Keeshonds and DA?

[maxfox426]

At what age does dog aggression usually start to come to the surface?
Are keeshonds a breed that is prone to same-sex aggression?

I ask because I am dogsitting for a pair of male Keeshonds, with one that has started to display random aggressive behavior towards the other, older dog. Granted, the older dog has epilepsy and occasional seizures, which may be contributing to the problem. However, since I don't know a whole lot about dog aggression in general, I was curious to know more.

For the record, I have already called the owners about the issues and left a message, her phone turned off since they only left this mornign and are probably still on an airplane somewhere. In the meantime, I am keeping the two dogs completely separated while I'm dogsitting, just so I don't have to worry about further attacks. Still, it's information that I should be more familiar with.

Thanks!


Oh, and please feel free to grill me on this one. This is stuff I need to know if I am going to be serious about dog-sitting, and I'm sure there are factors at work that I don't even know to look for. I'll answer questions as best as I can, but my internet will be limited to my phone this evening, and I may not know all the answers about the dogs specifically since they aren't mine.

Thanks again!

 

[HoundedByHounds]

I think it's likely more health and age related than sex related. Many times as one dog in the household ages, it can become a target to the others, esp if the other are at their prime age of knucklehead behavior..12mos-2years...OR alternatively if they are very close in age and rank.

Sickness yes can trigger attacks...it's normal canine instinct to chase away sick pack members many times because they draw attention and could in theory spread disease.

It doesn't always happen...sometimes old dogs gracefully maintain their place, or step down without a tussle...and things are placid and calm...Kees to my knowledge are not particularly quarrelsome BUT they are a Spitz breed and all of those seem to be a bit more attuned to and appreciative of, order and a more rigid structure in the home.

The older dog could be stressed about his owners being gone...and have more seizure activity which might stress the other dog and round and round we go!

What you are doing is wise...and I would continue...and maybe keep a list for the owners of things that seem to set off the attacks...if seizures follow, what they were doing before during after, etc. That says to them that you are paying attention and want to help...

 

[maxfox426]

HBH,
Thanks for the info! I wasn't going to assume it was SSA, but I've read a few things about it and just wondered if it was a possibility. I am not sure how old the younger, "aggressive" dog is (my documents on these two are in the car and I'm at work... will check when I get back to the house), but I kind of think I remember him being around 2 years. I know the older one is about 5 years.

I am sure it is seizure related, but the owners have never seen it happen like this before, and neither has their previous dogsitter (a friend of mine). I haven't been able to pinpoint any sort of a trigger, either. The first attack happened in the middle of the night, so I was asleep. The second time, they were just being let outside from their crates. The younger one will just flip out suddenly on the older one, snarling and biting, and the older one will just collapse into a heap and lie motionless while being attacked. I'll start keeping a list, like you suggest, and maybe that will help me see some kind of a pattern... though I really don't intend to let the dogs near each other for the next couple of days.

Speaking of the owner, I did get ahold of her right after I made the orginal post. She also believes that it is likely seizure-related, and gave me instructions for an extra medication to give the seizure dog, just in case. I'm sure it will all be fine, just not something I've had much experience with before.

I feel better knowing that I'm taking the right course of action here with separating them! *whew*

Sorry if I am a bit wordy. This is my last chance at the computer before I go back to the house so I am trying to get it all in where I can!

Thanks again!!!

 

[HoundedByHounds]

no problem, your priority is keeping the dogs safe so your first instinct to separate was admirable IMO. Good job!