|
|
Post by linb on Mar 6, 2014 4:48:10 GMT -5
We had an awful incident yesterday with 2 of our 3 - there had been a morning of cats in and out of the garden winding the dogs up (Hattie the ex-racer has such a high prey drive too), so the dogs were all in a hyper vigilant state. Hattie was in the garden when she saw a cat the other side of the trellis fence, she went berserk trying to get to it (she couldn't and the cat just sat there doing its cat taunting thing) and the other 2 rushed out to see what was going on, Hattie turned on Casey (he's the 10 year old, placid, calm grey) and floored him and bit him - 2 puncture wounds on his head.  It was awful to see, there has never been any problems between them before. His legs are quite grazed now too from where she managed to send him flying to the ground. I am still upset and shaken by this - to see that side of her "in action" and to see her turn on Casey was horrible. Do you think this will affect their relationship? Will he be wary of her now? I want him to have a happy retirement not feel "at risk". |
|
|
|
Post by vickyb on Mar 6, 2014 7:24:40 GMT -5
How awful, so sorry Lin, I know how horrible it is when it happens and how you feel differently about the perpetrator for a while even though you know it's not really their fault, just what they've been turned into  . I'd keep a close eye on her for 24-48 hrs or so as it can take time for the adrenalin to settle. Casey may well be wary for a while and perhaps not want to get too close if they're in a confined area like a doorway but hopefully he'll get over it in time. Good thing that he is placid as our Gracie will bear a grudge for a while if something like that happens to her but it doesn't sound likely with him. I think she needs muzzling in the garden for a while at least. Ours have done it but it was a very long time ago and they have 'aged' out of it I think although I am always aware of the possibility in certain situations. Can you block the trellis in? It can be redirected to people too if you happen to be in the wrong place which is something to be aware of. I've had a nip on the thigh from Maddie once, you could tell by her body language that she knew immediately it was wrong but in the height of things I was there. Hope his wounds are ok and he doesn't have his twilight years upset by it - I know exactly how you feel  |
|
|
|
Post by samburns on Mar 6, 2014 8:38:16 GMT -5
We have recently had a quite similar incident.....
.....although our four greys live with a cat, they are all quite interested in them outdoors and they all get very animated if they see squirrels or foxes.
Unfortunately there has been a very bold fox in the park and it came and circled us the other day - they all started twisting and jumping around and unfortunately Winston ended up with a lead tangled around him - this terrified him (he doesn't even like another leading touching him and freaks!) and I think that and combined with the excitement of the fox he lunged at Sibs and took a chunk out of her shoulder.
I know this is quite different because it was a bit of a one off situation that is less likely to be repeated, but the two of them have been fine together since it happened.
We also had the incident a long time ago where Dickie was very very badly injured by another of our dogs in what we also believe was an incident of redirected aggression and he has never shown any wariness towards other dogs. We did have to return Bailey because of the extent of the damage he did it was just not safe for him to live with other dogs. I guess they are all different but I do really think that dogs differentiate between incidents of transferred/redirected aggression and an out and out fight/aggression situation.
That said, given the trigger was in your garden and may reoccur I think what Vicky says is very sensible.
Sending lots of good thoughts to Casey and hugs to you x
|
|
|
|
Post by linb on Mar 6, 2014 13:31:47 GMT -5
Thank you so much - I've felt so awful for Casey, as you know Vicky he's such a laid back gentleman (even didn't bat an eye when he watched one of your crew jump in the back of our car at Dumpledale!) He's at the vets now getting the wounds checked as they're red and swollen. Good idea about keeping her muzzled and blocking the trellis in - we get so many cats in the garden and I think it'll get worse as the weather gets better. Next door have 2 siamese cats who come right onto our patio  they don't seem bothered by 3 dogs at all. And Hattie was raced such a lot and only stopped racing in the Autumn last year, she just wants to get anything small and furry. I know its not her fault - but to see her go for Casey was awful. Oh the highs and lows! |
|
|
|
Post by andywillow on Mar 6, 2014 13:48:01 GMT -5
If I were you I would invest in a super soaker and blast the cats, it wont hurt them to get a soaking but might make them think twice about coming in your garden. They really are a bloody nuisance aren't they. Hope Casey is ok bless him xx
|
|
|
|
Post by sharonhigh45 on Mar 7, 2014 3:39:40 GMT -5
Sorry to hear this, we are always wary because we have a yappy terrier neighbours dog that winds our two up and I think we will put a solid fence up so that when the summer comes there is not going to be an issue, I always check to see if it is out there and wait till it has gone in,my other dog Leah had a devilish streak in her and would not back down, in fact she was the dominanat female, Moss is a whole different matter so gentle and daft and soppy that Skye the staffie feels under no threat,I think that is is best to be wary but try not to stress yourself too much, when we moved here a year ago I had a plant sprayer which I used on them to cool things down and it usually stopped any aggro, hope things settle down and Casey is okay.
Shazx
|
|
|
|
Post by linb on Mar 7, 2014 6:06:53 GMT -5
Thanks everyone, I think I'm calming down a bit now.
Super soaker a great idea Sue, did have a little water pistol but it was rubbish. And with a son who loves nerf guns I'm sure I can enlist his help!
We just get so many cats round here, and the 2 next door are so bold - and they've both been chased out of the garden by our dogs, doesn't seem to deter them.
Casey seems ok, he's on antibiotics now and has a bump on his head poor boy, he looks a sorry state but doesn't seem bothered at all by Hattie today which is good.
|
|
|
|
Post by vickyb on Mar 7, 2014 8:00:10 GMT -5
That's good news that it hasn't affected their relationship. I like cats but they really are a pain in many ways! I'm sure your 2 water babies will love an excuse to play with water guns  )Glad you're feeling better, I know how awful things like this make us feel |
|
|
|
Post by Flaperoo on Mar 9, 2014 6:28:11 GMT -5
Just seen this and as I witnessed one of my dogs take a bite out of another in the past too I know just how you feel. We now know the dog who did the biting was very ill and although unprovoked understandable. After the event we did always muzzle her if they were off lead together and when we were'nt around always crated them just in case.
I agree with the others though that the dogs are probably more forgiving than we might be. It was certainly a one off for us and the two dogs seemed to settle again very quickly.
Hope your lovely placid Casey is now healing nicely.
Maryx
|
|
|
|
Post by futuramafan on Mar 9, 2014 12:31:10 GMT -5
Hi, just to say that Molly has a very high prey drive and goes BESERK if she sees a cat. Sometimes she goes so beserk that she thrashes around and catches my leg with her teeth. She did it today actually and I have a whopping bruise. She's caught Wallace once too who finds it all very upsetting/confusing as he is not remotely interested in cats etc. yet she is the most perfect dog in terms of people. I have to remind myself that she is doing what she was taught to do and in the main I can anticipate it. We have also decided to muzzle her - it's good actually as people keep their dogs away from us and she's not bothered at all by it.
|
|
|
|
Post by linb on Mar 11, 2014 14:43:25 GMT -5
Well it's almost as though nothing ever happened between them - they're mooching about together, Casey is not bothered by her, she's climbed on the sofa next to him and he's carried on snoozing We're keeping her on her muzzle in the garden, we've blocked the view through the trellis from the back of it.....so she now puts her front paws on the trellis to try to see over the top! Will now be doing a little more work on that! Too sharp that girl! Think she'll be keeping us on our toes for a long while! |
|
|
|
Post by dash4misty on Mar 16, 2014 2:33:25 GMT -5
My bridge boy Sammy used to have such a high prey drive with cats , he was fine with little dogs , he once bit my finger when we were out on a walk a cat came out from under a car literally fight in front of us , but as soon as he done it he was sorry straight away and I knew he didn't mean to bite me , he was such a gentle soul with people and children . We've had cat in the garden last night I managed to grab Dulcie but Obie chased it a bit halfhearted but Dulcie was wired up and pacing for a while after that  |
|
