Hope is 1 and 1/2 years old. We've had her since 6 months. She has NEV ER shown any signs of aggression like this. As soon as my son's 9 year old friend came in the door, Hope lunged at him and went towards his head with her paws and mouth. We pulled her back by her collar and put her outside away from teh child. Later, the child was sitting on teh couch and at teh dinner table and Hope was fine. About 1/2 hour later, we heard a cream from upstairs and my 7 year old son ws holding Hope from hurting the boy again. She had jumped at him again and scratched his back with her nails. We kept them separtated for the rest of the boy's visit. That was Friday. Yesterday (Saturday), a different boy came over (6 years old) and Hope went to attacke him as soon as he waslked in teh door again. This is so unusual.
Here are some bits of infor that may having bearing on this situation????:
we also have chickens...the other day, Hope's collar came off (invisible fence) and she got to teh chickens...she didn't kill them, but messed around with them. She also got into the chicken feed. She threw it up later that day (Friday).
She is fine with us...my husband and 3 kids. We had different people over last night and put her on a leash. If she was not on the leash, she waould have attacked them. Her aggression didn't bother the guy that was here and he ended up playing with her and Hope was then fine around him. My babysitter is due to come here tomorrow. She has 2 young boys as well and although she's comes here every weekday, I can't take a chance on Hope's aggression issue right now. Of course the vet is closed til tommorrow.
Here's my question...say there is in fact a medical problem...does that justify keeping Hope and taking the chance that this will not happen again???? I am so upset...I don't know what to do.