donald Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Hi My spaniel is 4 years old and has always got on well with other dogs(well socialised etc went to classes etc) never showed any biting etc etc even with strange dogs. But recently a large puppy who is docile has appeared on the radar. For some reason my dog just doesnt like him. Both have not been neutered etc. He seems to have little guy syndrome and i just dont know what to do. I have had to pull him off from biting the other friendly dog.The other dog lies down and this seems to signal to my dog to start attacking. Do I muzzle him? I am really embarrassed but concerned for the other dog getting hurt by my dog. My dog has never showed his teeth to anything. Help please thank you Donald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 The puppy isn't a lab is it? I have a chocolate Labrador who is a pretty big dog but there are certain dogs who always go for him for no reason at all (I have particular trouble with a small collie), my lab will also lie down, seems like he wants to protect his 'bits' ( well what he has left as he has been neutered). If your dog has never been like this before I assume he just doesn't like this other dog, perhaps you can keep him close to you when the other dog is around and try rewarding him for good behaviour, however you may just have to accept they will never get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Your dog could simply be putting a bumptious puppy in its place. Thats what senior dogs do. Is he actually biting or just making a big tough guy display? What are the circumstances when they meet? Any more info would be useful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Your dog could simply be putting a bumptious puppy in its place. Thats what senior dogs do. Is he actually biting or just making a big tough guy display? I would tend to agree. I would see if you and the dog's owner can walk the dogs together sometime. Dogs travelling in the same direction on neutral territory are less lightly to fight that those coming face to face from opposite directions on a walk that one dog might feel is their patch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 ok Initially my dog would just have a go and put the younger dog in its place(all quite normal behaviour etc) but then would play with the pup. I told his owner to bring her pup down as they needed to get used to each other which she did do and my dog would yap the whole time. I would say my dog was frightened and it was easier for him to put the huge pup in its place. Recently the bigger dog(a kind of blood hound type) got an injury and has had a bad shoulder from a horse kick. The day my dog attacked the puppy was in the presence of two female dogs coming on heat who when the pup lay down in submission and crying as its shoulder was hurting, my dog just piled in and had this dog by the throat, by the time I pulled him off he was nipping the dogs side, he didnt draw blood etc. He has never done this ever! So I realise a situation an injured pup crying out, two dogs that are non neutered, my dog obviously is treating him as a threat to his dominance in the pack and adding fuel to the fire are female dogs coming on heat,that had surrounded the pup. This was the trigger. Unfortunately I think the owner just thinks my dog is horrid(and I am not trying to make excuses for my dog). Yesterday I was in my field sorting out my horse and the pup came in lay down submissively and my dog stood and stared and then went for him. I pulled my dog off and gave him a good slap and told him off and promptly put him on his lead. Immediately after this we met an unknown dog and my dog and it were fine! Sniffed each other and we went on our way. I dont know whether to muzzle my dog who has never growled or shown any aggression and as far as I could tell never had a bad bone in its body! I am at a loss as to what to do about it as I dont want the lovely pup to get hurt,in fact I wish he would stay standing and have a go back then I think my dog would back off. I always make sure the pup isnt hurt as I would pay for a vet bill if he caused a bite etc. But I hope it wont come to that thank you if you can give me any idea, we walk down bridle ways fields etc always off lead. We have another male un neutered lab pup that we met this week and my dog has been fine with him. Help! Donald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 right Laying aside for a moment the issue of the frankly appauling irresponsible twerp who lets lady dogs in season roam around (IMHO they have directly caused this- do thank whoever it is wont you?) your dogs sees the pup as a problem now- he is a liability(crying, injured) who prevents him from assuming status/mating with the ladydogs. I think you said your dog is unneutered- is there a good reason for this? If he is not allowed to mate but kept entire he is under a lot of stress- it is also normal for a male to drive away existing puppies from a ladydog he wants to mate with, removing the pups DNA from the gene pool and replacing it with his own. Its just biology. I would try a Corrector Spray http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/products/pet-corrector/pet-correctornext time, you can a collar version too, get him neutered unless there is a very good reason, and do not let unneutered dogs of either sex onto his territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 HI Thank you for your help. I suppose I have answered my own reasons too as to why it has happened. Yes there are more dogs in my village un neutered etc(females too etc). My dog is used for very screened careful breeding a couple of times, but I have never had a problem and when the females are in full flow locally, I actually keep him on the lead or dont take him out as its more trouble than its worth. I always say I lose my dog when the females are on heat, off his head. I usually know from his behaviour that one is about to be on heat, just subtle signs. So its safer to keep him at home. That aside I think his behaviour is normal but its hard telling that to this new dog owner. He hasnt drawn blood but its just got quite nasty sounding and looking. I am sure the lady thinks I am making excuses as I tried to explain why. He has walked with fully intact males that he knows in the presence of females that are due in season and we have never had a problem. Just this young dog. I agree he sees the pup as a threat. Absolutely agree with your response and will just keep an eye out. This village I am in I have never lived in a place with more unneutered dogs than ones that are. Most owners are responsible and we dont have unwanted cross bred litters etc I will look up the spray too thank you very much for sounding me out as I just wanted to make sure Donald. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 The spray is a fantastic tool- I am currently using it with my new rescue dog who gets very excited by my goats. Four goes and she wont go near them now, its a handy thing to keep in your pocket when out dogwalking in case of fights breaking out. Unfortunately with all those hormones flying around there is inevitably going to be problems where you live, when I moved to the country five years ago I was astounded how few people out here neuter their dogs me, I like a quiet life (and have very strong opinions on unaccountable dog breeding) and have banned entire dogs from my farm! Try the spray Donald, its a harmless cheap gadget, it might just startle your dog enough to stop him. If nothing else it shows the puppy's owner you are trying to solve it. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 Thanks very much for the tips and yes I will give the spray a go. It is strange that the dogs/females that are not sterilised the owners have no intention to breed from them and dont seem to consider getting it done. They are not financially hard up to have it done either. Until I moved to our village we had always had our dogs sterilised. This is the first animal we have kept entire. But many thanks and I will look into collar spray etc Donald. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I agree with Rhapsody on this one. I have a Spray Commander collar that I used on Ruby when she was smaller and it stopped her from scabbing manky kebabs in the park. I use it with the 'leave it' command (in the Voice of Doom) and it works a treat I agree that it sounds like defensive behaviour; make sure that your dog greets others while on-lead - Gencon head collars are good for keeping them in check) get yourself between your dog and the other, showing yours how to greet calmly and moving a little closer each time. I had this with a vile staffie that was walked off-lead in our local park, and attacked Ruby when she was small - the dog is still off-lead and unmuzzled but when Ruby used to rush over barking in defence, the collar would bring her right back to me and with the lead on she would walk calmly past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Donald, Found this site http://www.doggiesolutions.co.uk/masterplus-pro-remote-spray-dog-training-collar-278-0.html they rent out the collars for £8 per week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 Thank You I will get one of the collars as this sounds ideal I met the poor pup today and fortunately put my dog back on his lead(he is good to recall usually) and he had a growl at him at which I promptly told him NO! He damn well knows he was in the bad books, he has never done this before and was playing with the pup prior to the on heat females arriving on the scene(which is no suprise). Also as he has been used for breeding he knows whats what and thats why I now keep him at home when they are on heat as I lose him for 3 weeks(completely high and off his head, obediance is out the window). But I will give anything a go Thank you very much Donald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
