How do we handle a "frenzied" attack between 2 of

[digitaldiva]

We have three dogs--2 bichons (spayed female age 6 and neutered male age 5) and one lab/shep mix (spayed female age 7). The bichons were rescues from two different families (we've had the female for 4 years and the male for 3 years), and the lab/shep was adopted by us when she was a pup. Normally, all the dogs get along fine.

ALL were playing fetch outside, with us throwing the tennis ball. After about 5 minutes, game over, ball put away. When we went inside, the female bichon started to attack the lab/shep (who is especially VERY sweet natured!). The bichon was growling (she also growls when she and the male bichon play) and began chasing the lab/shep. Our lab/shep ran away as far as she could go, into one of the bedrooms, into the corner. We chased them both, yelling NO as loud as we could. The bichon cornered the lab/shep and was trying to bite the lab/shep's neck. My DH, who got to the bedroom first, pulled the bichon off the lab/shep.

I held the female bichon by the scruff of the neck, on the floor, and yelled in her face NO! DH yelled too. We don't yell, so this was a BIG deal. The male bichon was so scared that he hid under the bed. I continued holding her by the scruff of her neck, and yelled NO a couple more times. DH picked her up and put her outside by herself.

We checked our lab/shep and she was okay, but scared.

This happened once before, last year.

I'm not sure if we did the right thing, and I'd appreciate any input from people with a bit more experience about this. Was holding her by her scruff and yelling NO okay to do? Is there something else we should have done?

Any ideas how to avoid this in the future? I think it's a jealousy/attention thing, but I don't know for sure.

We let the female bichon inside after about 90 minutes. She looked very contrite, but I'm not sure if she "gets it" y'know? I hope I've explained everything clearly. THis is so new to me, and I don't want to do anything wrong if this happens again, and sure would appreciate knowing what to do.

Thank you.

[k9Karen]

I wasn't there, but, in a way, it sounds like it could be your Bichon just didn't want to stop playing. Chasing another is one way dogs play with each other, and it isn't uncommon for them to growl when playing. Unfortunately, some don't like being chased. In fact, it seems like all of mine enjoy being the chaser, but none likes to be chased. When the lab/shep mix ran away, the Bichon may have perceived that as playing with her. Nipping at the neck when the chasing stopped could just be the dog's way of trying to get the other dog to run again. Part of this is probably a dominance issue (play fighting is a way dogs assert their dominance), and those issues will always come up in one way or another in a multi-dog household. Dogs, just like kids, sometimes don't play fair or one kid doesn't like the game the other one chooses. Is this female Bichon the alpha dog in the house?

A question: When this happened before, had she also been playing with either your or the other dogs or did it come out of the blue? I'm not saying this isn't an aggression issue, it could be, but, I'm thinking it may just be that the female Bichon is a higher energy dog, and when she really gets 'revved up', it's hard for her to turn off all that energy. So, when you stopped the play and she wasn't yet ready to call it quits, she tried to find another game, and she did - Hide and Seek! The problem was, the other dog didn't want to play and she either missed those signals or totally ignored them. By biting at her, she thought she could get her interested in playing again.

Not sure I'm right, but just thought I'd give the situation a different perspective.

[digitaldiva]

Hi, k9Karen,

Thanks for the different perspective.

When I consider the "interaction", it really was as if the female bichon was attacking. She wouldn't stop.

My DH pulled her off the lab/shep and the bichon wiggled out of his hands and attacked the lab/shep again, going for the throat.

The bichon is more of an alpha dog than the lab/shep. The male bichon is just a happy-go-lucky fella.

If this happens again, should we handle it in the same way, or are we missing something?

Thank you again.

[Traci]

Instead of scruffing her neck and yelling, I would suggest a "time-out", in another room, NOT outside. The time-out could last for about 10 or 15 minutes. Let her out, then see how she reacts to the other dog. If she growls again, give her another time-out. With repeated time-outs, she will soon learn the agressive behavior against your lab is not acceptable and will earn her a time-out.

When playtime occurs outside, and when you are ready to get them inside, get them in, one at a time, as opposed to everyone at once. Talk softly to each one as an individual as they come inside. A few minutes later, get another one in, and so on.

Since this has happened twice already, I would ask if she or any of the dogs ever recieved behavioral training (professionally). While it's best to do this when they are puppies, it's never too late to consider training classes when you have a dog with sudden and unexplained agressive tendencies.

On another note, and probably most importantly, when was her last vet checkup? Sudden agressive behaviors can result from a hidden illness, pain, etc, so it would be a good idea to get her checked by your vet, and opt for bloodwork to make sure nothing goes undetected.