Still very upset

[mylady]

Last night, (sigh) well last night we had an incident. My three dogs, Sully the St Poo, MuShu our Pug and Tawney our cocker were right at my feet, standing, but right in front of me. I wasn't looking directly at them when this happened because I had turned my head for a moment to talk to my son. All I heard was Sully growl and saw him pounce. I don't know why, the dogs have had scuffles before but never anything serious. i don't know if he was trying to play with MuShu and Tawney got in the way or if he was going after Tawney. I immediately stopped it, he pounced the once and I told him to go to bed, which he did. I didn't realize immediately that Tawney was hurt. It wasn't until my son saw the blood on the floor that I knew something was wrong. Maybe a minute passed, so it wasn't long before I knew to check over MuShu and Tawney. I didn't think Sully had even made contact with anything. Tawney had one puncture on the side of her nose towards the top about a half inch from her eye. I think it punctured her nasal cavity because bubbles would come out when she would breathe. My problem at that point was knowing what to do. My husband was out when it happened and when he came home (maybe 3 minutes later) he told me the roads were bad. It takes a lot for my husband to consider the roads bad, he'll drive in most anything. The closest emergency vet is 25 minutes on dry roads and I have to take a lot of surface streets to get there that way, going all main roads would probably add another 15 minutes to the trip and if the main roads that he was on were bad I couldn't imagine what the surface streets would be. So I had to wrestle with the decision of if I should risk the drive to take her in. I called my dad, a retired vet tech and he told me to goop up some triple antibiotic ointment over the whole and apply some light pressure. I did that and ended up putting a pad with some vet wrap very lightly around her muzzle. Just enough to keep the pad in place and we (hubby and I) each took turns holding her so she wouldn't paw at it. It took hours to get closed up enough where her breathing didn't open it back up.
She seems fine today but now I am wondering what the heck happened. I feel guilty that it happened right in front of me yet I don't know the details. I don't know if Sully was trying to hurt her or if it was an accident. I would like to think it was just an accident and that if he wanted to really hurt her the damage would have been worse, but I don't want to try to fool myself to make the situation better if it wasn't. He's 100 pounds and she's almost 15 years old. I didn't know if maybe, since she had been the dominant dog, if it was him sensing her failing health and going after her to assert his own dominance. I don't know if he was trying to play with Mushu and she got in the way. I just don't know. For now I am keeping Sully and the rest of the dogs separated until I can wrap my mind around this. I hope I made the right decision with Tawney regarding the trip to the vet. You can hardly tell anything happened now, it's totally closed up and no sign of infection. I'm just sick to my stomach over the whole issue and haven't felt up to even posting the incident until now. I love Sully so much, he adores me right back, but if this was an aggressive act I need to know. I need to know if I can trust him. He's had minor tiffs with the other dogs before, never anything serious. He's accidentally given MuShu a tiny scratch on her chest when they were playing once. I feel so useless, like I should KNOW how to handle this. I told my husband if the computer attacked someone I would expect him to know exactly why and what to do about it, and I think right now I am still just in a bit of shock that it happened. I need some help thinking it through, putting it into proper perspective and some objective thinking. Thanks everyone.

[neanea]

It was a "blue moon" last night! I know some people think it's a bunch of BUNK, but the phase of the moon has all kinds of powers over nature.

Perhaps it was just a freak thing. Don't worry yourself sick over this. You'd know if it was serious enough to give it more thought, so don't overthink it.

[odette]

Hard to call from a distance, but my gut feeling is, either she got in the way of play(doubt it) or he is senseing her weakness, it is natural to 'cull' the weak for dogs. Sorry the old lady hadto go through this, just keep her away from sully, no need to get rid of him,he's just being a dog. Keep us updated, glad you could staunch the bleeding, have to remember that trick.

[Arrooh]

I sure

understand your upset and fears. It looks like she'll be alright. I would think if your Standard really was acting aggressive you'd have heard or felt that. The situation, from here, feels like that is not what you thought. Without the injury it seems like you'd have thought little about it at all. Dogs use their mouths and teeth a lot in play or as you know the little tiffs. My boys sometimes try a little bit of gruffness with each other but are really the best of friends. Another thought is I think it's much less likely for real aggression among roommates that are male and female. One idea might be to get a basket muzzle, put it on Sully, and keep a close eye on attitudes. If there is real aggression than you will have a tough time keeping them separated especially with children but of course you must. I wish you luck and I'll say a prayer.

[D'tails]

My pack normally gets along wonderfully but occasionally I have to step in when serious posturing takes place that looks like it may lead down a bad path.

What works for me is using Cesar Milans methods. I do a "ssshhht" verbal correction and quickly stand in between the two dogs and freeze while doing a stare down at both of them. The second they submit, I redirect their attention onto a toy or something positive.

Hope all is well with your injured dog and this doesnt lead to a perma-grudge between them.

[Petekids]

Dog packs

Any time you have more than one dog, there will be altercations - some minor, some not. This one sounds like a minor one and the animals will probably be OK once things have calmed down. I would certainly keep a close eye on them, though.

We have 14 standard dachshunds (we show them) and 1 rescued Lhasa (at least I think he's a Lhasa - very poorly bred). Of the 14 dachsies, 2 are very old - almost 17, they can no longer walk. The younger dogs do seem to respect them though, but for safety's sake, they are in wire cages when the other dogs are in the room. The Lhasa is not allowed with the dachsies - he has kind of an attitude and I just don't trust the situation. We rotate the dogs in play groups because we have some boys and some girls that just don't get along. Better safe than sorry. Luckily, the fights we've had have been minor, except for the girls. I find it interesting that the boys will have a minor altercation and then all is well within a few days. The girls never forgive each other. We had to place one girl 2 years ago in an only dog home because she never felt comfortable not being top bitch in the pack - and was forever starting fights. She wanted to move up in the hierarchy of the pack - the other girls had different ideas. I couldn't keep her crated all day, and she's far happier now. Two of our younger girls can't be together...ever...I truly believe they would kill each other. We would like to find a home for 2 year old, but good responsible homes are few and far between - that's why we have 14!!.

We have to remember they are dogs, not little people in fur coats. We, as their owners and the "alpha" must be constantly vigilant and be aware of body language and attitudes.
There are plenty of good books out there on pack behavior. Sure wish they could talk to us!!

[Helly]

We have 14 standard dachshunds (we show them) and 1 rescued Lhasa (at least I think he's a Lhasa - very poorly bred). \. The Lhasa is not allowed with the dachsies - he has kind of an attitude and I just don't trust the situation.

We rotate the dogs in play groups because we have some boys and some girls that just don't get along. Better safe than sorry. \We had to place one girl 2 years ago in an only dog home because she never felt comfortable not being top bitch in the pack - and was forever starting fights. She wanted to move up in the hierarchy of the pack - the other girls had different ideas. I couldn't keep her crated all day, and she's far happier now. Two of our younger girls can't be together...ever...I truly believe they would kill each other. We would like to find a home for 2 year old, but good responsible homes are few and far between - that's why we have 14!!.

We have to remember they are dogs, not little people in fur coats. We, as their owners and the "alpha" must be constantly vigilant and be aware of body language and attitudes.
There are plenty of good books out there on pack behavior. Sure wish they could talk to us!!

It looks like you have long hairs? I have two, a standard and a mini. I got my standard boy from Meg Williamson. Taking a chance that since you show, you may know her. She breeds a great dog, temperament-wise. Their conformation ain't too shabby, either.

I've had the same problem with bitches being waaaay to confrontational. One mini smooth bitch had a "thing" about my Beagle bitch. I know one of them would have killed the other eventually, so I placed the Beagle with a friend of mine.

[Petekids]

Yup, I know of Meg Williamson - Gemdach, right? She shows more in the UKC venue doesn't she? But I know she has finished a number of AKC champions.

Mine are all AKC standard longs. I started showing in 1985...OMG, where did 25 years go??? I don't breed very much, only once every other year. This last year was bad because I had to have my beautiful little girl (product of many years of planned breedings, my ideal specimen) spayed when she developed a pyometra - opted not to do the prostaglandin (sp?) treatment - just too dangerous. I did get a pup from one of my multi-group placing boys who sired a litter this last spring on the other side of the state. She's sweet and beautiful, but BIG!!

I'm extremely careful of placing my dachshunds - they're not for everyone, but the people that love and understand them are the best!! People forget they're hunting dogs, too! Says right in the standard that they're "brave to the point of rashness". They don't back down easily. Quite a few of my dogs are field pointed. I also have bred 1 Field Champion (major pointed) and 1 Dual champion among the 20+ AKC champions I've bred (out of approx. 70 pups) in the past 25 years. Now that we have our own business, I just don't have the time anymore to get to many field trials, I really miss it. Heck, I haven't been to a show since the Nationals in October.

Nice meeting another dachsie person!

[tmenne]

I feel for you its never easy. Not long ago my Brittany attacked our Maltese. It was bad we thought he was dead. It was over two hundred dollars at the vet but he made it. My husband wanted to put the brittany down but I just couldn't. Now a few months later we think we know what really happened. The maltese started it all. We never leave the dogs alone anymore because of what happened. Now when they go out we go out with them. The maltese is always growling and snapping at the other dogs. Not the toy poodle they are great friends but the other big dogs. Now on the other hand my Brittany loves to play with the other dogs he never growls or snaps at the others not even the maltese. I still will never trust them alone again but it goes to show you that you never really know what is going on with them. Attacks happen some bad some not so bad. Just try not to punish them for being dogs. Just give it some time you will know soon enough what is really going on. Good Luck

[lefty]

I've had the same problem with bitches being waaaay to confrontational. One mini smooth bitch had a "thing" about my Beagle bitch. I know one of them would have killed the other eventually, so I placed the Beagle with a friend of mine.

>>>

Dachs have such huge attitudes. I have a long hair neutered male named, Lefty, because he's not quite right. He will not let the Standard poodle anywhere near him, because the big dog trod on him once. I've been really lucky with this particular pack. Even the min pin is pretty laid back, about dogs...not people.

[Arrooh]

I feel for you its never easy. Not long ago my Brittany attacked our Maltese. It was bad we thought he was dead. It was over two hundred dollars at the vet but he made it. My husband wanted to put the brittany down but I just couldn't. Now a few months later we think we know what really happened. The maltese started it all.

Wow, when I read that I thought, A Brittany? I've heard of about 3 that were agressive to dogs and 1 that was put down aggressive to people but that's it out of hundreds I have had contact with in some way. Thank God you husband didn't have him put down for of course very many dogs will finally defend themselves with such a dog as the Maltese.

I've heard forever that if two males didn't get along it might be worked out. If two females didn't then one has to go. They will seethe hate and kill if they can. I'm sure lots of exceptions but that scene has happened over and over again.

I hope it's going okay, MyLady.

[mylady]

Tawney still seems ok. Her wound has not opened up or anything and no sign of infection. My dogs are never out alone. I go outside with them (mainly because my Pug will try to get through the fence somehow if I don't and I don't want her digging) and when we aren't home three are crated while my Border Collie has run of the house. She's the only one who won't destroy the place if left to her own devices. I am home during the day and hubby at night so unless I am running errands they are able to be out and then just kenneled at night. Sully tries to play pretty rough sometimes, even tries to play with the cats. I NEVER knew he'd get so big and burly. Who counts on a St Poo of getting to 100 pounds and being 32 inches as the shoulder? We've been keeping a close eye on everyone and there have been no more incidents.
Unfortunately I think Tawney is not going to be with us long, which has nothing to do of course with the injury she received. She's just not doing well and I'm trying to figure out if she's have more good than bad days yet. But that's another story.

[scrubapup]

Unfortunately I think Tawney is not going to be with us long, which has nothing to do of course with the injury she received. She's just not doing well and I'm trying to figure out if she's have more good than bad days yet. But that's another story.

Years ago I had a little blind, deaf, senile and old (we have no idea how old since I found her.... but she was up there) terrier mix. The last year she was with us she started having seizures. About 1-2 days before her seizure, my female St. Poodle would start to mess with her. Macey is usually a very mild mannered dog and although sometimes she would "try" to play with her (Lily wasn't much into playing) she mostly just left her alone. But then all of a sudden she would antogonize the **** out of her and I would have to seperate them because because Lily was just to old and weak to antagonize back. Then, within 24 hours Lily would have a seizure. I asked my vet about it and he said Macey may very well be sensing those seizures coming on. After awhile, as soon as I would notice Macey getting a little bit sassy towards Lily I knew what was going to happen within the next few days.

Anyway - my point is, you say Tawny is not doing well and who knows... maybe Sully knows that. Dogs react to things in strange ways sometimes.

[tmenne]

well dogs are a little like humans. Two men can fake getting along but two woman wont hold back LOL.