attack on other household dogs

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I have a huge golden/yellow male lab approx 15 months old, neutered, adored, well taken care of. All our dogs know that I'm the boss. The lab violently attacked our daschund ( she was barking at the smoke detector which had gone off). That was last week, this week he for seemingly no reason attacked our mini poodle. We were in our bedroom, same spot as last attack. I know he shows some jealousy (no anger) but the poodle wasn't close to me. We also have a Chihuahua (male) that growls and snaps at the lab with no problems, we don't allow that, but it does happen. When I disciplined the lab for the attack he kind of lifted his lips at me. Tell me what you think please. - Thanks - Rick
Answer -
Doesn't sound like typical Lab behavior.  I am glad you mentioned neutering him and establishing your place, 2 of the first things I would suggest.  You might have the vet check him.  It really sounds to me like ''I am a big boy now'', and challenging your position.  If you have done obedience training, work some at reminding him he must obey you.  If not, work on it.  This relationship with the dog is important.  You may want to at least read, if not buy How to be Your Dog's Best Friend, http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  I think the lifting the lip is a definite sign he does not accept your leadership.

Thank you for the advice, let me briefly explain that I was really in the dogs face giving him a hard cuff, other than this, he obeys well. In any case, I bought the 2 CD training set offered on dogsbestfriend.com. - thanks again - Rick  
Answer -
I am passing this on as requested by somebody that must have seen your question and had a negative experience.  I know little more about it.  Frankly dog agression is so rare in Labs that I seldom see it.  I hope you are making some progress in your training.


RE: 2-7-06 attack on household dogs


Question:
Advice to that person that asked that question. Be extremely cautious when the dogs are together.
I have a ylw lab that turns 3 next mth. I had a 13 yr old maltese that was killed by my lab. Both dogs lived together with out any problems or aggressive behavior. Never a growl or snear from the Lab. One night my maltese snapped at me and the lab instantly pinned him to the floor with his mouth and was growling. I was shocked that my Lab behaved that way. I was able to stop it and thought he was just protecting me. A few months later my maltese had mouth surgery when I had to be out of town on business. My husband brought him home & the Lab went crazy. He aggressively met them at the foyer door. My husband seperated them. He did not want to bath the maltese, he wanted him to rest until I came home the next day. The dogs were fine around each other & me that day. I planned to bath the dog that evening. Before I did I wanted to leave both dogs outside. Still seperated due to the uncleaned condition the maltese came home like, I didn't want the Lab around him, plus I didn't want him to play around with the Maltese & hurt his mouth. When leaving the dogs out, the Lab in an agressive manner ran up to the maltese under my dining table and was smelling him... the maltese snapped at him and the Lab started growling... the maltese snapped more... I could not reach him & I could not get the Lab to stop... he then grabbed him with his mouth over his back and would not let go no matter what I did. I hit him with a chair, had my hands from behind him trying to pry his jaw apart. He never turned on me... not even a growl. He ended up killing the frail maltese. He really didn't have a chance after the first bite. With the strength and size of teeth my Lab has he was to over powering. It was the worst thing my family & I had ever been through. After talking with several vets... & trying to find answers to why this happened... the other vets said that... he could have thought he was protecting me since I was trying to get to the maltese. The dog came home really dirty after surgery. The Lab surely smelled blood, anesthetic, other animals or scents from the vets office. I kept the Lab on the condition at the first sign of any hint of aggressiveness something would have to be done. The Lab seems to be different since then... he sits at the patio door for hours as if he is waiting for the other dog... he seems less cheery. The day after I found him dragging a stuffed animal around and laying with it under my coffee table. It's been 3 mths & the Lab is as sweet as ever..... my nephew can climb on him, kick him, tug at his ears or tail... the Lab takes it all with a wagging tail as he did before. Of couse now I am overly cautious to keep children away from fearful of what could happen. It will take time to get over this and trust the Lab again. I wish I would have kept the dogs seperated until bathing the maltese. But I never thought the Lab was capable of that. I at least have 2 possible reasons for the attack but the other email sounds as if their Lab is attacking with out just cause. I would not want anyone to go through what we did. Please share my email with the person that sent that email to you. If they want more info please have them email me.... Hopefully this will encouarge them to be more cautious when their dogs are together.

Rick writes back - I've noted what you have said and actually we are watching him (the lab) very closely when in our bedroom and other times that we pick up on aggressive posturing. No problems, seems like it never happened. In retrospect, when the daschund returned from the vet (2 nights), we didn't notice any tendency to attack by the lab. I have been practicing what is mentioned in the DVD's from dogsbestfriend.com, that is letting the lab know what I approve of and what I don't. It doesn't change mother nature but it's the only thing we have. sincerely - Rick

Answer
Glad to hear what I suggested seems to be working.  This format works well where you choose the right expert, if there is a right expert for your question. I find it tedious to rummage around in the archives here, and am not sure of other's strengths.