Dog Community

Gizmo's Behavior - help, suggestions, why?

Posted : 6/14/2010 3:16:30 PM

I feel so bad but I don’t know what I can do now. Well, first off, since I’ve been making this transition into the working world Gizmo has been living with my parents till I can get things figures out. It’s taking much longer then I thought it would and there is no way I could keep Gizmo in my tiny apartment that only allows dogs under 20 lbs. This was only going to be temporary but I haven’t been able to find a place that I can afford to rent by myself in Santa Fe that allows dogs. It is super expense to live here compared to the rest of the state. I’m starting to consider looking for a roommate.

So anyway, Gizmo has always been very protective of her space and we have worked with her behavioral issues for a long time. We have had many issues that we have had to work through with the help of trainers. She normaly is alright with dog’s she’s familiar with but not so much with dogs she doesn’t know. My parents have a lot of land and Gizmo does great when she can just run and be the highly active dog that she is. She’s grown up with my parent’s other two dogs and has never really show any aggression towards them. My Dad really likes dogs about as much as I do so they really don't mind haveign a gand-dog around the house.

Trinity, my parents ACD is an older dog, going on 12 and recently has started to slow down. Well, I guess this is annoying Gizmo and she's been a little more pushy towards Trinity. Trinity use to be one of the few dogs able to keep up with Gizmo’s energy level but now refuses to play like she once did. My parents called me a said that Gizmo and Trinity got into a fight! Gizmo bit into Trinity’s side and Trinity fought back by attacking her foot. My dad sprayed them down with the water hose to stop it. Both dogs are alright now but trinity needed to be stiched back together and Gizmo’s foot is going to need a little time to heal. I’m not even sure what sparked the fight. My parents were just sittign outside and looked over to see them going at it.

I really don’t know how to deal with this since I’m not there to see what’s going on. I don’t know what to tell my parents. I want to hurry up and find a home where I can bring Gizmo back into my life but it isn’t going as smoothly as I hoped. It's seems like this is such a huge setback in her training and I can't be there for her this time. I almost feel like I'm letter her down and upset at myself for not making even more efort to find a home were we can live together. I'm willing to hier anouther trainer to visit my parents if that's what it will take.

Here is a text my mom sent me of Trinity wrapped up after the fight:

[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/ExtraAxolotl/06-12-10_1601.jpg[/IMG]

spiritdogs

Posted : 6/14/2010 4:55:26 PM

First off, understand that sometimes, when an older dog slows down there is an increased risk that other household dogs may start something, and there isn't necessarily anything anyone could have done. I think that, because it was a puncture to a vulnerable area, you should probably tell your parents to keep the dogs separated until you can get someone to take a history and evaluate the situation impartially and figure out what triggered it, and if there are behavioral, or even medical interventions that can be applied. I'm so sorry this happened, especially since it appeared that Gizmo was doing well in that situation for a while.

espencer

Posted : 6/14/2010 6:29:03 PM

Xebby
Trinity use to be one of the few dogs able to keep up with Gizmo’s energy level but now refuses to play like she once did.

Maybe (one of the too many things that could happen) Gizmo was too pushy trying to have Trinity to play, she of course is old and was not having it and might have warned Gizmo to stop.

Xebby
My parents have a lot of land and Gizmo does great when she can just run and be the highly active dog that she is.

I hope this is not the typical "she has a big back yard to exercise herself, therefore i dont need to" because you know that does not mean her exercise requirements are being met, Gizmo, trying to burn some energy maybe tried to have Trinity to help and when she refused then Gizmo didnt like the lack of participation.

This is as easy as an exercised dog is a good dog.

Xebby

Posted : 6/15/2010 9:18:38 AM

(I had a long reply typed out last night but wireless connection went out as soon as I sent it. So, here is a condensed version of what I had wrote)

Your right Espencer, a run-around-the-yard is no substitute for the exercise she needs. When Gizmo lived with me we would go for structured walks and worked a lot on obedience and some agility. Sheep herding was the best thing I ever did for Gizmo but since moving I haven't been able to take her to her herding trainer. Mental stimulation seems to be the only thing to wear gizmo out and helps to manage her problems. My Dad plays frisbee with the dogs and goes for short walks but probably isn’t enough to meet Gizmo’s needs. I’m considering perhaps hiring a dog walker who is experienced working with a challenging dog like Gizmo? I wish I could be there for her but the distance makes it hard to see her as often as I would like.

erica1989

Posted : 6/15/2010 10:07:43 AM

Is it possible that there is something MEDICALLY wrong with Trinity? Dogs can often sense when something is wrong - tumor, infection, etc. Considering she's getting older - this may be something to check out.

rwbeagles

Posted : 6/15/2010 10:14:19 AM

I would simply separate them...totally. Young bitch/Old bitch seldom works out well for the old bitch.

Xebby

Posted : 6/15/2010 12:20:59 PM

Well, Trinity could have something going on with her health. She has seen a vet since she's slowed down and I know she's was put on medications for arthritis. I also have my parents giving her glucosemine to help some. She needs x-rays but not sure if my parents will go through with that. I keep urging them that they need to know what’s going on inside and out.

The dogs are separated when no one is around and they both sleep inside at night. Gizmo sleeps in the bedroom and Trinity in the living room with Nova (my parent’s other dog). My mom was once NOT a dog person but after living in a house with my crazy addiction to animals she’s given in to the love. It did, however, take many years to convince here that it’s ok for dogs to live inside. It also took a while to convince them to change from feeding ol’ roy to something much, much better. During the day while everyone is at work Trinity and Nova stay outside and Gizmo is kept inside. I think I’ve reached the extent of influence I have on my parents when it comes to taking care of pets. They only treat Gizmo better then the others because they know how much I have put into her and have never owned a “trained” dog. She’s feed separately and I buy dog food for her so I know she’s getting the right stuff. I was also thinking that since she’s so spoiled compared to the other two that could have sparked the fight as well.

I never expected things to turn out this way but 5 years ago I had no idea I would ever be living in an apartment. Up to now I’ve always been able to find a home where Gizmo could stay with me. I really hope this changes soon.