Yes, it’s true. Dogs can also suffer from mental issues, and sometimes these issues become so severe that the dog becomes aggressive. Many people who do not understand the situation might say that the dog has gone mad.
Two years ago (in 2022), I encountered such a severe problem with a dog that it was quite frightening. As usual, I was working at home when my father called me and mentioned a dog. He said that the owner wanted to abandon the dog because they thought it had gone mad. At that time, I already had five dogs at home, all of which were local breeds. Hearing about the dog, I went to rescue it, and what I saw there surprised me. The dog was a purebred German Spitz (male).
When I arrived, I found that the dog had been kept in a dirty, damp, dark, and desolate place for over a year, confined to a 3-foot by 3-foot area. One of the local guards mentioned that the dog received almost no care and was fed only once or twice a day with leftover scraps.
I asked why they were treating the dog this way, and they explained that their owner, a garment business owner, had a foreign visitor who was bitten on the nose by the dog. Since then, they believed the dog had gone mad. Although I understood the situation, I didn’t say anything to them because they were still neglecting the dog out of ignorance.
The real issue was that German Spitz dogs are naturally aggressive. They are indoor dogs and do not like being neglected in an open environment. Moreover, when the incident happened, it was mating season for the dog. During mating season, all dogs can become more or less aggressive, and it is best to leave them alone during this time.
I rescued the dog and brought it home, but having been away from people for such a long time, the dog lost trust in humans and tried to bite almost everyone. It barked all day long. At one point, the dog even bit me and my five family members. I understood that this behavior was normal given the circumstances.
Despite all this, my most loyal and biggest dog, Jack, observed everything. I named the rescued dog Chirly. Whenever I had time, I spent it with Chirly, along with Jack. If Chirly showed any aggression, Jack would calm him down. After four months, Chirly became completely healthy, enjoyed playing, went on bike rides with me, and often slept with me at night. Eventually, I brought a partner for Chirly, named Ana, and since then, they have been together. After coming to my home, Chirly has had over 25 puppies.
So, it’s normal for any dog or pet to exhibit behavioral changes when neglected. I believe it’s best to keep them in a suitable environment. If such issues arise, they should be resolved psychologically, and patience is essential.