New signs of aggression

[ZolaBear]

Hello everyone! I'm new here, and hoping for some help and guidance. I have a 5 year old Pyr mix (mix unknown, but she looks like a small Pry - about 70lbs). I've had her since she was about 5 months old. We have gone to dog parks practically everyday since she came home, and I have a 9 year old American Eskimo who is her big brother. Over the years, Zola has met hundreds of dogs and people, and has always been wonderful. Amazing with kids, very gentle with little dogs, and was just the sweetest dog.

In the last couple of months, though, I have noticed that she is starting to show signs of aggression/over-protectiveness that she has never shown before. When we are at the park now, she is great with her friends/dogs she knows and the same goes for any small dogs, but when she sees larger dogs (at least 50lbs or larger) she doesn't know, she will often run towards them, barking. She doesn't physically attack them, she just runs at them barking, as if establishing a perimeter around us. The trouble even with this is, it's not every larger dog, and I can't figure out what the trigger is. It's not breed, gender, location or age specific, although, I think she tends to be more on guard around younger females. We are well-known at the dog parks in our area, so everyone knows Zola has always been gentle and loving, and are as surprised as I am by this new behavior. I admit, I'm at a loss.

When she exhibits this behavior, I tell her firmly "NO", leash her and make her lay down or remove her from the area entirely. When she meets new dogs and is friendly, I praise and reward this. And this behavior is NOT exhibited at the home. We had a 6 dogs over the other day in the house (all she knows), and she showed no signs of aggression and was very relaxed the whole time.

She is perfectly healthy. She just had a check-up last month. But I will add, that this behavior started after she got her first hot spot on her back leg (now fully healed).

If anyone can offer some insights into this, please let me know. Thank you all for your help and understanding!!

[Jewel]

A seemingly unplained change of attitude (for the worse) at your girl's age could suggest a thyroid problem. A dog suffering from thyroid issues often will exhibit bouts of unprovoked aggression not exhibited before. Thyroid issues are also commonly accompanied by thinning of the coat in spots and hotspots aren't that uncommon. One has to specifically test for thyroid. I would suggest you do some research first and then talk to your vet after you've learned as much as you can.

Assuming it's not thyroid or other medical issues, it does sound kind of unusual for a 5 yr-old dog to start changing attitude all of a sudden. Has there been a change in the "regulars" that go to your dog park? Such as one of the regluars that you guys hang out with quit coming? Sometimes those kind of things could trigger a change in the dynamics. As to the dogs that your dog now targets, it would appear that she finds the small dogs non-threatening so she's not concerned with them. As to the larger dogs, she may be reacting to body language. Every dog that walks into the dog park communicates clearly with body language. Your dog may be picking up on a certain type of attitude and reacting to that. I know my male does that. He's dog reactive, but not to every dog. I've learned enough over the years to know which dogs he'll have problems with.

I don't have any good suggestions for you because reactions in a dog park are difficult to address due to the numerous variables that you cannot control in that environment. The only thing I can think of is to be vigilent watching her and not her get fixated on any dog that walks into the park. If you see her start to fixate, maybe put her in a down stay, and have her stay in the position until she relaxes. She should not be allowed to greet the new dog if her body is not in a relaxed state.

Oh, and the other rule about posting here is you MUST post pics I have a pyr mix that weighs around 70 lbs as well. Would love to see what your girl looks like!

[nick's spirit]

Welcome Zolabear & Zola

As Jewel said, thyroid has been linked to agression in some dogs. A good throid check could help.
Also, we frequent a dog park regularly in AZ. usually the same people come with the same dogs at the same time everyday. When a new dog approaches the park, all the dogs want to go up to the gate to "greet & meet" the newcomer, which can be overwhelming for the newcomer. Now, when I see a new dog approaching, I call my dogs to me, make them sit and wait their turn to greet the new dog. In this was I can do several things, asess the temperment of the new dog & the owner, calm my dogs down so the "pack" mentality doesn't kick in, and keep them safe & out of trouble. It has even gotten some of the other regulars to do the same, so the agression/defensive actions have less a chance to escalate,

And photos are always welcome!!

Nancy & Holly

[ZolaBear]

Thank you both so much for your responses! I am definitely going to have her thyroid checked to see if that is what is going on.

There has been a change at the park - there is a new dog who is very submissive, who has taken to Zola. Part of what is going on may be Zola being protective of the new dog. Zola is still protective when Lucy (the new dog) isn't around, so I don't know if all comes down to Lucy, but the arrival Lucy and the hot spots and this new barking at big dogs all coincided.

I'm really grateful for the responses, and I'll let you know what we find out.

And I uploaded a picture of Zola :-) Thanks again!