[Abbylynn]

Could be my fault ... not sure.

Took the dogs out to potty, 1-2-3. Put Blu Boy in the house. Took Lucy out. Put Lucy inside. All dogs are loose and together inside the house and in the hallway.Took Abbylynn out and shut the door.

Fighting broke out! I opened the door ... my shoes were flying and Blu Boy and Lucy were at it big time. I could not get to their legs ... they are fast as lightning. They are not stopping. I had no choice but to grab the first collar I could see and pull up and hope top not get bit. It was Lucy I had to drag off of Blu Boy. I probably have just ruined our new relationship.

I have no clue other than could they have been fighting over my shoes and my scent? There is nothing else in the hallway but coats hanging on a rack. All three dogs are sick with Kennel cough/Influenza. Could it be because they do not feel well or what?

Thoughts and where and when to start with the dogs being ill. They cannot go anywhere right now because they are contagious. I do not wish to crate and rotate for life.

What to read or do for now while they are all ill?

I have had HA dogs. I have never had a DA dog before.

Should I maybe get them all together and take turns treating them with food while they are calm with each other? Lucy is a mean little thing and doesn't stop!

EDIT: Looking to purchase the book " Fight! " by Jean Donaldson. Would this be a good place to start?

 

[doxiemommy]

Could it be that they are ALL a bit irritable and grumpy, with being ill, and, well, since they're not feeling well they both reacted in ways they normally wouldn't?

 

[Abbylynn]

Could it be that they are ALL a bit irritable and grumpy, with being ill, and, well, since they're not feeling well they both reacted in ways they normally wouldn't?

I am hoping so .......... :/ If not though I need to read a good book I would imagine ... just in case. Lucy shows her teeth at Abbylynn ... more than once. Lucy is only partially toothless. She does however still have her three canine incisors and back teeth ... enough to do damage.

I have been looking at the stickies for books. While they are all still pretty much down for the count ... Any recommendations?

 

[Tofu_pup]

Were they standing at the door when you were outside with Abbylynn?

Doors and gates can be loaded areas and it's one of the biggest things I have to watch for working in doggie daycare. What you've said about Lucy so far makes it seem like she's resource guarding YOU.

It might not hurt to pick up the book "Mine" also by Jean Donaldson.

 

[Abbylynn]

Were they standing at the door when you were outside with Abbylynn?

Doors and gates can be loaded areas and it's one of the biggest things I have to watch for working in doggie daycare. What you've said about Lucy so far makes it seem like she's resource guarding YOU.

It might not hurt to pick up the book "Mine" also by Jean Donaldson.

Thanks! I will find that book on line some place. I think that "I" could be the problem. :/

Yes, they were at the door ... the door was shut and I had just walked outside of the door and just closed it ... with Abbylynn ... and all h$%#@ broke loose! :/

Poor girl ... but that has to be fixed!

Who takes pay pal for purchasing books?

 

[Willowy]

Terriers are known to be "scrappy", so probably there will always be a bit of tussling in certain situations. I know my grandpa's Mini Schnauzer was always spoiling for a fight! So with a Schnauzer mix and a Rat Terrier, it'll never be boring at your house . I'm sure you can manage them once you figure out their triggers, though.

You could probably find those books on eBay, that's really the only place that I know takes PayPal for sure.

 

[Abbylynn]

Terriers are known to be "scrappy", so probably there will always be a bit of tussling in certain situations. I know my grandpa's Mini Schnauzer was always spoiling for a fight! So with a Schnauzer mix and a Rat Terrier, it'll never be boring at your house . I'm sure you can manage them once you figure out their triggers, though.

You could probably find those book on eBay, that's really the only one I know takes PayPal for sure.

Thanks Willowy ... I have been searching online now for over an hour and I am batty! Lol!

Good to know I will always have entertainment!

 

[nbsandhills]

For what it's worth... I remember when you first brought Lucy home and she was a little "snappy."

I would venture to think that since she's been sick, and now the other two are sick, everyone just isn't feeling well and are cranky. I know I get cranky and a bit "snappy" when I'm sick as well!

Maybe just try to keep them seperated somewhat until everyone is well, then allow Lucy to have the normal adjustment period allowed for new/rescued/shelter dogs. I tend to think that her "true" personality hasn't sufaced quite yet and she's still trying to figure out where she fits in to the scheme of things. I've read over and over about how it can sometimes take up to a month for a dogs true personality to show up, but you may have to make an allowance for the unexpected illness.

IMO, once everyone is feeling good, and you can get everyone into a regular routine with feed/exercise etc., things will all fall into place!

Keep us updated and hang in there!!

 

[GottaLuvMutts]

I don't have a ton of experience with DA dogs, but...

From what I've read, the idea is just to change the way the dog feels about the stimulus (in this case, the other dog). As counter intuitive as it may seem, I'd be stuffing Lucy's face with food the second she bares her teeth at Abbylynn. I'd be playing the "Look at that!" game with a clicker. Another book that I'd recommend for an owner with a reactive dog is Control Unleashed. Good luck!

 

[spotted nikes]

I'm guessing redirected aggression caused it. You took one dog out, which got them barking and excited, and frustrated that they couldn't get out too, and one snaps at the other and the fight is on. Either take all of them together, or two of them, or separate when you take one out or aren't there to supervise.

 

[kafkabeetle]

Terriers are known to be "scrappy", so probably there will always be a bit of tussling in certain situations. I know my grandpa's Mini Schnauzer was always spoiling for a fight! So with a Schnauzer mix and a Rat Terrier, it'll never be boring at your house . I'm sure you can manage them once you figure out their triggers, though.

You could probably find those books on eBay, that's really the only place that I know takes PayPal for sure.

I agree that this could be a small part of the problem. Sydney's favorite dog in the world is a JRT (and I think it's safe to say she has a fair amount of terrier in her as well) but they do get into scuffles sometimes. Now that I think about it the few notable instances have happened around doorways. 99% of the time though they are great together.

From the circumstances, especially everyone being sick I definitely wouldn't rule out things being easily managed between them in the future. That is if getting healthy again doesn't just resolve the problem completely.

 

[Abbylynn]

Thank you ... many good thoughts and reading and ideas on this situation. I will keep working on it. I have made sure to place each dog in its own area when I take them out ... and especially sure that Lucy is in her crate and Blu Boy is in another room. Sometimes I take Abbylynn and Blu Boy out together ... but that leads to horse play and potty doesn't necessarily become the objective! Lol!

 

[stacey101]

I can only echo what the above said, and i agree that because she is sick i'd lay my money on its just making her cranky

 

[wvasko]

You've been forewarned, you are now forearmed. As others have noted when dogs not feeling good strange things can happen. This is a good learning experience for you as sometimes good dogs lull you into complacency. A wake up call is not a bad thing especially since there were no serious injuries.

 

[xxxxdogdragoness]

Izze & Josefina used gto get into scuffles every once & a while when Jo was bothering Izze when we we where, trying to play ball or messing with her when she was trying to find it if it was lost, i just let Izze teach her, i dont like to undermine dogs & intervieve when i dont think i have to, 90% of scuffles sound worse then they really are.

 

[Abbylynn]

Izze & Josefina used gto get into scuffles every once & a while when Jo was bothering Izze when we we where, trying to play ball or messing with her when she was trying to find it if it was lost, i just let Izze teach her, i dont like to undermine dogs & intervieve when i dont think i have to, 90% of scuffles sound worse then they really are.

Yeah ... it sounded and looked ugly too ... like 2 tazmanian devils in a whirlwind of a dust cloud ... couldn't see who was who! Lol! One dog solid white and the other 90% white! Lol!

Things have calmed some ... but I truthfully have been paying very close attention ... I do believe I am the resource.

 

[luv mi pets]

It sounds as if Lucy is becoming more at ease at your household. The timing is just about right. Terriers do not need a lot of stimuli to set them off. Close quarters (doorway) and you coming back into the house. All this could have led up to the fight you witnessed. Lucky for you it was more sound effects than bite effect. Maybe you should re-think the getting another terrier on hold for awhile. My JRT and the rat terrier stimuli is on full alert when it is walk time. For the most part they expend their need to fight energy ridding the bushes and sky of any birds. Sometimes though it is spent on each other. No fighting just a bunch of barking at each other. The thing is they can go to the field anytime they want to but as soon as I start towards the field for a walk excitement overload amongst the pack. Really? Nice to be loved but sometimes..........

 

[Abbylynn]

It sounds as if Lucy is becoming more at ease at your household. The timing is just about right. Terriers do not need a lot of stimuli to set them off. Close quarters (doorway) and you coming back into the house. All this could have led up to the fight you witnessed. Lucky for you it was more sound effects than bite effect. Maybe you should re-think the getting another terrier on hold for awhile. My JRT and the rat terrier stimuli is on full alert when it is walk time. For the most part they expend their need to fight energy ridding the bushes and sky of any birds. Sometimes though it is spent on each other. No fighting just a bunch of barking at each other. The thing is they can go to the field anytime they want to but as soon as I start towards the field for a walk excitement overload amongst the pack. Really? Nice to be loved but sometimes..........

Three dogs is enough for a long time! Blu Boy is after all ... a Schnauzer/Poodle ... that makes two terriers! Lol!

I still have much to do with and for Lucy health-wise also. She still needs vaccines and a good dental ... she needs to get over this kennel cough (we started another 2 week course of Baytril yesterday) ... and she needs to put on a couple pounds ... more than enough to keep me busy and in the poor house for a long time! Lol!

I do however look forward to seeing what her real personality might be ... or do I? Hehehehehe!

Funny ... when you are a kid how things seems so different. I never remember my childhood terrier mix of 17 years ever being quite like Lucy. Lol! ..... :/ She is a different one ... she stands at the sink while I wash her food bowl and growls under her breath at the other two dogs and stands between me and them. I have been working on re-directing her and training her that this is not necessary. I am sure being starved did not help.

I had the same issue with a shelter dog almost ten years ago. The same dog after about a year of training and seeing she was fed daily managed to lose the attitude. She is almost 10 years old now. I rescued her at the age of 9 months. She belongs to one of my three Sisters.