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Thread: Sudden dog aggression?

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    Default Sudden dog aggression?

    My 2 year old basset has grown up with my other big dog, and until a couple weeks ago they were best friends! She was Louie's (the hound) end all be all! OUT OF NOWHERE he is instigating fights, posturing - I can't leave them alone for a second! At this point, it doesn't even help if I'm in the room with them. If he gets within eyesight of her, he loses his honest to Jesus SHIT! I have to muzzle him! He was always such a happy, playful guy. I don't understand (((
    I don't have time for a trainer at the moment - school, a big move coming up.
    Help!
    There is no reason to take it up the ass and then act all butthurt.
    -Sophia_Starina

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    This could be completely off the mark, and it's no fun to suggest...but could your older dog be dying? Sometimes when the alpha in the house becomes weaker, the other pets notice the decrease in power and start vying for a takeover. No matter how much we think of our pets as our friends, they're still animals. Pack animals know when one of their members is a liability to the pack (weaklings attract predators) and may be trying to get rid of the straggler. It's purely instinct at that point. But it's very emotionally difficult to witness.

    Our oldest cat, an alpha female, is in her sunset years, and we've noticed that our other two cats are attacking her more often (in a somewhat playful, somewhat serious way). When the alpha is having a particularly rough day health-wise, sometimes the other two will hiss at her as if they don't even recognize her anymore.

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    No it's not that. My other dog is only 8, and in good health....
    I do think Louie has an ear infection, and he might be trying to avoid any painful contact, since SADIE chews his ears when they play, but Ive been treating him for that so idk at this point. :/
    There is no reason to take it up the ass and then act all butthurt.
    -Sophia_Starina

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    ^^^ that made me so sad. Do you still have the female? I can't even imagine what a tough situation that would be.

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    Quote Originally Posted by dancingdiva1 View Post
    No I ended up rehoming her to a great family with no other pets. It was a heartbreaking situation.
    I'm so sorry.

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    Hmmm. Take your dog to a vet that specializes in behavior? He could be in pain too. Who knows. I hope you find a solution quick. Good luck!!!

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    Diva I'm so sorry that is my worst nightmare!
    There is no reason to take it up the ass and then act all butthurt.
    -Sophia_Starina

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    He's probably in pain. Animals tend to get defensive when they're hurting. I would definitely take him to the vet for the ear infection. I've seen lots of sweet dogs get VERY defensive over that. Shit's painful


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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    I would strongly recommend a vet visit or calling a trainer for a consult. They aren't usually too expensive--around the same price in my area. My first thought is that if the behavior change was sudden, then something most have suddenly changed in the environment: injury to one of the dogs, illness in one, heat (are they spayed/neutered?), an environmental stressor, or even a routine change in terms of people/place/food/etc.

    Anything you can think of at all? And I would definitely keep them separated in the mean time. My family kept two girls together when my father remarried and my step-mother brought her dog to live with us. They were best friends for the first year when my step mother was just bringing her to visit before they got married, but it dissolved quickly once the living arrangement. There were subtle warnings we missed early on that her smaller, alpha girl was fighting with our huge girl for dominance. First it was the smaller girl being put in a submissive posture by our big girl when little one started a fight, then it was a single bite, then two, then there was a 4 hour surgery and little girl almost died. Little girl would shove big girl out of the way for food, pets, attention, and getting out the door first, stalk her through the house and let her tail go stiff, and other similar dominance behaviors. As someone else has said--coming home with one less dog is very possible if the issue isn't resolved, so a trainer or vet would definitely be good. I recommend the trainer personally, but only after the vet clears both of any possible health issues.


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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    They are separate for now, except on walks or when I muzzle louie. They're both fixed, and nothing's really changed at home.
    I have drops for his ear infection, so he should be ok soon.
    What's REALLY weird is that we all three sleep together in the same bed. They don't have problems sharing my bed together with me, and I leave them alone when I get up in the morning to make coffee and have a smoke. They don't fight then, just after our day starts - they go outside, etc. THEN I have to separate them. It's so strange.
    I'd like to talk to his vet soon if he doesn't settle down...ugh!
    There is no reason to take it up the ass and then act all butthurt.
    -Sophia_Starina

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    In another thread you mentioned the possibility of using a no bark collar. Did you start?

    My uncle put one his dog and he got very distressed and aggressive to the other dogs when he was punished by the collar. He seemed to think they were doing it to him!

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    We decided against the e collar.
    I'm gonna give him an extra walk during the day and see if it helps...
    There is no reason to take it up the ass and then act all butthurt.
    -Sophia_Starina

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    Have they spent any time with another dog?

    I had a situation with my last dog, where he, 80lbs and tall, and his best bud, a portly lab, were playing with a third large dog, and the other two tuned on him. He was visibly heartbroken. Even though the other dog was only visiting and my dog and the lab had never visibly played any aggression games, things were never the same again, the two were no longer friends

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    I can see how that would happen because the one dog would be fearful and defensive after that, but these two don't really hang out with other dogs.
    There is no reason to take it up the ass and then act all butthurt.
    -Sophia_Starina

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    Grab the aggressive dog by the neck firmly, dig your fingers in (like teeth) and hold it down on the floor until it submits. This reinforces the idea that you not he are in charge. Our dog groomer taught us this. It simulates the way dogs discipline a subordinate.

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    slowpoke brings up a good point, the dogs may not have changed, it may be you. Perhaps asserting your dominance will return things to normal

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    I decided to start crating him when I'm gone and at night, like when he was a puppy. Hopefully that will reinforce his "place" in the pack, and he gets used to being around my other dog again without feeling threatened or that he has an opportunity to assert dominance...Fingers crossed!
    There is no reason to take it up the ass and then act all butthurt.
    -Sophia_Starina

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    Has crating him helped?

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    The smallest bit, yes. Baby steps...
    There is no reason to take it up the ass and then act all butthurt.
    -Sophia_Starina

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    I would crate both dogs, might create more jealousy if one gets to sleep with you and the other doesn't...

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    You did say he was stubborn. But glad to hear it's helping!!

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    Default Re: Sudden dog aggression?

    I don't have room for two large crates They're sleeping in the bed together in the mornings without a problem though.
    There is no reason to take it up the ass and then act all butthurt.
    -Sophia_Starina

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