Hi 

I have a 14 month old BC and a friend of mine has a 14 month old BC/cross not sure what it is crossed with but people have mentioned Akita but as it is a rescue we will never know.

Anyway my question is that recently my friends dog is getting very aggressive to my dog and others when on walks, it has always been a domant dog out of the 2 of them but it is getting into fights and will not back down untill the dog is pulled away. up untill recently my dog and hers even though they have always say for the first five min of meetings each other have a jumping up at each other and play fighting there has not been any aggression but now this dog is turning on my dog.   Today it turned for no reason what so ever and though my dog walked away she just went back for more ending with me having to shout at them both she did stop then. its not behaviour i like at all and as i said to my friend we are going to have to do something as this cannot carry on.  But what can we do?  Has anyone any ideas what we can do it would be such a shame to stop meeting. 

Thanks

Either of them coming into season? could be a reason.

Are they both entire and have either or both had seasons?

Even hormones aside, both being bitches of exactly the same age and a similar breed mix on the BC side, this is not entirely unexpected behaviour although naturally unwanted.  If the other bitch has something like Akita in her cross then again, there is an additional issue with character because the breed is not known for it's tolerance of others - certainly of the same gender.

I'd continue to meet up for now, keep both girls on their leads, and have a good walk together in controlled surroundings - i.e. no other loose dogs darting about to over stimmulate either of yours.  When they've had the initial excitement of being out and about dampened a little, then I'd say give them separate opportunities to have some off lead running.  The dog on lead should ideally be distracted by maybe training with treats and the off lead dog interacting with it's owner with free training and treats or a toy.

I'd try for a while on a regime where they are together but not physically able to interact with one another and hopefully as hormones and this juvenile stage start to taper off they will be relaxed in one another's company and be able to resume off lead play but go slowly, avoid mishaps or threatening behaviour.  Set up for success and it should hopefully work out for everyone.

Talk this over with your friend in depth so that she doesn't feel  her dog  is entirely being blamed (even if it is 100% it's fault it's her darling ;) ) and suggest that you work together on some of the ideas so that you can enjoy these meetings for years to come :)   With the right approach by all parties it can work - one of mine was a little brat with similarly aged or younger ones and eventually accepted that there was no need to show off / posture at every intro and thereafter completely settled.

HTH, Teri

Thank you both for your replies.

My BC is a male and is castrated this was done at 7 months before i got him as he is a rescue dog.  My friends dog a bitch was also done at the same age as she is a rescue. I have noticed that my friends dog over the last month has got more aggressive with other dogs but had never start anything with my dog until this last 2 weeks today was the worst fight and has me very worried.  We have been walking twice a day for about 4 months now.

We both want to get it sorted as it will be us who miss out on the company too. lol

Hi again mspoppy,

apologies, I misread your post and believed both were bitches.

The basic suggestions made already still stand, in so far as continuing to meet but ensuring no off lead interaction thereby preventing bullying or threatening behaviour.   Since the bitch you meet is displaying inappropriate behaviour towards other dogs, her owner would be better to get some 1-2-1 advice on how best to manage her at this stage as if left unchecked it could easily escalate and become a permanent issue whereas a knowledgeable trainer given time to assess the dog individually should be able to help the owner understand and change the bitch's attitude.

As an aside, your male being castrated, especially at such an earlly stage (pre-pubescent) could mean that he smells like another bitch to her or is simply confusing because his scent is neither readily identified as male nor female.  This is only one of many reasons why early neutering specific to males is generally advised against by experienced owners as opposed to vets who recommend castration on the basis of a 'medical preventative' - IMO unwisely.

Much will depend on how easy it is for you to suggest that your new friend seeks professional assistance - it appears to me this would be the best course of action as this is a relatively recent problem.

regards, Teri

Hi Teri

Thanks for your suggestions.  I shall tell my friend but i have a feeling it will fall on deaf ears as my friends tends to make excuses for her dog.  When the incident happend this morning she said that my dog was trying to get the stick of her dog but my dog was nowhere near her dog it just attacked for no reason.  But we both said that we need to stop it happening as she also likes meeting up with me as her dog runs off and will only come back when it wants too. So she does not let it off the lead when she is walking the dog on her own.  As she could be waiting around in the dark on her own at least when she is with me she knows i will not go until her dog comes back. Makes it frustrating for me as of course my dog is perfect lol only joking their.