Behavior Problem!

[JRS2006]

I have a 4 year old female Great Pyrenees who is one of the friendliest dogs you could ever come across. She has never bitten or even growled at anybody, a very laid back dog. For Christmas we decided to get another puppy of the same breed. Both dogs are females. We did some research online about the dogs and everything we read about them said that they were very friendly towards other dogs and were not territorial. We got the puppy (10 weeks old) and we let them be around each other. They sniffed each other for a couple of seconds and then the bigger dog grabbed the puppy by the neck and started shaking her. It took quite a bit of effort to get her off, and the puppy was shaken up quite a bit. We are thinking she attacked the smaller dog because she was guarding the food in her bowl... because a little later when there was no food in her bowl they got along well. Does anybody know what we could do with them?

 

[regardsbullmastiffs]

If she is just attacking when there is food down then it sounds like she could just be food aggresive. I would suggest feeding them seperatly.
Is the old dog spayed? If not, then that could be why too, as I know unspayed female dogs can get pretty nasty at times.

Ezriyah

 

[Doberluv]

How can anyone say that they are not territorial? They may be less that way than some other breeds, but they're still dogs. Dogs are dogs and they all have these instincts. This breed was developed for guarding sheep, wasn't it? So, right there you have "territorial" written across the dogs' forheads. In other words, all dogs protect their "pack" and are territorial of their possessions to some degree or another.

Shaking the dog by the neck like that is a seriously bad sign. I'd be very careful with the introduction and even get some one on one help from a reputable, certified behaviorist on how to go about making sure they are introduced in the best possible way. Be very careful with your new pup. I'm sorry this is happening. Let us know how things go. Best wishes.

 

[Angelique]

This was no warning nip. This was an attack. Although I wasn't there to witness this, it sounds like the dog was more in the "prey" zone, rather than a territorial, resource, or social rivalry "frame of mind".

Does your older dog clearly see you as the leader and obey? How much socialization has she had with other dogs? I'm sorry, but Pyrenees are not necessarily the big friendly bundles of love, some people think they are. They are wonderful dogs, but I would do a little more research on the history of the breed.

Since your dog attacked with no warning, I would not trust her around the puppy at all right now, you might not be so lucky next time.

It would be inappropriate for me to give you any more advice over the net. Please get hands-on professional help, or find a safer home for the pup, sorry.

 

[JRS2006]

Yes, the older dog is spayed. We figured out today that she must just be aggressive when she has food around... they played together fine when there was no food. So I guess we will just have to feed them seperately

 

[JRS2006]

This was no warning nip. This was an attack.

Well when they were together the older dog ran to her food, growled a little bit and then began to eat her food very quickly. The smaller dog went a little closer and the bigger dog then attacked. It that helps clear anything up?

 

[Fran27]

I would suggest also just feeding them in different rooms. Some dogs are just very possessive with their food. Even though mine get along perfectly, but Boris did once growl and try to bite Tips because he tried to steal his frozen peanut butter/yoghurt kong.

 

[Doberluv]

Well...I always feed my dogs in seperate rooms and none of them even have any possessive thing over their food toward eachother or me. It's just a good idea to keep it that way. So, I'm glad you're going to do this. I'd also keep high value toys away from them when they're together.

Hopefully, that's all it is. Just watch them very carefully and I'd be sure to make sure the older dog gets her fair share of earned attention and that she and the pup know that clearly, you're the one who takes care of them and they don't need to take matters into their own hands or paws. I'd practice a little bit of NILIF with your older dog, just to reiterate that you're the one she goes to for guidance. http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/nothingfree.htm
I wouldn't leave them alone together at all.... for a very long time until the pup is much bigger, older and you know that everything is OK with them. Taking walks together as a group is usually helpful to show the older dog that you're all a "family" and you're on a mission together. LOL.

Keep us posted. Hope it all turns out OK.

 

[RD]

Pyrs, not territorial? Pyrs are livestock guarding breeds. Whoever told you they were not territorial needs a steel pipe to the side of their head.

Until the puppy is older, stronger and able to defend itself I would keep the two separated at all times, not just during feeding time. I agree with finding a reputable trainer/behaviorist, and if you can't do that, finding a safer home for the pup. Practicing NILIF is a great idea and it wouldn't hurt to do that with the puppy either.

 

[casablanca1]

It's probably a good idea to take both dogs to a good trainer or behaviorist to get a professional opinion of which dog has the more dominant personality. For example, the puppy walking toward the adult's food even after the adult growled and clearly began guarding it might have just been bumbling puppy behavior - but it might be an early sign the puppy is dominant enough to defy an older, stronger adult dog on its own territory. Two female dogs can fight like demons, so the earlier you figure out who is likely to end up on top, the easier it'll be to keep order, especially with two big dogs.

I'd also keep them separate except when you're supervising. The size difference is just too great for the puppy's safety.