Tara has just gone for Bramble - a touch of jealousy I think :( She has caught him just below his eye and there is a clean, deepish cut about 1/2 inch long. It isn't bleeding. Do you think that I should take him to the vets in the morning or just bath it and keep an eye on it ?

Also - is this fairly normal behaviour between dogs - she went for him about two days ago and just caught inside his ear :( Previously they only have a scrap about every couple of months or so ? (She always starts it - usually over a bone or a toy).

Thanks

Daisy

If there is no blood then I would not worry to take him to the vet. Bitches are Bug*ers and I think you need to try and avoid anything you think may cause trouble and also increase your dominance over the bitch so that if you say no, this dog is mine, she will not continue to chastise him, knowing that is your job.

Thanks - she is nearly 1 1/2 and we have had a few problems with her :) We had been very strict with her recently. However tonight, Bramble was sitting on the sofa with my daughter (Tara is really my daughter's dog) and Tara was asleep on the floor. Bramble got of the sofa and she went for him. She is obviously jealous that HE was allowed to sit on the sofa and she isn't :( As you say, we must be very careful in future to anticipate any such problems. I don't think that they have completely sorted out who is who in the pecking order yet.

Thanks for the reassurance. Daughter was very keen to take him down to the vets tomorrow, but thinking about it, Bramble would never let them stitch his face without an anaesthetic anyway :)

Daisy

If you think it needs stitching, don't delay. Stitches can't be done more than 24 hours after the injury.

I've had a good look at it - it isn't gaping and I think that it is probably too small to stitch anyway :) I just needed a bit of reassurance that - as it's not bleeding - it will probably heal up on it's own :) It's the first time that Tara has really done any damage to him, so daughter and I were a bit upset - but I will take Jackie's advice and try to avoid similar situatins :(

Thanks

Daisy

Hi Daisy, My westie got bitten just below his eye, no blood so we bathed it and kept an eye on it, but it got infected and he needed antibiotics. I would just make sure it doesnt start to look red and inflammed over the next day or so.
Clair

Will do :)

Thanks

Daisy

Bathe it with a little salt added to water - this will help to stop it getting infected.

Thanks - salt water is always my first line of attack :) Bramble seems OK today - have bathed it again today and it seems fine - but I will keep a close eye on it for the next few days.

They usually get on well, but as I posted a little while ago, we have been having problems again with her barking at people, so we have been very strict with her and I think that she is taking it out on Bramble. She seems to be a very strong-willed little miss and although she is generally very well behaved, she obviously thinks that she is in charge :( We have started using a head collar so that we have more control when she barks at people and we are not letting her off the lead at all. She is also spending more time in her cage.

We hope that this will help, but views from Aussie people would be appreciated. Things are still chaotic at home and next week she will be in kennels for 5 days, which probably won't help :(

Daisy

Colloidal Silver is brill for wounds and safe enough to put in drinking water and bathe eyes and it does NOT sting!

Hi Daisy - I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble with Tara and Bramble - she is being naughty girl!!

She has undergone a lot of upheavals in the last few months, hasn't she - she's been spayed, you've had your new kitchen and maybe not had quite as much time for her for a couple of weeks as normal - and now, she is making you pay :(. Actually, the few days in kennels might even help - she might just feel that you are showing your disapproval of her actions rather than as something that was already planned.

I think you must carry on, showing her that she will NOT get away with it, you are already socialising her well - I think that now, you've just got to have patience, and she will (eventually) learn that she isn't the boss. She will probably finish up as Alpha dog - most bitches do - just hang in there! I'll try & get some feedback from ther Aussie owners for you as well.

Good luck!

Margot

As Margot has said, in the domestic situation at least, the bitches usually rule the roost, that is why it is important to let her know it is you who is top bitch ;) and the children and the other dog are your concern and not hers. Having said that don't give the other dog and special favours.