GWP advise

[deermagnet]

Gwp advise please
I have a 2 yr old GWP bitch lovely dog head strong good in deer and game but she is increasingly aggressive to my 5 yr old lab bitch who is very placid and submissive but a brilliant all round dog both dogs are un-neutered wanting to breed of the lab but she won’t stand thinking of having one or both neutered but very hesitant as to if it will make a difference having had a lab dog castrated in the past and very much regretted it as turned into a great dog any thoughts and advise greatly appreciated

 

[Buchan]

Difficult. It's probably sorting "pecking order" - previous existence as small pup, now knows it's bigger and stronger. It may well settle with time as it sounds like the lab will just back down. It might be worth accepting this change and regarding the GWP as "top". Just beware of bites, if it's getting bad, may be worth a chat to your vet. Neutering - may or may not help - sorry!

I've used quotes as the understanding of dog behaviour is developing and it's generally felt the dominance aspects are not appropriate. However your description matches situations I have seen before, that did develop in to one of the nastiest dog fights I have seen, but never happened again once he hierarchy had changed and settled.

 

[deermagnet]

Thanks for the reply Buchan should have said it has developed the pointer ripped the tip of the labs ear of yesterday very messy and trip to vet will speak to vet thanks

 

[Jon P]

When I was doing a lot of terrier work I have had similar issues with terrier bitches in kennels , to the point they had to be kept separate at all times.

theses are only ideas , not criticising.
1. Are the dogs getting enough exercise . My GWP is a nightmare if she is not tired.
2. What is the GWP like with the rest of the family ? Does she think she top dog over any people in the house. They are strong willed dog, have to be firm but fair with them.
3. When they were younger did you stop them sorting out who was top dog between them. Were you favouring the Lab over the GWP. So the GWP now has a point to make. We keep horses to, watching who is top horse in the field is interesting , it can change quick to when a horse is removed or added, or gets to old. They can fight with teeth and hooves.
4. It may sort itself out, cut ears look a lot worse’s then they are- bled like mad but fix quick.
Good luck ,

 

[deermagnet]

Thanks Jon she’s fine with people a bit bouncy still and I’m definitely the alpha to her
take your point about exercise although I’m not sure I could tire her if I wanted
She is still very puppyish even though she nearly 2 a lot of it is over playful ness but the lab is not interested
Spoke to vet about neutering her thinks it’s hard to say

 

[Brittany boy]

I had / have the same issues with the GWP and the jack russell , both dogs. When we lost the Brittany bitch 18 months ago the pack structure changed and they started fighting. No need to tell you who the winner was but the terrier still refuses to give it a rest. They both see me as top dog and fight for my attention pushing each other out the way. You need to be consistent and fair not showing a preference for either one as the other will pick up on it. Don’t think my two will ever sort things out and I’ve tried neutering a vizla before that made no difference so won’t consider it for these two. Good luck

 

[SikaSeeker]

I had / have the same issues with the GWP and the jack russell , both dogs. When we lost the Brittany bitch 18 months ago the pack structure changed and they started fighting. No need to tell you who the winner was but the terrier still refuses to give it a rest. They both see me as top dog and fight for my attention pushing each other out the way. You need to be consistent and fair not showing a preference for either one as the other will pick up on it. Don’t think my two will ever sort things out and I’ve tried neutering a vizla before that made no difference so won’t consider it for these two. Good luck

You’ve got a jack Russel( most are gassy) and a GWP(can be dog aggressive depending on the line), what do you expect? You might have to separate them or put up with it.

 

[Brittany boy]

Yip most of the time they get on fine but then they have their moments, well aware of what I’ve got and quite happy to put up with it , thanks for your input

 

[SussexSteve]

She will be at the age she is reassessing where she is in the pecking order. Be tough on her hopefully it will soon pass

 

[Dan Newcombe]

I made a mess of something similar. Had my favourite cocker dog and got a lab dog, lab started feeing his oats and challenging for top spot but I always stepped in and stopped him. Cocker was a cocky git and I protected him and it ended up they couldn’t be left alone for long periods of time and the lab never really settled - I retired him quite young.

Moral of the story is to back the dominant dog but try to stop injuries.

Also make sure there’s nothing wrong with the lab - we find that of the younger dogs get wind an older one is ailing / weakened, they take advantage.