Topic: Canine aggression

[1981cb650c]

Need some advise on what to do with my Coonhound. He attacked one of my beagles yesterday sending him to the vet to get stiched back up. Worried now that he may attack again. He attacked with intent to kill. I was almost unable to get him off. The attack was unprovoked, and over (of all things) CORN??

I have three dogs in total, the Coonhound and two Beagles. They always get along great. None of them ever show any signs of food aggression. All of them are from the SPCA and are all neutered males. We have had them for 8-14 months

I was cleaning out the fridge, disposing of some leftover corn, thought one of the dogs might eat it. They all showed little intrest in it. The one beagle decided it was worth eating after all. The Coonhound came up and threw the beagle off the corn, had hold of his muzel and pinned him to the ground tearing at his face. My wife and I had a hard time seperating them. The beagles muzel was torn from his eye accross and down through his lip, in all about 3".

I realize doggie laws are different than a humans and I have seen them work out disagreements before. The coonhounds disagreements have been getting more frequent and more violent. This was different. This was like watching dogs fighting in a pit.

We are now considering sending the coonhound on his way, although we both like him. We don't want to have him destroyed, but if he attacks again I don't think we would have an option

[fuzzybutt]

sounds like maybe he needs to wear a muzzle, just one of the ones that allows the dog to eat but not let the mouth open wide enough to bite another dog

[tramp]

tring to find out which one is the alpha
with any pac of dogs one has to be the king
let them know your the alpha

[Grumpol]

I tend to agree with tramp, that and there could be other factors involved that we wouldnt guess at...
Think about brothers and sisters, sometimes theres a serious fight over something we think insignificant but they think is a major problem, is there something new happening or something new in the house that could be causing it?

[fishhead]

let them know your the alpha

Exactly. The dogs are fighting over the the question of "who's in charge". When they see that you are in charge there will be no fighting over it anymore.
 Get the book "No Bad Dogs: Dog training my way" by Barbara Woodhouse.
 Or watch "Dog Whisperer"
 Becoming the Pack leader of your dogs takes dedication and repitition. If you are not the pack leader, your dogs may/could turn on you, and truth be told, the average dog CAN "take out" the average person if they want to. If you "play rough" with your dog, you'll see what I mean.
 I tell every one with dogs about the Woodhouse book and as far as I know, only 2 people have bought the book. Both have applied the "theories" that are in the book and now have dogs that can be trusted. I bought the book 20 years ago when I got my other dog (who has since passed away) and I always got compliments on how well behaved/well mannered she was. I now get the same compliments on my new dog.
 Repition of the same routine is the key. Just about everyday, I walk down to the corner store and my dog heels off a leash, sits outside and waits for me to get what I went there for. Her routine is to carry what ever I bought at the store the 1/2 mile back to the house while staying at "Heel" and she is very happy to do it for me. Dogs are happiest when they have a "job" to do. Some times, if I just get a coffee, I usually take a bag with me so she can carry someting back, to keep her busy with a "job".
  I spend a lot of time with my dog (she usually goes for rides in the truck) and she spends the day with me at the shop, but it doesn't take lot of time, but it does take effort and consistancy.
 
 
 

[medic09]

I think Fishhead  has given you the best answer so far.

We had serious problems with my search dog.  I finally worked with a trainer who pointed out that the biggest mistake was allowing him to be the alpha of the four dog pack.  The owner has to be the alpha.  Doesn't just change the dog's mind; it changes yours as well.  Agression In Dogs by Aloff was helpful, but there is no magic cure.  Lots of time and work, like Fishead said.

Although my dog improved a lot, I had to stop working him.  The impulses were still there and distracting him in the field.

Good luck!

[Jakoba]

+1 on fishheads comments.

Dogs do not care who is in charge....as long as they know. If you are not in charge they will take over, which is what your coonhound thinks...he is in charge.

Dog Philosophy...once you understand it, having 2+ dogs is actually quite easy.

You should seriously check out "The Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic Channel, it's a great in site into "people training".

And yes I am a dog owner and I am the alpha to him...submissive to "Da Wife" 

Cheers

Jako

[tramp]

remember dogs don't think like you
they think like dogs
ps
they will eat you if you die

[tbpmusic]

The smallest beagle (who was not attacked) does not always agree. The coonhound is actually submissive in nature.

Is it possible that the beagle somehow actually triggered the aggresive response, with a signal or body language nobody saw?? Perhaps coonhound was reacting to a challenge of some sort......
Or maybe just plain ol' food aggresion??

[medic09]

Definately get the vet to rule out any medical issues.  Any subtle, festering medical problem can have the dog on edge just waiting for a trigger.  After that, just work at it slowly.

Sure, the beagle could've given some signal.  But the hound has to learn that the reaction is still unacceptable.

Whatever method you choose for training the hound, be consistent and predictable.  He'll learn best if it is clear what you demand, and what the consequences/rewards are.

[TwoTired]

While dogs do recognize an alpha who they will all submit to, groups or packs also develop a "pecking order" particularly if the Alpha is not always there taking charge of the whole pack behavior.  So, with a group/pack, there is a Beta, on through the omega, who position themselves for dominance of the others within the pack, usually with some sort of aggression or assertiveness display (standing over another (dominance) as opposed to rolling over (submission) ).

When the alpha becomes non-assertive, the pack can reestablish a new Alpha (not necessarily the former beta, though that can certainly happen).

...From my animal behavior studies.
Some species of fish exhibit this same behavior, btw.  (The wife is allergic to animal hair.)

Cheers,