Help needed - Aggression in my Springer

HI,
I thought Id ask on here, in the hope that someone has been or is going through thee same thing as me, as ive tried just about everything. I apologise in advance for it being a bit long winded and waffling on, but I needed to give a very clear description of what happens.

Firstly, my male Springer Bracken, I started to notice real aggression in him when he was 3, never any problems before. Basically, after getting him checked out twice at the vets and being told all was ok, but I knew it was totally out of character. I returned a 3rd time after finding blood coming from his Sheath, to be told he had (after tests) a serious infection, e-coli and postrate problems which was increasing his testostrone to very high levels resulting in the aggression. To cut a long story short, after meds and this re-curring 3 times, dispite picking up on the symptoms very quickly, I couldnt put my poor dog through this anymore, so I had him castrated as he clearly very unhappy.

He is now 4 & all seemed fine for the first 3 months after castration (done July 2010). The slowly the male traits, cocking his leg on literally every tree every few yards, sniffing where bitches had been ect has slowly started to creep back, but unfortunately so has the aggression. Its certainly no where near as bad. But its so upsetting and walks just arent enjoyable unless im pretty sure there are going to be no dogs around. But there are some kes points which seem to trigger this aggression:

Any dog running towards him, he will run at it or try to cut it off before it reaches me. He never draws blood or fights, its just noise, but he pins the dog down and there is lots of noise.

If he is off the lead & there is a dog behind us on the walk, he goes up to it and sometimes they just circle have a sniff & all is ok (this tends to happen when the other dog seems confident) If the other dog sets off on the run of try to avoid him, usually again the aggression starts and he chases them, which results in the same thing .

He always seems worse on the lead, than off. Yet, if I have him on the lead & the other dog is on the leash, I introduce them, if all is ok and he seems happy then after say 5 mins, I can let him off the leash & he will play. Or if he seems unsure, I will walk away.

Sometimes, he seems to go up all friendly, then he can just turn, just when you think all is going to be ok.

There hardly ever seems to be aggression, if he goes up to a dog when he is off the leash but, the other dog is on the lead. (that providing the other dog dosent feel threatened).

One thing i do notice is, if I call him back once I think there is going to be some aggression, he is very wary about leaving or should I say turning his back on the other dog. As though he is frightened. Once he gets a safe distance he is all happy & playful again.

There is no pattern to it, one day I have no incidents, others lots (which I now try to avoid by putting him on the leash immedately when seeing a dog) sometimes its small dog others large. Being a Springer he needs lots of exersise & its proving a nightmare.

Its the unpredictability I cant handle, im constantly looking around me on walks in the wood for other dogs, with the leash ready to grab him.

Ive been to training, followed their instructions, changed things in the home etc. I have Been told that many different things, im loosing hope.

One last thing to add, the mother of the pups had a very large litter 13 & I personally know of 3 males (incl mine) that show aggression. Infact, 1 male tried to kill its own pup! Apparently also, the mother was very strict the breeder said. My springer was also attacked quite badly at around 18mths by 2 slightly older males (brothers) surely this wouldnt have affected him, but thought it was worth a mention for a bit of background info. My bitch is also very dominant over him.

Please, please I am desperate for some advice & help. Its so upsetting & im sure he must be a very unhappy dog when this is happening . There must be some dog owners out there that have been or going through the same experiences.

Sorry for such a long thread.
Thanks eveyrone in advance.

Hi, where in Lancs are you?
What trainer did you go to, and do you still go, and what did they do/tell you to do to help?

A1 mellor dog school.

She said the problem was in the home and me. It was natural for him to charge at a dog that was charging at him, how would i like someone i dont know running at me unsure of exactly what they would do to me when they reached me so that part, apparently was to be expected.

She said he was protecting me and my bitch I wasnt showing enough authority or 'pack leader'. Generally not assertive enough. I changed things at home, always ate before him, never let him out the door first to greet people. Had friends ignore him when they visited, till he calmed down and was petted on our terms. generally clamped down on him. Then he started to appear to be frightened of me whilst out walking & wouldnt return, or crawl on his belly when he thought he was in trouble so I went from one extreme to the other!!! It was ok at classes as it was very repetative and he wasnt outside in the real world meeting new dogs all the time, he got used to them. So I had several lessons and then gave up!

Sorry, forgot to say I am in Blackburn.

I also had a couple of lessons well if you can call them that, more like advice and she handled him. It was at Wayoh reservoir a lady with a lot of experience of dogs. She told me to distract him, with a treat or toy or something. or when on the leash, change directions and walk away from the dog. He would click on, but never did!

oh dear oh dear oh dear. I really do wish people like this could be prosecuted for the damage they do.
Your dog is not `protecting` anyone - except maybe himself. You are not a pack leader. You are not even a dog.

OK rant over

first (to get the AI mellor tosh out of the way) have a read of this : http://k9domain.org/alpha_theory.aspx

Next read a modern book on dog behaviour that is actually based on science and experience, not quasi-new age mumbo jumbo - I recommend The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson.

If you can, find an APDT or APDBC qualified trainer to help you (The APDT website has lists).

In the meantime - try to be objective about your dog`s behaviour. Muzzle him, and keep him on a line round other dogs. Work on his basic training. Don`t allow him to wander about on walks, keep him actively engaged with you.
Please try to understand that most aggression is caused by fear. Rather than seeing this litter as aggressive, perhaps you could look and see if these are timid or poorly socialised dogs? Then I think his behaviour will make sense.
After castration the hormone testosterone starts to dip - this can take up to 6 months. As a result a fearful dog will become more timid.
This is, however, not the end of the world, as there is much you can do to give your dog confidence and help him learn manners round other dogs. But obviously, it will be easier with professional help.
For now, take the danger out of the situation by working on your basics - recall, heelwork, responding to you and playing with you. This will help you feel more in control, and will take the pressure off him.
And please let us know how it goes.

eta the lady who told you to use distraction and to walk away from triggers had the right idea. Can you go back to her?

hi the methods you are using to clamp down on your dog, can very easily be done wrong and cause frustration towards your dog which is the opposite of what its meant to do, and end up being confrontational making aggression worse. lots of people in fact most people on here hate those methods, i personally dont hate those methods but do understand the problems they can cause, listen to ClaireandDaisy, i think its time to try some kind understanding training, and check this guy out he makes sense
http://www.dogsey.com/goto.php?url=h...?v=GOW0IKO_zfM
just found out about him yesterday
good luck

I had some lessons there but the training didn't suit us. I wasn't entirely comfortable with some of it and we weren't learning anything so we stopped going.

Agree with with C&D. Use a harness with your long line I did this with my dog who was wary of some dogs and some humans. He didn't like his personal space invaded his was fear. You say your dog does not bite or draw blood so it is not really aggression it is as said fear aggression completely different.

Maybe learn to read his body language if you have control of the long line you can control the situation better and if you think he is becoming uncomfortbale start to move him away with a distraction maybe a treat or if he is ball or toy orientated then that.

It is not the end of the world it is a case of learning to manage the situations.

http://www.dogfriendlytraining.net/

Are you anywhere near Lynda? She is SUPERB.



He is now 4 & all seemed fine for the first 3 months after castration (done July 2010). The slowly the male traits, cocking his leg on literally every tree every few yards, sniffing where bitches had been ect has slowly started to creep back, but unfortunately so has the aggression. Its certainly no where near as bad. But its so upsetting and walks just arent enjoyable unless im pretty sure there are going to be no dogs around. But there are some kes points which seem to trigger this aggression:

Testosterone is not restricted to the testicles but is secreted by the adrenal glands. There are some disorders of the adrenal glands which can affect behaviour.

It might be worth discussing this with your vet and exploring whether there is an underlying medical issue at the base of his behaviour, in particular Addisons Disease,


Any dog running towards him, he will run at it or try to cut it off before it reaches me. He never draws blood or fights, its just noise, but he pins the dog down and there is lots of noise.

Great your dog has obviously got stellar bite inhibition.

If he is off the lead & there is a dog behind us on the walk, he goes up to it and sometimes they just circle have a sniff & all is ok (this tends to happen when the other dog seems confident) If the other dog sets off on the run of try to avoid him, usually again the aggression starts and he chases them, which results in the same thing .

I think, from your post, you may be confusing aggression with prey drive/predatory drift, especially with this breed.

He always seems worse on the lead, than off.

This is perfectly normal, on a lead a dog is not free to make his own decisions eg whether to advance or withdraw; added to this the handler often shortens the lead forcing a dog into a body posture which it does not want to adopt and often the opposite of what it wants to portray, this is when trouble can start.

Sometimes, he seems to go up all friendly, then he can just turn, just when you think all is going to be ok.

Sounds like your dog is also not as confident as you may think.

There hardly ever seems to be aggression, if he goes up to a dog when he is off the leash but, the other dog is on the lead. (that providing the other dog dosent feel threatened).

Again, natural, HE is in charge of his body posture, proximity, and has the choice to back off.

One thing i do notice is, if I call him back once I think there is going to be some aggression, he is very wary about leaving or should I say turning his back on the other dog. As though he is frightened. Once he gets a safe distance he is all happy & playful again.

You have proably inadvertently taught the dog to be tense around other dogs............... very common; you are worried that he will attack another dog, so you are alarmed, this alarm is transferred to your voice and your body language, so dog assumes there is something to be worried about.


There is no pattern to it, one day I have no incidents, others lots (which I now try to avoid by putting him on the leash immedately when seeing a dog) sometimes its small dog others large. Being a Springer he needs lots of exersise & its proving a nightmare.

Its the unpredictability I cant handle, im constantly looking around me on walks in the wood for other dogs, with the leash ready to grab him.

So you are transferring your anxiety to the dog so he is in "ever ready" mode.


One last thing to add, the mother of the pups had a very large litter 13 & I personally know of 3 males (incl mine) that show aggression. Infact, 1 male tried to kill its own pup!

Sires do not show paternal feelings to their pups!

As your dog has never drawn blood I see no reason to muzzle him, but I do think you would benefit from exploring the medical issues and then finding either a very good trainer, once any medical condition has been ruled out, to observe both you and your dog.

You may or may not need a behaviourist, but that cannot be deternined over the ether.

Would second that I was just going to suggest her