Dogs

Snapping issue(s)

Update: we were back at the vet yesterday and she suspects upper back and hip pains. We need to see a specialist now but hopefully we have solutions for her.

I've had a few related snapping (biting - without contact intent) issues. I got a corgi at one year old from a breeder who wanted to breed with her but she would snap at judges at dog shows when being handled so couldn't breed with her. She is now 3.5 years old.

It took about 4-5 months for this to be an issue with us. She would snap at us mostly centered around later at night and when on or around a couch / sleeping space. It seemed to be she was tired and grumpy. The trigger was various. Moving a blanket, making noise, scratching sound, or simply getting up. I suspected she also could have had pain issues. But in anycase I managed the issue with no pets and she's not allowed on the couch after 1900-2000 at night. It seemed to mostly work. She seemed to have also slight possive issues when it came to me or my partners. We managed this, also mostly with success. These issues would be worse around when she was in heat. Extra care was taken then. We had some success.

No or minimal snapping happened for the last 4-6 months. Long term it seemed to be getting better but comes in waves. Here comes something new. She has always loved being petted. Like you could pet her for hours and she would only want more. Everyday she wants pets. This was never a issue other than when it was late at night. But now she snaps when getting pets. She will want pets, come for pets, when I ask if she wants pets she will confirm, then within 3 seconds to 2 minutes of petting she will snap. And fairly viciously. But no contact. Just communication.

The snapping doesn't seem to have a trigger other than pets. It does not matter where on her body she is being petted, nor the pressure or lightness of the pets. Time of the day is irrelevant. It has happened in various locations around the house also at my partners apartment and to various people. It can happen alone or when other people are there.

I promise you, she wants pets and asks for them. She knows "do you want some pets" and says yes, or more pets with pawing. I'm missing something and I don't know what. It came out of nowhere about 7 days ago and was immediately a 100% of the time thing when getting petted. So she simply doesn't get pets for now which she is hating and clearly doesn't understand. Myself also because for the last 2 years it was her number 1 joy in life.

Other than this, she's mostly herself. She's eating fine, goes on walks like normal, pees and poops like normal. My first thought was she would be in heat soon, but that shouldn't happen until December.

We have been to 2 different vets probably a total of 16 times. They say she is healthy (she also snaps at them, but I'm sure you were expecting that). We went to a dog school but they were very soso, and we now see a private dog trainer who is fan freaking fantastic. Dog training is also something I'm better than average at, but I'm not afraid to ask for help from others.

My gut says some underlying pain issue that is expressing itself as aggressive behavior when for whatever reason the pain is worse.

Whats your thoughts lovely lemmy peeps. (other then don't pet her).

The dogs name is Emily and she's a Corgi