Help! Cocker Rage?

[funkylad20]

I know a couple that are at the last resort with their two year old male cocker spaniel. The local dog warden/behaviourist has advised them to have their dog put down because he shows signs of 'cocker rage'. He has apparently bit a gentleman who tried to have him last week a they are rehiring him. I imagine the stress of moving to a new house, new people etc. could have been too much? Either way, he has not had the right training, discipline or the like. He is going to be put to sleep tomorrow and I can't help feeling like there is something I can do to stop this! He cannot come and live with me because I work full time and my own dog, a bitch, really doesn't like him. Such a sad situation but does anyone have any light they can send to try and help me in this urgent desperate situation??

[woofgang]

Only look online for local rescues or spaniel rescue nationally

[percypineapple]

I had a cocker, a real one man dog, and because her eyelashes were sagging into her eyes she became ill tempered. this is a common problem with spaniels, i am told, and a vet can remove some skin above the eyes and stitch it up, so the problem goes.
My poor old honey had this sagging skin, but unfortunately the vet didn;t know about the operation, and she went almost totally blind, which made Her very ill tempered.
worth looking at, just in case.
Percy

[daisya]

I can't believe people don't think of the poor animal and what can cause its problems. The answer isn't to put the poor thing to sleep but to look into causes and devote some time and patience to the poor dog.

You will need someone who can spend time with the animal, to show it love and care and take advice from vets before making a decision which ends the animals life.

How can you stop it happening, can you persuade the owners or are their minds made up? I do hope you can do something, what a pity you can't have the poor dog as you sound a caring person, but of course if it's detrimental to you and your doggy then of course it's what you must think of.

Good luck with the situation, I hope you can come back with a good ending to this story...will be thinking of the dog and trust someone will do the right thing.

[ladybirder]

funky has the dog been checked over by the vet recently as it is possible the dog is not well/in pain?
So it's a dog warden/behaviourist who has advised them to have the dog PTS. I would ignore that advice and go and see a vet to make sure pain was not causing the "rage".
Could they be persuaded to give the dog another chance?

[daisya]

Agree with you wholeheartedly ladybirder.

[funkylad20]

Thanks for the answers. As far as I am aware, the dog is not in pain. The owners have tried so much, they took him to classes weekly, have been seeing the behaviorist - they have always struggled with him and he is a handful (he's a cocker spaniel!) but I do not believe euthanasia is the answer. The behaviorist and the vet have both said to PTS as far as I am aware. The behaviorist is the local dog warden and trains dogs for the police and army apparently. I have no reason to question the validity of this, but it just seems such a shame when all I think is that this dog needs is a specialist, dedicated and experienced owner to break him. As far as I can tell their mind is made up; they don't want the responsibility of him going and attacking anyone which is perfectly understandable. I don't know, it just seems such a waste. My experience with him is that yes, he is a nutter and completely bonkers, but he has not been aggressive with me and is not even aggressive with my dog, merely hyperactive and constantly wanting to play.

[daisya]

Oh dear how very sad. I agree with you it is such a shame that they think it's the only course now. As I said previously funkylad, it would take someone who can give time and love to see if they could bring the dog round...dedication could really help if the poor animal was given another chance.

[funkylad20]

Yes, a working dog owner, perhaps with other dominant dogs...in the middle of nowhere...I just don't know. I also don't know how I can persuade them to reconsider in time :(

[ladybirder]

funky do they give him loads and loads of exercise? Lots of dogs go crackers when they don't get any or enough.

[funkylad20]

I don't know; they both work full time, but do go back at lunchtime. They also pay for a dog walker and he goes to their place quite a lot. It is not like he is running around in open fields all day but he does get exercise...

[daisya]

I must admit that my thoughts on "bad animals" is to wonder if the owners are to blame or instigate the problem. I don't think every case would be the same but it's one thing to consider when there's a problem...

[ladybirder]

I've just googled Cocker Rage and quickly scanned 3 different sources. All of them say CR is very very rare and is too easily misdiagnosed. And anyway it can be controlled with drugs.
Here's one of the links:
http://www.thecockers....uk/rage_syndrome.htm
Have a quick look and see if you think the symptoms fit, and the colour of the dog gives a clue as well.
I fear time is against us though.
BTW by what you have said re exercise, I wouldn't be happy with that amount for my dog to be honest but maybe I'm too soft.

[shoota]

There is a nationwide network of spaniel rescue centres just a Google away....

[ladybirder]

They don't want to take it to a rescue shoots, they want to have it put to sleep. That is the problem, not finding a rescue centre.

[funkylad20]

I'm really tempted to offer to take him off their hands so I can explore other options and contact rescue centres myself tomorrow, but I cannot risk nobody taking him, him attacking my dog or worse, having to make the decision that actually yes, he does need to be put down and they are doing the right thing. This is a horrible situation :(

[daisya]

Oh funkylad I do feel for you with the situation because you are very caring. As you say, a horrible situation, maybe putting your thoughts to the owners tomorrow might help?

[ladybirder]

If all else is lost, you could do that, and take the weekend and speak to the rescue centres. If you go to the breed rescue they would know about the rage and may advise you as to whether he actually has it or not. It sounds really frightening if he has. At least you will have tried and if in the end he has to be pts you will take comfort that you did your best. But could your own dog cope for a few days with him? Presumably you will be at home for the weekend.

[ladybirder]

Of course a better solution would be if they would keep him a bit longer and allow you to make the enquiries on their behalf. You've got nothing to lose by asking them.
Where in the country are you?

[funkylad20]

I am sending an final message to them now signposting to one rescue centre and contacts there, which I am sure they must have contacted, and asking them to hold off if they can (10am appointment) and perhaps wait all weekend whilst I try my best to call every centre in the country if I need to. thank you for all the support and advice; fingers crossed for a happy outcome to this.

[johnny37]

I do sympathise, but well..................... I cant see the point in having a pet if the if the pet and especially the owner is not having much fun.