[JKlatsky]

Originally Posted by pac liter

I think it has something to do with dominance. If a lower pack animal tries to redirect aggression on a higher pack animal, the higher pack member will usually not just stand there and accept the aggression but instead respond back.

The lower member learns that it not OK redirect anger at higher members and the problem is solved. Sometimes the lower pack member needs to be reminded of the pack order, but these are minor corrections adminstered through a short growl, bark, or some play.

There are plenty of cases where a small breed like a chihuahua dominates a bigger dog such as a GSD. A dominant dog will usually not accept aggression from a lower member. A dominant dog will not rationalize the type of aggression and think "Oh that was redirected aggression so I will let it slide". He/she will likely correct the aggression, regardless of the type of aggression.

At least this is how it plays out with my dogs.

This is NOT how it works in my house. When my middle child got a little worked up and redirected onto my older male who is currently higher in the pack, what I got was a dog fight. Middle child redirected because he was so worked up that he was no longer thinking and chose to lash out at what was closest- Older male. Older male came back big- but middle child had lost his brain somewhere and had no concept for what was happening anymore and fought back even though he wouldn't normally challenge him.

I would stop her and redirect her into something else.