This is too significant to let slide, but I sure wish I could post it anonymously.

I’m eager to hear other’s perspective and I welcome advice.

Today I was at my friends home caring for her approximately 7 month old Maltipoo when he went into a rage. The rage appeared to be triggered by frustration. I would not allow the pup to go out the door before me. (I have encouraged my friend to practice this, but she has admitted to being inconsistent.) Each time the pup tried to weasel past, I calmly and gently led him by the leash and placed him behind me. On about the sixth time, the frustrated pup went into a full-blown rage. I think the rage lasted about 15 seconds. My reaction was only to block the puppy with a folded soft crate. I think he would have shredded my ankles if he could have. When it was over, I continued to insist I exit the door first and did so after 2 more tries.

My friend adopted this pup 2 months ago. She sees to it that he gets plenty of regular exercise and he appears healthy, but he is left home alone for several hours each day. He is still young, but seems to be easy going and nonreactive to other dogs. She has made an effort to be a responsible leader, but with a small, sweet pup, likely underestimated the significance of pack leadership. She admits, he has “gone off” on her a few times.

The previous owners, a family with young children, realized they could not meet the needs of a puppy. The final straw was when the father was seriously bitten by the then four and a half month old pup. Rage? They were told the puppy was only 5 weeks old when they first took him in.

Rage Syndrome seems unlikely. I have read it is extremely rare and onset is typically at 1-3 years.

What do you make of this and what do you suggest?

I think this is a young dog desperate for consistent leadership from someone that treats him like a dog and not a baby. The video, about your pup 8 weeks to 8 months and the free ebook about becoming your puppies pack leader might help your friend understand pack dynamics better.

I don't think it's rage syndrome. I think it's just a spoiled, confused small dog that needs to be put in it's place. BUT, that said, I would have it vet checked especially for low blood sugar (hypoglcemia) and thyroid (a full 6-panel thyroid test) just in case there might be a medical condition contributing to the problem.

And if the pup was 5 weeks of age when the original owners got him the put might be lacking in bite inhibition which he would have been learning during the time between 5 and 8 weeks (the LEGAL age at which to sell pups in many states).

I saw the rage syndrome in a cocker spaniel that came to our office for routine vaccinations. He put on a pretty big show to try to get his way.
I bet if they quit petting this dog and put it into a strict NILIF program, don't let it on the couch, make it live like a "big scary dog" for a few weeks they will see a huge change.
It is a matter of life and death for the dog to quit this behavior. Otherwise, this pup is going to end up PTS.

Ditto Elaine and Betty.

Pup adopted at 5 weeks, already bit, and in his second home at the age of 7 months. What could be sadder?

This puppy has been set up to fail from the get-go.

NILIF.

This just sounds to me like a pup who thinks aggression is an acceptable response to not getting it's way, ie a brat. I would not call this "rage", I actually just talked to my vet recently about "rage syndrome" and he said it's believed to be a form of seizures, and that treatment with Phenobarbital and other similar meds has proven in some cases to be effective, supporting the theory that it's a type of seizure activity.

I would suggest this pup go to a NILF, and also get some obedience training, ASAP. If the pup knew a sit/stay, it wouldn't be trying to bust through doorways because it would be politely sitting and staying instead.

Thank you Elaine, Betty, Tracy and Kadi for taking the time to respond to my concern for this very sad case. I'm not surprised you are unanimous. This puppy needs consistency, NILIS and OB training. I'm pleased that was my conclusion as well, but I needed it verified by you with more experience than I.

When I explained to my friend how to meet this puppy's needs, she felt she had already done all she is capable of and is now looking for a new home for him. The humans in this innocent puppy's life have failed him. I realize this scenario happens all the time. It should never happen.

Most of the time he is a delightful and adorable fella, as you can see in his photo below.

Thank you again.

Edited by Nancy Manuel (05/14/2012 08:38 PM)
Edit reason: the photo is too large. I thought I resized it??????? This is a miserable day.

In spite of tears and frustration, I finally resized the photo I wanted to add of this adorable puppy. All he wants is leadership, but his humans are too busy. UGH!

Thank you all again for your input.

You know, I think I see his littermate at work. He's a lot calmer though. Maybe he just needs a job, like this one: Calm and submissive

ROFL

Its tough to rage at the end of a stick. I think I read that somewhere? Control unleashed maybe? I get them all confused.