Why does my dog bite after cuddles? Is it pain, fear, or anxiety?

Hello, I would recommend having your vet check your dog, it could certainly be behavioral but it could also be something medical going on by your description, such as an infection or a rash. Your vet will start with a good physical exam and be able to get some answers for you.

Biting aggressively is a serious concern and a very complicated thing to deal with. Leash aggression can sometimes manifest and be redirected toward the person putting on the leash, however if this suddenly happened out of the blue I'd be concerned. A good first step with any behavioral issues that comes on suddenly is to schedule a vet visit to rule out any issues such as pain or illness. Something wrong such as a slipped disk causing pain in the neck or shoulders may make having Griffy's collar or neck handled painful, causing him to bite. If he checks out healthy, talking with a trainer or behaviorist in person is a good next step. They can work with you on a plan to gradually reintroduce the leash to Griffy through positive experiences (such as giving a treat when you bring out the leash, gradually getting him used to it again, etc) and can observe in person what exactly is going on to better tailor the plan. A veterinary behaviorist can also work on both medical treatment and behavioral treatment at the same time to make things less stressful for both you and Griffy. If he is attempting to break the skin while you put the leash on, refraining from doing so until you've talked to a trainer or behaviorist in person is best. You can find a list of local behaviorists in your area by checking out this link: http://www.dacvb.org/about/member-directory/

This is quite strange behavior. It sounds like it is mostly anxiety and stress related due to the change in environment and care givers. I would have your girlfriend try to give him some treats and feed him to help "win him over" again as long as he isn't being too aggressive. I do not want her to get bit again. If this behavior continues on and off, I would consider putting a calming collar on her like adaptil and giving him a calming chew like vetriscience composure. Finally, if that doesn't help, I would talk to your vet about starting him on an anti-anxiety medicine like fluoxetine. I hope this helps and he starts to get back to normal soon!

It might be that Chunk is in pain, and that's why he growls and snaps at you when you pet him. I recommend booking an appointment with your veterinarian, so that he or she can make sure there is not an underlying medical cause for the aggression.

Oh dear! That is a worry for sure! It's really important that you don't get hurt, because dog bites can be pretty serious. I would suggest making an appointment with your vet to talk about possibilities. They might be able to link you up with a behaviorist, or dog trainer that could help a lot. There also could be medications that might help. Or, like you said, there could be a medical problem that is upsetting him.

He could have some pain or anxiety from being bit by the German Shepherd. He should be examined by a vet to determine the cause. Your vet can do a complete physical examination to locate any abnormal or painful areas. Your dog could have some back/neck pain or an infection that is causing some discomfort making him reluctant to run or play. Once diagnosed, your vet can prescribe an anti-inflammatory, pain medications, and/or an antibiotic to help treat. If the physical examination is completely normal, you could try an Adaptil collar and see if that helps relieve any anxiety.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Neldon. I am happy to hear that you have scheduled an appointment with his veterinarian. Pain is the number one reason for an abrupt change in behavior. The doctor will carefully examine his back, joints, mouth and ears to look for any source of pain. In the meantime, keep him quiet and be careful around him. Do not leave him unsupervised with children. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps and he is feeling better soon!