| Without a doubt the most dangerous dog a | | | | Unfortunately withholding information is all to common |
| professional trainer can encounter is the dog with | | | | when a client consults with a trainer. The usual |
| "Rage Syndrome". Let me first caution the reader not | | | | excuse for this is that they don't want to prejudice |
| to jump to the conclusion that your dog has "Rage | | | | the trainer against the dog. The unfortunate result of |
| Syndrome" if he is showing simple and predictable | | | | this can be placing the staff in danger. |
| dominance or pain related aggression. This in no way | | | | In yet another case, we witnessed a woman's |
| would imply that the dog has "Rage Syndrome". This | | | | eleven month old Doberman attack her in front of |
| condition is in fact very rare and seldom seen. In 28 | | | | our eyes. He knocked her to the ground and began |
| years of training approximately 700-1000 dogs per | | | | biting her down her rib cage area. When we cameto |
| year I have only witnessed true "Rage Syndrome" | | | | her rescue we were bitten several times in the |
| around a dozen times. Using these kinds of numbers | | | | process of saving her. Unfortunately after the dog |
| one can see how truly rare this disorder is. Having | | | | was safely put in a crate (after the three of us had |
| stated this fact, this disorder by its' very nature, is | | | | been bitten nine times) she left saying that her |
| the most dangerousof all issues a trainer or owner | | | | husband would have to make the final determination |
| may face with a dog. | | | | on what happened to the dog. Rather than taking |
| One case in point was a 200 pound Newfoundland | | | | the dog to a Neurologist as we had suggested, she |
| that was brought to us for training ten years ago. | | | | left him with a Doberman Rescue group. In this case |
| "Samson" had been purchased as a cute and cuddly | | | | the easing of their conscious by not putting the dog |
| puppy by a member of the crew of a ship that | | | | down, put other unsuspecting people at risk. |
| specialized in taking out church groups and college | | | | This is an example of what NOT to do. |
| kids for weekend cruises in a local harbor. The breed | | | | "Rage Syndrome" is in fact an epileptic seizure in the |
| had been selected for their reputation as excellent | | | | emotional lobe of the dogs brain. Like other forms of |
| water rescue dogs. Everything was going along as | | | | epilepsy (motor, or behavioral) the dog behaves |
| planned on the weekend excursions until Samson | | | | normally 98% of the time. It is the 2%that is the |
| turned one year of age. The owner noticed that on | | | | problem. This can happen in any breed of dog. I have |
| one weekend trip a cheerleader had begun to start a | | | | seen it to date in a Labrador Retriever.Golden |
| cheer on the trip and the dog suddenly became | | | | Retriever, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Mixed |
| extremely aggressive toward her. Luckily the dog had | | | | Breed,the aforementioned Doberman and |
| been on a leash and restrained. | | | | Newfoundland, and about a half dozen Springer |
| The owner had written the incident off as a | | | | Spaniels. Yes, I said Springer Spaniels. This condition is |
| misunderstanding on the dogs part toward the | | | | common enough in the breed to be commonly |
| girlsbody language and loud voice. He brought the dog | | | | referred to as "Springer Rage". Springers have more |
| to us after the next incident in which the dogafter a | | | | of a genetic predisposition toward this condition for |
| similar trip, had walked down the gang plank with | | | | some reason than other breeds. Again, I must stress |
| two girls who were petting him and showing him | | | | that this is extremely rare and therefore just |
| affection. He explained that the girls boyfriends had | | | | because you have a Springer Spaniel you should |
| shown up and when the girls went to leave the dog | | | | never assume that this condition will automatically be |
| had lunged toward one of the girls legs with an open | | | | an issue. |
| mouth and a growl. One of the boyfriends seeing this | | | | Like other forms of epilepsy this condition can be |
| had kicked the dog in the head. The dog then turned | | | | treated with Phenobarbital which has the effect of |
| and grabbed the boyfriend by the leg dragging him to | | | | lessening the seizures in the brain. The obvious |
| the ground. The owner explained this away saying "if | | | | problem in the case of "Rage Syndrome" is that even |
| I was kicked in the head I would bite him too." | | | | one occurrence is one too many, and therefore dogs |
| Samson presented at the consultation with a wagging | | | | diagnosed with this condition are generally put down. |
| tail and had slobbery kisses for everyone. | | | | Because the stakes are so high it is recommended |
| He was compliant to command and correction and | | | | that at least two opinions are sought before a |
| sought praise and attention. He was very | | | | diagnosis is made. The best professional opinion you |
| comfortable in his own skin and showed no signs of | | | | can obtain is a Neurologist. Your Veterinarian can give |
| shyness or aggression. He was checked infor training | | | | you his or her opinion, as well as a referral. In the |
| and his first ten days went off without a hitch. | | | | case of one client with a Springer Spaniel, the owner |
| Samson willingly learned all of his commands including | | | | was honest with us and explained that her |
| the down command. The down command is usually | | | | Veterinarian had suggested that the dog be put |
| the one that will be difficult if dominance is a factor | | | | down. She stated that she would be more |
| as dogs will see this is a challenge and a subordinate | | | | comfortable if we would be willing to evaluate the |
| position. Samson was more than willing to submit | | | | dog and give her a second opinion. In this case we |
| himself to training and he relished the praise that | | | | took the dog in under observation. It took about a |
| came with a job well done. | | | | week to see the normally sweet dog fly into a |
| On the tenth day the Kennel Techs were cleaning | | | | murderous rage for no apparent reason. The dog |
| the kennels and moving the dogs as required to | | | | would then go back into a normal state without |
| sanitize. When they got to Samson's kennel one of | | | | apparent memory of his actions. Unfortunately we |
| the girls entered his kennel with a hasty leashand | | | | had to concur with the owners Veterinarian that the |
| looped him to move him to another kennel. He went | | | | dog should be euthanized. |
| along happily wagging his tail. When shegot to the | | | | This condition is also being studied in humans. Almost |
| clean run where she was going to put him he balked. | | | | every condition that can be found in the brain of a |
| She had walked into the kennel and turned to him | | | | dog can be found in a human being. These tests may |
| saying "come on boy. lets go" in a high pitched | | | | some day explain some criminal behavior in humans. |
| praising tone. The next thing she knew he was on | | | | The symptoms of this condition are: |
| her. He knocked her to the ground and grabbed her | | | | * Unexplainable aggression that comes out of |
| by the leg dragging her to the back of the run while | | | | nowhere. |
| shaking her. The other Kennel Tech reported that it | | | | * Aggression that seems unrelated to dominance. |
| looked like a Grizzly Bear attack. | | | | * A marked change in the dogs eyes, snarling and |
| She was screaming and he was shaking her. The | | | | growling, lunging. |
| other girl had the presence of mind and the bravery | | | | * The dog seems to abandon the behavior as |
| to enter the kennel and stick the hose she was | | | | suddenly as it came on. |
| washing with up the dogs nose to get him to release. | | | | * The dog seems not to recall the previous |
| He was so fixated on his victim that when she was | | | | aggressive behavior. |
| released, and ran for the door to escape, he ran right | | | | * Unpredictable timing of the aggression. |
| past the girl with the hose and caught her at the | | | | What to do if you think your dog has "Rage |
| gate. He grabbed her by the other leg and pulled as | | | | Syndrome" |
| she held on to the door. She was lifted prone into | | | | *Do not try to diagnose it yourself. Owners many |
| the air. The second girl then shoved the hose up his | | | | times are wrong about the causes of aggression. |
| nose again which gave them both precious seconds | | | | *Do seek at least two professional opinions |
| to escape. | | | | (Veterinarians and Trainers) At least one Veterinarian. |
| The Kennel Tech was taken to the emergency room | | | | *Do give your professional advisors all of the facts |
| where the doctor reported that the injuries to her | | | | that you can think of. Do not withhold information! |
| legs although severe were miraculously placed in a | | | | *Do not put others in danger. If you think your dog |
| location where there would not be any permanent | | | | has "Rage Syndrome" do not leave him withchildren. |
| damage. This is the worst scenario a trainer can face. | | | | Remove him from all situations where he can do |
| Normally you can judge a dog by the behavior it | | | | harm to anyone. |
| presents in a consultation as well as the information | | | | * Do not make excuses for behavior that frightens |
| you obtain from the client. In this case the client had | | | | you or others. Being afraid of your dog should bethe |
| explained away the aggression and in hind sight | | | | first indicator that professional help needs to be |
| probably withheld some other information. | | | | sought for diagnosis and/or treatment. |