Outburst of Agression

[JamiesMom]

Advice / Help

We’ve had our boy 7 months now, he’s 2 1/2. He injured himself after around his fifth race and was retired early from the track. My uncle was in the syndicate that had Jamie and myself and my husband decided to re-home him after going to the trainers to meet him twice. He had quite a big operation on his leg and we waited until he was fully recovered before bringing him home. In all honesty he has been the perfect pet and has adapted well to his new surroundings, he’s very affectionate and house trained already and he stays on his bed on the landing all night.

But, we have quite a problem with stealing things and possessiveness over toys and food. We are using the drop, leave, treat which has been working fine but in the last 2 days his aggression has increased ten fold. With a very bad case of it tonight which has left me in floods of tears and absolutely terrified. He is a big boy at 35kg. 
Last night we were sitting after dinner with some family and my husband was stroking him on the head, out of nowhere Jamie started growling at my husband. He showed his teeth and snarled at him, so my husband backed away calmly and I let him in the garden. After he came back in he lunged at my husbands brother, from absolutely nowhere. I put him on his bed and we didn’t hear a peep from him for the rest of the night. Then today he has been his happy little self. Until tonight, he had his dinner, his walk and his toys all as usual. My husband and I sat down for dinner and out of nowhere he leapt onto yes ONTO the table and grabbed the ketchup bottle, growling and snarling at me. I grabbed a treat and tossed it whilst saying no and leave. I didn’t like the look he had (similar to last night) so my husband muzzled him. He laid down on the floor and closed his eyes. We went back to our dinner and then again, he leapt onto the table barking, snarling and growling. He wouldn’t let us near him and lunged for me twice. He then began destroying the food on the table and knocking everything everywhere, my husband and I went into the kitchen and left him there to calm down. Plus I was petrified and crying my eyes out. After about ten minutes we went back in and he had seemed to have calmed down. I approached him calmly saying “good boy” and again from nowhere he snarled and lunged for me.  He’s now laying on his bed, still muzzled and asleep and I’m at a loss of what to do. We’ve called the vets as it seems out of character and waiting on a possible appointment for tomorrow.

Has anyone had any experience like this with any of their greys? I’m distraught!

Thank you x

 

[FiveRoooooers]

Please get your boy in to be seen as soon as possible. Something is clearly not right with him. In the meantime, to keep everyone safe it wouldn’t be wrong to keep him muzzled until he’s been examined by your vet/specialist. Please keep us posted. 

[MaryJane]

Is this happening around your dinner time consistently - if so, this sounds like a food obsession. Make sure he is muzzled and in another room when there is food being served. I agree that he needs to see a vet as something may be wrong. I also suggest talking to the trainers if you can and see if this was something that they also noted - however, if he was being fed in a crate, it might not have been noticeable.

[greysmom]

True aggression is very rare in greyhounds.  There's nearly always a medical cause for this sort of behavior (a brain tumor or other neurological issue).  Get him seen asap.  

In the meantime, make sure he is secured in a space away from the table while you're eating, and keep his muzzle on at all other times.  Contact the kennel you adopted him from to see if anyone there has any information.  Also see if you can locate an experienced, positive-reinforcement-only, certified animal behaviorist.  Not just a trainer, but someone who has extra licensing and authorization to analyse and diagnose canine behavior issues.  They can usually prescribe medications the same as a veterinarian.

[Shannon]

In addition to a good exam and whatever other assessments your vet recommends, I’d also ask the vet specifically about a full thyroid panel.  Sometimes sudden aggression is linked to hypothyroid. 

[JamiesMom]

Unfortunately our boy had to be put to sleep after confirmation of pressure on the brain. We are devastated x

[Shannon]

Oh god, I am so sorry.  That’s just devastating.  

[BatterseaBrindl]

 

[JohnF]

How awful! So sorry to read that your worst fears have been confirmed.  This is why all of us must promise to take our dogs to the vet asap when a major personality change occurs.

[dante2zoe]

I am so very sorry.  He is at peace.  Wishing you comfort in the knowledge that you took his pain and made it your own.  

[MandysMom]

I'm so sorry. I was going to say that he sounded almost exactly like a friend's Basset who had escalating aggression that turned out to be a brain tumor. RIP to your sweet boy and hugs to you.

[greysmom]

I'm so very sorry.  Such a young life cut short.  Please know you did the right thing.

{{{hugs}}}

[FiveRoooooers]

This did sound familiar  I am so, so sorry. You loved your boy and he knew that and loved you back.  Please take care of yourselves. 

Godspeed young man. 

[racindog]

My deepest sympathy. I did have a hound act similarly and it ultimately turned out that it was believed he had a slow growing brain cancer that caused him to have to be euthanized due to seizuring. Hugs! I understand. Never forget your boy was a good boy and still is and that he is in heaven and healed.

[palmettobug]

Oh, no, we were all hoping for a better outcome. We will look for his bright star tonite. 

[RaineysMom]

I'm so sorry  I'm glad at least he was so loved during the short time he was with you.  

[ramonaghan]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You did right by your boy. Sending hugs.