Was wondering if anyone could help explain why my once submissive, loving and overly friendly three year old yellow english lab is now turning aggressive. About a year ago we did get a second pup (it is actually her niece). The two get along really well and they are wonderful toward people and other pups but now the older lab reacts aggressively towards other dogs while we are on walks or if she encounters them in the neighborhood. She is now getting into fights with a neutered 2 year old male King Charles Cavalier through our fence! I am at a loss. She is such a loving dog and was so good until a few months ago. We were thinking it might be because she feels protective of our new labrador pup but even if that is the case, how do stop this from continuing and possibly getting worse?? Any help or suggestions or experience or comments or ??? would be greatly appreciated.
Hi and welcome . I`m sorry to read about your problem , which obviously worries you greatly . It could well be a protection issue but if I were you, my first port of call would be to pop her to the Vets as sometimes , a change in behaviour can indicate a physical problem . Once you get the all clear from your Vet , then maybe consult a recommended behaviourist for advice as to how to address the problem , I wish you good luck .Just a thought, how is she if you go for a walk just with her on her own ?
Very worrying and peculiar. I agree a Vet check is in order. Vetting is a good idea whenever there is a sudden change in health or behaviour. Behaviour can be influenced by health and this kind of change makes me wonder about thyroid levels. If you can rule out health then a consult with a behaviourist might be in order. I think your theory about protectiveness about the pup could be valid, certainly we saw it in my friend's dog around her human baby and toddler, so why not a pup? I feel like sometimes I suggest Leslie McDevitt's book, "Control Unleashed" a lot but it does seem to me your girl is either fearful or reactive and it might help. A behaviourist might get into WHY she feels that way and be more help. Good luck.
I would say she is probably protective of your other dog, but I agree with Kate and would take her to the vet, and then start walking her on her own for a while to see if she behaves differently when just with you. When I had two male dogs together, they would sometimes act in a threatening manner to other dogs - I think the fact that there were two of them made them feel stronger and tougher.
My male dog, Shadow, can be reactive to unknown male dogs when his sister, Willow, is present. I think it's more about possessiveness than protectiveness. We're slowly working on it! I walk them separately a lot, and he is far more relaxed when Willow isn't around. I'm trying to arrange some set-ups with him and unknown males to get him used to interacting with in a less volatile situation. It's hard here because of where we live, but it's worth you considering doing the same if you can. Have her meeting unknown dogs without the pup around, so she remembers that she can be polite, and then start slowly introducing the puppy to the situation - starting off with the puppy on lead a long way away from the other dog and working closer. You might have to use a fence or other physical barrier so the "new" dog doesn't run up to the pup to start off with. You might find a behaviourist nearby who has a dog themselves who is used to dealing with this sort of situation and can work as a good introduction. If you do call in a behaviourist, make sure it is someone who uses positive reinforcement methods. If they start talking about "pack", "alpha dog", "dominance" or similar, then they are old-school and working on outdated (and debunked) theories.
Thank you all. All that info is so helpful. I will take her to the vet just to make sure there isn't anything physically bringing this about. Good suggestion. We have not walked her alone in awhile so that might be a good way to start! We used to take her to a morning daycare with lots of pups. Maybe we can try that again and see if she socializes well without the puppy and go from there. I will take a look at the book as well and ask the vet for a recommendation on a behavourist. Fingers crossed. Thanks again. Really helpful!!
