I have two GSD's and a small Blue Heeler mix, all rescues. The female GSD is a sweetheart and never a problem. The male GSD is large (130 lbs)and the Heeler is 35 lbs.
Problem is between the male GSD and the Heeler. I understand what's happening, looking for a control rather than a cure at this point.
Both males are wonderful with people, other dogs, even cats...but occasionally the male GSD attacks the heeler. I know it's a dominance issue and that it's related to me...it happens only when I'm present.
The GSD stands over the heeler, the heeler gets scared and growls and the GSD attacks him. He gets a grip (last week on his head) and just lays down and holds on.
I think correction is out at this point as the GSD is ten years old, very obedient except for this one thing. I've been able to break it up but the Heeler has had stitches twice. It almost happened again tonight but I was right there and able to stop the GSD.
I've been bitten twice (not badly) - by the Heeler who gets totally hysterical when attacked.
I need either a way to prevent this...or a way to stop it when it happens. Wire muzzle? Partial muzzle? Dominant dog collar? I'm lost!
These three dogs are in the house alone all day while I'm at work -- and have no issues then.
And I weigh 115 lbs so strength is a bit of a problem.
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions you might have.

Ed answers your questions in his articles he has written. He even tells how to handle the problem. The problems will prob get worse and then you will be out one blue heeler. Get the wire muzzles and some crates. I don't understand what the gsd's age has to do with anything? Would you let it go uncorrected if he was doing this to a child? Your heeler is at your mercy and you need to protect it, or it is likley to get killed one of these days. Your gsd obviously doesnot respect you as leader, because what alpha says goes, to include who to fight with and when. Read the articles and follow the advice. it works.

Thank you for your reply. I have read the excellent articles (several times).

My comment about my male GSD's age was based on my vet's assessment that for a dog as large as Wrex is, 10 yrs is definitely senior status. He is beginning to show some signs of this such as some hearing loss.

The attacks actually were much more frequent when the GSD was younger (I've had the Heeler four+ years). This is not due to competence on my part. I recognized the conditions that were leading to the attacks and learned to control those conditions...most of the time.

I will order the wire muzzle today...thank you again for your comments.

Kay
Sounds like you know what to do if all your dogs must be out together. Muzzle them ! For their safety and yours ( but muzzles won't prevent scratches or claw puntures ) If not , then crate them ! And let them out one at a time .
They all should be crated when you aren't home . Or at the very least two out of the three with the third not having access to the crated ones , so it won't be able to aggitate them . You are flirtin'with disaster leaving them dogs out while you are not home ! You already mentioned stitches to your healer . Please don't run the risk of coming home (worst case scenerio)and finding him dead .
I have two dogs A 2 yr old gsd (at the time) and the second a terrier I inherited he was 9 months . The gsd has issues with the second . A collective weight of 170 lbs in drive with teeth going at it , well it didn't take me long to decide I didn't want to be ring master at these kind of events !They both have crates and only one out at a time !
Read Ed Frawlys articles and the old post ! You have three dogs ! Most consider that a pack and at the very least the beginning of one . Dogs will vie for rank with in the pack , You are the pack leader control your pack

A dogs age should not play into correting him or not. Esp over sometiong as serious as fighting without your permission. call me and we can talk about things and ways you can stop this behavior. I train protection dogs and work with aggression in dogs to other people, and animals and am 107 lbs, so his size is not something that should stop you from training him. I once had a 120 lb great pyr attached to my arm and had no prob getting him off. This was because I knew what to do. Size, yours or his shouldn't be an issue. You just need to learn what to do and what not to do. And yes it was my fault that I even let myself get in the position that the dog could grab me. I have learned alot since then. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for your advice. I will definitely give you a call, Willie.

Thought I'd give some feedback on how things are going with my GSD and blue heeler. I received some excellent advice here that changed my thinking toward the attacks that were occurring.

First priority was stopping the attacks right away.

Ordered the cage muzzle for my male GSD. Introduced it for 2 days just a few minutes at a time and he quickly adjusted to it (much better than I expected).

Crate training for the heeler is very slow. He was afraid of a properly sized crate so I returned it and got a large one. He was previously abused so has a few "issues".

Currently I separate the dogs at night by closing the bedroom door and keeping the GSD with me as he is used to it. Leave the heeler
the rest of the house but he is now sleeping in the open crate where I placed his bed. I have gone slow and have not yet closed him into the crate as I wanted him to be comfortable with it.

When I'm at work, the heeler is closed into my bedroom where his habit has always been to sleep on a deep window ledge during the day.

Before work and in the evening, the GSD is muzzled and doesn't seem to mind. At feeding time, I feed the heeler outside on the patio and the two GSD's eat inside.

It is so much easier for me not to always be listening for a growl that means "trouble coming".

I also immediately put a nylon "choke" on the GSD with a loop that I can easily reach and use for correction at any sign of aggression. The first two or three days of our new "schedule", I used a correction of a non-harsh pull on the choke collar with sharp verbal correction. I have not heard a growl or seen any sign of aggression at all for many days.

I know I have more to do....but I think I've made a start -- and provided safety for Doodah (the heeler).

If I'm doing something wrong with this, please tell me!

Thank you.

Final update. I am so glad I found this forum!!!

The slow approach to crate training worked very well. The 5 yr old blue heeler goes to his crate on command now. He sleeps in the open crate at night...and spends 2 or 3 interverals during the day (a couple hours at a time) in the closed crate with no problem at all.

The male GSD now expects his muzzle and doesn't seem to mind it at all. The muzzle is off at night and when I'm at work as the dogs are separated for those times. It is on at all other times except when the heeler is crated to give the GSD a "break".

The result is two wonderful, calm dogs.

Only surprise was that my female GSD discovered the crate and likes to take her naps there, too.
She is a shy girl and seems to like the security so I rearranged her sleeping area in the bedroom so that her bed is in a partially enclosed corner.

Now everybody's happy!

I am very happy to hear that all of your dedication has had positive results for you! Good luck and enjoy your happy family <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />