My cavalier and my labrador (both bitches) have lived together really happily for 3 years - share the same basket, sleep together, eat together etc. Yesterday morning my labrador attacked my cavalier (all over 2 pieces of food) - literally got her around the throat and even drew blood.  My cavalier was screaming and terrified.  I separated them all day.  In the evening I brought them together - and after sniffing each other my labs' heckles went up and she started growling.  Does anyone know why on earth this is??  My cavalier won't even go outside now - she's too terrified.

Get your lab checked out by a vet urgently. Sudden behaviour changes are generally a result of an underlying medical issue.

My lurcher became more grumpy with our dogs and more aggressive with dogs outside when he had kidney problems.

My ACS had some very aggressive episodes with our other dogs (usually over food/toys etc) due to hypothyroidism, he has been fine since on medication.

Vera

Think this is typical of bitch on bitch aggression, we think they get on but they are only tolerating one another and it just takes a trigger to set off the first fight. Sorry to say you will be unlikely to get them together again. You could try, if they are both intact spaying the smaller bitch and see if that works.

Agree before you make any final decision a trip to the vet is a good idea.

Is either of them due in season soon?

I agree with taking to the vet asap because in an adult dog, unless the cause of the behaviour change is very obvious, the change is very possibly linked to something medical which may not be visible. The dog may appear to be fine.

If they've both been getting on well for 3 years it's unlikely anything has altered this, unless you have seen previous signs?

It could just be that your lab was a bit stressed/overaroused etc on this particular day but the reaction seems excessive for one who used to be ok with the other dog ... so i'd definitely get a vet check and at least blood tests..

Lindsay
x

Bitches can be extremely difficult, but even male dogs do at times fall out for no obvious reason. My oldest Golden Retriever (13) and my Cavalier (14) have now been kept apart 100 % of the time for the past 11 years! The Cavalier was 3 and the Golden 2 when the Golden started attacking the Cavalier. (The Cavalier NEVER fought back.) We neutered the Cavalier to increase the distance between their status, it made no difference. So we've just coped and kept them apart. It's just so dangerous when a much bigger dog goes for a smaller one. We had a behaviourist in and we muzzled the Golden but even when muzzled he went for the Cavalier.

Having said all of this doom and gloom, I certainly agree with others that the first thing to do is check the Labrador isn't ill in any way and yes, if she is coming into season (or even worse, about to have a phantom) that can make a huge difference.

Many thanks for all your responses.  I should have added - the lab has been spayed (she's 3 yrs old).  The cavalier has not and has just finished her season (she's 5 yrs old).

> Many thanks for all your responses.  I should have added - the lab has been spayed (she's 3 yrs old).  The cavalier has not and has just finished her season (she's 5 yrs old).

And IMO that is the answer.

Because the more pushy and the largest of these bitches is spayed she may see the smaller having seasons as a challenge to her, it may help if you have the cavalier spayed but it may well not and they may continue to fight every time the lab thinks she is being challenged.

That may well be the answer then...might I suggest getting the Cavalier done asap? Sometimes we don't really know why bitches go for each other...I know fine well I'm going to start having issues soon as Cleo, the younger one, is always trying to dominate Sasha and Sasha won't have it at all!! I'm just praying it doesn't turn full on! But certainly getting the Lab checked over for anything physical causing the problem is a good idea, to be on the safe side. Good Luck! Dawn x

I would still be looking at getting thorough medical checks done - on BOTH dogs.  There might be a problem causing the lab's behaviour to alter - but also possible is that something is wrong with the cav and it's upsetting the lab.  I'm more inclined towards the former but with the cav just coming out of season I'd still consider getting her checked too.

Actually, well thought through! Might indeed be the Cavalier, given the season thing...well done Watson! ;-)