Dog become aggressive after new addition?
Discussion
With reference to this thread where I found and successfully re-homed a kelpie pup, it seems all is not well.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
The house that the pup (6 month old female kelpie) has gone to, the owners already have 2 dogs, a 12 year old male terrier of some description and a 1.5 year old female kelpie cross something quite butch. Early indications were all dogs got on great. But here we are a few weeks later and the behaviour of the existing kelpie cross has changed significantly, culminating over the weekend with a serious attack on the terrier which has landed it in doggie hospital with an uncertain future.
Even though the rescued dog has been as good as gold and got on with both dogs, it is the personality of this existing dog that has changed beyond all recognition. It has been suggested that this could be on account of the arrival of the new dog – can anyone expand on this? If the new pup is removed and re-homed can it be expected that the previous chilled state of play will return, or would you expect the 1.5 year old to remain a potential danger?
Any advice appreciated.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
The house that the pup (6 month old female kelpie) has gone to, the owners already have 2 dogs, a 12 year old male terrier of some description and a 1.5 year old female kelpie cross something quite butch. Early indications were all dogs got on great. But here we are a few weeks later and the behaviour of the existing kelpie cross has changed significantly, culminating over the weekend with a serious attack on the terrier which has landed it in doggie hospital with an uncertain future.
Even though the rescued dog has been as good as gold and got on with both dogs, it is the personality of this existing dog that has changed beyond all recognition. It has been suggested that this could be on account of the arrival of the new dog – can anyone expand on this? If the new pup is removed and re-homed can it be expected that the previous chilled state of play will return, or would you expect the 1.5 year old to remain a potential danger?
Any advice appreciated.
To a degree, but I believe mainly yes. It can depend IME on what the dogs now think their positions are i.e. has anyone managed to "jump" a place in the pecking order? If not, then they are back to how they were all happy again.
But the bottom line is that if they are attacking the pup to that degree it needs removing until you work it out.
But the bottom line is that if they are attacking the pup to that degree it needs removing until you work it out.
Jasandjules said:
Well I will be shot down however it is a simple matter to me. The dogs are now seeking to confirm their place in the pack as the dynamic has changed with a new addition.
You know a certain poster will be along shortly and will be posting the same link they always do to show how there is no such thing as a "pack" in domestic dogs.But I agree with you. As an aside some dog breeds are know to go though a "teenage" phase at about 18 months. Might be worth looking in the mixes breed and see if this is part of the issue.
If this is the case then removing the re-homed dog may make no difference to the situation.
Good luck.
Jasandjules said:
To a degree, but I believe mainly yes. It can depend IME on what the dogs now think their positions are i.e. has anyone managed to "jump" a place in the pecking order? If not, then they are back to how they were all happy again.
But the bottom line is that if they are attacking the pup to that degree it needs removing until you work it out.
Thanks, and I always appreciate your posts JandJ, but you've misread, it's the original 1.5 year old attacked the 12 year old little grandad. The new addition has had no involvement. That's what confuses me and I'm interested in getting feedback on.But the bottom line is that if they are attacking the pup to that degree it needs removing until you work it out.
Google [bot] said:
it's the original 1.5 year old attacked the 12 year old little grandad. The new addition has had no involvement. That's what confuses me and I'm interested in getting feedback on.
Ah well that can be a combination then, with a new pack member coming in the existing dog wishes to raise itself in the pack by challenging the older dog.There is also another aspect, unfortunately some dogs will attack an older dog because they are weak... It is horrible but I've seen it a few times now (not with my dogs I am happy to say).
How have the dogs been before this point? Has the 1.5 year old been pushing past the 12 year old, going through doorways before it (even if it didn't want to go in that room etc)?
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