Prince keeps Attacking Ricky at night~

[theporkieyorkie]

So...both of the boys sleep with me...or used to sleep with me. Ricky has been sleeping in my closet lately. I put my fuzzy robe out because he chooses to sleep in there....but I think it's because Prince has bullied him and scared him into not sleeping in my bed.

Prince has attacked Ricky 3 times and it only happens in bed. The first time was about 2 months ago, it was over a treat. Prince thought Ricky was going to get it. The second time was a few weeks go, they were both barking at the cat and Prince got excited and attacked Ricky instead of the cat because Ricky was closest to him. The last was 2 days ago. Ricky likes to take his toys to bed and we usually play tug of war for a little bit. Prince was sitting about a foot away from Ricky as we were playing and Prince attacked him, unprovoked. Prince is possessive over his treats, but excitement also makes him aggressive. He didn't like Ricky playing and that's why he attacked him the last time. When my mom's dog(Rambo) was a puppy, he attacked Rambo as well and his ear is bent from the attack.

My question is this...what do I do??

I don't know how to punish Prince or how make him stop. Of course, I break it up and pick Prince up off Ricky, but I just set him down and tell him no. Prince has no teeth, so he can't really hurt Ricky by biting him, but it's still the point that he's attacking him.

I am worried because it's never happened until a few months ago and it seems like it's happening more often.

I also feel like Ricky is often afraid to eat around Prince. Ricky will often wait until Prince is outside or out of the room, to eat.


They seem like friends otherwise...so it's totally odd.

[kjc]

Bump!

[KeeganRiley]

My intact male yorkie has shown some possessiveness and a few bursts of aggression toward our rescue, Finn, so I've been reading up on reasons for various incidents. I've figured out the body language a little better and discovered that, usually, Keegan has misinterpreted something Finn did/is doing (Finn is oblivious and focused only on pleasing humans). Also, the energy he picks up--frenzied, playful puppy Piper can add to his agitation if he's feeling threatened and increase the likelihood of accidental outbursts.
The ASPCA site has some good info, although I'm not sure if it will be helpful for your situation. I hope you and the pups get it worked out, though.

Aggression in Dogs | ASPCA

[theporkieyorkie]

I will check out the aspca website. I've had some other issues with Prince s that I posted about and got some great advice on. He was begging for food in the middle of the night and just being persistant and annoying when he wants treats. I've been working on that and he is improving and is listening much better(it's a work in progress), but now he is lashing out at Ricky. I brushed off the first episode as being just a food thing.


I worry about when I am not at home to break up a fight. I am wondering if I should be separating the boys while I am not home to watch them. Prince has almost all of his teeth out in front so I don't think he could hurt him by biting him...but I still don't think it's right to let him beat up on his little brother for no reason.


So far, when it has happened, the boys are fine with each other right afterwards. They don't hold grudges and when it's done, it's like it never even happened. But I've heard of other instances where dogs were best friends and something happens and they totally stop getting along to the point where they need to be separated. I don't want it to escalate to that point where they never get along. It just won't work.


I am seriously at the point where i am about to just crate Prince at night...for a few reasons...because of him keeping me up at night, begging and constantly asking to go outside when he often doesn't even need to use the bathroom...and because of him attacking Ricky. I just feel SUPER guilty about it because he's slept in bed with his owners(me and the previous ones) for all 10 years of his life

[matese]

are both your males neutered. How old is Ricky. How long did you have Prince before getting Ricky.

[theporkieyorkie]

Both are neutered. Prince was used as a stud dog with his former owners though.

I had Prince for about 2 years before getting Ricky and I've had Ricky for a year this May.

[JuanRamos]

Originally Posted by theporkieyorkie

I worry about when I am not at home to break up a fight. I am wondering if I should be separating the boys while I am not home to watch them. Prince has almost all of his teeth out in front so I don't think he could hurt him by biting him...but I still don't think it's right to let him beat up on his little brother for no reason.

You'd be doing the correct thing by separating them when you're not at home. Even if Prince is unable to harm Ricky during those random outbursts of aggression, chances are that one day Ricky will snap back at him and you may not be there to protect the older dog with almost no teeth.

[KeeganRiley]

Originally Posted by JuanRamos

You'd be doing the correct thing by separating them when you're not at home. Even if Prince is unable to harm Ricky during those random outbursts of aggression, chances are that one day Ricky will snap back at him and you may not be there to protect the older dog with almost no teeth.

I agree that, although it felt hard to do at first, I've found that asking my little crew to go to their kennels when I'm about to leave or won't be able to supervise is best for them and for my peace of mind. They nap, usually, and their kennels are side by side, so they're not isolated. My intact/hypersensitive male seems to keep track of fairness issues and has started going to his kennel when Finn goes into his, without even being asked. (He always gave me a hard time about it before, so this is a benefit of his score-keeping.)
And I had been letting the pups sleep with me prior to adopting Finn, but they've adjusted to going to their own beds and we don't have to worry that someone will get snapped at for being in the wrong spot. Thankfully, like yours, the incidents of aggression have been quickly forgotten by both parties, but we don't want to develop any nasty habits or nurture grudges by re-creating situations that caused conflict before.
It's a process, for sure, to create and maintain balance and good behavior. Best of luck!