[WendyRas]

Hello,

I had a 5 year old Shih Tzu - Daisy female and yesterday I got a 3 year old lab/akbash cross Pearl - also female. The new dog is very well behaved and very affectionate and obedient so far. This morning when Daisy went to get a drink of water, Pearl, growled very loudly and somewhat attacked Daisy. Enough were Daisy let out a bit of a squeal and the water was tipped over. At first I thought this was just a food thing but my daughter just got home from school and called and she told me that Pearl was very aggressive again to Daisy when they got close.

I am really not sure what to do. When they were first introduced last night outside, it was Daisy who was the aggressive dog. Is this just a dominance thing and I should let them figure things out? Please help.

[ballengerb1]

Daisy and Pearl are trying to determine who is alpha. Supervise them better in the meantime because they could do harm. They will figure it out soon but you don't want any accidental or permanent injury.

[WendyRas]

Thank you. When I got home tonight they were okay and then Daisy went behind me and that is when Pearl went after her again. She grabbed Daisy by the neck. We are watching her, and I hope this doesn't happen again or I will have to give back to the people I took her from. The previous owner said that she was not aggressive to other dogs and that if a dog came up to her she would put her tail between her legs. So this behaviour is bizarre to me.

[ballengerb1]

Tasil between her legs was fear and submission. This is a new "pack" forming and her instincts are telling her to stand her ground. Some dogs appear to attack the other dog but, unknown to you, the dog getting attacked was sending out the "evil eye" and provoked the attack. I have a dog who will attak if he thinks he is about to be ttacked, just to get it over with. Walk them together as much as you can and maybe your new dog could stand some obedience training. Any training groups in your area?

[WendyRas]

I will try walking them together so that the new one understands that the older one is part of the family. Thank you for your advice. I am not sure that the new dog needs obedience training as she is really really good when with me. It is more when your back is turned that she has gotten the smaller dog.

[ballengerb1]

Your dog is showing you that you are not the alpha either and the only threat is from the other dog. Sorry, but I think that means she needs obedience.

[WendyRas]

Your dog is showing you that you are not the alpha either and the only threat is from the other dog. Sorry, but i think that means she needs obedience.

Thank you Ballengerb1. I will look into the obedience thing more. Your help is much appreciated. I am now thinking what you wrote earlier about the older one giving the evil eye is probably correct. I had another female Lhapso Apso a few years ago. I got Daisy when she was a puppy and not right away but after there was a period when the two fought for a short time (I actually forgot about this until today). I always had thought it was the older dog, but now I am beginning to think it is Daisy. She is probably the one needing the obedience training.