Advice needed

[doberdelight]

I need some advice guys.

As you know Cass is 10.5 years and kora is 11 months. Cass has never been a doggy dog and has always been aggressive towards other dogs and humans outwith our family.

She also suffers severe seperation anxiety.

Anyway over the last week I am not sure what is going on with her. Saturday night she attacked Kora right infront on me for no reason. Kora has cuts to her ears but is otherwise fine.
I tried to seperate them and managed to however Cass then lunged forward to get her again and bit me. So 3 sutures to fix that:(

Today I was feeding the dogs as normal and Cass had finished and normally she just walks about waiting. Not today though she leapt onto Kora and round 2 began.

This time i grabbed a mop and stuck it between them and after what seemed an enternity got them serperated. In the processes I have another bite. Not bad, but a bite all the same.

So what would you do? 2 unprovoked attacks in less than a week. I am not scared of Cass but I am scared of what she would/could to Kora or if one of the boys got caught up in it.

[Damasyn]

That sucks Lynz. I wonder if she is doing this for another reason? Maybe she is not feeling real well. Check her eyesight too. I would feed them seperately for now, until you can cross out a medical reason. Pain/discomfort/ unease can make anyone grumpy.

i hope you dont have to keep them seperated forever. That would be a pain with everyone living in the same house.

[doberdelight]

Hey Kim.

Thanks. She has been to the vet and she seems fine apart from a few lumps and bumps which may be cancerous but is otherwise fine.
she runs, she plays, she barks, howls LOL she doesnt seem in any pain at all. but maybe???all i know is she is doing my head in.
I havent been keeping them apart as sometimes they are so good together. I have been watching them at all times though, but Cass just seems to flip.

[DeDe]

Kora is becoming a mature bitch and Cass can sense it. With her advanced age, she is in natural fear of loosing her 'alpha bitch' position and sounds as if she is reminding Kora who the boss still is.
Personally, I would separate them at this point or I fear one of them will sustain some real damage soon. Kora needs her alone time as the head bitch to reassure her. Even if only for a few hours a day, to relieve some stress and tension...

[Damasyn]

Dede, do you think maybe if Lynz makes a clear signal to the dogs who the alpha is, that it would re assure Cass? I know if the dogs get mixed signals sometimes they dont know how to react to who, so fighting happens... just wondering if this might be an option.

[doberdelight]

thank you Kim/Dede. I will separate them through out the day and have them together with us in the evening. Normally in the evening Cass just wants up on the sofa to nap.

Do you think this would be enough? or should I try and separate them more.

I also think Kora is due to go into season in the next 2 months so maybe that has something to do with it?

[von Cosack]

Dede is right on and the dynamic will have alot to do when YOUR present! Shes showing the younger bitch shes still the primary dog but shes showing you too! Chances of them being ok together without you present is 50/50 but why chance it. This is very typical because of Cass's temperament being the way it is. Be cautious when their doing the same activity at the same time, eating, drinking, resting near each other (around you) anything were they physically cross paths and even eyes meeting as they move. If the younger one starts initiating fights then your up the creek, seperation time because then they will fight harder and you can get bite for real. When dogs start to fight in a kill mode thats when people get bit reaching in or moving in behind them.
Be two steps ahead and the mop is good you may have to beat the crap out of them to stop them. Go after the agressor! Von

[doberdelight]

thanks Von. If only you could have seen me with the mop.

I grabbed the mop out of the bucket of dirty water and was whacking it up and down.

when the fight was over both dogs ans myself soaked. lol its funny when i think about it now

[trinitydobes]

Lynz - when there is a sudden aggressive behavior - I first rule out Thyroid and Lymes diseases - both are associated with aggreesive behavior in dogs - at Cass's senior status - Thyroid would not be uncommon.

I also agree that Cass may be worried about a challenge from Kora - but in what you described - it does not appear to me that Kora was not doing anything when Cass attacked.

I also think that her eyes should be looked at - because failing eyesight is also associated with sudden rage - or being over reactive.

I do agree that if you have ruled all these things out - that Cass could just be getting old and crotchety and has decided she does not want any YOUNG BITCH being a threat to her kingdom - period - definitely would keep them separated and if you have to - I would use a italian basket muzzle on them both - they can cuss all they want then but can't bite you or each other