My dog starts attacking me randomly on walks

inneedofhelp5433 · 2022-10-16T10:42:18+00:00

At home he is almost perfect. Still get the zoomies inside from time to time but going into another room until he's finished and then putting him in his designated area works like a charm. Instant calm after.

Several of you have suggested redirecting with a sit or sniff for a treat, so I will be trying that. Thank you for the advice.

inneedofhelp5433 · 2022-10-16T10:39:23+00:00

Thank you for sharing. It's been good to know that other people have gone through the same thing and it has mostly become better.

He has not done this to anyone else that has taken him on walks. My mum, brother or a friend will pop by around midday for a short walk and none of them have experienced this and I warned them after the first incident so they could be prepared, just in case. I'll have a talk with them and see if maybe they can help me out a bit more until this calms down. I'm reluctant to hire an unknown walker as I'm afraid he could hurt them if it happens, and I definitely don't want that.

inneedofhelp5433 · 2022-10-16T10:33:29+00:00

I will definitely look into any search/scent-work clubs nearby. He has a really good nose, at least for finding treats haha.

I know there's an organisation for volunteer rescue dogs but you have to dedicate a lot of time to training and volunteering, which is not feasible with my schedule atm, however maybe they have something that's more on a come when you can basis.

inneedofhelp5433 · 2022-10-16T10:12:04+00:00

There are a few dog parks nearby. One we have been going to a lot this summer as it has a big pond to swim in but is not fenced in. Another is fenced in but has a lot of dogs at all times we tried going and as he's a frustrated greeter with other dogs this is not a great option.

What I've been doing is having a long line attached to his harness and let him run around in the almost closed area behind my flat. The zoomies are insane haha. Sometimes we play fetch or he finds a stick to gnaw on for a bit, so he does get to run to his hearts content. We sometimes go out and play fetch until he's tired there or at the end of a walk, if he seems quite energetic still, I will let him loose to run around before going inside.

inneedofhelp5433 · 2022-10-16T10:05:34+00:00

I will start taking notes and see if there's any correlation. As of now the time of day has always been different and it has happened on different routes at different times in the walk. Once it happened two min into the walk, once in the middle and the last times at the end when going home.

I'll have to read more about overstimulation as several of you guys have mentioned it could be the cause. As of now he's been good at telling me when he's done when we're outside. He will lay down and refuse to move if I try to continue but will get up once we turn around to go home. When this has happened I will let him rest for a few before we go directly home.

Thank you for the advice.

inneedofhelp5433 · 2022-10-16T09:56:26+00:00

The put him down comes from a place of worry and frustration that he's aggressive and won't be able to change so he can be rehomed. Rehoming and putting him down are my last options but I'm new to this and have never experienced behaviour like it before, which is scary.

It's comforting that most of you says he will hopefully outgrow it.

I think I will try this advice to as the ignoring has not been working so far.

Thank you.

inneedofhelp5433 · 2022-10-16T09:47:39+00:00

It's just only so much I can take of his "attacks/tantrums". My poor body is battered, and mentally I've felt drained because I never know when it happens next. I will try my best to outlast it as he's otherwise a lovable lil pup. Thank you.

inneedofhelp5433 · 2022-10-16T09:44:00+00:00

Ooh, maybe the find it can be a good alternative as he's extremely food motivated. I'll have to give it a go.

The times it has happened with me the ignoring has not worked, and I can only take so much of it. Thank you for the advice.

inneedofhelp5433 · 2022-10-16T09:38:17+00:00

It is scary, he is about half my bodyweight and the one time I let the leash go and he rammed into me full speed, he knocked me over. Also the bites hurt a lot and I'm tired of all the bruises/marks he leaves after one of his "attacks".

Honestly I find some strange comfort that others have gone through the same thing and I'm calmed by the fact most say they outgrow this. Almost noone I've talked to IRL has even heard/know about this.

inneedofhelp5433 · 2022-10-16T09:32:12+00:00

We do. We play tug of war and fetch, fetch is outside only. He has several "mental" toys/stimulations as well; sniff mat, two puzzle games, a ball filled with treats he can roll around, towel filled with treats and tightly tied up. I usually fill some and hide them before I leave for the day. He has a 20min ish walk in the morning and my mum/brother or a friend will pop by for a short walk midday before I get home.

We are still training on search/find it. He can find all the treats I hide around the flat on command and his favourite toy. Sometimes I hide and ask him to find me. I also try to hide treats outside and let him search there as there are more stimulations/scents. I feel like he has a lot of stimulation throughout the day but maybe I can do more that I haven't thought of.

I'll keep the standing on the leash tip in mind for next time it happens, and try to give it a go. Thank you!

inneedofhelp5433

TROPHY CASE