problem with retriever attacking our other dogs
Discussion
We have 2 retrievers, 13 and 11 years old and a 6 year old collie cross. Ever since the 2 retrievers were young weve had problems with the 11 year old attacking the 13 year old. When we got the collie we also had problems with the 11 year old attacking him when he was a puppy.
He has been castrated as we thought it may have solved the problem, and although it did lesson, he still turns on the 13 year old retriever every now and then, although he doesnt turn on the collie anymore.
The 11 year old has mobility problems as he has arthritis in his knee, he takes anti-inflammatories (onsior) and tramadol for this. (although he still acts like a puppy when he realises its time to his trip to the field)
The 13 year old is relatively fit and healthy although does suffer from slightly swollen joints from time to time. I wouldnt be surprised if he had a few more good years left in him.
After another attack this evening resulting in a cut above the 13 year olds eye, which he nearly lost in a previous attack, my wife and i have both had the thought that perhaps now is the time to say goodbye if only to give the 13 year old a peaceful retirement.
Any thoughts or advice on this would be gratefully appreciated.
He has been castrated as we thought it may have solved the problem, and although it did lesson, he still turns on the 13 year old retriever every now and then, although he doesnt turn on the collie anymore.
The 11 year old has mobility problems as he has arthritis in his knee, he takes anti-inflammatories (onsior) and tramadol for this. (although he still acts like a puppy when he realises its time to his trip to the field)
The 13 year old is relatively fit and healthy although does suffer from slightly swollen joints from time to time. I wouldnt be surprised if he had a few more good years left in him.
After another attack this evening resulting in a cut above the 13 year olds eye, which he nearly lost in a previous attack, my wife and i have both had the thought that perhaps now is the time to say goodbye if only to give the 13 year old a peaceful retirement.
Any thoughts or advice on this would be gratefully appreciated.
moorx said:
Would you perhaps consider rehoming him rather than having him put to sleep? There are people who will adopt older dogs, I have adopted a couple myself. There are breed rescues, and there is a rescue that specialises in older dogs.
Did think of that but hie medication is £60 per monthevoivboy said:
1. no not any off those, but he does sniff where he has been
2.not really practical
Does he exhibit the same behaviour out of the house on walks with the ohther dogs.2.not really practical
We had a French bull dog which could be seriously aggressive to other dogs in the house. When I say aggressive, he went from 0 - 60 in about 0.5 secs... He wouldn't mess around he would get underneath the other dogs and grab them by the throat.
We established he was resource guarding my wife. He wouldn't do this out of the house but inside, you approached her at you own risk. He lived with three other dogs so it can be done.
Essentially you need to manage the situation and prevent the situation escalating.
What happens if you correct him immediately before he attacks, does he continue the attack or retreat.
Ultimately we had a crate in each room, ie one in the conservatory, one in the living room etc so he could be with us but not hurt any of the others. Around the house we would have rattle bottles so if he was free range and got into an attack position we would correct him with the rattle bottle, and he would typically turn away from the target. Obviously your timing needs to be spot on with the rattle bottle.
I would also consider making him wear a long line.. Any time he looks like getting out of hand you have control.
I would also get your vet to double check him, to ensure he hasn't got any underlying problems like ear infections etc.
Sadly we lost our Frenchie earlier this year at age 5. It wasn't easy living with him, but destroying him or reforming him wasn't an option.
evoivboy said:
moorx said:
Would you perhaps consider rehoming him rather than having him put to sleep? There are people who will adopt older dogs, I have adopted a couple myself. There are breed rescues, and there is a rescue that specialises in older dogs.
Did think of that but hie medication is £60 per monthNo potential insurance cover?
Agree one of the dogs needs a new home, if no actual solution is available.
Have you spoken to a) vet or b) actual doggy behaviour person?
well it's been 8 days since we had to put our beloved Alfie to sleep, would have posted earlier but has been to painful
He had not attacked since, but had gone down hill in health, his heart was the problem
He was lying down soon after starting his walk in the field and got progressively worse
then he was panting and reaching, so we called the vet and took him in, they said it was his heart failing, two days later he could'nt make hit out of our bedroom so we called the vet out and his lungs were filling with fluid so it was time to say goodbye
this is our first pet we had had to go through this and don't want to go through again? But we we have two more Dogs,
RIP Alfie, never forgotten
He had not attacked since, but had gone down hill in health, his heart was the problem
He was lying down soon after starting his walk in the field and got progressively worse
then he was panting and reaching, so we called the vet and took him in, they said it was his heart failing, two days later he could'nt make hit out of our bedroom so we called the vet out and his lungs were filling with fluid so it was time to say goodbye
this is our first pet we had had to go through this and don't want to go through again? But we we have two more Dogs,
RIP Alfie, never forgotten
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