My brother in law asked me to take care of his 3 year old male neutered GSD for a few days. I have a 5 month old GSD and I thought they got along great. After feeding them last night, I was doing the dishes and I heard the big dog growling and my pup crying. It only lasted for 2 seconds.

I slapped the big dog a couple of times in front of my puppy, said 'no!' and put him laying on his back in a submissive position. My puppy was really scared and went to a corner. I took the big dog dog to a place where they take care of dogs immediately.

When we got home (pup went with me) my dog didn't want to go inside the house and now is acting a little strange. For starters, he is not in the usual play/bite mood and is sleeping under the table now. We did play a little this morning and he was biting my arms (with towel). He slept with me on my bed last night (as usual) and he was ok. But I notice he is a little different.

I have Ed's videos and he doesn't say what to do after a dog bites your puppy. I'm trying to be all cheerful and trying not to correct him for anything. Some friends came by and he was playful. And this morning I took him outside and he was playing with a miniature female Schnauzer.

What do you suggest I do?

Joe, you ask for some suggestions on what to do. I am REALLY not trying to bust on you, and want to help.

1) Never, under ANY circumstances, allow an older, unfamiliar dog to be around your pup unsupervised.
2) Always keep new dogs to the house crated while introducing them to the "regulars."

You had also asked if there was anything you can do to help your pup recover. Sadly, dog bites on canines are often a life-changing experience. I'm so sorry you had this happen to your pup! :frown:


Luck!
-Jim

Edited by Jim Thomas (05/15/2007 11:43 AM)
Edit reason: Edited to clear misunderstanding

Joe,
I'm sure you'll get great advice here. Here's my 2 cents. Sounds like he's coming back with your normal behavior. Just don't coddle him or you'll reinforce his fear behavior. He's playing with the schnauzer then doesn't sound like he's turned into a dog agressive pup overnight. Just keep him safe and keep playing with him like normal - he'll probably bounce right back.

BTW - slapping is not a behavior that dogs understand. I know you were trying to help but hitting or slapping is not dog language and it doesn't solve anything.

Lynn

 Quote: Lynn Ballard 2

BTW - slapping is not a behavior that dogs understand. I know you were trying to help but hitting or slapping is not dog language and it doesn't solve anything.

Lynn

Couldn't agree more!!

Joe, another thing, if you have Ed's dvd, not sure which one, but I believe in almost all of them, Ed mentions the importance of a crate. Allowing him to sleep in your bed is going to add dominant dog issues along w/possible dog aggression the poor little guy may inherit due to the attack. The only thing I can suggest is to read all you can about pack structure and dealing with other dogs and apply it.

Good luck

Yeah, I know I shouldn't have slapped him, but it was the way I reacted and he didn't have a prong collar on him (flat collar) and I just didn't see the leash. I just ran to where the commotion was coming from and reacted.

I'm not even sure the big GSD bit him. There wasn't any blood or anything. I just heard noises and whining. I'm aware it was my fault and that it could've been avoided, but shit happens. This was not an unfamiliar dog. They had met each other on several occasions and as far as I knew they got along great. I think the older GSD acted the way he did because they had just finished eating and he was probably still in the "I'm eating, don't mess with me" mentality.

I'm also aware that sleeping with my dog may create dominance issues in the future, but I'm prepared to deal with them if they occur. I also read the thread of "Where does your dog sleep" and a lot of members sleep with their dogs, so I guess I'm not the only sinner. It started because it was a way to prevent overnight accidents since he woke me up if he had to go. Now he can hold it all night, but still sleeps in my bed.

Since my BIL returns tomorrow, I picked up the dog in the kennel and took him to his house. I then brought my pup and took them for a walk. Everything was fine and they played. Now I got back home and my pup is with energy and being a pain! Just what I was looking for

Thanks all.

Quote"
I'm not even sure the big GSD bit him. There wasn't any blood or anything. I just heard noises and whining.
"EndQuote
The older dog may not have bitten him. I have seen with my own eyes a mature male dog discipline an annoying pup (not that your pup is annoying, but may have been annoying to the older dog) by showing his teeth with his mouth closed, growling, and hitting the pup with his front teeth, still with his mouth closed.

My pup is annoying.

JOE
NOT TRYING TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE HERE BUT DO YOU REALLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF LETTING A MALE GSD SLEEP IN YOUR BED? I KNOW YOU SAID YOU WERE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE DOMINANCE ISSUES THAT MAY ARRISE BUT IT IS MUCH EASIER TO NIP THOSE ISSUES IN THE BUD RIGHT NOW.

HAVE YOU EVER OWNED A DOMINANT DOG?

 Quote: joe buhdee

I'm also aware that sleeping with my dog may create dominance issues in the future, but I'm prepared to deal with them if they occur. I also read the thread of "Where does your dog sleep" and a lot of members sleep with their dogs, so I guess I'm not the only sinner.

Thank you Trevor!! When I read that, I was like WTF??? What is happening to the board today?? To me, that looks like, "I know starting fires in my house can burn my whole house down, but I'll deal with it if that happens." Why put yourself through that trouble? If there is a posts called "running in the street with my eyes closed", are you going to do that too?

I was hoping someone else would chime in so I didn't look like the 'bad guy' here. I really don't want to seem like we are telling you how to raise your pup, but there are just some things that should not be done.

Joe,

YOU may have scared your own pup with your actions against your BIL's dog. I mean if the older dog didn't realize that its actions caused you to react the way you did, then there would be no way that your puppy would make that connection.

So, from your puppy's perspective, all of a sudden you come flying in the room with an aggressive outburst of violence directed toward one of your puppy's own kind, that might make anyone a little nervous to be around you.

Don't forget, that just because you are not engaged in a formal training session with your puppy that he is not learning something from you.