Oh no :( Trinket attacked T-Bone

 ((Hugs))

I know what your going throw with T-bone and Trinket I'm dealing with the same thing with my two they started doing the same thing with Cadey attacking Blue about three months ago.

You might want to crate and rotate them for the time being make sure the time they do spend together is well supervised and positive behavior between them is rewarded. Keep them separated for a day or two let them relax and let wounds heal.

Try to think about both fights right before it happen I know it was all in a  rush, but play it through your mind in slow motion was there any body language displayed by Trinket that was her trigger that she was to go off. Was she excited or scared during both times? This how I finally figured out Cadey's trigger that she was going to snap with my dog it's her excitement as she's getting ready to play and being playful.

If can't think of anything then go back to basics she might be protective of her stuff such as her bed and saw him as threat you might have to watch them very well during toy and object interaction such as bed reward positive interaction.

You need advice from the trainers here...but I just wanted to say that this type of behavior can be common after the "honeymoon" period is over.  She is getting comfortable in her new surroundings and is possibly testing the waters in hopes of being the top dog.  We went through this with Heidi and Bruder.  Part of it is nature.  One of them will be top dog...and you aren't the one to make that determination.  The dynamics between the two dogs will play out.  However, its tough for you because you don't want anybuddy hurt in the process. 

I would suggest individual training sessions, heavier dose with Trinket.  She needs to understand that you make the house rules, not her.  So...if you haven't already...start NILIF with her (and both).  Teach her some "off switch" commands, like "stop" or "enough" and make sure she gets it...understands you.

Good luck and I'm hopeful you will get sound advice from trainers here.  Don't despair, you can work through this.

In my opinion, this dog is NOT right for your family, and I was holding my breath when you said you were taking her in.  Herders and bullies often have two completely different play styles and agendas.  Others may think differently, but I think that if you were that frightened, you should trust your gut.  IMO, a resident dog always trumps a newcomer, and she should be placed in a single dog household, if she is safe for that. I would not have much of an issue with what happened were it not for you having to physically break it up and with how fearful you sound.  If the fights escalate, you will be in increasing danger trying to break them up.  T-Bone trusts you to protect him, and this dog has not proved to be a good companion thus far - she seems to be dog aggressive (and possibly a resource guarder of space), since this isn't the first time you witnessed a problem with her.  Do NOT let your feelings for her put T-Bone in peril.  If you want, get a behaviorist opinion, but IMO this is not a match made in heaven.  Your choice should be a dog that defers to T-Bone, not one who wants to dethrone him or kill him. 

A scuffle is a scuffle and is easily broken up with noise.  When you have to physically break up two dogs (which is how most redirected bites happen), and one goes running back for the other as if to kill, that is not ok in a pet home IMO.  You should not live in fear, and neither should T-Bone. 

I think this may be more than just "honeymoon over" but then, I'm not there and I really think you should have a well qualified behaviorist evaluate the dogs.  I love bullies, but you MUST take breed, as well as prior behavior, and level of intensity into consideration here.   You have to ask the tough questions - do you really want a dog that cannot live nicely with others, be trusted in your yard or neighborhood, and scares the pants off your other dog (not to mention you)?  That's life with a dog like her if this isn't just an adjustment.  So, act with your head, and not your heart, for T-Bone's sake.  

I have no advise,,can I just say I'm so sorry for you...so sorry that this happened to you.  You know I would like to get another dog...would love for Gibby to have a sister/brother to love...I've had two dogs in my house in the past.  Owned a camper with another couple and we each had a dog..my bully type was more aggresive but didn't think twice about leaving them ever and they were just fine. 
However... after working at the vet clinic for 4 years and seeing enough dogs that attacked their brother/sister for no reason that the owner knew of..........I honestly won't have more than one dog in my house.  Sad for Gibby I'm sure...but I won't take a chance. I saw Bubblegum attack Ollie ( my Dane Bubby and my sons Dane Ollie that used to come over all the time )  and that was enough for me.  I saw a Doxy mix torn apart so bad from another dog in its house that we didn't know if it would live for days.....then over a year later got attacked by the same dog.  Enough for me!

I feel so bad for you and I hope you figure it out. Try to be strong so that you can think straight!

I agree with Barbara about helping her understand your house, your rules.  Maybe don't throw in the towel yet, but keep in mind that T comes first, he was there first.  I'm assuming he is already good in the house and knows the rules and is trained to your liking.  I wonder if Trinket was just given too much freedom too soon.  I would keep her confined or even attached to you and only allow short periods of supervised interaction.  If T is allowed on the couch, the bed, or has certain toys, then he should keep these privileges that he has earned but Trinket does not get them yet until she earns them too. 

Liesje

I wonder if Trinket was just given too much freedom too soon

I think much of Lies's advice is very wise

Good luck and I hope you can work it out

Anne I agree. This home, does not seem a good fit, at least from looking in from outside. I also wonder if this behavior is why she was in a shelter to begin with.  IMO some breeds just do not have the "stop" filter or even acknowledge when another dog is "giving over" or submitting and the continuing to seek out to continue the attack is really bothering me, too. I have seen this in Akitas and it is not a good sign. You cannot be afraid because BOTH dogs will sense that and TBone may even start to aggress BACK thinking you need protecting and then things get really bad.

IMO you're looking at likely a scenario where you'd never be able to trust the two 100% and you need to ask yourself if that is what you want for the next 8-10 years.

I don't feel as if I "threw them together" They are not left alone unsupervised (I roatate who is in the crate when I go to work, and switch it on my lunch break) and I've lived in a 5 dog househould before (seven when ex's mom came into town and stayed) and I know a scuffle, normal adjustments for shelter dogs and how, at first, they can over react while they're fitting in and testing the waters. It's her intensity that has me so scared. It is much like my heart dog, Roscoe (RIP) who had to be euthanaized for extreme aggression/neurological issues. I'm not trynig to sound defensive, I'm just exhausted and very, very sad. Part of me says, keep trying! Part of em says, take her back before she bonds more, has that psychological trauma, and I ask myself.. what IS the margin for error when trying to train a dog who honest to doG COULD kill T-Bone?

Thabks for the ideas, guys. This is very troubling

kpwlee

Liesje

I wonder if Trinket was just given too much freedom too soon

My thoughts exactly.  From a distance it appeared that you sort of 'threw' them together and gave her the same freedoms - without the training and knowledge of the rules and surroundings - as an adult dog added to an adolescent dog.  She needs strict NILIF - clear boundaries and TIME.  She was in a shelter less than a week ago and is likely still carrying lots of stress.

I think much of Lies's advice is very wise

Good luck and I hope you can work it out

I was thinking the SAME thing. Im not a trainer, but IMO, I think a big mistake when getting a new dog is to just let the new dog into the house and treat them equaly to the resident dog. I think they should be given VERY clear rules and boundaries, and NOT given the same resources as the resident dog has.

I think you've kind of put to much on this dog way to soon. I would start NILF, and set some very clear rules and boundaries, RIGHT NOW. Let T Bone do whatever he has been allowed to do before, but not her. No couch, no (human) bed, none of T Bones toys. I would have HER bed in a crate, and make that HER only area for now.

spiritdogs

A scuffle is a scuffle and is easily broken up with noise.  When you have to physically break up two dogs (which is how most redirected bites happen), and one goes running back for the other as if to kill, that is not ok in a pet home IMO.  You should not live in fear, and neither should T-Bone. 

I didn't want to be the first with this sentiment,but now that Ann has spoken I'm going to add my thoughts.I have been in your shoes and I know it is heartbreaking.In my case one of my dogs mortally wounded the other.I truly hope your outcome is better than mine.If you are fearfull it will happen again then it very well might.

Tena 

I'm in agreement with Anne and Gina.  Bringing an adult shelter dog into a home is always a gamble.  If you decide to try to keep her, I second the advice to get a behaviorist's opinion.  I'm truly sorry this happened.  I do think you would be wise to consider whether you want to take a chance that this causes T Bone to become DA.  It's not something I would wish on anyone.  Feel free to contact me if you want to talk.  

No ideas or advice from me, but I do know how stressful and frightening that situation is. I wish you the best in choosing what is right for both dogs.

Willow is pretty aggressive and needs to be micromanaged all the time.  If you want to discuss what I go thru with her PM me.  I hope you find a solution to this problem.

JackieG

I'm in agreement with Anne and Gina.  Bringing an adult shelter dog into a home is always a gamble.

I agree with Anne and Gina also. I have and continue to live with the problem. It's been 7 yrs and things never progressed to the point that we can comfortably have the 2 dogs be together alone or even when I'm alone. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. We tried reinforcing the status of the resident dog. Maybe we didn't do it right, but it didn't help. We got help from a behaviorist and that helped a little but still didn't prevent future fights. I think the question you have to ask yourself is why would you want to deal with this and why would you want to risk either dog's health and happiness. I know your heart is in the right place but this doesn't sound like the right dog to fit into your family. It's okay to acknowledge that. It doesn't make you a failure in any way. It doesn't mean you don't know how to work with or train dogs. It simply means that these 2 dogs may not ever like each other. I know how heartbreaking and frightening this can be but unless you've got something amazing in your bag of tricks, I'm betting it will happen again and I don't want to see you or your dogs go thru it. (((HUGS)))