Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 1/8/2008

Question
Hello,

two years ago we adopted a one year old English springer spaniel named Oscar into our family, I found him through an add in a local shop, He was free for a loving family and so we took him, anyway, Well first time meeting him.

We went to the house my nan and I and he came running in out of the backgarden covered in urine stains and you could see all his ribs and he kept trying to drink out of a mop bucket , but they had another dog who was perfectly groomed and was inside.

We had him rushed onto us and we left with him now hes a happy dog the right weight and everything

BUT

he has a tendancy if were out every dog he sees he goes for and barks at and growls at people coming in the house, and he has these bad temper moments now and again

could you tell me why this is and how i could change it so he is more sociable with other dogs and humans

Thankyou

Answer
The English Springer Spaniel used to be said to be prone to "Springer Rage Syndrome" which is, actually, a temporal lobe seizure disorder that might cause the dog to suddenly lose cognitive function and react with aggression.  In your dog's case, the only way to determine whether or not he has a neurological disturbance such as this is to consult a veterinarian who specializes in the diagnosis of seizure disorders.  This might account for his "bad temper moments".  On the other hand, you have also been kind and loving enough to take on a dog that suffered untold neglect and cruelty at the hands of his former owners, and you might very well be seeing the conditioned response to this neglect and cruelty.  

In order to avoid setting or furthering any aggression he has toward people entering the house, do not allow him to be in any position to greet visitors.  Contain him in another room, then when visitors are in the house allow him into their company but keep him on very long house leash (not a short leash, that might worsen his fear response, since with the fight/flight mechanism on short leash he can't "flee").  Reward him with small food treat for lying down comfortably in the presence of visitors.  If you see that he is unable to accept the presence of "strangers" in the house, contain him in another room during the time you have such visitors.  This is not punishment, this is for his own safety and comfort. Give him a special toy to chew (a Kong with a teaspoon of peanut butter) during these times.

As for other dogs, you have what is termed a "backyard" dog who has never been socialized and whose exposure to other dogs as a pup, if any, were no doubt not rewarding.  Teach him to change direction QUICKLY by saying "Come along" and changing direction immediately yourself.  When he naturally follows (he's on leash) pop a small treat in his mouth.  Do this in areas where there are no other dogs until he begins to respond to "Come along" 100% of the time.  Now set the dog up by asking a friend to walk toward you with his own dog on leash.  Make sure your friend's dog is not a dominant type and is well socialized to other dogs so he won't be offering signals of threat to your dog without your being aware of it.  Watch your dog VERY CLOSELY.  The second you see any interest, ears going up and forward, tail going up over the back, hackles raised, no matter HOW FAR the other dog is, use your "come along" signal, give handful of food reward when he responds.  Do this until he is able to allow the other dog to approach with showing no sign of aggression.  This might take several days.  Now see if you can find another friend with another nice dog and repeat the exercise.  Until then, avoid exposing your dog to other dogs, if you can.  This is a complex re-conditioning, desensitizing exercise and you may need the help of a credentialed behaviorist.  Beware of anyone who tells you to  use ANY NEGATIVE behaviors or objects to change this dog's mind about his environment.