Dog Community

2 dogs best of friends 1 attacks the other

Posted : 2/20/2012 9:40:15 PM

I have 2 dogs Marlie, a 3 year old lab and Choco, a 1 year old lab/blue healer mix. Marlie was a 1 1/2 years old when he was dropped off by his previous family. I know he has a fear of being abandoned. We got Choco when he was 6 weeks old. The 2 can't be seperated from the hip.

From mid November to Christmas week when I thru him out, My brother-in-law stayed with us. At first they loved being around him. Towards the end they had nothing to do with him. We have no idea what he did to them while we were away from the house. they would run off to other neighbors houses. Within the last couple of weeks we have managed to get them to calm down. Just this past Saturday I was intown my wife let the dogs out to run and play. We live in the country, plenty of space for them to run. Choco comes back and his whole face is torn up. My wife starts cleaning him up and Marlie comes in. When he sees Choco he starts attacking him. My wife had to choke Marlie to get Choco free.

I show up about a half hour later. I show up. We checked Choco for the extent of cuts and scratches. I went to the truck to prepare it for him. Marlie got in the truck during that time. When it was time to leave, I got Marlie out of the truck, as soon as he saw Choco he went after him again. It took everything I had to get him off Choco.

We took Choco to the clinic, got him patched up. When we got him home Marlie ( in a kenel )still wanted to go after him. Sunday, Marlie calmed down some. still wanted to go after him. Today Choco would carfull and wearly go up to the kenel to see Marlie. Marlies reaction to Choco today has been of caution and a couple attempts to lunge at him. We are not sure of what to do.

tiffy

Posted : 2/20/2012 10:06:20 PM

Tigger roo
when I thru him out,

Whats this mean?

Tigger roo

Posted : 2/20/2012 10:15:17 PM

My brother-n-law moved down from Alaska. He invited himself to our house. Stayed till I threw him out due to his attitude and disrespect for my wife and me, while staying at our house with free room and board.

miranadobe

Posted : 2/20/2012 10:19:46 PM

Heelers are no joke. You now have a male who has entered maturity - or at least the stages of it where he can usurp power. Are either of the dogs intact?

Tigger roo

Posted : 2/20/2012 10:38:07 PM

Marlie, (The lab) has a 40 lb weight advantage over Choco. Choco was torn up pritty good in the face. When Marlie attacked, Choco went straight to submission.

tiffy

Posted : 2/20/2012 11:15:14 PM

Thanks for clarifying. :) Paige is right, Heelers are no joke.

miranadobe

Posted : 2/21/2012 12:16:35 AM

Tigger roo

Marlie, (The lab) has a 40 lb weight advantage over Choco. Choco was torn up pritty good in the face. When Marlie attacked, Choco went straight to submission.

ok. By "intact", my question is asking if either of them have been neutered yet.

rwbeagles

Posted : 2/21/2012 10:23:20 AM

I wonder...if, since the attack started after the dog came back wounded...if he did not SMELL like the other dog? I mean you don't really know who or what attacked the first time right? when he returned torn up. Might've been another dog, or more than one...or even some kind of wildlife. I would BATHE the injured dog as soon as it is safe to do so to remove traces of other scent. Just in case. It could be that your non injured dog saw the others weakness and wanted to take his place..or he might have just smelled like a strange dog...due to the high levels of pain and adrenaline pheremones and other animal scents that might've been clinging.

Tigger roo

Posted : 2/21/2012 1:34:45 PM

Both dogs are still intack, We are currently trying to find an affordable and trust worthy vet that can preform the operation on Marlie. Choco will have to wait on for a while because of the recent trip to the vet. My wife just gave both dogs a bath to see if that helps ease the situation any. I will write more after work.

Thanks Tig.

rufftie

Posted : 2/21/2012 4:28:13 PM

not sure where the comment "heelers are no joke" fits in. seems the heeler was the attacked dog. i hate to start throwing around breed stereotypes. then we got to say things like pitties, rotties or dobies. cattle dogs are ornery, stubborn, single minded and completly devoted to those they love while aloof to strangers. they are rarely mean spirited despite the work they are asked to do. i proudly say "i love me a ornery cattle dog!"
so let's not belittle the brave and true heeler. (getting off soapbox now) let's talk about the individual dog in question. i do believe a previous poster hit the nail on the head with the testosterone card. both dogs are unaltered males. the younger dog is hitting adolesence and may be perceived as a threat to the other dog. not sure what could have set off the fight. you may find out that these two dogs will get over it or you may find they can not manage to get along, just like some people. a problem of individuals not breeds. wish you a good outcome

tiffy

Posted : 2/21/2012 7:37:42 PM

My mistake on mixing up the attacker and attackee.

spiritdogs

Posted : 2/23/2012 5:50:29 AM

Personally, I don't get why you would be allowing two unaltered males to roam your neighborhood off leash anyway. Do you not realize how many unwanted litters end up dead at shelters, especially in the rural south, or how many dogs get hit by cars because they are roaming around seeking female company? The very idea that there are no qualified vets anywhere near you who could do a simple neuter is ridiculous on its face. I would say to keep these dogs completely and totally separated for 5-6 weeks, during which time you neuter both of them, and then, once they are carefully re-introduced, if there's a problem, you seek out the help of a positive trainer or behaviorist who has *legitimate* credentials in dog behavior. An online forum is not the place to get help regarding two dogs that have put holes in one another.