Anyone else’s dog suddenly getting aggressive out of nowhere?

My dog, Ezzie, has been acting really different lately. He’s a 1.5-year-old mini bordoodle and has started growling and even biting unprovoked. He’s always had a bit of aggression, especially toward men, but now it’s way worse. He used to be okay with people taking his bone or leash, but now he’s snapping at everyone, even me. No idea what’s causing this change, and it’s been really confusing… anyone dealt with something like this before?

That sounds tough. My dog started getting weird like that around the same age too. Could be a mix of him getting older and possibly some fear-based aggression… have you tried any kind of training?

Ginger said:
That sounds tough. My dog started getting weird like that around the same age too. Could be a mix of him getting older and possibly some fear-based aggression… have you tried any kind of training?

Hmm, fear-based aggression makes sense, especially since he’s gotten protective of his toys. I would try a trainer and maybe start with some basic obedience stuff. Did you start training him yet?

@Henry
We haven’t yet, but I’m looking into it. He knows a few commands like sit and shake, but he’s not great with distractions, especially with other dogs around.

Sounds like he’s definitely got some possession aggression. The NILF (Nothing in Life is Free) method might be helpful for this. I had similar issues with my dog and it worked after some consistent training.

@Malika
I’ve heard of NILF, but can you explain what that actually means? I’m kinda new to this training stuff.

Brown said:
@Malika
I’ve heard of NILF, but can you explain what that actually means? I’m kinda new to this training stuff.

For sure! It basically means you control everything the dog wants, like food, toys, attention, etc. You make them work for everything, even just sitting before getting a treat. It helps with aggression and makes them respect your leadership.

Sounds like he might have anxiety too, especially if he’s getting attached to you more than anyone else. I’d definitely talk to a trainer who can help you work through it. Keep us posted!

Could it be a health issue? Sometimes thyroid problems can cause sudden aggression. I’d get him checked just to rule that out, especially if it’s out of the blue like this.

Yeah, definitely agree. I’d also recommend getting a professional to assess his temperament. They might spot things you wouldn’t even think of.