my dog attacks my son's dog, but is friendly with all others?

Question

I have two dogs in my house, both Wheaten Terriers. One is male, one is female, and they get along fine with each other. Digby, the male, loves all other dogs, goes to doggy day care, plays at the dog park, never causes any problems. But when my son's Great Dane comes to visit, he bares his teeth, and attacks. It's a real problem, because now my son won't come to the house at all, because he's a student and can't leave the dog at school when he comes back for the holidays.

Any thoughts on why this should happen? The GD, Bella, is about five months old, weighs probably 70lbs, and is as sweet as you could hope for, and is not aggressive, although she defends herself against Digby. She has not been fixed yet, could that have anything to do with it?

Any thoughts on how to stop them fighting?

Answer 1

It could just be jealousy thing. Do you pay more attention to the GD? or perhaps Digby is frightened. Most problems can be addressed with proper training. If you are viewed as the Alpha leader, as you should be your dog will feel safe and protected in your presence. As well as know his place and not feel that he has the "right" to choose who can come in. Despite that what I found sometimes works in this situation is to have the dogs meet at a neutral location such as a local park or on a walk that way there are no territory issues. I had a dog that if someone came to the door (or another dog) she would freak out but if we met at the corner and walked to the house together everthing was fine.

Answer 2

Is the Great Dane a male? A lot of times male dogs don't get along.

If that's not the problem, it's problably a territorial and top dog issue. Great Danes are bigger that Wheatens. Maybe Digby feels threatened. I would put them in a fenced backyard and let them duke it out. They need to discover for themselves who is top dog. You getting between them won't help things unless they're actually hurting each other.

Answer 3

You first could desire to evaluate regardless of if the artwork required to "restoration this" is nicely well worth the attempt its going to take. I, in my view, don't think that each and all and sundry canines ought to have the flexibility to flow to canines parks or play with different canines... ever. Is the canines's existence unlikely to be nicely worth residing except he can study to handle different canines? Can he no longer in basic terms be a effectual, happy canines with human beings? easily, sluggish exposure to different canines could artwork.. yet overcoming the wear and tear this is been accomplished is going to take an extremely very long term. i recognize from adventure that there are some canines who different canines purely view as prey. I had a champion Samoyed b*tch who not one of the different Sams enjoyed .. even the lads in basic terms somewhat tolerated her... I confident the %. they weren't allowed to attack her...the sole time there became any pastime in socializing together with her became the lads whilst she became in season. candy canines, yet I swear that she became the canines version of having Down's Syndrome (what confident me became breeding her and seeing her reactions to doggies)... I spayed her and located her as a puppy in spite of the certainty that she and her doggies have been amazing.

Answer 4

he might just be intimidated by her size, or the fact that a new dog is in his territory. just because he gets along with other dogs in neutral territory(like the park and doggy day care) doesnt mean he will get along with them at your house... he probably just needs to get used to her.

Answer 5

Your dog is trying to protect ya. Tell him that is ok, adn re-assure him. If your dog does not stop this then, dont HIT!!!! But simply tell him no in a nice but firm voice.

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Answer 6

he's pissed at having a much bigger dog than him on his own turf----you'll just have to keep them apart---only time he'll want her around is when she's in heat