Bitches behaviour odd

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JACQSZOO

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I am a little confused by two of my bitches recent behaviour. To give a little bit of background, we have three bitches, collie x 12 yrs old top dog, rescued as a puppy, gentle, happy, loveable and the most tolerant dog, dalmation 10 yrs old had since 2yrs old, bottom of pack, losing eyesight, can be grumpy and from the age of 3 or 4 has been unpredictable with other dogs, ESS 2 yrs old in October, errr nuts lol seriously has taken 2nd spot in the pecking order, had since a pup.



The problem is with the older two. The dalmation has always tended to be grumpy and will growl and snarl if another dog (or cat) comes near her when shes eating/drinking/begging! or generally feeling in a bad mood. Now the collie, although being top dog, has always ignored her. Over the years they have had the odd grumble over food or fusses but certainly never anything very serious at all, they have always been the best of friends and still are most of the time. However, in the last few weeks I have noticed that the collie is far less tolerant of the dalmation than she was. If the dalmation starts her snarling and growling the collie will leap upon her from the other side of the room, the collie is definantely worse if the dalmation is doing it anywhere near me (which obviously is a protection thing from the collie). It never really comes to much and it sounds a lot worse than it is. The dalmation never fights back although she does continue with the snarling and growling whilst being pinned to the floor. We tend not to interfere and let them sort it out for themselves, obviously if it looked like it was getting out of hand then we would step in.

I’m confused as to why the collie is no longer putting up with the dalmations behaviour (although I don’t blame her!) I wondered if the collie knows something I don’t, what I mean by that is, the dalmation is aging far quicker than the collie, her eyesight has been deterioating for 2 years, she still has vision but cloudy. I wondered whether the collie senses that the dalmation is in her twilight and is picking her off so to speak. Am I reading too much into this, is the collie just at the end of her tether with her grumpy friend?

Also I should mention this change in the collie has happened around the same time as we moved house. I have no idea if this has any bearing on the situation or not. Their routines have'nt changed other than they get even more walks than they used to.
 
The house move may have prompted it. To be honest I would not have tolerated the growling from the dally in the first place, equally I would have nipped the collie in the bud the first time it happened, but what's done is done.

At the first sign of grumbling I would put the aggressor out of the room, no fuss, no stress, just out, calm down, then back in again after a time out.
By ignoring it you are letting them both think it is an acceptable way to behave.

If dally starts and collie over-reacts, both out in different directions. Repeat as necessary. I fear it will only get worse if you allow it to continue.

You can also use your voice (and I mean, your GRUMPY VOICE!) or your body to break it up. I would be giving a sharp vocal reprimand to the dally for growling and then another to the collie on point of reaction. Timing is very important.

You step in at the first sign of trouble, it is your house, you are in charge, do not accept this sillyness.

If it escalates I would see if a behaviourist could come and have a look?
 
Thats exactly what we have always done, the dalmation would be removed as soon as she started, now we don't get a chance the collie is putting the dally in her place before we get a chance.
 
Ah I see, you're going to need all your lightning speed skills!
Or try and see if being vocal works. And I mean 'they can hear you in Australia' vocal if you have to be.
Very firm, loud, but not stressed or panicy or high-pitched.
Think there may just have been a little cabinet reshuffle?
 
Its just odd. The collie has never shown any sign of aggression at all to anyone or anything yet has always been top dog. The damnation has always been grumpy that is nothing new, just the reaction of the collie, shes used to totally ignore it.
 
Well you can always pop her to the vet to rule out a pain issue but like I say, roles may just be changing and we all get a little grumpier as we get older
smile.gif
 
She might be feeling her age and a bit vulnerable. Shes always been top dog and doesn't want to give up that position easily, so shes defending it with more aggression than usual. And/Or your Dalmation is irritating the hell out of her at the mo and its taking a stonger signal for the Dalmation to back down?
 
The collie sees the vet monthly anyway for her arthritus and she seems to be on top form - charging about and playing with both the dalmation and ESS like a puppy, she isn't showing any signs of pain at all. If there were going to be any changes within the pecking order then it would be the ESS taking over top dog spot but thats not happening.
 
Alot of older dogs get less tolerant when they age....I think it will be a case of checking her for it when she does it, just incase the dally does turn back.....my old whippey grey certainly got more grouchy with the dogs as she got older.
 
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