Aggression Towards Our Other Dog

[maxiblack]

Bundy is a 1 1/4 yo staffy male (desexed) and Maxi is a 7 yo dalmatian x female (desexed). We've had Bundy since he was 5 weeks old (foster puppy from AWL) and both dogs have always gotten along well apart from the occasional 'scrap' in the backyard or growling over a bone. Friday Bundy was vaccinated, yesterday he was fine but this afternoon he has been very aggressive (growling, hair raised and snapping) towards the Maxi and she is quite placid but will defend herself. she is now very wary of him and we've had to separate them.

He has been to obedience training and they get regular walks, but I have to admit we've been very slack of late and we've also been allowing him to sleep on the bed and get away with sitting on our laps a well. Definitely have only ourselves to blame however we're very keen to change our behaviour but are concerned about what to do in the meantime, tonight he is sleeping in the garage and she is inside on her dog bed so that they're separated. We took them for a long walk after the first instance which we assumed was over a pigs ear but it seems to us that the aggression is surfacing when we're around. Separated, he is very quiet and sleeping on his bed in the garage.

It is so upsetting and I know it's my fault, I love this little boy and don't want to take him to the pound but we have to consider our other dog and future visitors to our house so we need help/advice. He is always good around people including children and has been well socialised since we've had him.

Edited May 11, 2008 by maxiblack

[Staff'n'Toller]

I would seriously consider that he is having a vaccine reaction- normal or otherwise- before jumping to any conclusions.

When you have a flu vaccine yourself you can have flu like symptoms for a few days post vaccine and just feel a bit sorry for yourself.

He could quite possibly be feeling unwell and sore at the injection site and she is annoying him. Some other more serious reaction may be brewing and could explain his behaviour.

Give him a few days to recover first before taking any other action and then the action would be a Vet Behaviourist before even considering getting rid of him.

Also if you are in the South, bring him in and keep him warm, getting cold in the garage may only make things worse for him.

Mel.

[maxiblack]

With all my heart I hope that this is something that can be fixed, I'm not getting any sleep tonight and I feel sick with dread as to what tomorrow (today?) may bring.

Bundy is in the garage with his bed, coat and rug, we live in QLD so it's not as cold as further south. He hasn't made a fuss of being in there, was very meek and cuddly which surprises me, he doesn't like to be left out and usually cries when left behind.

[maxiblack]

Give him a few days to recover first before taking any other action and then the action would be a Vet Behaviourist before even considering getting rid of him.

I have emailed K9Force (?) and someone here on the coast (Craig Murray) seeking advice/help but being a Sunday it means that we can't get immediate help and advice. Getting rid of him is the very last thing I want to do, he is such a joy to have around and he's my responsibility so I'll do whatever I can to keep him.

[maxiblack]

This morning we've been for a nice long walk with the two of them and they've been fed and have been happily wrestling and sleeping in the backyard. I don't know if this will last but the 'tough love' will and with some hard work (and possibly a behaviourist) I'm hoping we won't see any more of this aggression. Still, I feel as though I'm walking on eggshells.

[corvus]

For what it's worth, I absolutely agree with Mel (hey Mel, I'm a Mel too). Sounds like he's just feeling a bit out of sorts, most likely from the vaccination. I know I don't feel 100% after shots. It's not that wild an idea that he's feeling cruddy and that makes him a bit short-tempered. Hope that's all it is.

[maxiblack]

Well, the happy ramblings of yesterday have gone and Bundy is again being aggressive towards Maxi so on the advice of Steve (K9Force) we're keeping them separated day and night and will have to supervise any interaction. Steve has been a great help and eased our minds a little although I'm still very worried because Bundy and Maxi have had such a wonderful relationship up until now and it's heart breaking to see it turn nasty. If this is a result of a vaccination then I'm going to be reluctant to have him vaccinated again next year, I've read a bit about vaccinosis but up until now had never heard of it.

Has anyone else experienced this? How common is it? I've read of puppies dying because of reactions to vaccine, but they've all been less than 6 months old.

;) :cool:

[persephone]

Glad you have advice from Steve... but sorry that the dogs are not together, at this stage

Hoping for a resolution soon ;)

[maxiblack]

Glad you have advice from Steve... but sorry that the dogs are not together, at this stage ;)

Hoping for a resolution soon

Thanks, am trying to be positive and while vaccinosis sounds horrible I prefer that to the possibility that this could be an ongoing issue, he really is such a beautiful boy.