Not sure what to do for the best

I have had Skye since she was 12 weeks old and although being the typical excitable and loving girl I have had no problems with her.

Buster on the other hand we got from someone who really shouldn't have had dogs she had 2 kids(all I can describe them as is brats). Buster was 6 months never been socialised and had lived in a small cadge with his brother in another cadge was a 1yr old male staff and another cadge had a female boxer about 3 none were walked etc.

So I knew buster would have some issues but he just seems to be getting worse. We have worked very hard with him getting him used to walking on a lead, great recal (although da due to another dog chasing him after repeated requests to have the introductions done with both on lead, buster was on his) he is improving when the dog is a distance away but if the approach he will snap and has had a dog so he wears a muzzle if dogs are around.all this I can cope with.

It his aggression which started off as a small grumble so he was ignored and rewarded when good. He was ok going in his cadge but has since attacked when having the door shut so we have made it so he has a room with a stair gate on to stay in when we are out.

If I'm on my own he is such a loving little boy it just saddens me as I can't put my family at risk. We have so many rules to try and help him but he's now 2, my kids are 17 & 15 and love him to bits and do help walk feed etc both dogs

He's entire as he is a nervous boy and I didn't want to make him worse.

He doesn't get as many walks as I would want him to have but even after a walk he is the same the vets say there is nothing wrong physically I'm just wondering if there's something mentally wrong with him as we can be all just sitting watching tv and he will get up from his cushion and be very stiff, tail straight up, hacckles up, growling he walks out the room and then will come back tail wagging and asking to sit next to me or just go back on his bed.

We now feed both dogs separate as he went for Skye but he will walk away from his food and leave when told

I'm posting this as I have worked with aggressive both dog and human but had not had them go for me when I have gained their trust. He is I suppose a very unsure dog but I still don't want to give up on him

Just wanted ideas I can't afford a behaviourist ATM but wonder if we are the right home for him

Thanks in advance I don't want to sound like I want rid as I don't just sad that I can't seem to help him more

I take it you've tried all the usual - Adaptil, lavender essential oil, maybe even a thunder shirt?

Are there specific triggers, or does it seem random?

I have tried lavender oil on his bed not adaptil and when he wears his harness he seems to cower to start with till we get walking so not sure if one would make him cower

It started off that shouting loud noises would start him off but everyone was warned to keep calm and he did improve a bit he then started growling when going in his cadge so we made a room for him so he would not be shut in

He has always been nervous and we have worked on his confidence but I did for a while keep a record of when he started growling and it was mainly at night but he does seem to relax a bit more then but it does seem random he will just get up growl go stiff etc then settle back and relax it doesn't seem to be the tv noises as he does it even when the tv is off and it doesn't matter if Skye is in the room or not its just strange
Unfortunately he has bitten me and my daughter drawn blood (not much and no scar) but his growling is now more with a stare and looks as if he will attack. I have taught my kids that when he does this to ignore and turn away leave him to move away which he does. he will do this with all family members more with my son but he's now not wanting anything to do with buster although he does walk feed etc when asked

The only thing that has changed is I am unfortunately having to work more

I'm thinking along the lines of either a neurological problem (hopefully not) or psychological problems caused by his previous home.

Either way, he'll be the same whether it's with you or another home.

Have you rubbed a little lavender oil on his chest & forehead? Might help a bit. Also, you can get something called VetSpec Calm & Focused. I bought some for Dempsey, but he didn't like it! It's supposed to be really good.

If you want I can post mine to you - I've no use for it? You can give your address to Steve who will forward it to me.

Poor Buster, maybe as Caryll says try a Thundershirt, they are supposed to be good

Have you had his eyesight tested, as this seem to happen at night and he is then nervous??

Thankyou all for your replies it does happen more at night but also during the day

It does seem to happen when there is more than 2 people about but only 1 can stroke him at anyone time so I feel he has been held and beaten

I will try rubbing the lavender oil on his chest and will def look into the tablets

If it is neurological then we will manage him to the best of our ability and kids are old enough to listen

I got a Thundershirt for Tilly for the car and whilst it was not a 100% fix for the problem it certainly did chill her out , to the point where you would think she was doped up

Kathy wrote:Have you had his eyesight tested, as this seem to happen at night and he is then nervous??

May not be the issue, however just a note on this topic.

My mothers little girl has eye sight problems (she can see but what she sees is blurred) and is very anxious at night ... the anxiety is still present during the day, but worsens as it gets darker. She also responds poorly in 'crowds' (when there are a few extra people around) or to new 'items' (a gym ball for example) until she gets used to them.

It has been mentioned it's something to think about so maybe a trip to the vets and get his eyes checked properly

Thankyou everyone for the advice he's come such a long way already just want to try the best for him

I will look into getting a thunder shirt even if it settles him a bit it will help

I've heard nothing but good, positive stories about thunder shirts good luck. Please let us no how you get on.

I've had a look at them and he has a coat that's a similar design what are everyone's thoughts on seeing if putting his coat on helps although when I first put his coat on him he almost crawls on the floor and sometimes cowers in his bed. Once out walking he does relax

The thing with thunder shirts is that they 'hug' the dog. It's quite a snug fit, and actually wraps around the dog's body to make him feel more secure. I don't think an ordinary coat would have quite the sam effect.

I suppose it's possible that he's a bit scared of the dark? Have you thought about leaving a night light on for him?

Caryll wrote:I'm  thinking along the lines of either a neurological problem (hopefully not) or psychological problems caused by his previous home.

Either way, he'll be the same whether it's with you or another home.

Have you rubbed a little lavender oil on his chest & forehead? Might help a bit. Also, you can get something called VetSpec Calm & Focused. I bought some for Dempsey, but he didn't like it! It's supposed to be really good.

If you want I can post mine to you - I've no use for it? You can give your address to Steve who will forward it to me.

That would be great how do I do that

I have had a few good times over the last couple of days where he is so good and wants to be close then today my daughters bf was in the firing line which set Skye off in protective mode nobody was hurt as I have started putting his muzzle on when there's more people around. All my daughters bf did was move his hand and was not near buster.

Gazagem wrote:

Caryll wrote:I'm  thinking along the lines of either a neurological problem (hopefully not) or psychological problems caused by his previous home.

Either way, he'll be the same whether it's with you or another home.

Have you rubbed a little lavender oil on his chest & forehead? Might help a bit. Also, you can get something called VetSpec Calm & Focused. I bought some for Dempsey, but he didn't like it! It's supposed to be really good.

If you want I can post mine to you - I've no use for it? You can give your address to Steve who will forward it to me.

That would be great how do I do that

I have had a few good times over the last couple of days where he is so good and wants to be close then today my daughters bf was in the firing line which set Skye off in protective mode nobody was hurt as I have started putting his muzzle on when there's more people around. All my daughters bf did was move his hand and was not near buster.

Click the contact button underneath carylls name and give Steve your address saying it's for caryll  hope it helps.

Thankyou all for your advice and understanding I have bought a adaptil collar so will let you all know how it does when it arrives
Cadges have been removed and the lavender oil rubbed on his chest(which he's not sure about but is letting me do it)
Thankyou carry for the offer of the tablets but I'm not great with computers even worse with my iPhone so still can't work it out lol but will try the collar first
Today has been good I've had a day off so have been able to be around to play and walk them both so 2tired sleeping pups atm
I am not going to give up on him just yet so hoping it's just his teenage side coming out
He's such a mummy's boy and has sat with me watching the tv )

Quick update we recieved the collar today and already I have a very relaxed little boy
Hopefully a sign of things to come

Things just seem to be going nuts at the moment
Buster does seem calmer and has been playing with us and his rope ball at night he is even coming up for cuddles
But we found out my daughter is now pregnant and again we will have a very hectic house. My mum says although we love him it's best if we find him another home but it would be hard finding the right home if at all possible. Life can really throw you s*** some times:((

Hope the collar continues to weave its magic!