Sudden aggression towards family - help

[WIKD]

My Samson is getting old, he's 10.5 years old, and the last month a troublesome problem has arisen. First off I should say he has never been aggressive towards anyone or any other dog. In fact I've never had any problems with him getting along with anyone. However in the past month we've run into two problems. The first problem arose when Samson was sniffing around the trash can and I came up behind him and shooed him away. He left but when I went to fool around with him, which we always do, instead of playing he growled and snapped. It wasn't playing it was very aggressive and worrisome. Now about 3 weeks later he was by the bedroom door which was closed because I was still sleeping. He was out in the livingroom with our other dog and my wife. My wife came down the hall to tell him to go in the other room and let me sleep but he turned on her and snapped and growled. Scared her enough to back her into a corner and keep her there. I heard it and came out immediately and he immediately wagged his tail and was our loving dog. He has always been a loving gentle dog so these two issues are completely out of the norm for him. Is it old age and something we'll have to deal with until it gets too much? I guess I'm just looking for direction. I'm going to make an appointment with our vet but Samson has no other health issues. He was just at the vets for his annual check up in Feb.

 

[prittiegirl]

I would get him to a vet to see what's going on. Behaviour changes can happen with health issues & pain. Hopefully they can determine something for you!

 

[hurleygirl]

I would have a full panel of blood work done. It just sounds too weird that this would come out of the blue. I hope you find out something soon--I know this must be very disturbing to you.

 

[x19er]

Agree with going to the vet, is Samson hearing ok? It can really scare them when they start to loose their hearing.

 

[srennie]

Our last boxer would have episodes like that...sadly with our breed of choice brain tumors are what take them from us much too often and much too soon...that is what caused our boy's violent outbursts. Sometimes you can tell if it is the brain involved by checking the pupils to make sure they are equal and reacting to light as they should. If they are different sizes or one gets smaller if you shine a flashlight and the other doesn't...there is a good chance the brain is involved. I hope it's something simpler like hearing loss or thyroid but if he hasn't had a full blood workup I'd get one done.

 

[Snowdogg]

My Morrissey snapped a few times at that age, he did have brain tumor though, a friend of mine had an older dog that suddenly starting snapping at them, the vet found something wrong with his paw and he was in pain so I wonder if something is bothering Samson?

Agree with taking him to the vet, could also be his hearing so if he's startled or just feeling anxious if he can't hear properly, unfortunately our babies can't talk to us.

Good luck and hope it's nothing serious.

Raleigh, 5 year old Brindle wild boy x

Morrissey and Brooster, Fawn males, 11 years old, always in our hearts, at the bridge xx