My 8-year-old dog attacks my younger dog without warning. What to do?

Question

I have an 8 year old coon hound and 3 other dogs (all males and neutered). About a month ago he started attacking my 2 year old dog who is submissive. He starts aggressively barking and then just attacks him. He's fine with the other 2 dogs. There doesn't seem to be any triggers as it has happened outside and inside, tonight my 2 year old was sleepingwhen it happened. No toys or food involved. Any ideas or help. Pet's info: Dog | Redbone Coonhound | Male | neutered | 8 years and 2 months old | 68 lbs

Dr. Elizabeth · Accepted Answer

I hate to hear that about Cooper. Canine aggression is a complex behavior as it can stem from dominance, possessiveness, fear, anxiety , resource guarding or a combination. Pets can also shift around within the pack hierarchy. Being overly aggressive may be a sign that Cooper is uncomfortable in his current pack role. Unless you are very familiar with reading canine body language and training, I recommend to work with a professional trainer. Familiarizing yourself with canine body language and dog training can help you to recognize what your pet is trying to say before a bite happens. You can find many books written on the topic. One thing you can do at home is to give Cooper (and all the dogs would benefit as well), lots of exercise, routine and structure. A physically tired dog typically has less behavioral issues. Dogs also tend to thrive in a controlled environment. This can be a tough situation. You may want to separate the dogs any time you are not home to avoid injuries. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

My 8-year-old dog attacks my younger dog without warning. What to do?

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