April 22, 2011
Our 12 year old dog is being attacked by a new 12 month old Great Dane. What can we do?
Full Question:
I have a 12 year old Kuvasz, who has governed our pet family for the same amount of years. We recently introduced a Great Dane into the picture. The GD is slightly over a year now and has showed dominance over the Kuvasz by actual fighting. The Kuvasz has ruled by intimidation. The Great Dane didn't buy it and challenged her. The result was bloodshed in the form of puncture wounds. I tried to establish that the Kuvasz is dominant over the Great Dane, by feeding, greeting, and preferential treatment. It worked for 3 months. Today all dogs were outside and when I came home my husband informed me that the Great Dane was on top of the Kuvasz. The Kuvasz was trying to get away. She has serious bites over and under her eyes. I don't think the Kuvasz is going to live much longer she has slowed down and is starting to smell different. What is going on. I know that from now on I will have to separate them. The Dane doesn't do this to our other dog who is a neutered male. Besides, being my fault is there anything else I could do to quit my Dane from this behavior in the future. I do take her to obedience classes as well as handling classes. I am interested in any help you could offer. ![Ed](https://leerburg.com/Photos/articles/authors/edfrawley.jpg)
![Ed](https://leerburg.com/Photos/articles/authors/edfrawley.jpg)
My personal feeling is what you are doing is very cruel.
A 12 year old dog should not be put in a position where it has to fight. I compare this to a 18 year old trying to kick your ass when you are 65 or 70 years old. The old dog deserves to live out its life in peace and this is not going to happen with this young dog.
-Either keep them separated all the time or
-Find a new home for the young dog.
This is not rocket science – you are not going to find a silver bullet that is going to make these dogs all of a sudden get along. That is simply not going to happen.
A 12 year old dog should not be put in a position where it has to fight. I compare this to a 18 year old trying to kick your ass when you are 65 or 70 years old. The old dog deserves to live out its life in peace and this is not going to happen with this young dog.
-Either keep them separated all the time or
-Find a new home for the young dog.
This is not rocket science – you are not going to find a silver bullet that is going to make these dogs all of a sudden get along. That is simply not going to happen.
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