Should I shoot my dog?
Discussion
Steve
Pete (with stitches in his face)
Sat on the couch last night. Me, the wife and the two dogs. Steve laid out on my lap and our other dog, Pete on my wifes.
Both dogs were asleep after a good run about but suddenly Steve starts growling, Pete wakes up then Steve proceeds to launch himself teeth first only (mistakenly I hope) to get hold of my wifes arm and give her a single nasty puncture wound on the forearm!
I reacted by lamping the living $hit out of him and kicking him out into the garden for a couple of hours. I think I managed to sufficiently scare the cr@p out of him as he hid behind the trees the whole time.
95% of the time the 2 dogs get on fine, share a bed together, often giving each other a lick clean etc, seem like pals, but this has happened about 4 or 5 times before. Fortunately this is the only time someones been bitten.
It's weird because there's only been 1 occasion before where you see a reason for it, one of them had a treat, the other didn't. Other times it's started completely randomly. One moment they're just potering around, the next they're ripping eadh other to bits and I mean that literaly. It's very distressing to witness and a bloody struggle to seperate them. On one occasion Pete had to go for his face stitching up. On another they started at a family bbq, not the best entertainment when tucking into dinner with you in-laws.
Pete is about 7yrs (been with us for 6yrs) Steve is about 18months (been with us about 10 months).
Always had 2 or 3 dogs before with no issue but in the 10 months Steve has come along had to seperate him and Pete on around 5 occasions...really nasty fighting.
They've been fine tigether for the last 2 months then last night this happens. I'm pretty sure he would never mean to bite someone, was going for Pete and my wifes arm got in the way, but makes you wonder what accidents could happen???
Thing is he's a lovely dog, great fun and full of energy, placid as you like around other strange dogs but has this propensity for trying to bite Pete to death on occasion.
I'm thinking adhering strictly to the no sitting on furniture rule (we had been a bit slack here, shouldn't really let your dog on the couch/bed) and just seeing how it goes. If it happens again though???? What would you lot do???
Edited by dave_s13 on Saturday 27th October 17:22
dave_s13 said:
I reacted by lamping the living $hit out of him and kicking him out into the garden for a couple of hours. I think I managed to sufficiently scare the cr@p out of him as he hid behind the trees the whole time.
After reading the above, i'll be watching this thread 
I ought to say, i'd probably do the same, but I can imagine a few people on here are about to get upset.
Edited by WildCards on Saturday 27th October 17:28
It sounds like the older dog is trying to dominate the younger one, but the youngster isn't having it. Unfortunately, if one of them doesn't back down and become submissive, then it might carry on like this and get very messy.
Are either of them allowed on the sofa/beds? Might be an idea to make sure that they both know that they are right down at the bottom as fas as the family 'pack' hierarchy is concerned.
Are either of them allowed on the sofa/beds? Might be an idea to make sure that they both know that they are right down at the bottom as fas as the family 'pack' hierarchy is concerned.
doesnt sound fun. its good the dog (sorry lost track of the names) was scared afterwards, it might sink in.
my old dog did bite me once, but he was a rescue & i was pulling a large splinter out not long after i got him. he realised it was wrong & anytime after that that he caught me with his teeth he always looked sorry & it got softer everytime. by the way the only reason he caught me with his teeth was that we play fought so its bound to happen & i didnt blame him as he never bit as such.
dont what to suggest to you though, id hate to face the decision you've got there. i guess it comes down to 'do you still trust the dog?'.
my old dog did bite me once, but he was a rescue & i was pulling a large splinter out not long after i got him. he realised it was wrong & anytime after that that he caught me with his teeth he always looked sorry & it got softer everytime. by the way the only reason he caught me with his teeth was that we play fought so its bound to happen & i didnt blame him as he never bit as such.
dont what to suggest to you though, id hate to face the decision you've got there. i guess it comes down to 'do you still trust the dog?'.
I wouldnt opt straight for killing the poor sod unless you've tried behaviour moderation techniques (unless of course it obvious you cant stamp it out). It's hard to tell without experiencing the dog both day-to-day and during these attacks.
What was he like with other dogs in the family?
What's his general temperament?
What's he like on the lead?
What was he like with other dogs in the family?
What's his general temperament?
What's he like on the lead?
dave_s13 said:
Wedg1e said:
No good asking me, I don't like pets 
You could always suggest I get Steve his own MX5 to sit in???
I'd have thought a Sinclair C5 may be a bit safer though, at least until he can reach the pedals... 
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