Earlier this yr, we received phrase {that a} younger Cocker spaniel was put to sleep after a prognosis of ‘Cocker Rage’, by no means getting an opportunity to be seen by a professional behaviourist. Was this pup killed by a persistent fantasy?
For some, the phrases ‘cocker rage syndrome’ might really feel like an undesirable blast from the previous. It isn’t a recognised medical or veterinary prognosis, and is taken into account by many specialists to be a fantasy – but it was, should you’ll excuse the pun, all the fashion within the late 90s. As a lot as we’d usually wish to fake in any other case, it’s been properly over twenty years for the reason that flip of the millennium; so why are we right here, in 2023, to speak a few syndrome whose very existence has been broadly discredited? The reply is easy because it’s disheartening: as a result of even now, outdated myths and terminology are costing canines their lives.
In February this yr, at Canine Right now we acquired a heartbreaking message a few younger Cocker Spaniel, solely 17 months previous, whose proprietor had contacted a behaviourist for assist with what appeared like a “pretty easy” case of useful resource guarding and physique dealing with points. Within the couple of days it took the behaviourist to get again in contact, nonetheless, the canine was put to sleep as a result of a vet prognosis of ‘cocker rage’ – a now discredited situation which was as soon as believed to have an effect on Cocker spaniels specifically.
“As soon as a fantasy is on the market, it’s laborious to do away with it”
There may be possible a kernel of reality on the coronary heart of this fantasy: a few of the canines noticed exhibiting sudden, unexplainable aggression did endure from a neurological subject. Nonetheless, this subject was current in numerous breeds. It could have been overrepresented amongst Cocker Spaniels as a result of how widespread they had been as pets, or as a result of poor breeding practices. Both means, one factor is obvious: this poorly named situation refers to a vanishingly uncommon prevalence when in comparison with the various totally different explanation why a canine might present indicators of aggression and different behavioural issues.
Nicki Glencross, Trustee of UK charity Spaniel Assist, says, “What was as soon as known as ‘cocker rage’ – a time period we by no means use – is a neurological, seizure-like subject which causes an aggressive burst adopted by a trance-like state. This can be very uncommon and much from unique to spaniels. In my position as Behaviour Workforce Coordinator for Spaniel Assist, I work carefully with all our behaviourists. Whereas I’m not one myself, I see and listen to firsthand the recommendation they offer to fosterers, adopters, and folks approaching to ask for our assist.
“We had loads of folks contact us to relinquish their canines, they usually mentioned it was as a result of ‘cocker rage’ – both they’d examine it on-line, or a vet had made the prognosis; in some instances, the prognosis had come from trainers too! And it ought to go with out saying that, with out at the least a mind scan, no neurological situation will be identified with any diploma of certainty.”
“Almost each time they describe the behaviour and the circumstances through which the canine confirmed aggression, our behaviourists can see a wide range of way more possible causes for it, from useful resource guarding to an unsuitable surroundings. We had instances when a neurological situation was possible concerned, however they had been few and much in between.”
Whereas aggression stemming from a neurological situation can occur, it’s a uncommon prevalence. Normally, behaviourists can determine exterior causes and triggers, and work on them with the intention to handle and proper the canine’s behaviour. Not all canines will be helped – however when a discredited situation resembling ’cocker rage’ is solely assumed earlier than any behaviourist will help, as was the case for the pup whose story prompted this text, then the canine merely doesn’t have an opportunity.
“As soon as a fantasy is on the market, it’s laborious to do away with it,” Nicki says. “There are nonetheless vets on the market that may diagnose a behavioural subject as cocker rage, in addition to outdated details about ‘cocker rage’ that is still on-line, to be discovered by canine homeowners looking for solutions about their canine’s behaviour. I couldn’t give the variety of canines who come to us as a result of they’re suspected of getting ‘cocker rage’, but it surely was many, they usually had been saved from simply being put to sleep.”
“I’d advise anybody whose vet identified their canine with ‘cocker rage’ to instantly change vets, and urgently search help from a professional canine behaviourist”
“If a canine involves us with behavioural points, and the foster carer wants help from certainly one of our behaviourists, they work collectively to create a plan to make changes and coaching to assist the canine – if it begins to work, we’re assured it’s a behaviour subject somewhat than a neurological situation. Within the overwhelming majority of case, behavioural help is sufficient to handle the behaviour to the purpose the canine will be rehomed.
“Very often, no help is required in any respect and the whole lot unsuitable with the canine’s behaviour comes all the way down to being within the unsuitable surroundings. For instance the Springer spaniel cross I adopted, Luna, was described to be unable to settle and really excitable. Nonetheless, together with her earlier proprietor she was residing in a small residence together with two younger youngsters. Since she got here to an even bigger residence with an older baby, I’ve not seen any of these points. She simply wanted a special surroundings!”
Sadly, some myths are laborious to place to relaxation.
“There are nonetheless lots of people on the market, and vets, going with the dominance idea too – which has lengthy since been disproven!” Nicki says. “But I nonetheless see posts on Spaniel teams with folks saying their canine is dominant, or that their vet is saying the canine is dominant. And this causes canines to be mishandled, misunderstood – it solely makes behavioural issues worse. If the behaviour is just not addressed appropriately, it may value their lives.
“A part of the issue, although, is that behaviourists throughout the nation are extremely busy – lockdown performed a large half within the improve of canine possession, and certified behaviourists have ready lists of months whereas individuals are on the finish of their tether, coping with their canines’ behavioural points. Canine bred poorly to fulfill lockdown demand, and bought to homeowners who weren’t ready – that’s a recipe for disasters.
“Working cocker spaniels are usually not usually supreme for first time canine homeowners. Lots of people surrendering their canines to us are first time canine homeowners – and we will inform they received their canines throughout lockdown, as a result of the age of the canine matches. Canine are shedding their lives as a result of their homeowners don’t know the best way to deal with them, and can’t entry a behaviourist as a result of excessive demand from others of their similar scenario. All rescues within the UK will inform you they’re at a breaking level, ourselves included. There are loads of canines being put to sleep – whether or not or not their vet misdiagnoses them with ‘cocker rage’.
“That mentioned, I’d advise anybody whose vet identified their canine with ‘cocker rage’ to instantly change vets, and urgently search help from a professional canine behaviourist.”