Hi everyone
I'm really confused, and quite worried, as today and yesterday, Elsa my 9mth Border Terrier has started to frequently growl at and attack my 3year old Jack Russell, apparently for no reason?? she growls when he goes near their shared 'day bed' or if he looks her in the eye, her back goes up, as does his then. He has always been the 'dog boss' up until now, and I don't understand or like the change in behaviour.
Advice PLEASE
Emily:(
ps prior to this they have only ever had a fight once, about three months ago over a bone,

Hi Emily
I'm not a behaviourist and I certainly don't know everything there is to know about dogs, but I read your plea and I wonder if the aggression could be down to Elsa possibly coming into season?
Nicky

Our Mal is ten months old and she has recently started getting growly with our GSD as she is taking over in the ranking. Luckily he has backed down to her quite quickly.

Thanks Trevor, but she has been spayed:( It may be her bid to take over as the boss, but would it be this aggressive?
Emily

Oh yes, Kiera sunk her tooth straight through millers nose before she managed to gain her position

Gosh!!! (putting it politely!) we thought she would be when she was tiny, but they've been reasonably happy with Morris as the boss so far, though sided up to each other a good few times daily ( you know what I mean, with the quick jerking away, then siding up, trying to put heads on backs) maybe, as she's growing up now, she's decided it's time? Morris is looking very sad though :(
Emily

Emily,

I say welcom to terriers.. My friend called me 2 or 3 days ago in a right state as her 2 westies and 1 cairn we going at it hard and she got the fright of her life. Joking apart she was upset but next tiem she looked at them they were all cuddled up sleeping together..

Pam

Hi Emily
Possibly it could.
I have Irish Wolfhounds and the bitches certainly like to be the boss and luckily the boys let them get on with it. We also have a 14mth old Black & Tan Terrier bitch but have not experienced any probs with her trying to enforce herself.
I'm certain someone else on the board will write back soon and they may have experienced it too.
Hope you get it sorted without too much grief! :D
Nicky

Hi Nicky, same here :-). I've only had one male top dog and he is being quietly supplanted by a young bitch at present. (He was the 'alpha male' and took on the overall pack leader role, apparently by default, after the previous female boss died). I've only known of one competent and successful male pack leader in a sighthound group, and the preponderance of female pack leaders always makes me a bit suspicious of people who suggest that dog packs function like wolf packs. I wonder if the pack leader usually being female is a sighthound thing?

Hi Sharon
It certainly sounds like it is in both Wolfies & Deeries anyway! :D
I always think the boys are more loving, devoted and easier to live with too!
Trevor was v.funny when we introduced Bayley as an 8wk pup. He wouldn't stay in the same room with her and was often caught stirring her up to get her into trouble, believe it or not! I had never experienced this behaviour before and decided to refer to my bible (Elizabeth Murphy's book) and read up, low and behold she states that a male wolfhound is often "embarassed" :O by a pup's attentions and will behave exactly as Trevor was! But that within 6 mths he would be happy with her and allow her to be "the boss". And that is exactly how it turned out!
Bit diferent when Rodrick joined us, Bayley was well established as Miss Big and tried it on with him on day 2, she was severely reprimanded and took a nip on the ear for her trouble! However, although she defers to him he is still quite happy for her to *think & act* as if she is No:1.
Bit like us girls and our men, eh? ;) If only they knew.
Nicky

Hi Emily,
I've always had spayed bitches ---small breeds. You're right on the money, she's moving up on her position to your Jack Russell to be dominant. As a female, it's pretty much normal for her to be in charge to the male. :rolleyes: 9mth old, she's hit her "teenage" spots. If you try to impose his "dominance", it's likely that it will become very messy. But you can't let her get too high and mighty or she'll be challenging you :D

I'd suggest that you get a second or even third bed for that 'daytime' prime rest spot. The more the merrier. She can have "her" special spot ;) Plenty of resources give less reasons to grumble. Of course, there's time she might be picking a fight to just 'make a statement' to him on how she's boss :rolleyes:

I find that Food, Beds, and toys/treats are the major points of contention :) So try feeding them with their backs to one another.... not right next to each other. If you do want to start putting her in the higher spot, put her food down first. His second. But when each is finished eating, get them out of the area. No bothering the other.

When she starts growling at him for whatever reason and he starts pushing back (hackles rising, growling), don't tolerate the bad behavior. It will just escalate. Treats, beds, spots in the sun, whatever the disagreement, establish your ultimate dominance, take it away and send them to their "time-out" spot ...

I do a loud "Hey" or "Ack" at mine and send both of them into exile in each bed :) Don't make the head B***h mad! They'll figure the pecking order out on their own as long as it doesn't decend into bloodshed. That's why I usually interfere when the posturing begins :rolleyes:

Once they get it permanently figured out, things should be calm again. She'll probably occasionaly assert herself to make him remember, but other than that, everything will be ok.
I hope this makes you feel a bit better :)
good luck,
toodles

Emily, could Elsa be unwell or in pain for some reason? That would be my first thought when the aggression began suddenly but is continuing rather than just being a one off quarrel.

hi Sharon
She is fit and well apart from this, but Morris was unwell last week, as I posted 'itchy lumps' so maybe his moping and lack of 'dominant' behaviour kicked her into action? I checked all pain, illness routes first of all!
regards
Emily

Hi Emily, glad she is fit and well :-). Can't offer any other suggestions except to agree with Nicky, but Hope that the two sort things out soon.

I would guess that your bitch is now going to take over as boss. the bitch of a pair is usually(only in my opinion)the dominant dog. If your male is backing away and the bitch stops the aggressive behaviour at that point they will soon establish their own pecking order and get along fine. Just always let both know that its you in charge and fighting will not be tolerated. Send the aggressor to bed for half an hour.
Mick

I agree Mick send the dog out as they want to be with you so deprivation of your company often works Mari