MGB: Any Dog shrinks out there? Issues with our Springer Spaniel..

I am going to call the Vet and ask tomorrow but since there are experts here regarding pretty much everything, I will throw it out here first.

We have our 10 month old now, female Husky "Pup" and our 9 year old English Springer Spaniel.. female as well, both spayed. They have always gotten along great and are always together. They play fight constantly and it is quite entertaining at times when the pup gives her the almighty "Hip check." But... The last couple weeks, for no reason at all, the Springer will attack her, grab her around the neck and not let go. She has to be forcefully pulled off of her by pulling open her mouth and then sending her to the spare room for a while. When she finally is let out she can go a day or more without any incidents and they are best of friends again. The Husky towers over the older dog but is terrified of her when she gets "That look" in her eyes. We can even tell before she attacks her as well.
You would think it would be showing dominance being the older and being here the longest but none of this started until two, maybe three weeks ago. Do dogs go through menopause?
For the Pup's sake.. any ideas?

Paul

i think you hit it. the "pup" is no longer a pup in the older dog's eyes. does the older dog get upset if the pup eats/drinks from the elder's bowl? does the younger dog poop or pee where the older dog likes to do same? when they come in/leave the house, who goes first? has any of these behaviors changed in the last several weeks? are either of them jealous of the other when the other is receiving attention from you? probably lotsa other things in their routines that you can look at to see if there is a role reversal going on.

Could be a number of things going on here - possibly roles changing. Possibly "bitchy old dog" syndrome - old girls can get intolerant of younger dogs and their personalities do change.

Another thing you may wish to research is "Springer Rage." A friend of mine back in Halifax had a Springer with this condition. It came on at a younger age but it is something you should be aware of.

Tim

The spaniel has taught the pup where to grab by now. One day soon the pup will grow up, rip the throat out of the spaniel and you'll have a hell of a mess to clean up.

I think Wayne's got it: the pup is no longer a pup in the older dog's eyes. All dogs have a place in the pack. You are pack leader. Multiple dogs tend to sort the pack hierarchy among themselves. What you are seeing is an expression of dominance and an attempt to establish its place in the pecking order. They'll still be pals as long as everyone remembers their place. We have a Brittany and a younger Cocker Spaniel - both females. They have separate food bowls and are fed at the same time, but since the Brittany was here first, she always gets her food placed on the floor first and gets her treats handed to her first. Her thing is to occassionally dry hump the younger dog. That too, is an expression of dominance.

The cats on the other hand, don't listen to anyone.

Cheers,

Glen

What about a wise ass parrot? He's on the phone constantly and insists on begging for food anytime someone's in the kitchen.

Humm.. Lots of good ideas. I will be keeping a closer eye on the daily routine for a couple days.

Thanks

"Springer Rage"? Time to Google..

It's a Dominance thing. Dogs are pack animals and have a pecking order. Your Springer feels the younger dog is trying to displace her as Alpha female, when in all honest (and no insults intended) that role should be your wife's.

As we were told when our Cavalier/Pekinese mix tried to do this here "the true alpha has to lay down the law usually by grabbing the offending dog by the throat and rolling them onto their back. You then hold them in that position until they stop struggling. Praise the dog when you release it. It may take several episodes, but it will work" This came from the Dog Whisperer. Basically it shows the dog that you are boss, and that you could tear their throat out if you wished.

Similar happened to a freind with her black Lab. We used to all go to the dog run intown and she always played around with the other dogs quite happily but then one day she started attacking. Got so bad my friend had to stop bringing her.

Nice dog Peter. Looks like our Molly; even the 'It's not my fault' look on his/her face.

Cheers,

Glen

Glen
That's because he is a Welshie in honor of my Welsh grandmother