanted to thank everyone who posted. I mentioned Rage Syndrome to my mom today while we were out shopping, and found out for sure that his little episodes had never been mentioned to the vet. She is going to call their vet and ask about Rage Syndrome. She has also agreed to muzzle Casanova while we walk. I even offered to muzzle Tiberius if it would make her feel better about walking them together so I may bet getting a muzzle for Ti just in case. Again, thanks everyone!!

 

[deege39]

OMG! That's great! That's so good to hear, I'm glad your mom is being open-minded to the possibilities there's something mentally/physically wrong with him.

Good luck! : D

 

[Dunixi]

Thanks Deege. I'm glad she finally listened. I think she listened because I brought it up when her fiance wasn't around.