Spinger Spaniel Agression towards other dogs

[Ucraicmeup]

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Hi All,
I fostered a Springer/Red Setter Cross from my neighbours. I know her since she was a pup and she is now 4 years old. I initially took her to try and find her a suitable home as she was going to be passed on to a bad situation. I have her 3 months and have been working on some of her issues as best I can and she has improved.
She is the most lovable and friendly dog if she knows you, but does have some stranger danger going on. I have been working on this and she has much improved (as she used to lunge at any strangers she met) now she is generally friendly once she knows the person is not a threat.
She does however continue to show real agression towards dogs that she doesnt know, and is worse with smaller dogs. She has a very high prey drive and needs to wear a muzzle when she is out as a result. Just recently my neighbour was minding her and she pinned down one of her 6 week old pups, with intent to do harm. I felt sad that she was put in to this situation, however she also worries me a lot about her potential to do harm. Any advice would be much appreciated. I hope that she can find a home that is able for her, but I am worried that she wont. Otherwise she is very obedient and loving. follows you around all day etc, but a nightmare if she sees wild animals or strange dogs. She is getting neutered tomorrow, Im hoping this will help, but have been told it may not. Any similiar experience or advice?

 

[JudyN]

Kudos for taking her on and working with her while trying to find her a permanent home.

We have a thread on reactivity in dogs here: Dog Reactivity Hopefully that will help, but do come back and ask about anything it doesn't answer.

 

[Ucraicmeup]

Thanks Judy, I had a look at it. Its just so difficult taking her out in public, and of course find the time to work on desensitising her. Anyhow I´m hoping she can improve with time. Shes fine with dogs that she knows, but turns into a demon when she sees a strange dog even at a long distance. And there is no messing around she is straight in to attack. Its very upsetting when I know how good she is really.

 

[JudyN]

Ideally, to start off you wouldn't be desensitising her but walking her away from all other dogs and strangers so she can relax a bit more. Are you able to drive her to quieter areas, or walking her at silly o'clock? Hopefully any potential new owners will be able to continue all the good work you're doing and see that this is just one aspect of her that can be worked on successfully with time.

It's not easy, though, when you can bump into anyone and any dog just stepping out your front door.

 

[Hemlock]

My opinion is that you don't want her friendly towards other dogs and people - you want her to be neutral and ignore them. At four years old she is fully mature and the behaviour will be embedded. It is a survival tool, and you will never know what went on to get her that way. Frankly, she is not a task for a new owner who isn't experienced in these matters. No amount of love and care will fix her, and she will probably be a works-in-progress all her life, though she should improve to a certain extent. I hope you do find someone suitable, and kudos to you for wanting to help.

Please hold off having her neutered until her confidence with the outside world has improved. This isn't the time to put her through any more stress or take away supportive hormones. I appreciate that I may be too late with this advice! In which case be aware of how it will affect her.

The person who put her within reach of a tiny puppy is a blithering idiot.

 

[Ucraicmeup]

My opinion is that you don't want her friendly towards other dogs and people - you want her to be neutral and ignore them. At four years old she is fully mature and the behaviour will be embedded. It is a survival tool, and you will never know what went on to get her that way. Frankly, she is not a task for a new owner who isn't experienced in these matters. No amount of love and care will fix her, and she will probably be a works-in-progress all her life, though she should improve to a certain extent. I hope you do find someone suitable, and kudos to you for wanting to help.

Please hold off having her neutered until her confidence with the outside world has improved. This isn't the time to put her through any more stress or take away supportive hormones. I appreciate that I may be too late with this advice! In which case be aware of how it will affect her.

The person who put her within reach of a tiny puppy is a blithering idiot.

Hi Hemlock
Thanks for the advise.
Unfortunately it is too late regarding the neutering as I just left her in this morning. I have been so reluctant to do so as I have read lots of controversy regarding same, however the local dog charity advised me to do it, Im still feeling it is not great for dogs. I do know her background as she belonged to a neighbour, but she was not socialised well as a pup and left for long periods alone. I used to take her out for walks, so she already had a good positive relationship with me, I think this is also why she improved around people since she has been staying with me as she feels more secure. I agree regarding the person who left her with the pup as she also knows what she is like and I was gutted that this happened. Oh dear, how might the nuertering affect her? I wish I had discovered this site earlier. Thank you for your advise, much appreciated.

 

[Ucraicmeup]

Ideally, to start off you wouldn't be desensitising her but walking her away from all other dogs and strangers so she can relax a bit more. Are you able to drive her to quieter areas, or walking her at silly o'clock? Hopefully any potential new owners will be able to continue all the good work you're doing and see that this is just one aspect of her that can be worked on successfully with time.

It's not easy, though, when you can bump into anyone and any dog just stepping out your front door.

Hi Judy
Luckily I live in the country and can to some extent minimise her interaction with other dogs. I suppose though if she was more social it would be easier for me to incorporate her into my life and take her to other places where I have to stay sometimes due to elderly parents and work commitments, which is one reason why keeping her myself is difficult, I´m still working on that though

 

[JoanneF]

I think changed behaviour after neutering is more of a concern in younger dogs - in older ones, their behaviour patterns are more established.

Good luck.