Hi from Argyle, TX - My aggressive Lucy

T

TwoSheltiesMom

Forums Novice
I'm new to this site as of today. I found it as a result of trying to look up help for my younger sheltie Lucy (2 yrs old) not be so pushy and or aggressive toward my older sheltie Peaches (12 yrs old) that she has known her entire life! My older sheltie girl is the sweetest thing ever not a mean bone in her body but my younger one who I have raised since 8 weeks is very possessive of me and can be quite a bully :confused2: She has nipped/bitten my older girl twice and the last time she required 3 stitches! I've spoken to my vet and have just recently started her on some meds to reduce anxiety 2xs a day and unfortunately I can't tell that they're working? Does anyone have any advice? I see so many pictures of sheltie lovers with up to 5 shelties. How do you make them get along?
HELP
 
Welcome to the Sheltie Nation! I am going to move your thread over to the behavior section of our forum, in hopes that someone there may be able to give you a hand with your girl.

Thanks for looking to get her help!
 
Welcome to Sheltie Nation...
the best site in the WORLD for all things sheltie!:lol:

I have three male shelties and I also provide doggie day care for my sisters little female sheltie. I am pleased to say the all get along great!

What I would say is... they know I am the ALPHA! I do not let them get away with anything... I have taken them ALL to obedience classes so they are all very well mannered.

My Laddie can be pushy. I used to let him sleep in bed with me but stopped that when he became more dominate with me and the others. Since then I have had no further issues.

I would NEVER let a dog be aggressive (to hurt another human or other animal)! My senior male Chance will lift his lip and give a quick air snap if Laddie is too pushy. He never makes contact but needs Laddie to understand he is old and does not want to be pushed around.

I hope you can see the subtle signs when Lucy begins her aggressive/pushy displays and correct that immediately. Any sign of negative movements towards Peaches must be stopped so she understands it is NOT acceptable behavior.

Even something as seemly simple as Lucy placing her snout on Peaches back as if to play can be interpreted as her wanting to dominate her.

There are so many more experienced sheltie owners on this site that can help ... I hope you can resolve it soon as Peaches deserves not to be bullied!

Good luck and keep us posted!
 
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Welcome to SN. :smile2:

Sorry you are having issues between your younger sheltie and your older one. It is not fun to have trouble between 2 dogs who you love.

I have one, out of my 4 shelties, who given free rein would be constantly dominating and intimidating the other 3. None of my other 3 are willing to put her in her place when her behavior becomes too pushy and aggressive. If it is just "being pushy" and no one is getting damaged (physically or emotionally) I let them have their pecking order, but when it gets to physical damage or obvious emotional distress that is where the line is drawn...and she instantly gets time out away from me and from the others. Shelties are very smart and she has learned (99% of the time) not to step over that line since it gets her the exact opposite of what she wants. With firm consistent boundaries, she is really a wonderful dog...but she definitely needs more boundaries than any of my others in order to live peacefully in a multiple dog home.

Trini
 
welcome:smile2:
we love pix:yes:

I have four shelties that do all get along. the girl will play with any or all of the boys but she also lets them know when she wants nothing to do with them. My youngest boy who is not neutered yet is the pushiest- he's also the smallest. he has occasional spats with the next youngest who is not quite the biggest. I'm pretty sure that will all go away when he is also neutered. but when they get too rowdy, I ask them what do they think that they are doing and they all stop and make nice.
 
My Aggressive Lucy

Thank you all for your replies, I greatly appreciate it!

Unfortunately whenever Lucy is aggressive towards my older girl Peaches it seems to happen when my back is turned or the last time was when I'd left the house. I now think that she becomes anxious when I leave, so now I tell her "Lucy stays, I'll be back". I also have always let her know firmly that her behavior is unacceptable as Peaches was my first baby and is also deaf.

My next question is how to introduce new dogs to the family.
My daughter has just moved to town with her sheltie Tyler who is 3 yrs old and very sweet and friendly. On the second visit which was an over night stay Lucy raised her lip, did low growls and Tyler was doing nothing but exploring my bedroom. Then when Tyler wanted to play with our cat Lucy lunged toward him and frightened him enough to make him yelp! All of this was while my daughter was sitting there on the floor with them and I had attached a leash to Lucy's collar. She was then chastised and separated from everyone behind a pet gate. Reminder she has been on calming medicine for 2-1/2 weeks now.......
 
Although she is on medication, don't expect things to without a behaviour modification program. The meds may reduce the severity but it won't stop the behaviour as it's become habituated. I really recommend bringing in a good behaviourist to help you through this. It is very hard to give advice on this without seeing the interaction between the dogs and with you.

Couple of ideas. One is to keep a diary of when these incidents occur. Is it at times of heightened emotion, such as when you come home or at feeding time, is it linked to resources, to getting your attention, or in particular rooms. Try reintroducing Lucy to the home, like you would bringing a new dog in. Keep them separated at all times except when you can give them your full attention. When they are with you keep a leash on them all (you can tie the leash to make it short). And when you do interact give them take turns - get one to wait while you give attention or resources to one, and then the other. Dogs can count, and you don't want to increase the jealousy but not sharing things out equally.
 
You may also want to have a look at the short (an inexpensive) book by behaviourist Dr Patricia McConnell Feeling outnumbered: How to manage and enjoy your multi-dog household.
 
Calming meds can take more than a few weeks to have much effect and without behavior moderation and guidance, they really will not do much to improve the situation.

When you are leaving and cannot be there to moderate between Lucy and Peaches, they should always be safely separated so Peaches is not harassed or hurt...and this may need to be the way it is from now on. My own pushy gal is never left with my others when my husband or I are not home...she is gated into one room by herself.

In Lucy's eyes, your daughter's Tyler is invading "her space" and playing with "her cat". She is guarding what she feels is her own. Once again separation may be the best solution for Lucy at these times. And when you want them to spend time together, meet your daughter and Tyler on neutral ground...like taking them for a walk together off your property. That way Lucy doesn't have to guard what she doesn't "own".

I know it seems sad to not have all the animals in the family be best pals. When we have more than one pet we all hope that they will truly enjoy each other and be great friends. But sometimes it simply doesn't happen and forcing them to have to cope with one another 24/7 can be very stressful for them as well as for you.

Lucy does need to know that aggression will never be tolerated, but if she is happier not having to deal with visiting doggies or with Peaches at times, then for her sake (as well as everyone else's) she needs to have an area set aside for her where she knows she can relax and not have to deal with situations that are stressful for her and she feels she has to control.

Trini
 
Our unusual Sheltie

Hi, I am new to the group too. I am going to put the info in incomplete sentences or I will go on forever. Have rescued 9 dogs - mostly shepherds. Retired - still have 1 12 yr. old female GSD - very gentle - now deaf. Rescued Sheltie (with papers) from owner who said he could not get along with her other animals. Leo is 6 years old. They did not have a fenced yard - Leo walked on leash. Both worked - Leo blocked in kitchen during day and in crate at night. Only freedom in house was when they could watch him interact with others. They had him groomed because he growled and snapped at them. I thought Leo would enjoy our fenced yard (we have had him 4 months). He does not - either stays by me or runs to our Camellias and eats the blossoms. Kaya has tried to play with him (play bow, little jump) and Leo walks away. Does not seem to know how to play. I do groom him & brush his teeth, At first he growled and snapped at me but a few firm no's stopped that. In the beginning he went in the crate at night - but crate left open. After a few weeks we found him on the foot of our bed. My rule on beds was only when they are asked but my heart felt sorry for Leo - the no play dog. He has been great learning sit, stay, down, no, and hand signal for OK. Good with all hand signals really. Quick learner. But now we are noticing that when he is on our laps and Kaya comes around, he growls at her. She ignores him - we put him off our laps with a firm no. He still will occasionally does this even with the firm no. I try to play fetch with him - this dog does not play. :(
1- Do I forbid bed privileges?
2- Is there a way to teach Leo to play? Are there some Shelties that just will not play?
 
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