Why does my dog attack her housemate when we see other dogs?

Question

We have two dogs. When we pass other dogs on walks, Harper tries to bite our second, younger dog - which then leads to a minor fight. Besides situations like this, they get along very well. We rescued Harper at age 1 from an animal control center, but she has no history of aggression. Do you have any advice on why she might be doing this and how to correct this behavior? Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Female | spayed | 5 years and 5 months old | 65 lbs

Sara Farmer, DVM · Accepted Answer

It sounds like Harper is potentially fearful of other dogs on walks and because she cannot react to them she acts aggressively towards her housemate instead. You may need to separate the dogs on walks for awhile to make sure your other dog stays safe. Behavior training can help with leash aggression: you would work on keeping Harper focused on you by offering small treats whenever another dog passes. I would recommend having a behaviorist help you - ask your veterinarian for recommendations. You should also watch Harper closely for other signs of aggression - fear based aggression can be progressive and dogs that previously were not aggressive with housemates can become aggressive in these situations.

Why does my dog attack her housemate when we see other dogs?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

My newly adopted pet won't eat hay. What can I do to encourage it?

Why is my new pet biting? Is she stressed or scared in her new home?

My robo hamster is limp, bleeding, and collapsed. Is it wet tail?

Is my pet's occasional sneezing and eye crust a URI symptom?

How to keep a pet mom and her newborn babies warm and calm?

Share