Dog-on-dog Aggression

Three weeks ago I came home from work and Andy (6 yr old GSD) had attacked Wylie (5 yr old GSD from the same owner-surrender at the pound) again - was attacking him as I came in the gate, as a matter of fact. It was another $600 vet bill. And who do I blame - the dog that asked for it or the dog that responded? I had been separating Wylie in the pony paddock while I was at work, but the hose to the horses’ trough froze, so I opened that up so the horses could drink from the small troughs in there. I could’ve put Wylie in the dog kennel, but didn’t think about it - I just assumed he’d be okay as usual. And now Wylie and I will have to pay for my negligence.

Wylie’s been pushing at my two other young neutered male dogs for about a year. He wants to move up in the pack, I think, but they aren’t having any of it. Mostly they ignore him when he rushes up barking in their face, but it seems like he pushed the wrong buttons. And this same thing happened several months ago. At first he was chastened and quiet around the others, but gradually he regained his moxie.

The vet has told me that I need to either always keep them separated when I can’t supervise them, or rehome Wylie. Wylie is fine with the female dogs, the horses and the cats. Andy is the same, unless he’s pushed too hard. Neither is food aggressive, and I don’t leave food down anyway. And I’ve never rehomed an animal in all my 52 years. I’ve dealt with it, whatever it is. Wylie’s young and healthy. I have the facilities to keep them separated when I’m not at home, and when I am at home a strong “knock it OFF!” takes care of it.

I had been crating Wylie, but the weather was beautiful today. I had him in the outdoor kennel, with the other dogs in the yard. When I got home I let him out and fed the horses. I went down to toss them some hay. I wa sout of sight for maybe 4 minutes, and Andy attacked Wylie again. I’m at my wits end. I can’t keep doing this. It’s $600 each time to fix him, and he didn’t even have his stitches out from the last time. It’s his fault, I know it is. But it’s my fault too for not watching them every minute. I was only down in the barn about 4 minutes. I’m at the point where I think I might have to put him down. I can’t find him a home, I can’t afford to keep on going through this. My heart is breaking, I’m mad at him, I’m mad at Andy, I’m mad at myself. Damn.

I think part of the reason this is so difficult is that there haven’t been many times in my life where being smart and hard-working haven’t allowed me to see a way through my troubles. Shit happens, but I’ve usually had a contingency plan, a savings reservoir, I can figure out a solution. I’m good at solutions. This situation doesn’t have a solution that I readily see.

StG

Which dog are you thinking of euthanizing? I don’t see why putting either down is necessary, they’re not aggressive to you or the horses, it’s a situational thing that they can’t get along with each other.

You have 2 real choices here: (and you already know this, but I’m going to say it anyway)

1 - Set up your life in such a way that the dogs NEVER EVER have access to each other. That may mean that one dog gets the house and yard and the other the barn and paddock, or that they take turns outside with you and in the a kennel run, or something like that. It’s a giant PITA but it can work if you are militant about it.

2 - Find a new home for one of them. Dogs actually adapt pretty well, especially if the stress they’re under currently goes away in the new place. It sounds like they each need to be the only male dog, perhaps an only dog. If that’s the only real issue then finding a really good new home shouldn’t be too difficult, especially if the dogs are well behaved and well trained otherwise.

I know you don’t want to part with either of them, I’ve rehomed exactly 1 animal in my 50+ years so I know where you’re coming from. And I don’t shrink from euthanasia either, a too early death is far better than a miserable life. But from your description, unless I’m missing something, neither dog sounds like a ‘bad’ dog or even a tough dog, they’re just stuck in a bad situation for them.

This sucks for you, I’m sorry :frowning:

Alternative #3: Rehome both of them together. It sounds like they were OK together previously, and that the aggression is only happening due to the new dynamics with multiple other animals.

I would also argue against #1. You’re sort of trying that now and it took only 4 minutes to result in yet another vet visit.

Well, “sort of” isn’t “NEVER EVER”. If she wants to keep both dogs, they will have to have zero contact with each other.

I also think some work with a behavioral trainer would be helpful.

My vet has said that he needs to be in an only-dog home. It’s pretty obvious from his behavior that he starts it - it’s just that the other dogs are going to finish it. I liken it almost to autistic behavior - he doesn’t understand the way dogs behave amongst themselves, and he keeps pushing the wrong buttons. I don’t think rehoming them together would work - Andy will kill him one day if they’re together, I’m afraid.

I’ve called the local GSD rescue and I’m waiting for a call back. I could potentially keep him in the barn kennel I was thinking about before, only then he would have to live down there permanently. No coming up to the house when I get home from work. All it would take would be for me to go to the bathroom or take a shower and it could happen again. It doesn’t seem fair to him to live in exile with maybe 10 minutes of company per day. (Besides the horses and barn cats)

StG

I think that’s best. It sucks but a maimed dog in your living room would suck so much worse. I’m sorry, I know this isn’t easy. Hope the GSD folks come through for you quickly.

I just talked to my vet. He volunteered to fix him up and keep him until he can find him a suitable home. I love my vet.

StG

What a very nice thing for him to do!

Awesome. :slight_smile:

That is very nice of him. I’m really sorry that this has happened. I hope he finds a home soon.

My two dogs lived happily together for nearly 2 yrs when the older, slightly neurotic dog suddenly started attacking the younger one in an attempt, I suspect at resource guarding. I seem to be the resource. I have no idea why it has started.

We are now in a crate and rotate situation and will probably be there for 8+ yrs at they are 5 yrs and 2 yrs old. We have a spacious wire crate in the front room and one in our bedroom. One dog crated, one free in the house when people are home; both crated when we are gone. It’s a pain, but it’s working for us as these are our only two dogs and we’re not worried about protecting the rest of the pack. They actually took to it very quickly and as a bonus both dogs, but especially the neurotic one seem much more happy and relaxed all the time now.

Rhiannon - Things were going better when I was crating Wylie during the day, in a part of the house where he had no contact with the other dogs. I’d come home, let him out and they’d be fine. Yesterday the weather was beautiful, so instead of crating him, I put him in the large kennel (30’ x 40’) which is in the yard with the dogs. I have a feeling there was some back and forth through the fence, which had the other dogs on edge.

StG

Glad to hear you’ve found a solution! I volunteer at a non-euthanasia shelter, and we get LOTS of owner surrenders because one dog just can’t be in a home with another. It’s honestly a very good reason to surrender a dog and they end up in good homes, happier and safer than they would have been if they had stayed where they are.

I wouldn’t have expected it, but one of the things that’s changed in the two years I’ve been at the shelter is how I feel about people surrendering dogs. I used to think it was awful and something I’d never, ever do. But I’ve seen so many people doing it for the good of the dog, and I’ve seen so many dogs go to happy homes - maybe with no other dogs, maybe with no kids, maybe with someone who likes to run five miles with them per day. There’s no shame in wanting the best home for a dog you love.

(But I would recommend STRONGLY against your initial suggestion of euthanasia. There ARE homes who would love and cherish that dog, I promise.)

My sympathies. It’s hard to give them up. I knew you’d do what was in all the dogs’ best interest, knowing your posting history.

I’ve had some experience with inter-dog conflict, but I’m not sure my experience would generalize well…I think we’ve been lucky to have an easily manageable situation.

Well, he’s with the vet. The vet offered to do the repair surgery for free, but we agreed to let me pay 1/2. He said that he wouldn’t be out much money, but I figure the meds and the anesthesia tech cost him something. he said he’ll keep me apprised of Wylie’s situation, his new home, etc. My heart is still broken.

StG

I’m sure it is! My heart is breaking for you. I am just so thankful for your vet who seems like such a wonderful person.

Before we came up with our crate and rotate solution, I thought we were going to have to put down one of our dogs. I was bit while breaking up the last altercation, and I knew no rescue would take the biter (who was not the aggressor, and who immediately went into a submissive position upon realizing he’d got me instead of the aggressor dog) and I was pretty sure it would be very hard to rehome the aggressor (the neurotic dog).

Great big hugs from me!