Slight Aggression in Springer Spaniel

[doppler]

I own a Spinger Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel who both get along fine, a little jealous sometimes over balls etc but happy to share feed bowls and the like. Last night I said goodnight to Springer and then went over to Cocker in his basket to say goodnight to him. The nxt thing I know is that the Springer has run over and bitten me on the arm and when I pulled him away he bit me on the leg at which point the Cocker jumped up to protect me and then I had to stop them from having a fight. I was really shaken up by it, I have grazes and bruises on my wrist and ankle. Any ideas why this happened - I can only put it down to jealousy. Just to add both dogs are not at all aggresive with me and OH or any one else, this was totally out of character.

 

[mattilda]

I am having similar problems with my rottie and ridgeback bitches only the rottie attacks the ridgeback not me. I started by squirting them with water which worked for a while and now have a remote training collar on the rottie.
We think it is a dominance thing and are struggling to deal with it. We had gone 5 months with no problems til last night when it kicked off again!! I can't offer you any advice except maybe get a dog behaviourist in to help. Good luck.

 

[JACQSZOO]

My 1 year old springer will have a go at my damnation if I make a fuss of her. She doesnt do it with the collie x who is top dog. In our case its clearly a dominant behaviour and she gets put in her place pretty damn quick by me.

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

I would have made sure the Springer was in no doubt that he was not top dog, because I was. How old are your dogs, male or female, spayed/castrated?

 

[christine48]

definately sounds like a dominance issue. Have you watched the dog whisperer (sky 1 and geographic channels) very inspiring . From what he says issues such as this are basically down to the humans not establishing themselves as pack leader.

 

[CAYLA]

Agree with what has been suggested, there is no clear leader here, there needs to be a firm reprimand for her uacceptable/unwanted behaviour, and it must come from you as the owner, bitch fighting is a night mare, and 99% of the times the fights occur/triggered, are upon presence or interaction with the owner/human, be mindfull of the signs/body language, it's a dead giveaway if u have an understanding of body language, this way u can correct before the fight even starts.

 

[doppler]

Hi

Both male, spinger is castrated, cocker is not. The only other thing to mention is that the springer is very much my OH dog where as the Cocker is a mummys boy. Still dont understand the sudden aggression, I am worried that it may be spinger rage syndrome which I have read about in the past

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Hmmm - that sound about right - a cocker being a mummys boy!! My mummys boy has just reappeared having stuck his face somewhere disgusting....

Is the Springer generally the more dominant of the two?

 

[doppler]

No, I would say the Cocker is the more dominant, the Springer is not usually bothered by anything, very laid back, affectionate dog until the other night.

 

[SarahLouise83]

As an animal behaviourist, I can only really suggest you get a behaviourist (ideally specialising in dog behaviour) in to help you with this as it is unacceptable behaviour and is indeed dangerous and unpredictable. With any luck your springer will never do it again but you'll never be certain.

Can I ask what you did the moment this all happened?

I wouldn't worry about it being "Springer Rage Syndrome" though. This can happen with any dogs, be they in one-dog households or multi-dog households. I would focus your attentions on finding a behaviourist in your area who may be able to help (although a lot don't deal with aggression I'm afraid - daft, I know, but its true!) Some do though so please don't give up.

 

[doppler]

Hi,

I pulled him off me by the collar and then told him off, he then shot into his basket, knowing full well he had done wrong. He then crept out of his basket about 5 mins later to come and say sorry (if you know what I mean without seeming mad) He will be 7 years old in July and is quite big for a spinger. We have never had any problems at all with him bitting, all my friends kids love him and play with him as he is such a big softy