[Mitchs mate]

Hi

I have a 12 year old desexed male Collie cross called Mitch who is generally a great dog. He's great company, obedient, smartest dog I have ever owned or met face to face and a very much loved member of our family. The only dramas we have ever had with hiim is that he barks a little too much (only when there is some kind of stimulus e.g. motorbikes, sirens etc) and unfortunately he's no good with children. The vet and behavioural specialist we took him to, both believe he may have had a traumatic experience with a child when he was younger and that is the cause.

Lately though we have been noticing some other odd behaviours creeping in. Now that he is getting a bit older we do spoil him more often and regularly let him jump up on the couch with us or when I'm away for work, my fiancé will let him sleep in the bedroom with her at night because she feels safer with him there while I'm away. I've noticed sometimes when he is lying with me on the recliner chair that he will push one of his legs very firmly against my chest or arms and growls if I try to move it. Other times he will bare his teeth at me for no reason at all or he will look at me and start a very low angry sounding growl. Whenever he does this I immediately put him on the floor and make him lay on his mat.

The most worrying issue though is that I've also noticed sometimes at night when I put him to bed on his bed in the garage he has started baring his teeth and snarling at me. This is happening more frequently now. We used to have a bedtime ritual where I would take him outside to do his business, we'd come back in to the garage and he'd get on his bed, I'd sit next to him and he'd lick my face (like a good night kiss) and then he'd lay down and I'd put his blanket on him. Lately though I don't feel 100% safe about putting my face near his given that the snarling and growling comes from nowhere.

I'm wondering if our spoiling him has changed the "pack" structure in our house and he feels that he is now in charge and allowed to get away with more now.

I've read about dog dementia and other brain related illnesses that can change a dog's behaviour unexpectedly.

Any suggestions.

Thanks

[labman]

I think arthritis is likely. It could be pain, combined with perhaps never fully accepting you as top dog. Have the vet check him and maybe prescribe some pain pills. Please don't give him any of modern acetophen or Ibroprufen yourself. If it is something else, the vet can give you a better answer than I can.

[RubyPitbull]

I never rule out a vet visit with an older dog. I think Labman may very well be correct with his analysis of your dog having an arthritis issue due to the problems that you are encountering. He needs a thorough going over by your vet and I agree with labman regarding trying OTC medications yourself. Tylenol & ibuprofen are not acceptable meds for a dog.

Since you didn't mention any problems he is having with your girlfriend and his aggressiveness seems to be directed only at you, I wouldn't completely rule out that your dog feels he is the alpha male in the household. Allowing him too much latitude is not good. He may be in physical discomfort and there are things you can do to alleviate that without becoming lax with your leadership. Dogs are creatures of habit and if he is used to you taking charge, you can't change the rules of the house as he gets older. The garage may be too damp an area for him to sleep in and you need to bring him into the house to sleep. So, consider permitting him to sleep on a comfy dog bed on the floor of your bedroom or another room. You also may be hurting him when you move his legs, so don't allow him to stretch out on top of you in anyway. He can lie next to you on the recliner or couch, only after you have "claimed" the space. Do not allow him to be the first one to climb up. If this is too difficult, consider not allowing him on the recliner or couch anymore and get another comfy dog bed, placing it next to the couch by your feet, and directing him to stay there. As much as we love the physical contact with our dogs, he may be of an age where you just can't cuddle with him anymore because it hurts him too much.

[Mitchs mate]

Hi guys and thanks very much for your replies.

I'm wondering if it's a combination of what you've both said. We've started our morning walks again now that winter is over and it's warmer in the morning and I've noticed that he has started walking further in front of me and stressing the lead than he ever used to. I wouldn't say that he is pulling on the lead but he is at the very limit of the reach I give him whereas usually he heels right next to my left leg. When I tell him to heel he drops back next to my leg but after a dozen or so steps he starts to move out front again and I have to heel him again. I have also noticed that occasionally (very rarely) he will drag a back foot while we're walking. On one of our last walks before we stopped walking due to winter, he had a couple "off" mornings when we were walking and it was almost like he was drunk. He looked very unsteady on his feet and had trouble with his balance. We stopped the walk both times and I rang my fiancé to come and pick us up. The vet said it could've been a number of things, including a minor stroke.

I'm wondering if because of our spoiling him lately he now thinks he's the top dog and in addition to that he's suffering from arthritis or some kind of illness. The only problem is the last time we were at the vet they said the only way to see if he an illness affecting his brain was to do an MRI which they recommended against because of his age.

Interesting to note that he doesn't bare his teeth or growl at my fiancé so I think there is definitely an element of alpha dog issue in there.

He's due for a vet visit in a few weeks so I'll get them to chech him for arthritis.

Thanks again for your replies.

[RubyPitbull]

Reading your both your posts, I do think it is a combination of arthritis and alpha issues. He has become your fiance's protector when you are away, and that will extend to when you are home. Dog's just don't give up their control when the alpha male returns. They fight for the right to remain the alpha.

Work on your leadership role. I think it would be wise to keep him on a doggy bed. Positioning is very important. He should always be at some point below you.

Keep us posted on the health issue after you see the vet. We would be interested in seeing what the vet has to say and how you are doing with the leadership work. :)

[Mitchs mate]

Hi guys

Thanks again for your replies. Just to let you know I took Mitch to the vet yesterday and her diagnosis was pretty much in line with what you had said. She doesn't think there is any physical or neurological problem but she can't be sure without a scan which she advised against given Mitch's age. She did a few tests for arthritis on his joints and he passed without even a whimper so she suggested that the problem is a combination of general aging and pack superiority. She mentioned that as dogs age they become less tolerant of other pack members, particularly younger members and she said Mitch bareing his teeth at me is a classic inidcator that he is trying to tell me that he is the superior dog, he is comfortable and to leave him alone. She said the alpha dog always chooses where they want to rest/sleep and the other pack members have to accommodate them. If the alpha dog is comfortable and another dog approaches them and they want to be left alone they will initially growl, then bare their teeth and finally snap if they have to, to show the approaching dog what they will have to deal with if the continue. It all made sense. She said Mitch bareing his teeth at me in the recliner is most likely his way of saying, I'm the top dog, your lap is a nice cosy spot, so stop moving and let me get some rest. As soon as he does this I have to put him on the floor to remind him that I'm the alpha dog and he is there because I'm letting him up there as a privellege. Similarly when he growls or snarls at bedtime he is probably just tired at the end of the day and again he is saying I'm top dog, I want some rest, leave me alone. She said when he does this I should stand up immediately so I am in a higher place than Mitch, reprimand him and then leave him.

The vet said we also need to be more diligent with Mitch with regards to him sleeping on the bed while I'm away. She said while this may be comforting for my fiancé, it's sending a very different message to Mitch and basically saying that while I'm away he is in charge. She said in a pack if an alpha dog is away for an extended period another dog will assume the role of pack leader. If the alpha dog returns he has to challenge the new leader to be pack "top dog" again. She said this is essentially what Mitch is doing. He's basically saying if you want to be in charge again you have to earn it. She suggested putting his bed outside the bedroom door or if Kath does want him in the room, putting his bed next to our bed but tieing him to the foot of the bed so he can't jump up.

Basically what you guys said;-) So thanks again and I thought I'd just let you know what the vet said.

Cheers

[RubyPitbull]

LOL. Thanks so much for letting us know. Quite often we are left wondering what happened. You have a great vet! It is nice that she took the time needed to explain it all. So, have you reestablished your alpha position yet?

[bushg]

Yes, Mitch I agree with ruby it is nice to know the outcome. I am sure others will find your story helpful.

[labman]

I guess I haven't suggested Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss yet. I must admit that there is no way I would do some of that with my nearly 14 year old Lab, Aster.

[Skell]

I know its off topic and not helpful but the name Mitch for a dog is cool. I like it!

And how great is the advice you have received above from Labman and Ruby. This is AMHD working at its best! Wondeful stuff. Good on you for listening and coming back to let these good people know the outcome.

[Mitchs mate]

Hi again guys.

Just in response to Ruby's question. Yes, we have started on the alpha dog retraining. The vet suggested a few techniques that we've put into use already. Needless to say Mitch is none too impressed with not being allowed to jump up on the recliner whenever he feels like it and has taken to being a bit of a sook. We have a doggy bed for him in the lounge and he normally lies in it facing us, waiting for the slightest sign that we want him to join us on the couch. Since we've started the retraining he lies with his back toward us, looking out the sliding glass door with his head down, like the whole world is against him. I'm sure he'll survive;-)

FYI Skell, the name Mitch came from a combination of the name of the friend who found him for me, Madeline and the town she found him in - Ipswich. I honestly bought him sight unseen, because Maddie rang me and told me about this amazing puppy she had found but the store had actually closed by the time I got there and the owner said he would only open back up if I bought the puppy. Maddie convinced me I would love him, so I paid for him before I ever saw him. I must admit I fell in love with him straight away and he has been the most awesome dog. Sorry for the ramble...

Thanks again guys and keep up the great work.

Cheers

[RubyPitbull]

Mitch, he will most definitely survive. He has had his taste of being the Alpha and doesn't like being knocked back down to the number 2 male position. It is hard not to laugh at the dirty looks, sighs, and their seeming refusal to acknowledge you. It is very important that your fiancé follow the guidelines while you are away. Consistency will make it easier on all of you and will make him come back around to his correct "pack" rank more quick.


P.S. Thank you Skell for the kind words. MWAH.