Gloss-Hen Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 We have a dog named jasmine who is a greyhound/Labrador and she won't stop attacking other dogs she's attacked a few dogs in the near past but she only started when our older dog ( tizzy)died. She has a younger dog to keep her company but the puppy is very docile. So we think we should get a muzzle and pop that on her. She is fine around people,cats and chicken but we are in fear of letting her off the lead in case someone sues us of injuries to there dog. We are not really sure what to do so ideas would be appreciated She is not a rescue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Sorry to hear about Tizzy how long ago did she die? Is she attacking dogs that approach her when she is on lead or is she being allowed off lead at all at the moment? If this is always happening when she is on lead, shout a warning to the other owner to recall their dog before they get to Jasmine. Whether you go along the lines of keeping her on a lead or muzzling her or both is up to you but she must not be allowed to carry on doing this, the more she is allowed to practice this behaviour, the harder the behaviour will be to break. Keeping her on lead and / or muzzling her will prevent her from carrying out the behaviour and is a short term solution but it is not addressing why the behaviour is occurring. I really think this needs addressing by a good behaviourist - positive methods only. Before that, and most good behaviourists will insist on this, she needs a vet check to rule out any underlying medical condition that may be causing this. You are right in that another owner could sue you if Jasmine injures their dog. However, if Jasmine accidentally bites the owner while they are trying to protect their dog, you could be charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act. There is a lot of good help available to you and is may be a medical issue that can be very simply sorted out with medication. Have a look at The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (google APBC) and book Jasmine a vet check. In the meantime, you must prevent her from being able to carry out this behaviour by keeping her on lead or muzzling her, even stick her in the car and take her to a very rural walk where there are a lot less dogs. There is always a genuine first time when a dog bites another dog, but she has attacked a few dogs now. It is not fair on other dogs and their owners to allow her to carry on like this, she is a large dog who could easily kill a toy breed dog, or a young puppy. One day she may go to attack a dog who will have a real go back and may injure her very seriously. There are also many owners who would do whatever it takes to protect their own dog by being attacked by an aggressive dog..... Good luck at the vets, let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 It sounds like Tizzy was the more dominant alpha dog and now she has gone your grehound/lab isn't coping well with her 'promotion' I have a collie who is very nervous of other dogs so his immediate reaction is to attack first. Some great advice in the above post, and your vet will more than likely be able to recommend someone who can help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Excellent advice above - completely agree with having your dog checked over by a vet to rule out any medical cause and then some sessions with an APBC behaviourist. Hope you manage to work through this, good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 First port of call would be the vets to check for illness (make sure the vets check her eyes). Dogs suffer with loss of a friend more than some people think an it can come out in other ways. My advice would be to see a Canine behaviorist as this could escalate - Jez Rose is a good behaviorist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloss-Hen Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 Thank you for all your replies and tomorrow we are taking her along with our younger dog dotty to dog training as there Are a few dogs there with social issues and it works for them and there owners Tizzy died about 8 months ago and the attacking only started since then. When she attacks other dogs they are usually smaller breeds and she is on lead and if she is off lead and she see's a dog she does not like she will usually snarl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Sounds like insecurity, If you can prevent her getting into stressful situations that may cause her to react whilst you concentrate on helping her. I do think she needs a behaviourist rather than a trainer though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 I agree that a behaviouralist is the way to go. She is probably struggling to cope with the change in her status after her friend died. You could try fitting her with a DAP collar which can help take the edge off. Don't take any risks though with regards to her attacking other dogs, you could find yourself in some trouble if she harms one and the longer it goes on harder it will be to sort out. She may have local territory issues so see how she is when she is walked away from home to access the extent of her problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 It does sound as if Jasmine is lacking confidence after Tizzy died. It is difficult because being on a lead and muzzling will prevent her from taking the flight option in a situation that she finds uncomfortable and will probably increase that lack of confidence, which is ideally why it would only be a short term solution, but ultimately you have a duty of care to other dogs to protect them from Jasmine. Personally I do feel that a good behaviourist, who will work on a one to one basis with Jasmine (and maybe a stoodge dog), is the way to go rather than a trainer with a hall full of barking excited dogs which may only make Jasmine feel a lot more on edge. I'm not sure if you have been to this particular trainer before but please be aware that some 'trainers' may suggest screaming 'NO' in her face if she barks or banging things around to make a noise or throwing a bucket of water at her to 'let her know that her behaviour is unacceptable'. If the trainer that you go to today suggests anything like that, please run very fast away from them because what you are writing suggests that Jasmine is lacking in confidence and the last thing she needs is a trainer who will make her more afraid of other dogs. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 I agree with the behaviourist - Jim Greenwood is very good with any sighthounds or greyhounds. It does sound as if she needs some reassurance - massage or TTouch is good for this, in the meantime I'd get her a greyhound muzzle just as a precaution, and so that you feel more relaxed as this will communicate to your dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
