Missy has become aggressive!

[mintygrn]

Okay so i am fostering another dog until he finds a new home. He is an American Eskimo and Pomeranian mix. He has separation anxiety and crys, chews and scratches at his kennel until we return home.

We have had him since November, and there have been no problems between the two dogs. They played well shared toys, share and eat each others food even though they have separate bowls in different places. Even layed together and play outside great.

Now two nights ago Missy just started attacking him every time he gets near my wife and I, food or toys. She even has been bullying him into corner or just cutting him off and pushing him around.

When she has attacked him we have been there and pulled her off and nobody has been hurt. After i pull her off i make her lay on her side for about 5 minutes. Then separate them in there crates for awhile.

Im wondering what could have started this, how should i correct this until we find a good behavourist or rehome lucky (the other dog).

Missy has also been in season this month and we haven't been walking her because of other dogs that get loose in the Neighborhood for what ever reason. We also only took Missy with us on vacation for 6 days because we new we would be out alot and Missy does great in the kennel and car. Lucky doesn't. The dog sitter had no problems with Lucky and when we brought him home there was still no problems.

Missy has attacked lucky about 4 times and tried to a couple others. now he aren't allowed within 5 feet.
Sorry so long please help.

 

[ELubas]

How old are the dogs? Sounds like perhaps Missy has decided she needs to exert some rank perhaps? Or if she is underexercised maybe she is frustrated and it is coming out this way? At any rate if you are going to have Lucky for awhile I think I would consult a behavorist just to get help managing the two of them. I asume this is not a physical problem for Missy? Sometimes a sudden change in behavior warrrants a vet check? Good luck to you

 

[mintygrn]

Missy is 8 months and Lucky is 13 months

 

[LucNesbitt]

Moab starting exerting some dominance towards DH and I when he was about 8 months old. We don't have any other dogs so I'm not sure how he would have been towards them. Also, if Missy's in season, that could be playing a big role in this behavior change. I'd still seek the advice of a behaviorist or at a minimum, your vet. They may be able to tell you if some of this is normal for her current situation or if there's something else going on.

 

[K8IE]

I would most definitely seek the help of an experienced behaviorist. Just curious, do you practice NILIF (nothing in life is free) with Missy? It sounds like she is trying to take control over the resources in the house (food, toys, and even you and your wife) and is trying to make that clear to your other dog, and you need to show her that YOU are the leader and YOU control the resources, not her, and that you won't tolerate her attacking the other dog. You may already have NILIF in place and this could be related to health or maybe even her being in heat, but I would contact a behaviorist to come in to assess the situation and help you get things under control. Some things you can do until a behaviorist is able to come visit are to feed them seperately, keep valuable toys (maybe all toys) or bones put away, and give the dogs attention seperately to avoid jealousy or starts of fights. Good luck!!!
* I notice your pup is the same age as my Cooper.

 

[mintygrn]

Well as far as NILIF, not exactly. We used to leave toys out for her we have done away with that. We where only taking toys away from her and make her sit or follow commands to get them back and the same with food and treats. When we first got her we only gave her one toy at a time as we trained. but then we stopped and were leaving them all out. We have now been taking steps to make sure she remembers that we are still the bosses of the house.

When we see her get that look we give her a stern no, make her sit or lay and take all toys away. then when she get near lucky with out any dominant behaviour we say play nice and reward with praise.

Thanks for the input K8IE you reminded me that i have to continue to do some of the things we used to do as far as us being in control. We will be seeing the vet sometime this week for a checkup.