Dogs started fighting

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toffeeyummy

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Hi guys
This is my first post on here and apologies if this has been discussed before. I have 3 dogs - a 10 year old terrier, an 18 month old patter dale and a 15 week old Labrador. The two terriers are male, both neutered. The lab I have hand reared from a week old, she is a bitch. They all got along fine. The pup is in a crate and they all sleep in a large utility room. I have always been careful leaving them all together as two terriers and all that. I am a vet nurse and fully aware of patter dales and their temperaments. They are all well exercised, well behaved and brought up in the family with my children. I was just thinking the other day how well the pd was getting along with the pup, they played together he let her chew on him and sit on his bed he was very laid back about it all. The older terrier generally ignores the pup but theres no problems. However yesterday and today the pd has attacked the pup. His whole attitude has changed. Again this morning he attacked her, apparently unprovoked. I have kept her in her crate for her own safety as even the way he walks past her and looks at her worries me. He has also started growling at the children when they go in the utility room to see him or the pup. What do I do? I understand he's probably trying to assert his place in the pack (I am def his pack leader and he will back down and go on his bed if I go in the room) but I am worried about the pup. Given his breed I'm afraid he will seriously hurt her. Advice please!!! Thanks xx
 
If this is a very sudden change in his temperament i.e and out of the ordinary with the kids to, I would have some blood tests run at work and a thorough health check.
 
I hope it works out for you. Strangely, I have almost the same dogs as you! older terrier, patterdale dog youngster and newish lab x bitch pup. I was very worried about getting a pup knowing how unpredictable pats are. So far he's been so lovely with her, but I'm well aware how this could change. Ours likes alone time, a way from the others so we let him upstairs for a couple of hours in the evening. How about toys/ chews/ bones? do you think they could be an issue? Also food? Our pat is very jealous over food so I've split his food into 4 portions so he's fed with the puppy and doesn't think she's getting more than him. I really hope it's ok and works out. I know how powerful and aggro pats are and it's not a nice feeling when you think they might turn on your other animals.
 
Patterdales! Ours is food aggressive and has to eat outside on his own. We have a 12 week old puppy and he has tried to assert his dominance over her. So far he hasn't actually bitten her. He is forever trying to be top dog thou. Luckily the dobermann who is top dog is very tolerant with him but will keep him in his place. They are funny little dogs. One minute so loving, the next little devils! Hope it gets sorted soon!!
 
Oh dear, I do feel for you we have patterdales and once they start on each other thats it, as they never forget, they are little sods, but thats what they where bred for.
 
I've got a JRTxPatterdale, and a JRTx and just got a 8 week old Doberman puppy this week (so cute!!). Anyway from what I have read, it is normal for the older dogs to chastise the pup, as would happen in the litter by Mum and siblings, and as would happen in a wolf pack - so long as it is just a leave me alone, or 'that's close enough' then I think it's perfectly normal behaviour! In fact the JRTxPatterdale, is in complete denial and wont even acknowledge pups existence, my other dog is the one who is keeping him in line!

You say your pup bit him and sat on his bed, hopefully your older dog is just defending his territory from the alien invasion! I wouldn't scold the older dog for a growl or a snap if the pup is pushing his boundaries he needs telling, and needs to know his/her place. If you keep coming to pups rescue then they may resent him/her more. I would definitely intervene if there is a danger of the pup being hurt or the older dog is doing it for no real reason as your pup may end up with a fear of all dogs if it continues.
 
Wow thanks for all your replies! Yes pats are little sods but the most loyal dog I have come across. My older terrier who is pat cross would be with me all day if he could and although a bugger in his younger days he is the best dog in the world now ( although hates the postman...). That's why I got another pat, I think they're an acquired taste! He's called Richard by the way. No more spats today but I have been careful not to let them alone. The puppy is a real screamer, I think because she never had the rough and tumble of her litter mates so it's hard to tell if he really had a go at her or if it was a warning. But I can't risk it as I know the damage he can do.
 
Horsey Lad - you sound like have almost same dogs as me! We have dobermann, jrt, patterdale and jrt x beagle! Oh and a staffy x too! My jr took 6 weeks to acknowledge the new puppy. Just stared straight thru her at first. He is coming round now thou.

I do love Patterdales for their attitude. So stubborn and feisty :)
 
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