How do you handle it when your dogs scuffle? I need advice.

[Germanshepherdlova]

I need some advice. My lab is always starting trouble with my GSD. The lab will go underneath my GSD and bite his hotspot (he has skin troubles and has one hot spot after another) then the GSD will start to beat up the lab. My GSD pins the lab to the ground and bites his mouth until the lab whimpers. I always intervene at this point and tell my GSD to release him, only for the lab to go right back under him and bite him again. There is never blood drawn by either of them. I know it would be simple if I could get the lab to stop biting the GSD but he goes under him quick as a wink, before I can stop him.

I am now wondering if it would be terrible for me to just let it go and let them settle it between themselves. I am exhausted from breaking them up repeatedly and the last 2 days have been ridiculous. I am not sure if I fail to intervene if my GSD would seriously hurt my lab. Anybody who's dogs act like this please tell me how you handle it. As I type this I am having to break up yet another scuffle.

[JakodaCD OA]

I would intervene when your lab even "Thinks" of bugging the gsd.

I would keep the lab on a long line or leash in the house, and control him with that.

I wouldn't let them duke it out, it sounds like the gsd is getting fed up with his behavior and yeah he may seriously hurt your lab.

[N Smith]

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

I would intervene when your lab even "Thinks" of bugging the gsd.

I would keep the lab on a long line or leash in the house, and control him with that.

I wouldn't let them duke it out, it sounds like the gsd is getting fed up with his behavior and yeah he may seriously hurt your lab.

Agreed!

You are allowing a dog who is obviously in pain to be bullied - and he will only tolerate it for so long before he gets rid of the problem for good.

Be proactive and keep the lab away - if the lab even thinks about looking at the hot spot - he should be corrected/redirected by YOU, not the other dog.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

I would intervene when your lab even "Thinks" of bugging the gsd.

I would keep the lab on a long line or leash in the house, and control him with that.

I wouldn't let them duke it out, it sounds like the gsd is getting fed up with his behavior and yeah he may seriously hurt your lab.

That is a good idea, to put the lab on a lead. I had my son take the lab into his room for an hour to separate them and just let him back out and he isn't bothering the GSD right now but I will try the leash on him if he starts up again-which I am sure that he will.

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

When I first got Lucky we had Daisy and Dodger. Dodger hated male dogs but due to a variety of issues we felt we had to keep Lucky.Dodger and Lucky were kept seperated. I sucked at breaking them up and Daisy bc i was upset joined the fray. Dodger did stuff w/ us and Lucky outside b/c he was kept on a short leash. We survived. I have had to break up Lucky and Daisy over the years. As Daisy got older Lucky will bully so I supervise if Lucky wont move hes put into a down and Daisy can move I supervise feeding and watch them . Im lucky w/ Lucky as he redirects. No redirection worked w/ Dodger but if on leash he wouldnt attack. Sounds like the lab needs to learn doggy manners.Is he a young dog the lab? I think Jakoda's idea is a good one.Daisy atacked Lucky one day coming out of the groomers. Jon our friend took them and Lucky went into the van first and Daisy got in and went nuts ,Jon had to get a groomer out to get Lucky out of the car and Daisy lifted her lip at Jon . We made a trip that day to get the Lucky rather then take the chance on them in the car. That night everything was ok.I hate it when they get into it it always scares me.Good Luck

[sashadog]

I know our situations are slightly different but when our GSD first started bugging our cattle dog we were given the advice (bad advice) that after a couple of scuffles you should just let them settle it and they'll work it out. We did, blood was drawn, and now they hate each other. They'll tolerate each other if both my boyfriend and I are present and can each control a dog but it's not a fun life. I sometimes wonder if we'd done things differently from the beginning if things would be different between them... I would take Jakoda's and N.Smith's advice.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Originally Posted by Daisy&Lucky's Mom

When I first got Lucky we had Daisy and Dodger. Dodger hated male dogs but due to a variety of issues we felt we had to keep Lucky.Dodger and Lucky were kept seperated. I sucked at breaking them up and Daisy bc i was upset joined the fray. Dodger did stuff w/ us and Lucky outside b/c he was kept on a short leash. We survived. I have had to break up Lucky and Daisy over the years. As Daisy got older Lucky will bully so I supervise if Lucky wont move hes put into a down and Daisy can move I supervise feeding and watch them . Im lucky w/ Lucky as he redirects. No redirection worked w/ Dodger but if on leash he wouldnt attack. Sounds like the lab needs to learn doggy manners.Is he a young dog the lab? I think Jakoda's idea is a good one.Daisy atacked Lucky one day coming out of the groomers. Jon our friend took them and Lucky went into the van first and Daisy got in and went nuts ,Jon had to get a groomer out to get Lucky out of the car and Daisy lifted her lip at Jon . We made a trip that day to get the Lucky rather then take the chance on them in the car. That night everything was ok.I hate it when they get into it it always scares me.Good Luck

The lab is 2 yo, which is a guestimate because he is a rescue dog and we got him a year and a half ago when he was about 6-8 months old according to our vets best guess.

The dogs do like each other, they lay near each other-they spend a lot of time playing together so I am not sure why the lab has decided to bother him recently. I injured my back so getting up and down has been very difficult for me so I am not sure if this has anything to do with it but probably so because they haven't been exercised well in about a week because I simply can't get around right now.

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by Germanshepherdlova

The lab is 2 yo, which is a guestimate because he is a rescue dog and we got him a year and a half ago when he was about 6-8months old according to our vets best guess.

The dogs do like each other, they lay near each other-they spend a lot of time playing together so I am not sure why the lab has decided to bother him recently. I injured my back so getting up and down has been very difficult for me so I am not sure if this has anything to do with it but probably so because they haven't been exercised well in about a week because I simply can't get around right now.

Your GSD has had some issues w/ pain could this be "I wanna be pack leader" on the labs part sensing weakness. Lucky as Daisy has gotten more sedate and less mobile is a often a bully. I stay on him. He has never drawn blood but Im almost positive he is leader of the pack now. Does your Lab play w/ any other adult dogs does he have issues with them? Labs also take forever to grow up so could this be adolescence extended version. I agree about the not letting them fight it out. sounds like no matter what is causing it the way to stop it is the leash and seperation like you did.Can your son excercise them while your off your feet ?

[Germanshepherdlova]

Originally Posted by Daisy&Lucky's Mom

Your GSD has had some issues w/ pain could this be "I wanna be pack leader" on the labs part sensing weakness. Lucky as Daisy has gotten more sedate and less mobile is a often a bully. I stay on him. He has never drawn blood but Im almost positive he is leader of the pack now. Does your Lab play w/ any other adult dogs does he have issues with them? Labs also take forever to grow up so could this be adolescence extended version. I agree about the not letting them fight it out. sounds like no matter what is causing it the way to stop it is the leash and seperation like you did.Can your son excercise them while your off your feet ?

My son takes the lab on some walks but he can't handle the GSD-the GSD is likes to chase cars and greatly out weighs my son so I don't want him dragging him out in front of a car.

IDK about the lab trying to be pack leader, my GSD has been to the vet about 10x this year for hotspots and just got off an antibiotic right now for them and is still on a steroid so this is an ongoing condition that he has. He doesn't act in pain from them either, he is his normal self. The only time he has pain is if they get infected. I don't think the lab is trying to be pack leader, my GSD is very dominant and always makes sure that he is first all the time so I don't think the lab would imagine to try to oust him. I think it may be just too much pent up energy. In addition to my back it has been raining for 3 days straight and my backyard is a mud pit so its pretty much been straight in and out for them.

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

Yea bored dogs w/ energy to burn that will do it. What's the saying Idle hands devils handiwork. I hope you feel better soon and it dries up for all of us in Ohio.