I have a 2 yr old spayed GSD and same age spayed dobie. Both were aquired as one year olds +. My GSD has bitten my dobie rather badly several times. The first time (after a $300 bill for stitching up the dobie) I took up all toys/chew things (my fault for leaving them out) and began separating them at feeding time, kennel in separate kennels, and began stopping ALL their rough playing. Things went well. Then I made a mistake and gave them some chew hooves. This time the GSD bit my dobie very close to her eye - a big slash - and on her throat.

The situation is I have a 2 acre yard, small kennels, invisible fence. I leave the GSD most of the time and kennel the dobie and my chi mix during the day. In evenings or weekends, they are supervised outside. I let the dobie in the house at nite and keep the GSD outside.

I know it's totally my fault for letting them "Play" together for several months. They would run and play fight together but it rarely escalated. Then I started noticing more agression from the GSD. The dobie is very good natured but I guess she will go for the GSD's "toy" or have it and get hammered. The dobie also likes to run and play and doesn't mind as well when I call her to calm down. I haven't witnessed the attacks, only the aftermath. After this last bite, the dobie seems hesitant to go outside. No wonder.

I have an electronic collar and am conditioning the GSD to wearing it. I also ordered her a wire muzzle.

My temp. roommate has a small dach. mix and I notice when he's out that the GSD will run up to him w/ her hackles raised. I always reprimand her for this or anytime I see her getting her hackles up toward the other dogs.

My plan is to use continue my pack structure/obed training w/ all the dogs and eventually use the correction collar on the GSD (while she is wearing the muzzle) when she shows aggression towards the other dogs. But I wonder if I will always have to keep her muzzled or separated and supervised. I'd like to add another dog (puppy/retriever type) but need to get this under wraps first of course.

My dobie is so sweet and has very thin skin, I hate to keep seeing her get bitten by my GSD.

I have posted my experience w/ dogs before. I'm 40 something and have had dogs all my life, but they have been the easy kind (black lab, rottie mix w/ great dane). I train my own dogs and horses. My current dogs are pretty well trained and I do all the pack training (i'm first thru door, no dogs on furniture, etc). This is my first time w/ GSDs and Dobermans.

Donna

If the GSD keeps attacking the Dobie. (Jeeez, head slap here)
What else do you need to know?

Randy

 Quote: donna j. deyoung

... But I wonder if I will always have to keep her ..... separated and supervised. ...

Yes. And on a leash! This: "My temp. roommate has a small dach. mix and I notice when he's out that the GSD will run up to him w/ her hackles raised" screams "leash."

It's your job, BTW, to protect your pack. You have failed the Dobie, but you can stop failing her.

Toys belong to you. Toys, food, chewies, etc., are never left with dogs on their own. DOGS are not left with dogs on their own, in this case (and in a whole lot of other cases).

Tell us about the pack structure and basic obedience work you are doing. I feel pretty sure that we can help.

eta
Weren't you planning to try marker work with these dogs, having done some with your horses? Has that started? Need any help?



Edited by Connie Sutherland (05/13/2009 03:06 PM)
Edit reason: eta

 Quote: Donna J. DeYoung

My dobie is so sweet and has very thin skin, I hate to keep seeing her get bitten by my GSD.

I will let others with more aggression experience offer advice about training, but I just wanted to comment on the above statement - YOU have complete control over this situation (and responsibility to both dogs to keep them safe). Keep these dogs separated at all times while you work out your GSDs issues and your Dobe will not be bitten again.

~Natalya

Who is it that always says, "bitches = stitches"?

I know! I know!! Jenn--Teagan's mom!!!

 Quote: becky shilling

Who is it that always says, "bitches = stitches"?

No excuse, though, any more than breed characteristics, for not stepping up to the plate as pack leader, which I'm sure the O.P. wants to do.

DO NOT GET A PUPPY!!

You have your hands full with this pack. All deserve better. Glad you realize it.

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: becky shilling

Who is it that always says, "bitches = stitches"?

No excuse, though, any more than breed characteristics, for not stepping up to the plate as pack leader, which I'm sure the O.P. wants to do.

What Connie said! While I love the saying, I think it should be viewed more as a warning than an unpreventable outcome!

"My temp. roommate has a small dach. mix and I notice when he's out that the GSD will run up to him w/ her hackles raised."

Take it from someone that has a GSD and two yorkies, there is so much potential for disaster here. Every peice of advice you get here is invaluable