All was going well as we started our walk across the first field...Bailey and Elsie running side by side. Out of the blue and, from what I saw, totally unprovoked, Elsie attacked Bailey, and she really meant business. Twice she went for him, pinned him down, teeth bearing, and lots of growling and screaming between them. It took all my might to get them separated! I have never witnessed anything like this in my dogs ever, and I have to say it left me very upset and shaken. Elsie has had a few episodes attacking Bailey this week, and I thought things were just starting to settle down...how wrong I was. I cut the walk short and returned home. Once more, and quite unprovoked, she attacked Bailey. To round things off nicely, Bailey decided to run off as just as we were going through the front door; to my horror, he jumped in the pond next door and had a quick swim with John's prize koi carp! By the time I had bathed Bailey, which he did not enjoy, my house looked like a war zone and I felt like I had run 30 miles! It's been nearly three weeks since I got Bailey, and he is such a lovely dog. Elsie, I assume, is still establishing the pecking order, but is also showing signs of coming in to season. One minute she is flirting with him, the next she has got him by the neck, and the growling is really nasty! I feel really upset by what is going on, so any advice would be gratefully accepted. Many thanks :'(
Re: Today has been a bad day! Oh dear Katie. What a day you have had. I'm sorry I can't offer you any advice on this as I don't have any experience of more than one dog. I'm sure someone will be able to help you here though. Hope you have a more settled evening Jacqui
Re: Today has been a bad day! Oh no, that is a bad day - poor you!!! I'm afraid that I don't have any helpful advice to offer but those here that are more experienced with entire bitches will have thoughts on the situation, I am sure. It does sound as if hormones are raging, combined with the process of establishing who's who (you mentioned when you first joined that Elsie and Bailey has had a few little tiffs). When they have had alternations previously, what kinds of situations have these happened in?
Re: Today has been a bad day! Hello Jacqui Thank you for your lovely message. All is calm now, Elsie is by my feet ( on a lead, just in case!), and the boys are just about dozing off! What a day! I think a hot bath and an early night are in order
Re: Today has been a bad day! Hello Rachel The tiffs before have been fairly minor, usually occuring if Bailey gets too near her den under my bed, or when she is under the dining table. We have also had the odd moment too when I have arrived home from work, and all three are clambering at the door to greet me. I'm hoping it is raging hormones and things will settle down soon. Elsie is going to be spayed after this season, but she is also going to come to work with me for the next few days.
Re: Today has been a bad day! Oh dear Katie that's a tough day indeed! Sympathy only here too I'm afraid as I only have a single, entire male. Hoping all will settle down after her season for you all !
Re: Today has been a bad day! What has Elsie been like with other dogs she has met? Are there other circumstances under which she'll snap or growl? I'm just wondering how likely it is that this behaviour will settle down once she is neutered. If it's more of a temperament thing, it may not. She's had a lot of change recently with the two new dogs arriving. I'd be trying to make her feel like she is top dog (she gets pats, treats or food first). Not that it's all about hierarchy - more reassuring her that her relationship with you is still on solid ground. It might also be worth considering the help of an experienced behavioural consultant who can see you all interacting together and advise on the best way to manage things.
Re: Today has been a bad day! Hi Rachel Thank you so much for your reply. I think where I've gone wrong is that I've not made enough fuss of Elsie, poor little devil has just been nagged and told off! I took her to work with me today, which she loves as everyone makes such a fuss of her, but she can also crash out in the car when she wants to. I also walked her separately tonight, so we had lots of ball games and fuss. We have also had lots of cuddles today too. I have to say that she has seemed much happier today, and has only gone for Bailey twice, one this morning and again this evening as he pinched her beloved tennis ball! She has even been trying to play with Bailey, not that he is particularly willing! Elsie has always been a terror on the lead, and will growl and bark at other dogs, but is generally fine when she is off the lead. From an early age I noticed she has had the habit of getting tetchy with other dogs that come near me, including the others in the household. She has always slept under my side of the bed, and gets very defensive if the other dogs go anywhere near her den, which I quite understand. Poor old Elsie has been through a lot in he short life, as my beloved St. Bernard died very recently which really upset her, but also 20 months before that my first St. Bernard died, and she was particularly attached to her and grieved terribly when Noodle was no longer here. I also lost my two old girls not that long before Noodle,so actually I lost three dogs in eight months, all of which had been with Elsie while she grew up. From what I understand of GSD bitches they can be on the feisty side, so I'm not convinced that neutering will completely solve the problem, but I'm going to get her spayed anyway. My vet is great, so I'll talk to him too. In the meantime, I'm walking the boys separately from Elsie, and making sure she has plenty of time with just me. I think I also need to work her more, and have thought of something like fly ball. However, I took her to agility class once, and she caused such a rumpus that I couldn't face going back Anyway, the house is peaceful with three sleeping dogs, so I think it's time for bed. Thank you again, Rachel
Re: Today has been a bad day! Hi Katie, all the situations you describe sound like classic resource guarding to me. There is a fabulous little book called Mine by Jean Donaldson which explains why dogs guard and what you can do about it. Not a quick fix I am afraid, some of the programs are very lengthy, but that's like everything else in dog training. It will take time, especially if it is a well established behaviour.
Re: Today has been a bad day! Hello everyone, thank you for your replies, they are much appreciated. I think my feisty girl is definitely out to prove her place in the home. The book you have recommended has just arrived on my iPad, so thank you for this Heidrun...I shall get reading when I'm back home from work. Have a lovely day everyone
