Worried our 6mo old might kill our Dachshund

[DannDeb]

Need help Fast!!

We are having a problem with our 6mo old male "Romeo" attacking our 6yr old Dachshund "Mercedes". It usually involves food or a toy our even jealousy. Most of the time they get along, other than Mecedes getting annoyed with him wanting to play all the time. But every once in a while, and it usually happens so fast we don't see it coming. They could be getting along fine and then all of a sudden theres a fight. And it's not really a fight because Romeo is right on top of Mercedes biting her neck and back. My wife has tried to pull him off only to get bit herself. It's a scary thing when this is happening. When we do get them separated, we put Romeo in his crate for a time out. We know it's not recommended to use his crate as a disciplinary tool, but not sure what else to do. He does still go in his crate to eat and sleep without any problems. We are going to get him into obedience school and hope we might learn something there that might help, but in the meantime we seriously need some help. We love him and dont want to let him go.

Thanks,

Dan & Deb

 

[Loladog]

Until you can get professional help, you're going to need to keep them separated at all times. This is very important because all it might take is one more attack and you'll have a horrible situation on your hands. I'm sorry that I can't offer advice on what training methods to use but since there's no way to predict an attack, you just don't want to risk it. I know it might seem mean, but you'll have to keep them separated into different rooms (or crates) and let them outside separately. Although not ideal, it's better than the Dachshund losing her life. Maybe you can find a good trainer or behaviorist that can help you with personal sessions (asap of course).

I truly hope that you can find good help so that you don't have to re-home one of the dogs. I've seen the same situation happen twice in my mom's home with her Boston Terrier's and Dachshund's. She had to re-home one Dachshund and now she has to keep two dogs separated at all times. I really feel for you because I know how hard it is to go through this. Please keep us posted on how things go.

 

[DannDeb]

Thanks for the sugestions Loladog,
If we are at the point of having to keep them separated all the time, we would rather find a new home for Romeo. We talked about that last night and just about broke our hearts. You are right about this being a very hard thing as we have had our Dachshound since she was a pup. Unfortunatly, she had never been socialized with other dogs, and she is very protective of us when we play with Romeo, and of our two cats when he plays with them.
But.....We've love Romeo very much. And can't see life without him, he is very much a part of our family now. He also loves Mercedes, he always wants to suggle up with her and follows her everywhere. They sleep together on the couch all the time with no problems until food, or a bone or a toy or just plain old jealousy that one is getting more attention than the other comes into play. So, we are going to try to eliminate those situations and try to give Mercedes her space. We have Romeo scheduled to start a class that was supposed to start today, but looks like it might get posponed until next week due to lack of participants.
When Romeo does get Mercedes by her neck and back, there really has never been any blood other than some small scrapes, So although it looks and sounds really bad when its happening, I wonder how bad it really is. I wonder what would happen if we didn't break it up, if they would resolve it on there own. Anyway, thats where were at. Thanks for concern.

 

[larrygs]

In general, I don't think it is a good idea to encourage dogs, particularily boxers, to fight.

Many years ago we had a neighbor with a small dog that hadn't been socialized with other dogs. A similar situation would occasionally occur with our boxer, Sally, and their little dog. We would always break up the conflict. While the larger dog usually gets the blame, it was clear to us and others, this small dog caused it. One weekend we went on a trip and our neighbor "dog sat" for us. We later learned they thought to just let the two dogs go at it and settle things. BIG mistake. The dogs never got along afterwards. In addition, from that point on Sally was conditioned to proactively attack small dogs. She was sweet to every other living thing, except small dogs. Never hurt them, but scared the H___ out of everyone.

My advice is don't let them try to settle it on their own. You are the pack leader and as such should be clear on the rules and that fighting, or stimulating the fight is not acceptable.

I don't think it is an easy thing to resolve. However, if you like Romeo, I wouldn't give up yet, especially since they get along at times. I suggest getting some help in that there may be subtle things occurring you can't see. Mercedes may not be innocent. There is also much available on how to read dog's behaviour. You might be able to head off the conflict by anticipating what sets things off and interupting the sequence.

It also occurs to me to be sure this is truly fighting. Dogs can sound and look aggressive and actually be playing. Another reason for an expert.

I hope it works out.

 

[DannDeb]

We would never let the fight continue without breaking it up. I'd be too worried about the possible results. I just was wondering if it is really as bad as it seems. They do make a lot of vicious noises. And I agree about Mercedes being the instigator with just a growl and a quick snap, but thats all it takes for Romeo to jump into action. They do play at times and we know when they are just playing, but Romeo tires her out after just a short while and then doesn't know when to stop. I think he is getting better though and we do redirect him when we notice.
We have been paying close attention to see what sets it off, and pretty much know, but I end up letting things go just a second too long before heading it off thinking maybe its not going to happen. Then in a blink of the eye it happens. But we are at the point now if it even looks like one of those situations, we take action to head it off. But it does take a lot of paying attention all the time. Its got us a little on edge. Can't really relax if you know what I mean?

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

I don't really think a trainer is the way to go, yes you need to train Romeo since he's a puppy however, in this case I would hire a behaviorist to come into your home and watch as they will see the tip offs, the signs, and be able to give you ways to counteract those issues more than likely.

Also are both dogs spayed/neutered? If not, that may help things as well a bit.

 

[sargboxerluv]

It sounds to me like it is actually the dachshund that needs the training. You said, "Unfortunatly, she had never been socialized with other dogs, and she is very protective of us when we play with Romeo, and of our two cats when he plays with them..... no problems until food, or a bone or a toy or just plain old jealousy that one is getting more attention"

Your young boxer is reacting to the dachshund. If the dachshund was the bigger dog, it sounds to me like your boxer would be the one getting the short end of the stick. You can train your boxer to pick up better on the dachshunds cues, but it will teach your dachshund that her agressiveness is what works to make him back off, and it will escalate her agressiveness.

Not saying that th eboxer should not attend training, but I think it would be wise to work with you unsocialized dachshund.

Incidently, I have the same problem with my female boxer. I fostered a male boxer with the intent to adopt, but my female was toy agressive and attacked him all the time. The poor boy couldn't even walk around without being attacked. But I have numerous pictures of them laying together - even a few of him sitting on her while she is laying there doing nothing! It was heart breaking for me and the kids to give him up, but it wasn't fair to him. And I did not have the money to invest in training or a behaviorist. If you can't find anything to help with the dachshund, I was referred to a good book on dog body language to help me be able to see exactly when things were taking the wrong turn. I still have it and refer to it. It is called "Aggression in Dogs" by Brenda Aloff.

 

[palemask]

Romeo

I have three boxers and a pit bull, I rescued the pit bull 5 years ago. All my dogs, which are a pack get along wonderful, because I am the boss. If I see any body lang. and esp. the eyes and tail, that leads to agrassive behavior toward one another or a person. I will put the offender in the sumit position. Think before doing this. It is putting the dog on it's side. I will lay over the dog if I have to. Always careful not to hurt the dog. I make him or her stay, until calm. You will hear a deep sigh. I then say stay. If the dog tries to get up, back down the dog goes, I am calm. I do not talk except to say stay when getting up. The dog stays I get up(I don't care how long it takes) I then allow the dog to get up by saying (up!). About 6 months is when I have to prove I am the boss when having a pack of intact dogs except for the pit. She of course is spayed the others are intact because I am a breeder. A responsible one. Talk with a professional before you think about trying this, I did. Plus you have to be strong enough. And oh so calm and in control. My male weighs 90 lbs. of muscle, but when he was about 6 months the first time he tried to be the boss bless his heart, he learned the rules. Crates have never worked for me for training a dog out of a behavior. I had one dog who would tear up the house and then put herself in the crate. I really miss her she lived for 14 years, and some of her antics are still laughed about at the family table. Talk to a behavior expert. Ask about this technique if they say use it ,don't until shown how. The submit is what dogs do in the wild to establish pecking order. Good Luck

 

[DannDeb]

Yep, I think that is the key, being that Mercedes ( the Dachsund ) is the problem. After talking with Deb last night we agree. So we have an appointment with a behavoirist tomorrow to get an evaluation of the dogs together. Hopefully they can make some suggestions that will help for free. Otherwise we have to leave them there for two weeks at a cost $532. I will also buy that book "Aggression in Dogs" and see if there is anything in there that will help.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions!!!!

 

[DannDeb]

Update

Well we took both Romeo and Mercedes in to be evaluated by a behaviorist yesterday. She thought that Romeo was trying to be the pack leader but was being unfair. And that possibly Mercedes should assume the roll. Also that because Romeo does bite/mouth when he plays, that he needed to stop that. And that because I get down and play with him and let him mouth me, that he feels like I'm a playmate rather than a pack leader. So anyway, They are keeping him for two weeks to work with him. And then they will work with us as well. Gave us a book called "Leader of the pack" to read. I was sad leaving him there and we miss him already.