Why is he getting DA?

MisssAshby

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#1
We have a 4 year old male dachshund that has ALWAYS been very protective of the family. He seems even more protective if my husband isn't around.

Well, about a year ago he started to develop aggression toward strangers (mainly men) and other dogs. A little over a year ago we got another dachshund (female) and I knew there would be a few arguments until she realized he was alpha. He is alpha and everyone knows it, but I think sometimes she likes to test him.

Well, recently (last 3-4 weeks) he has seemed to develop an aggression towards her mainly when playing with toys or when she is doing something he doesn't seem to like (barking, etc).

Earlier tonight he was playing with his toy and she came over and pulled at it wanting to tug. He started a low pitch growl (which he has been doing for the past few weeks) and she continued to try to get him to play. Next thing I know he snapped at her in an aggressive tone. As soon as I turned around he went under the computer desk and wouldn't come out. I went to pick him (to put him in his crate) and he snapped at me.

He hasn't been listening, he acts like he is in trouble all the time, he knows what he is doing is wrong. He is usually the most well behaved dog in the house. Is this because of the new female in the house? She has been here over a year and he acts perfect around our other female (she has been around him his entire life though). What's going on? Help!
 

adojrts

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#2
Sounds like he is afraid of you, is non confident and fearful therefore not aggressive but fear aggressive (which can be worse). Why on earth should he not growl and/or snap at the other dog?? And why would you interfer?
Let the dogs sort it out, if they are not getting into all out fights. My dogs all respect each other, if one dog has a toy or bone and another dog wants it, they wait until the first dog leaves.
I would also start using positive reinforcements and for socializing him.
 

MisssAshby

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#3
Sounds like he is afraid of you, is non confident and fearful therefore not aggressive but fear aggressive (which can be worse). Why on earth should he not growl and/or snap at the other dog?? And why would you interfer?
Let the dogs sort it out, if they are not getting into all out fights. My dogs all respect each other, if one dog has a toy or bone and another dog wants it, they wait until the first dog leaves.
I would also start using positive reinforcements and for socializing him.
He does act like he is afraid of m and I have no idea why - he is acting the same way with my husband but it is worse with me.

I don't get into the middle of them when they are growling, etc. Had I not snapped and said something last night he would have attacked her. It wasn't just a 'warning' growl or snap. He is always snappy about his toys and doesn't like to share. How do I go about making them realize when one has the toys the other needs to leave it alone?

We are going to work on socializing more too - in fact I'm getting ready to get him out with me this morning for some socializing.
 
S

Squishy22

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#4
If its a serious problem I would keep them separated when toys and bones are around.

My dogs wouldn't dare bite me. They have never showed an ounce of aggression towards me and I throw my chi in her crate too. I dont have much advice to offer about that. I do know that my moms overly dominant pug bit me after I picked her up to put her away. Not because she was afraid, but because she didn't want me to put her away, so she bit me. The fact that your dog ran and hid tells me that he was afraid.

In my house I do not tolerate aggression between my dogs, because a fight could result in a dead dog. Yes, my chi IS daring enough to steal Reggins bone. She refuses to give him the space he needs, so off to the crate she goes.
 

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