Information on dogs killing other family dogs - please

I don't understand a vet saying a dog has 2-4 years left to live.  How do you just come up with that number??  I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with a vet telling me that even if that's what they might think.

Also, I was wondering if they tested for Lyme disease.  My dog was suddenly having arthritis issues and she tested positive.  It can be a symptom of Lyme. 

They put Willow on Rimadyl as needed.  You will hear a mixed bag of feelings on that drug but I can tell you it works well.  And, there is a lot of misinformation and exaggerations about it on the internet as far as it's safety. 

It sounds like some of your issues are starting to resolve. Which is a good thing. But definitely keep an eye on Ruper and monitor his pain issues. I have re-read the thread and it doesn't sound like an intentional kill.

One time, on a walk around town, these two pekinese came after us. One charged and Shadow picked him up by the neck and shook him like a rag doll. He let go, I guess to get a better grip and the Peke took that chance to hightail it back to the yard he belonged in. Point being the Peke was young and limber and not really worse for the wear. And Shadow wasn't killing him, just scaring the crap out of him, and me.

Good luck with the behaviorist, when you find one.

It's been nearly a month and Rupert has yet to show the slightest bit of aggression towards any of the little dogs and they all seem very relaxed even in his prescence, he's kept separate the majority of the time, sleeps in my room at night, and I've got a wire basket muzzle for him now and if it's a "high risk" time like yesterday when we had a yardsale and he and his sister were out back in the yard for some time he wears his muzzle. Rupert and his sister Toy got into a scuffle which prompted me to muzzle him though it was probably overkill, probably initiated by toy since when she gets super hyped she re-directs onto anyone or anything nearby, when the first people arrived and they heard the strange voices but neither dog was hurt Toy's got some seriously thick and long fur and they behaved themselves the rest of the day and just enjoyed the wonderful cool weather.

 I was a bit suprised at how accepting and trusting Rupert was with the muzzle, he took to it without going depressed and only tried to get it off a few times but never really panicked and listened when I told him no. At first he was a bit resistant to doing tricks while wearing it but I brought out the best treats, sliced cheese, and he immediately figured out how to smush his face against the side of the muzzle and get the cheese. I expect before long he'll put his nose in the thing whenever it appears because it'll start to mean treats and going for a walk. I'm cautiously hopeful that what happened really was a one off, bad pairing of two male dogs and it was a tragic accident.

 Oh, and the problems with Doodle the little min pin picking on Rupert at dinner and other times - completely gone. Rupert eats and stays in my room or the bathroom at dinner time and if the min pins are being roudy Rupert goes in my room and when the mail comes, Rupert goes in my room - bascially anytime theres an opportunity for excitement and resentment to build he's separated and I've noticed he's been a lot more cheerful lately. more relaxed overall. It's not a perfect solution, we still don't know exactly why there was hostility in the first place but it seems to be working... when Rupert isn't around it's no big deal, when he is it's also no big deal.

It sounds like you're doing what you need to be doing. Managing the environment and making the muzzle a good thing. He's going to wear it like jewelry. Some dogs, properly trained, enjoy the muzzle when it means good things. And it provides a management, an environmental rule set that allows the dog to "work" so to speak.

Congrats on finding a workable solution.

it seems like you are managing well and using your room as others use a crate in similar situations. i have a very nervous dog as well and with him i will NEVER get rid of the crate, since it provides the kind of safety that he and others need. it's very calming for a nervous dog to know he has a safe place to go and doesnt have to deal with upsetting things :)

how are your parents dealing with it, now that a bit of time has passed?

janetmichel3009

it seems like you are managing well and using your room as others use a crate in similar situations. i have a very nervous dog as well and with him i will NEVER get rid of the crate, since it provides the kind of safety that he and others need. it's very calming for a nervous dog to know he has a safe place to go and doesnt have to deal with upsetting things :)

how are your parents dealing with it, now that a bit of time has passed?

 My father tends not to show a whole lot of emotion, he's still sad but he doesn't blame Rupert and talks to him sometimes, jokes about his head being shaved. My mother still refuses to touch Rupert in any way or give him the slightest bit of affection, she talks about Kong sometimes like he were still alive, all the neat things he used to do that she loved like sticking his head in doggie clothes but I'm careful not to bring him up unless she does. The first few nights she had a really hard time sleeping because Kong always slept with her but now his son Brutus has stepped up and taken over the position and I think that's made my mom feel somewhat better(from the way she talks about him...) and Brutus is clearly loving being a "mommie dog" - when my mom's home the rest of us humans don't exist and I'm glad. She talked briefly about wanting another puppy - right away, a little male with an attitude and I heard her asking the vet and his receptionists AND some volunteers at the pound that she's looking for a small male puppy and apparently she asked my father for a chi mix pup that one of her co-workers daughters just had in a litter. She also looked online at a local min pin rescue but I seriously doubt after what happened a rescue would allow us to adopt so we agreed against that option. My father says no on another puppy and I have to agree, at least until Rupert passes on and the pups Brutus and Tiny mature more, but if it's what she really wants and needs then a new puppy my mom will get. Now things in the house are less hostile and tense, just sad.

Your mom is wanting to get another small dog with attitude to replace the one that was a thorn in Rupert's side, so to speak? I'm wondering if she really just misses having the small dog or if she is feeling that this is "her house, her ways." Maybe a little of both. My mom was always quite clear. Her house, her rules. I'm glad your dad is helping to ease the situation. And I know it can't be easy on you living at home. One of these days, you will have the ability to leave home and you will find, as I did with mine, that your relationship with your parents may improve. I got along with my mom much better when I wasn't living at home.