General Chat

My sister took on a 2and half year Gt Bassett Griffon Vendeen about 4 months ago.She also has 2 Spanish Water dogs and a Wheaten Terrier.The new Bitch was welcomed by the other 3 with no problem at all.But for no apparant reason the female Spanish W D.has started to attack the new one.My sister says that she is at her wits end and can't undersand why this sudden aggressive behaviour has begun.
She says A****(has asked me not to name her on the board) is a beautiful placid dog.She had been totally neglected in the love and care with her last owner,but hadn't been ill treated.Is now seriously thinking she will no longer be able to keep her.
Any advice or anyone who would love to rehome her if needed??
Thanksx

Maybe the new bitch has come into heat for the first time since her arrival there.

Suzanne

She was on heat when my sister got her.She had her spayed last week.The aggression has only started in the last few weeks.We just can't fathom out why after 4 months Molly has turned like this.

Has she asked the advice of the vet? Maybe it is Molly who has a problem.

Perhaps she wants to assert herself, and be top dog. We had an Airedale bitch about 7/8yrs old when we had a 3 months old Cocker Bitch.
All was well at first, but after a while the Cocker asserted herself to be top bitch, and would always 'go' for the side of the Airedales face. Not long after, the Airedale died, not because of the Cocker, but the Cocker really is top dog now, and wouldn't have another dog in the house.
Julia in Derbyshire

This is what I am guessing Julia.The new one wouldn't say boo to a goose though.She has started to come out of her shell and now wags her tail and will greet my sister or her OH when they get in.Jealousy I think may be part of the problem.They are trying to get in touch with the people who breed these dogs to see what they suggest.But my sister is on tender hooks all the time now.

Hiya Jane.

My guess is that the new dog has taken a lot of attention away from the others... needed, obviously, as she has had to learn how to respond to affection.

Now that she is doing so, and is showing a personality, then the SW dog, Molly, is now realising that there is a chance her place in the hierarchy is jeopardised... and this is why she is turning on the more placid newcomer.

It is Molly's behaviour which needs to be dealt with... she is the poor dog who is jealous, and so her owners need to address that... if she is getting jealous of one dog now, then that could become a serious issue in the future if it is allowed to continue.

Pack domination has to be set now... and Molly must be stopped, for her own sake.

I would seriously look at getting advice from a dog behaviourist.... most vets have details of local ones... but you can also get excellent books. I used one years ago to deal with a similar problem. It worked a treat.... but I have to be honest that it was hard for me to stick to it at times... it was so much easier to *give in*.... but the hard work paid off, and I ended up with a German Shepherd and a Lab who would accept any other dogs or animals in the house without so much as a whimper.... because we, as pack leaders, said so, lol....

Molly is basically bullying..... and might end up hurting... the newer dog. Poor Molly is following instinct though.

Good luck

Love

Daff xxxx

Hi Daff,everything you said there makes sense to me.I will ring my sister and read to her what you have said.Poor Sis is so upset about it,as up till now things have been so good with the 4 dogs.One other thing is that when Molly starts her Wheaten Terrier will start as well!!.My sister had to use the ironing board to separate them the other day.I am sure they would be prepared to see a dog behaviourist,as they would hate to have to give up on the New one now.
Thanks for that.
Jane x

maybe she has some discomfort from the op,
and is a bit sensitive,
just reasure , try that,
keep her seperate for a while,

Jane, you are welcome.

Out of curiosity, I have just googled the Spanish Water dog, and the comments on temperament back up much of what I said... and the true spirit of the new dog is beginning to emerge as well.... they are very friendly, intelligent dogs as well... hounds in the true sense of the word... and then you have a herder, a dog whose instinct is to gather, herd, protect, subdue, lol.......

this is what the Spanish Water dog site said... I've added the link.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/spanishwaterdog.htm

The Spanish Water Dog is an extremely intelligent and well balanced versatile working dog with strong herding, hunting and guardian instincts. He is an exceptional companion, devoted to family, attentive and happy dog, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. He is versatile and easily trained, performing his assigned tasks with competence and dignity. He is reserved with strangers but should not exhibit shyness.

Although an authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable.

The Spanish Water Dog is a large dog in a medium body. They should be socialized at a young age with people and other small animals.

Be sure you are this dogs firm, consistent, confident pack leader to prevent them from becoming protective and territorial.

Although they make fine companions and pets, Spanish Water Dogs (as any other dog) should never be left unsupervised with small children. Because of their high intelligence and working drive, they must be kept mentally and physically active doing something. Some of the tasks that the Spanish Water Dogs are used for are search and rescue, bomb detection, narcotics detection, herding, water sports, competitive agility, therapy work. etc.. teams of Spanish Water Dogs as rescue dogs were sent to Turkey, Mexico and Colombia after they experienced earth-quakes.

A very special breed, needing very special handling!!

As I said.... good luck. lol Your sister has her hands full... but what a beautiful handful!! I do hope she is successful

Love

Daff xxxx

Jane, I have just read up on the Wheaten Terrier.... and my guess is, a may be, slightly askew... believe it or not, the Terrier might be the one that focus needs to go on... please get your sister to read the breed temperaments, lol.... she has 3 very strong, and intelligent breeds... and the Wheaten has a tendency towards dominance!!

I am not sure how it works but it might be that while Molly is fighting her corner with the new dog, the Wheaten just steps in on the back of it and takes over the roost, lol



http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/softcoatedwheatenterrier.htm

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is strong, agile and well-coordinated. A happy, playful, spirited and friendly terrier. Alert, they make great watch dogs and bark at the arrival of guests. They are usually very loving with children and get along reasonably well with other dogs.

An unsocialized dog with a meek owner, who does not know how and when to correct negative behaviors may end up with a dog-aggressive dog.

Some individuals who were not raised with cats, may not get along well with them. All it takes is some fast movement on the part of the cat, and the dog's instincts will take over and he will chase them. The dog needs to be corrected right before they take off after the cat.

They have a puppy attitude that remains with it throughout its life. Sweet-tempered, docile and self-confident.

This breed needs to be taught, preferably when young, but older dogs can learn, what is and is not acceptable behavior. It is very intelligent, so it will generally grasp quickly what is required of them.

They have a straightforward nature and need to be handled in a straightforward manner. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers bond closely with their family. They seldom bark unnecessarily.

The Soft Coated Wheaten should be well socialized with other dogs while they are young puppies, but adults can learn it is unacceptable behavior if they have an owner who properly communicates with them.

In order to have a well behaved Wheaten, you must be firm, but calm, consistent and confident with the dog.

Meek owners will find the dog will easily take over the home and will be hard to control.

Do not allow this dog to jump on humans. Jumping dogs are not "greeting" the human.

Jumping is a respect and a dominancy issue.

So there you are....

Lots of hard work ahead, but very very rewarding when it comes out right.

Love

Daff xxxx

Thanks again Daff.I have just forwarded all this to my sister.I just hope she can get it sorted as she will be heartbroken if she had to get rid of'A'.
From what she said to me it appears all the dogs are fine when left on their own ,it is when the'HUMANS' are there lol
Jane xx

Jane, just read and I think the thing about 'wanting to be top dog' is probably right, thing is your sister must ensure that SHE is the pack leader not any of the dogs. Try looking at the dog whisperer's site for some tips maybe

www.cesarsway.com/

He is in Cardiff this month, Rose, at the CIA... he is doing a tour, I would love to go and see him.

Love

Daff xxxx