Urgent - Aggression by new dog

[mepagnucco]

So our newest dog, Jack, that we just got over the past weekend gets along pretty well with our one dog Benji (the one I thought would have problems with him) and is getting increasingly more aggressive with our other dog Reddington. Today, he keeps putting his head over Reddington's neck and lowly growling at him and then sometimes trying to hump him or it turns out into an all out snarling match that freaks me out. He could very easily hurt Reddington and I'm getting more worried about leaving them alone at the house without one of us present. We may have to see if my husband's sister will take him if we can't get this solved quickly and we don't have tons of money to spend on someone to come in and help. I don't know what it is about Reddington that seems to be upsetting him. At first I thought he was being possessive because the first time a fight happened was over a bone, the second time was when he was on the bed with me and Reddington jumped up for attention. This past time we were just in the kitchen and I was trying to open something when it all happened so there was no obvious trigger other than Jack doing his weird head over the neck thing to Reddington.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Yes, please separate for safety. Ideally, it would be best to have a professional (preferably a veterinary behaviorist or dog behavior consultant) take a look at the interactions in person and guide you through correct implementation of behavior modification, but since this is not an option, you really need to play it safe to avoid injuries and a potential redirected bite (which tends to happen when you try to separate fighting dogs). It sounds like Jack is trying to be a bully and if Reddington doesn't give in, he may resort to aggression and things can get ugly. There seem to also be issues around resources since these episodes appear to take place around bones, attention and food. Have you introduced them first on neutral grounds?

Edited September 10, 2018 by Adrienne Farricelli

[JMFS]

For leaving them home, have you considered crating Jack? That's the only way Momo is allowed to have long-lasting chews or other goodies when he's indoors. He can growl all he wants, and our other two dogs are safe from his tantrums. I thought about you today because Mo had to be inside for the exterminator who's not warm and fuzzy about dogs (weirdo). I have the crate between Abbi's and Gertie's beds and he worked on his Kong for two hours with no concerns aside from the one bark and snap when Gertie Dared to sniff the crate, but after that he didn't give it a second thought.

 

I feel your pain - Mo can be left with the other dogs, but not if there are food-related resources about. I've had him since he was 16 weeks old and we still struggle with food and certain toys. He's the happiest dog otherwise and he's been worth the effort, but it does wear on me and it is stressful. I'm not scared because he's only 34 lbs and I can handle him even if he goes off the deep end, it's just frustrating and Annoying. I thought it over after reading your post and I am now waiting for a "local" behaviorist to contact me back (he's an hour away - we're in a small town). I'll let you know what he quotes me, if he gets back to me. That would give you a starting point for cost at least.

 

Mostly, though, I wanted to let you know you're not alone. That adrenaline sure can get pumped up fast when dogs get into a disagreement! My dogs can do some fantastic things, but they're Definitely in the market for improvement; hence my presence here. :)

 

One response from someone 2½ hours away (ugh): $125 / hr

Edited September 11, 2018 by JenniferM.

[JMFS]

So the one fellow never did respond, he was $70 / hour. A local gal, who is CPDT-KA certified, I asked would have been $40 / hour, but she stated she's not a behaviorist. She said it sounded like I was managing the situation well and she wouldn't feel right taking my money for training that she couldn't guarantee an outcome for. She said she didn't think I needed to be referred to anyone because she felt things were fine the way they were so until I take Momo in to for his comprehensive exam I suppose we're staying status quo.

 

After all that I've got a range of $40 - $125 per hour with the higher end including 4 hours roundtrip travel. $40 or even $70 doesn't seem like much to me since I think my situation could be sorted in a couple hours. I'm just missing something and I don't think it would take long for someone to figure out.

 

With your situation I would just copy your post here and paste that in emails to different trainers. It wouldn't take them very long to read, and they could probably give you a roundabout quote.

[JMFS]

I finally have an update on price. We had our consultation last Thursday, which was $50, and that $50 was applied to a training package where the Behaviorist travels to my home. I received the invoice today and the total for 6 weeks is $575 ($525 after crediting the $50 from the consultation). It's sticker shock when seeing the full amount at once, but the math works out to less than $100 per session.

 

I don't know, yet, what we're going to be working on. She had lots of ideas at the consultation and I don't know what she landed on - she's not big on email and we haven't had a chance to chat, yet. She mentioned Momo needs a job, commented on his herding instincts, and noticed he has a good nose. She threw out ideas about fly ball, nose work and I mentioned lure coursing to which she agreed emphatically. I have a feeling we'll be doing a mix of behavior modification and training on one or more of those skills. I'll be asking for clarification, but I got a good feeling from her during our consult so I trust she's got a good plan that will be well worth the money. I'll update again when I have a better idea of what our course of action is. I do know her primary focus is is resolving the resource guarding, but she wants me to have tools to help with his behavior because he's definitely not getting enough stimulation, physically or mentally.

 

One of the questions she asked was whether I'd considered rehoming him. My answer was no, he's my boy and I made a commitment to care for him; But if someone came along who could give him everything he needs then absolutely, I'd let him go with that person because Momo would be much happier. I'm talking like if a marathon runner wanted a training buddy, or if someone was looking for a working dog with Mo's particular set of skills (Taken reference worked well there!). Mo would be in hog heaven with one of those lives and that would be in his best interest. In that situation, yes, I'd put his welfare before my emotional attachment. I'd be sad, but he'd be happy so I'd be happy - if that makes sense.