NBR: another dog dilemma :/

Kboyce08 · June 2014

Alright so I posted about being concerned about my dogs around a newborn a while back. Well, yesterday DS opened my front door and let two of our dogs out. They happened to be the two I was the LEAST worried about showing any aggression. As I was chasing them down I noticed they were chasing something. When I got to them they were fighting over a cat... I freaked out and grabbed one and drug him back to the house while DH grabbed the other. It was terrible. And I feel awful. It wasn't a cat that belonged to anyone. Our neighborhood has about 30-40 strays. But still, they killed a cat!!

Now my question is, does that make them more likely to attack someone? My vet said it could be testosterone from not being fixed. But the one that caught the cat first was a girl. So what's her problem? He also said it's in their nature to chase cats and other small animals. But neither if them have ever showed any interest in the cats before. And they are always in our yard.

victoria+james · June 2014

First... I would get all of them fixed. Unless you really wanted to breed them its really the responsible thing to do. They can get out and get pregnant or get another dog pregnant... there are too many animals in shelters as it is. And yes, unfixed animals are proven to be more likely to show aggression. (Look at how evil we get on our periods for goodness sake.)

As far as I know this does not make them more likely to attack someone. They probably chased down the cat because to them its a game... furry creature running away = furry toy to chase. They may not have even intended to kill it. They were excited and actually caught the "toy" and fought over it.

It definitely sounds like its time for some obedience classes if them bolting out of the house is something they try to do with any frequency. And while it seriously upsets me that they killed that poor cat (forced snuggles are already being applied to my kitty) I think this is a big wake up call that something needs to be done with your furbabies and pronto. A friend of mine lost her little yorkie to a couple of huskys that were loose in their neighborhood. This was not those dogs first attack and they have since been put down because of the incident.

I would hate for that to happen to your pups, but the fact that this was a stray cat is giving you the opportunity to correct the problem where you may have no choice if it had been someone's pet.

DaniGrace89 · June 2014

It might worry me a little. But if there are no signs of overt aggression, maybe it is just an adjustment to you being pregnant for them. My very well behaves dog is recently misbehaving.

I think it's a good sign that your dogs were able to compose themselves once you intervened.

Emerald27 · June 2014

I agree with PP. Unless they're breeding dogs or show dogs, it is best to have them spayed/neutered. Obedience training is also a must.

Poor kitty. That must have been horrifying to witness. I'm so sorry.

I have no idea about aggression towards other animals vs. aggression toward children/babies. Definitely something to research. Best of luck!

Firemanswife11 · June 2014

As a pit bull owner, I can tell you this: animal aggression has NOTHING to do with human aggression. They are on opposite ends of the spectrum. They have nothing to do with each other. Trust me.

That said, you can't expect to leave a baby on the floor and let a dog baby sit it. (Not that I think you would!) Some dogs see infants as "things," not humans, so you have to make sure the dogs respect the baby. This can be done with a proper introduction.

We are going to rehome at least one of our girls because she is VERY dog aggressive and their fights cause mass chaos which I'm afraid our baby will get caught up in. I hate myself for it, but it is what it is. Neither one of them has one ounce of human aggression in them but I worry about a baby being caught up in the middle and being stepped on/scratched.

Firemanswife11 · June 2014

Oh, also, all your dogs should be fixed. It's not only good for management but is best for their health.

Kboyce08 · June 2014

The only one that isn't currently fixed is the puppy. The female and our other male are. Lately they've all been pretty bad but the puppy is the worst. Which I already assumed was from not being fixed and trying to show his dominance.

But I really dislike that they are being to bad lately.

Saragoeswest · June 2014

Definitely get that puppy fixed. And I like the suggestion of obedience classes now while you still have a little extra free time. My only real concern is how nervous and concerned you are. I think that our dogs are affected by our attitudes and anxieties and your fears could turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

BreandMikewedding · June 2014

My dogs fight with each other but are very gentle with my kids. I don't think animal aggression is an indicator that they will be aggressive to your LO. However the fact that they ran out the door and wouldn't stop when you were chasing them is more of a concern.

MrsL2B · June 2014

I wouldn't think this would indicate any tendency for your dogs to be aggressive toward your baby, unless you give birth to a small furry mammal that's a lot more fun to chase than a human is. They're just being dogs. But I would worry about them generally being rowdy and not listening to your commands, because they're not likely to care if they accidentally step or jump on an infant, because, again, they're just being dogs. They're generally simple creatures. Obedience training sounds like a great idea.

bumpuser10309732 · June 2014

I agree with what PP's have said about animal aggression and human aggression being completely different. I'm sorry that you witnessed your dogs killing a cat, I would be pretty mortified myself. My dog is actually pretty damn aggressive with other dogs, and I've found this is a breed thing. When she was a puppy I did all the right things socializing her with different dogs etc. I really don't understand it. She warms up eventually but right off the bat she's pretty damn bad. So I tend to leave her out of those situations because it makes us both so uncomfortable. She's so dominant that she'll hump my male cat. Yeah, weird. She's honestly great with the cat, they wrestle and she generally just likes cats. She's also really obsessed with kids. She's really attached to my nephew who's about 18 months. Do you have any friends with kids that you could bring around your dogs? (leashed of course) That would be a good indicator of behavior.

beachbumsc · June 2014

One of my dogs is obsessed with hunting lizards and squirrels in the yard. I have no doubt that if a cat wondered into our yard that he would go after it. That being said, he has never shown any aggression towards any humans and doesn't even mind when my niece and nephew tug on him.

slsl509 · June 2014

My dog is a Jack Russell terrier mix and has killed a couple of small animals. It's just what she thinks she is supposed to do. And it is what she was bred to do. I was devastated when she killed some baby rabbits but it's instinct and my neighbors who have had their gardens decimated by rabbits were happy.

While she will certainly scare off a person, she has never been aggressive towards a person. The neighborhood boys love to chase her all over the yard. That said I just never ever leave her in a situation where she and DD are alone together. DD still doesn't understand that she shouldn't poke, prod or hug on my dog when she (my dog) isn't in the mood for that.

ETA: my dog is 60 lbs, mixed with sheepdog and God knows what else, so not a small terrier.

Kboyce08 · June 2014

MrsBabe614 said:
I agree with what PP's have said about animal aggression and human aggression being completely different. I'm sorry that you witnessed your dogs killing a cat, I would be pretty mortified myself. My dog is actually pretty damn aggressive with other dogs, and I've found this is a breed thing. When she was a puppy I did all the right things socializing her with different dogs etc. I really don't understand it. She warms up eventually but right off the bat she's pretty damn bad. So I tend to leave her out of those situations because it makes us both so uncomfortable. She's so dominant that she'll hump my male cat. Yeah, weird. She's honestly great with the cat, they wrestle and she generally just likes cats. She's also really obsessed with kids. She's really attached to my nephew who's about 18 months. Do you have any friends with kids that you could bring around your dogs? (leashed of course) That would be a good indicator of behavior.

We have a 3 year old. Two of our dogs are awesome with him. The puppy and him are glued together all day long. Probably because DS shares all his snacks with him lol. When the puppy is by himself and the other two are outside or crated for the night he never runs for the door. And when he does get outside without his lead for any reason he stay in the yard. But as soon as the other two dogs are out he runs wild and doesn't listen to a word I say. DH swore if we took in the other two he would work with them because they are hunting dogs. But so far, nothing. I think it has a lot to do with the other two teaching him bad behavior. Which is really frustrating.

bumpuser10309732 · June 2014

Kboyce08 said:

I agree with what PP's have said about animal aggression and human aggression being completely different. I'm sorry that you witnessed your dogs killing a cat, I would be pretty mortified myself. My dog is actually pretty damn aggressive with other dogs, and I've found this is a breed thing. When she was a puppy I did all the right things socializing her with different dogs etc. I really don't understand it. She warms up eventually but right off the bat she's pretty damn bad. So I tend to leave her out of those situations because it makes us both so uncomfortable. She's so dominant that she'll hump my male cat. Yeah, weird. She's honestly great with the cat, they wrestle and she generally just likes cats. She's also really obsessed with kids. She's really attached to my nephew who's about 18 months. Do you have any friends with kids that you could bring around your dogs? (leashed of course) That would be a good indicator of behavior.
We have a 3 year old. Two of our dogs are awesome with him. The puppy and him are glued together all day long. Probably because DS shares all his snacks with him lol. When the puppy is by himself and the other two are outside or crated for the night he never runs for the door. And when he does get outside without his lead for any reason he stay in the yard. But as soon as the other two dogs are out he runs wild and doesn't listen to a word I say. DH swore if we took in the other two he would work with them because they are hunting dogs. But so far, nothing. I think it has a lot to do with the other two teaching him bad behavior. Which is really frustrating.

Well at least you know the other two will be fine! Ugh the puppy stage is so frustrating. We've been watching my BIL's beagle and I told him after October he's gotta figure something else out because we can't do both!

griffers · June 2014

My dogs live with 3 cats and don't hurt them, but I have no doubt they'd go after any animal in our yard, cat or not. It is just part of their instinct. But regardless, get that puppy fixed soon as long as he's old enough. Once the baby comes dealing with that is going to be too much and you're likely to put it off much too long.

russinangl · June 2014

My boxer chases but has not caught the rabbits in our backyard (I am waiting for the day he does catch it because i know its coming sooner or later). When it comes to kids in the house or on the street he is very good with them and gentle. We had him fixed and his aggression did diminish slightly. I was told that dogs that are not fixed get frustrated and that is where the aggression comes from.

How old are your dogs? around 1.5-2 they got through adolescents and begin to act up just like teens do. We are going through this right now with our boxer he is 1.5 and really testing us and his limits.

Lele74 · June 2014

Pay for good training. It'll make them happy and you happy. It's worth the cost and you won't worry about the dogs biting your child or someone else. Then you'd really have to look into giving the pups away.

My good friend is Vice President of the international canine professionals association. PM me if you want some recommendations of GOOD trainers.

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NBR: another dog dilemma :/

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