dog to dog aggression

Question
Hi, I have 2 dogs a 7yr old husky/lab x(Meeko) & a 11yr old shepherd/collie x (kiara)We have had both dogs since they were puppies. Both were spayed at around 7mos or age & both are have been through advanced obedience. our older dog has a few medical problems that require med's & also has slight hip problems. My father passed away in early April but that has been the only change in the household in the last year. About 1year ago Meeko suddenly developed a fear of thunder stormes and hides in the bathtub during them, But other that that alls the same. My problem is in the last two weeks Meeko(husky) has attacked Kiara twice, pinning her to the floor by the head & keeping her there while growling and bitting at her. It's not food provoked as food was not involed. Kiara just passed by & smelled Meeko's head in the first incident, in the second Meeko was looking under a chair at something & kiara stopped by to take a look to. Meeko (70lbs) had to be pulled off Kiara by me. It took Kiara(45lbs) about 5 minutes to get up after that. Do you have any ideas as to the sudden reasons for this behavior & how can I stop it before damage is done.

Answer
The first thing I would do is to take Meeko in for a *thorough* examination to make sure that there is nothing physical going on with her. When things are "off" or there is pain, it is not uncommon for a dog to attack first and ask questions later. It is sort of a reflex thing to keep the other dog(s) away from them so that they don't discover that incapacity and attack THEM. (Packs of dogs or wolves will often try to eliminate the aged or the ill in the pack, which is why most dogs are so stoic in regard to pain.)

And possibly Meeko is simply trying to eliminate Kiara because Kiara is getting old and infirm. Whatever the reason, you might have to start keeping them separated.

Be sure you do a thyroid check, too, as hypothyroidism has been linked to aggressiveness and sound sensitivity in some dogs.

Karen