Aggressive Chow
I am a dog foster for a local no-kill organization. When I first started we fostered a 4 month old chow mix who was such a sweetie we kept her. She is now about 3 years old and recently took to attacking my other dogs for no apparent reason. No food around, absolutely no clue why. I foster mostly puppies, but do have 3 older dogs in residence. She lets the puppies crawl all over her and lick her and she doesn't do anything but it is the older dogs that she attacks. She really goes after the foster I have that has a heart defect and is very timid. I have talked to people who have had chows for years and she thinks it's a jealousy thing. Lately I have been on edge because I never know when she will strike again. She weighs about 80 pounds and I know she could kill my little 15 pounder, and I'm scared to death that she will turn on one of those little puppies. Is there any hope or do you have any clue what her problem could be? I would hate to give up fostering because I have saved so many dogs in the last three years but I guess if it comes to that, I may have to. Any help you can give me will be appreciated.
This is a tough one. Like you said, you never really know when she will go off. I would do a few things here. First, is she spayed? I would suspect she is because of your involvement with your local shelter. Second, I would have a local behaviorist come to your home for an evaluation. Make sure that you get a true behaviorist, not just a trainer. They must determine what is going on here and if, in fact, it is a behavior problem or an alignment of authority issue. She may be establishing top dog status and when you bring in new dogs frequently, she may have to exercise this behavior often because of the new dogs that keep coming in to the household. This might be what is going on. If you keep her in the household by herself for a while you might see her old personality come back because there are no threats around. Now this is something that may be worked out as well. Once we know what is really going on and if it is the top dog situation, then you can learn how to treat her like the top dog and the fights may stop. To do this you have to feed her first, pet her first, talk with her first, acknowledge her first... you get the idea. Try these suggestions and, by all means, please let me know how she is doing.
People who viewed 'Aggressive Chow ' also found interest in following articles . . .
- 2-year-old Pug bite, barked and growled at her and jumped at my cousins
- Can't Keep the Dog in the Yard
- Our Dog Bites the Baby
- What to do about dogs aggressive behavior
- 2½-year-old Toy Poodle jumped up and bit my daughter on the cheek
- 4 years old Rottweiler urinating in the house,
- Aggressive Dog Problems
- 12-year-old neutered male Chow Chow often preferring to be alone. suddenly feels anxiety over my absence
- 16 Week Old Dog With Bladder Problem
- Common Puppy Behavior: Barking, Chewing, Jumping And Puppy Training
Category: