Desperate for answers, Mark loaded Duke into the car and headed to the vet. He explained the sudden aggression, the lunging at the crib, and the relentless barking. The vet performed a full workup, checking for everything from ear infections to neurological issues. After an hour of waiting, the vet returned with a puzzled expression. “Physically, Duke is perfect,” he reported. “No pain, no illness, and his bloodwork is spotless.”
The vet suggested that Duke was simply having a difficult time adjusting to the “new pack dynamic.” He recommended some calming pheromones and extra exercise, theorizing that the dog was just overwhelmed by the baby’s presence. Mark drove home feeling more frustrated than ever. If there was nothing physically wrong with Duke, then the behavior was purely behavioral—which meant it was something they might not be able to “fix.”
The ride home was silent, save for Duke’s heavy breathing in the backseat.