punchinella
Boxer Insane
Punchinella has always been very well behaved, gets along great with other dogs, and is very submissive towards most dogs. She's never shown any signs of aggression....until....
Let me set the scene: Punchie stays at my parent's house during the day while we are at work. My parents have three dogs, one of the dogs, Shelby, is very "bitchy" and will occassionally snap at the other dogs. She's gone after Punchie before for various reasons. She is always reprimanded for this behavior, but continues to do it.
Now, my parent's neighbor have a rottie, younger than Punchie, but already a bit bigger. For whatever reason, the neighbors have not had her spayed and she just finished her first heat cycle. Her and Punchie have always been the best of friends. The rottie never comes into my parents house, however, the other day, my mother wasn't paying attention and she came inside my parent's house with Punchie and their dogs. Lovie, the rottweiler, went to the food bowl, and started to eat. According to mom and DH (who was there to pick up Punchie), Punchie attacked Lovie. DH immediately grabbed her, put her on leash and took her outside. When Lovie came out, Punchie lunged and tried to attack again. DH scolded her and put her into a sit position. Afterwards, everything was fine. They have since played nicely together. My mom did say Punchie snipped at one of her dogs recently over a bone that Punchie had been chewing on.
She has never shown any type of aggression before, and will let me take bones, food, toys, anything away from her with no fuss whatsoever. I can even stick my face beside hers while she's gnawing on a bone, and she never bats an eyelash.
Is this normal dog behavior towards another dog - letting them know their place in the heirarchy? Is it the beginning of food agression? Could it have something to do with Lovie recently being in heat? Or could she be picking up bad habits from Shelby?
I am very concerned about this behavior, but maybe I shouldn't be???? If anyone has any insight or advice, it would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long story. Thanks in advance.
Let me set the scene: Punchie stays at my parent's house during the day while we are at work. My parents have three dogs, one of the dogs, Shelby, is very "bitchy" and will occassionally snap at the other dogs. She's gone after Punchie before for various reasons. She is always reprimanded for this behavior, but continues to do it.
Now, my parent's neighbor have a rottie, younger than Punchie, but already a bit bigger. For whatever reason, the neighbors have not had her spayed and she just finished her first heat cycle. Her and Punchie have always been the best of friends. The rottie never comes into my parents house, however, the other day, my mother wasn't paying attention and she came inside my parent's house with Punchie and their dogs. Lovie, the rottweiler, went to the food bowl, and started to eat. According to mom and DH (who was there to pick up Punchie), Punchie attacked Lovie. DH immediately grabbed her, put her on leash and took her outside. When Lovie came out, Punchie lunged and tried to attack again. DH scolded her and put her into a sit position. Afterwards, everything was fine. They have since played nicely together. My mom did say Punchie snipped at one of her dogs recently over a bone that Punchie had been chewing on.
She has never shown any type of aggression before, and will let me take bones, food, toys, anything away from her with no fuss whatsoever. I can even stick my face beside hers while she's gnawing on a bone, and she never bats an eyelash.
Is this normal dog behavior towards another dog - letting them know their place in the heirarchy? Is it the beginning of food agression? Could it have something to do with Lovie recently being in heat? Or could she be picking up bad habits from Shelby?
I am very concerned about this behavior, but maybe I shouldn't be???? If anyone has any insight or advice, it would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long story. Thanks in advance.
