Cocker Spaniel Rage?

Question
QUESTION: I adopted a 5 year old female cocker with emotional issues due to neglect. We have had her for about a year. She has ear issues, skin issues etc. She goes to the vet once a month, has a dermatologist and is on a restricted diet. She is also bathed at least once a week. Despite her high maintenance issues, she is a very loving pet. However, occasionally when scared, she tries to bite. She has attempted to bite or has actually bitten 5 people in the past year. Last night, I was laying on the couch, she was on the floor biting her paw. As usual, I leaned down to ask her to stop biting her paw and she reared up and bit me in the face. Her tooth puncture the skin and cut through my cheek. However, I know that if she really wanted to hurt me, she could have. Instantly, my boyfriend jumped up and reprimanded her. I was hysterical and bleeding profusely. Now I am afraid of her and her erratic behavior. I feel I can't trust her. What should I do? This dog has been through too much. I can't in good conscious subject another family to her episodes, yet, I know she will bite someone again. She is currently on Elavil for anti-anxiety. I apologize for the long question. Thanks, Lisa

ANSWER: Hi Lisa,
First of all why does she go to the vet once a month?

I ask because if she's on steroids this could explain the behavior to a huge degree.

Can you tell me about her meds and diet and diagnosis?  From both your vet and the Dermatologist.  And have they both prescribed meds?

This dog needs help but I need a clear picture of her medical condition and diet to assess the whole thing.
So get the vials and tell me exactly what she's on...what the vet does "once a month" and what you're feeding her.

For the moment, no you can't trust her.  So don't put her or you or anyone else in a position where she may react.

And one other question...how long has she been aggressive?
Did this just begin?
Delores

Is this biting/aggression in "response" to something.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, she goes once a month, not as a routine, but because she often has ear infections or yeast/ bacteria issues on her skin. She is now on INVD vet formula rabbit and potato. She is not on steroids. Right now, she is only on the anti-anxiety and occasionally Simplicef for the ear infections or bacteria. They say her skin issues and other issues can be controlled, not cured. She seems to be a sickly animal, but when she is feeling well, she is affectionate and snuggly. She has been fear aggressive since we got her, a year ago. It seems she acts out when she isn't feeling well. Unfortunately, she can't tell us when that is. I think its a fear response, but the other night, I wasn't going to hurt her, and I never have. She just snapped. I was afraid to pet her, but didn't want to continue to punish her, so this morning, I was affectionate and she reciprocated.

ANSWER: Lisa,
Who put her on this food?
Who prescribed Simflicef for both ear and skin?
Are you bathing regularly?

If, indeed, she gets snappy when not feeling well AND is fear aggressive there are training techniques for the latter.

But I'd like to know exactly how the Dermatologist diagnosed her skin?  Seborrhea?  Has anyone mentioned Vitamin A Responsive Dermatosis in the Cocker Spaniel to you?

I'm mystified by the special food since food allergies are the culprit only about 5-7% of the time.  Has she had intradermal skin testing?  If not, it's just a crappy food that isn't helping matters.

Any decent Dermatologist would do far better than this.

I have a feeling this is all a combination resulting in exacerbating her behavior.  I also think she's been medically mismanaged.

As for training - how much has she had?  I do have some suggestions I'd like you to try because her response will tell us something.  What commands does she know?  Other than the fear aggression, how is her behavior?

In the meantime though - you MUST prevent her from biting.
A soft muzzle would do it.  She's going to nip the wrong person and there'll be "reports" and all kinds of hassles than can end badly for both of you.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Delores,
We live in NYC, our vet put her on the special food as well as the Simplicef for her ear. She gets bathed at least once a week.
Both the vet and the dermatologist have mentioned the special food. We think she has a poultry allergy, it seems to make her itchy. What other food would you recommend? This is a special vetinary formula.
The Dermatologist has done extensive skin testing but only superficial cultures. No one has mentioned the Vitamin A responsive Dermatosis, what is this?
She has worked with a behaviorist to help with her separation anxiety (when we first got her, she would bark for hours when we left) as well as her poor socialization with other dogs. She knows to sit, come, paw, stop, etc.
She is always walked with a snoot loop (head halter) leash. I am concerned that if she bit me, that potentially she could do the same again when I go to feed her or other equally mundane task.
Thanks!


Answer
Your vet, like most, knows zip about skin conditions.  And the Dermatologist sounds incompetent.

Any reasonably good Dermatologist would see a cocker with a skin condition and after using whatever antibiotic to clear up any infection would put her on Vitamin A therapy.
It's peculiar to cockers (although many times works on Labs).  In fact it's actually called "Vitamin A Responsive Dermatosis IN THE COCKER SPANIEL".  

Nobody does a food trial first.  It's hardly EVER food.
Not that some dogs don't have an "intolerance" for certain proteins..but that's not an allergy.  It's just an intolerance (like I have when they put MSG in Chinese food...wired for sound all night :)

Lisa, first I'd get the behaviorist back and see what's offered there.  If she knows her commands...and I mean "knows them cold"..then part of this could be plain old cocker dominance.  They are cuddly and cute but they're also one of the more dominant breeds around.  Trust me, I know !

Lisa, I have a lot of comment and suggestions and think it'd be easier and quicker and more effective if you wrote me directly at DeeBeck7765@aol.com.

There is hope and I feel you're committed to this girl
and committment is what it's going to take.
Delores
p.s.  Has anyone checked her thyroid?