my Great Dane keeps attacking my 13 year old mix. She almost killed the mix. So if this is normal, why?
2007-03-25 03:18:54 · 13 answers · asked by daughters_a_wookie 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
According to my dog book, The Perfect Match, Great Danes usually need to be introduced to other animals when they are still puppies. Some Great Danes will accept other animals, but most will not tolerate another animal on the premises.
When the Dane behaves like this you need to immediately put her in the submissive position which is on her back with her feet in the air and keep her there while the mix gets to roam around her. This will give the mix dominance and the Dane will learn to not be so aggresive with it.
2007-03-25 03:31:18 · answer #1 · answered by hollilynn 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Not at all normal.. Why do you keep letting it happen?
Don't let the dane attack the mix, especially a poor old 13 year old, How would you like to be a 90 year old and have some young punk attacking and nearly killing you all the time. Would spend the last few days of your life scared to death.
If you can't handle the dane and can't stop the attacks, find it a home where someone can handle the dog. You obviously haven't done any obedience or you would have some sort of control over the situation. Would know what to watch for to avoid the attacks. You are a 1 dog person only... IF that..
Added...
Don't allow them to fight for position... You don't want one to be alpha and one to be in second position. YOU should be alpha over both dogs. That's your problem. You are letting the dane be in alpha and decide what's going to happen in your household. Take control, be alpha, if you can't then find a home for the dane before the old dog ends up dead...
2007-03-25 10:25:07 · answer #2 · answered by DP 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It is not normal. However there could be numerous underlying causes. You didn't state the Danes age, she could be hormonal. She could be jockeying for 2nd alpha position. If this is the case you should give her that position i.e., while you are still lead alpha feed the Dane first, greet dane first etc. then she will not feel the need to fight for that position. However, before attempting this speak to your vet or an experienced trainer to ensure that while giving your Dane a higher position than the mix, you do not give up your position. It could also be a territorial issue if the mix was newly added to your household. You also didn't state what is leading up to the attacks, is it food related? If so you have a food aggression issue that needs to be addressed. For every ones safety, speak to a professional to diagnose the problem.
2007-03-25 11:10:10 · answer #3 · answered by jjtrue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't state if the Dane is a pup or grown. Are they the same sex? Is the Dane new to the home? If so, she may be trying to win the position of the packleader, even if the older dog is no threat. Making herself the new "leader" and in control. If the mix is putting up a fight of her own, even if not a big fight, it'll happen. Like protecting food, water, toys, etc., and most especially you. It is natural for dogs to do this, but if it gets out of control, you may need professional help. I've been thru it before and I made the mistake of trying to break up a fight between a weim and a mastiff, both female. I ended up with 4 stitches. They are now fine. The weim won the position.
2007-03-25 10:26:47 · answer #4 · answered by mcghankathy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not normal and you need to protect the mix. See a dog trainer or behavioris't asap.
How would you like it if someone allowed a big brute to move into your house and attack you at will?
Your mix is living in a torturous situation. If need be, find a new home for the Dane.
2007-03-25 10:26:18 · answer #5 · answered by Yinzer from Sixburgh 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes it could be normal if you r giving your mix more attention because the great dane wants attention to rite of corse so here is what you CAN do, put 1 outside on a leash or in a room for like a half an hour while you play with the other then put that 1 outside or wherever while u play w/ the other but make sure the littel one if its still a puppy, make sure you still give it lots of attention so maybe play w/ it 4 like 1 hour and older 1 for like a half an hour. that should keep your mix from getting killed.
2007-03-25 10:34:18 · answer #6 · answered by schneider_5681 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
This is not normal behavior for Great Danes. Please keep them separated and contact a dog trainer for an assessment of the problem or put one of your dogs up for adoption. Also, do not let your Great Dane near children. She could hurt them.
2007-03-25 10:31:08 · answer #7 · answered by Kate Winter 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No it is NOT normal. You need to keep the dogs seperated and/or supervised and you need to look into training and behavior modification for your Dane. I also suggest a complete vet exam including bloodwork/thyroid tests.
2007-03-25 14:09:56 · answer #8 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well its somehat normal. Your great dane may be feeling threatened, territorial, or jealous of the other dog. Maybe the dogs just don't get along. Either seperate them or introduce them to eachother slowly.
2007-03-25 10:24:14 · answer #9 · answered by clare e 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
this is not normal,, and it is not characteristic of the great dane.. perhaps she came from a puppymill/backyard breeder and you are seeing the ill effects of poor breeding.... protect the 13 year old.....
2007-03-25 10:43:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋