I have had a springer spaniel since she was a pup, she is now 11.When we got her we had a golden retriever but she sadly died when my springer spaniel was 5.My springer had always had a loving nature, then Nearly two months ago we got a new cocker spaniel who is 3 years old.At first our springer spaniel hated her an there was lots of fighting an jealousy, after about 2 weeks they were getting on great and lying on each other all cuddled up.But the last week my springer spaniel has come in to season.and so the last week there has been really aggressive fights and my springer has even gone to bite me and my family she has never done anything like this before.But i really do fear for my cocker spaniel as my springer is going to kill her please some one help!
2007-02-04 21:54:13 · 16 answers · asked by holly_graci 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
When a female is in heat, she is not her normal self. She is driven by instinct, and isn't even aware that she is being naughty. Scolding will do no good. The only REAL solution, is to have her spayed. Other than that, you will just have to keep them separated when she is in heat..
2007-02-04 22:06:35 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The solution depends on what is actually happening. First off, is the Cocker doing anything to provoke the Springer? Remember that the Springer is an older female (read Alpha Female who will take no crap from younger dogs). Is the Cocker getting in her face? Trying to solicit play? Being inappropriate? or simply laying there not doing anything? If it's anything but the latter than the Springer is simply trying to teach her manners, albeit a little more strongly than one would like. If it's the latter than you have a bigger issue.
Secondly, what is your definition of "fighting"? Have there been bite wounds on either of them? Is it a commit to kill type of attack? or just a snarl, growl, lunge, and put the Cocker in her place type of "attack"? If she is putting the Cocker in her place and not harming her than she is simply establishing who is boss and letting the newbie know that she won't stand for insubordinates and that is acceptable in dog language. If it's not that than it is something serious and you need professional help to manage it.
Thirdly, the general suggestion is if you have a female already don't get another one. Get a male because two females will conflict with one another. I buy into this some, but I've always had females and never had problems.
Fourthly, when some females are in heat they will resource guard anything and pick a fight with everything. When my Border Collie is in heat she will resource guard everyone in the house from the other dogs and doesn't want anyone near her. It's a matter of management. Keep them separated while in heat.
Also, I noticed everyone is saying get them spayed. While I am a huge proponent of spay/neutering this might not help in this situation. Spayed females are often tougher than in tact ones. It works the opposite as neutering males. When you spay a female you take away all estrogen and naturally the level of testosterone increases making her more inclined to teach a younger lessons. The rule of thumb for unruly adolescents is put an older spayed female or one that has had puppies in with them to put them in their place.
I would also consult with a behaviorist in your area that can come to your house and physically see what is going on because one person's interpretation of an event is completely different from another's.
2007-02-05 04:21:15 · answer #2 · answered by thatgirl83 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the biting you is a "redirecting" behavior and is not good at all, she is doing this becuase she knows she cant bite the cocker so she needs to bite something and you are the closest one. you will need to seperate them until the season is OVER :( sorry and if they do get into a fight do not get in the middle. take some pots and bang them together as loud as possible! that shoul scare them and make them stop and give you time to seperate them.
2007-02-04 22:03:35 · answer #3 · answered by gigi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both dogs need YOU to be the "alpha" in their pack. They are fighting with each other because there is no clear "leader", and they're trying to figure out between them who is going to lead. If your "aggressive one" also nips people at 6 month old, he'll need to get the most training NOW. The older he gets (without correction to his behavior) the more vicious he's going to become. And if he gets out and bites someone you may not only have to put him down, but you'll also be liable for any medical bills / injuries he causes. You CANNOT simply re-home an aggressive dog. The law requires that you tell any prospective buyer/adopters of the dog's aggressive tendancies -- which means no one will take the dog. And if you sell or give away the dog without telling the person that the dog is aggressive, and something bad happens, you can still be held liable for the damage (because of "non-disclosure"). We suggest that you get both dogs into some serious training with a trainer who specializes in aggressive dogs.
2016-05-24 17:38:09 · answer #4 · answered by MarilynAnn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2007-02-08 11:55:37 · answer #5 · answered by kermit_is_dead_rip 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
spay them both. The fighting will stop then. Keep them seperate until you have had them both spayed. If you allow one fight to get serious, if one doesn't kill the other, they will hate each other for ever and even spaying won't help. What did the retriver die of? Was she killed by your springer too?
2007-02-05 04:28:05 · answer #6 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm afraid you will probably have to keep them seperated until you springer comes out of season, and then introduce them to each other again. good luck.
2007-02-05 04:26:37 · answer #7 · answered by VICTORIA R 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you'll just have to separate them until her season is over. It is a shame as they were getting on so well- but you are right, she might kill her if she means it. If this does not settle down quickly, I would be looking to have them both neutered asap, that should help. Throughout it all, it is important they both recognise you as their main boss, then you can keep control
2007-02-04 21:59:19 · answer #8 · answered by rose_merrick 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Keep them seperate untill she is out of season. Dogs in season are just like us sometimes they just want to be left alone.
2007-02-05 02:52:55 · answer #9 · answered by rose 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't pet your dog to calm them down. Doing this only praises them for their behavior. You must check out this web site. there are streaming videos just click and watch.
The Dog Whisperer. This guy even helped Oprah....Oprah.
2007-02-04 22:02:00 · answer #10 · answered by Banker 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋