Young Dog attacks Old Dog

[blackluv]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently fostering a 15 month old happy go lucky, playful (sometimes exuberant) Rotti/Coonhound girl called Kisha. She is great with other dogs and absolutely loves people! She gets so excited and happy when she sees people, and especially when she gets a fuss! I also have 4 furboys (14 year old, 8-10 year old, 8 year old, 3.5 year old) who she lives with quite happily.

Early on Saturday morning, my husband and I came into the house (we’d been out for about an hour) and all the dogs were loose and greeted us at the door. The next thing I know is that Kisha is attacking Shadow (the 14 year old furboy). It was quite the spat and Shadow was so scared and overwhelmed. This is the 2nd time this has happened. I have noticed that Kisha has been sniffing Shadow’s penis quite a bit lately (so has my 3.5 year old). We know that Shadow is dying – right now he’s on pain meds and doing well, so we enjoy each day as it comes along, and he still has a bit of a spring in his step with an even balance of good and bad days! Shadow is very appropriate with all dogs – he’s bloody wonderful! And when Kisha approaches he is anything but dominant.

For some reason Kisha is focused on Shadow, and at times I see her watching him very closely, so I avert her attention off him. This may sound weird, but I also feel that she is “stalking” him! When I’m not home Kisha is crated, and when I am home Shadow stays very close to me so I keep a very close eye on how close Kisha is getting.

Any idea what could be triggering Kisha’s “interest” in Shadow and his penis? Could it be the fact that he is dying and she sees him as the “weak connection”? Also, Bugsy, my 3.5 year old cocked his leg on Saturday and started to pee on Shadow – again this happened after sniffing Shadow’s penis. I stopped Bugsy peeing on Shadow (but again this is not the first time this has happened). In fact, I did ask about Bugsy peeing on Shadow on this forum and got some wonderful responses.

Any comments/advice would be much appreciated.

Moni

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by blackluv

...Shadow is dying – right now he’s on pain meds and doing well, so we enjoy each day as it comes along, and he still has a bit of a spring in his step with an even balance of good and bad days! Shadow is very appropriate with all dogs – he’s bloody wonderful!... ...Also, Bugsy, my 3.5 year old cocked his leg on Saturday and started to pee on Shadow – again this happened after sniffing Shadow’s penis. I stopped Bugsy peeing on Shadow (but again this is not the first time this has happened)...

Your dogs are behaving towards Shadow the way they are because he's dying.

I suggest you stop letting your dogs mingle any longer--Shadow needs to be separated to keep him safe.

Your dying dog doesn't need the insult of being urinated on by a much younger, healthier dog and neither does he need to be attacked by your other much younger, healthier dog. Kisha has now attacked Shadow twice. Clearly, it's past time to keep her away from Shadow.

Please give Shadow the respect and dignity he deserves as he dies. Keep your other dogs away from him.

[webangel2b]

Yeah.... Shadow needs his space to live out his final days. The other dogs I'm sure will get worse about him.

We did that when we brought Dixie home to Jesse. Jesse was never bothered by the KID when we were not home. She maintained run of the house to her final day.

Sweet ole boy, maybe he can have more time with you right now. You may not have much more with him.

[blackluv]

Hi!

Thanks for responding - much appreciated. As of this morning, Shadow is being kept away from the other dogs (although I worry about that too - he is so used to being with the pack). I made a comfy bed for him in my craft room - he has the run of the bottom half of the house - so I know he is safe and sound. I also spoke with my dog sitter last night and she will keep Shadow separate from Kisha and Bugsy. As for the other 2 furboys, they have shown NO interest in Shadow - they just treat him with respect.

Thanks again.

Moni

[Karyn]

I am no expert but it would appear they know Shadow is dying and are looking to reorder the pack. My Winston is getting old too (either 6 or 7 years old) - he is moving slower and Caesar (2 years old) tends to get in his face. Caesar is crated when I am not home and supervised when I am home. Caesar is a foster and will be leaving at some point so Winnie will be KING of the castle again.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by blackluv

...As of this morning, Shadow is being kept away from the other dogs (although I worry about that too - he is so used to being with the pack). I made a comfy bed for him in my craft room - he has the run of the bottom half of the house - so I know he is safe and sound. I also spoke with my dog sitter last night and she will keep Shadow separate from Kisha and Bugsy.

This is the best, kindest thing you can do for your boy.

I wouldn't worry about Shadow missing the company of his dog friends. Shadow is disengaging from this world and his focus and preoccupation are shifting. He needs the space you're giving him to relax for his next journey.

[webangel2b]

Sounds like Shadow is being treated wonderfully, and believe he's enjoying his OWN area/time with you.

Remember if he were in the wild, he would leave the pack to die. It's only naturally for him to separate himself (disengage) as angelbunny says from the others. He's HAPPY with this!

[Nelsonm64]

i'm very sorry to hear about Shadow. i recently lost Baron after 13 GREAT years.

i believe you are doing the right thing by keeping him by himself for his final time. he needs all that special love you can give him right now. all the best to you and your family. Shadows is in my prayers.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

Your dogs are behaving towards Shadow the way they are because he's dying.

I suggest you stop letting your dogs mingle any longer--Shadow needs to be separated to keep him safe.

Your dying dog doesn't need the insult of being urinated on by a much younger, healthier dog and neither does he need to be attacked by your other much younger, healthier dog. Kisha has now attacked Shadow twice. Clearly, it's past time to keep her away from Shadow.

Please give Shadow the respect and dignity he deserves as he dies. Keep your other dogs away from him.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Please heed this advice, and give Shadow the peace and dignity he deserves.