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My Dog Killed my Other dog - Part 1

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The following taboo topic article might come as a surprise for some, but I assure you dogs killing dogs within the same household is common. The reason you most likely have never heard of this phenomenon is that people rarely talk about the situation. Today, I want to shed some light on the problem and offer a few tips on how to prevent deaths. 

Second Dog Introduction 
When you decide to get a second dog, usually meetings and introduction processes take place before the second dog becomes a fulltime family member. The most common situation for a multiple-dog household is dog two (Fido) is younger than dog one (Rex). When Fido moves in, all is well, and friendship might start to blossom. Both dogs enjoy each other and seem to do everything together. In other cases, Rex and Fido tolerate each other; over time, tolerance turns to annoyance. 

Dog Aggression vs. Dog Attack 
There is a big difference between dog aggression and dog attacks. The former is a boisterous and fasts pace action exchange where individuals try to settle a conflict. The latter, on the other hand, is silent and somewhat stationary. A dog attack serves to kill the individual. In some cases, aggression can turn deadly, but in most cases, it never comes as a surprise. 

Multiple Dog Household Deaths 
Pet caregivers will consult when dogs with an age difference display aggressive behaviours. From there, we can work on behaviour modification and management. Clients leave with dog behaviour and training protocols designed to facilitate peaceful living arrangements. On other occasions, clients consult for aggression because one dog killed the other. This claim might surprise you, but unfortunately, it’s a real one. 

Younger dogs like Fido will often kill older, more vulnerable dogs like Rex. From a canine point of view, the kill behaviour is normal. Dogs are opportunistic predators who exploit vulnerabilities. When dogs see an injured, sick, juvenile, or otherwise compromised individual, their predatory brain tells them to kill. Humans have tried to breed this out of dogs; unfortunately, most individuals retain their genetic makeup. 

Death by Dog 
So far, in my career, I’ve evaluated over two dozen dogs for the death of an older dog within the same household. Clients present the case as a silent, unexpected attack. People are shocked about the situation and think Fido just turned into a monster. Fido rarely is a monster; he is merely a dog. The proof is in the pudding: when the household has more than two dogs, Fido never attacks or displays aggression towards the other canines. 

Most often, the attack occurs when people are in another room or out on a short errand. There is no sound from the attacker. The cries come from Rex. The high pitch cries serve to tell the attacker I am in pain, let me go! An attack never lasts long; it usually is over within a few seconds up to a minute or so. People never saw it coming, or more often than not, they could not recognize the subtle signs. Dog language is complex 

Take-Home Message 
If you have more than one dog in your household, learn dog language. You will need to identify the situation before it occurs. From there, you can separate dogs to manage the situation. Dog training can go a long way, but remember, we are working against natural behaviours. 

Please do not feel guilty about the death of a dog within your household; you didn’t know and couldn’t have prevented the situation. I recommend you take a dog language class and invite your friends with multiple dogs to join you. Make your experience know, for together, we can educate and prevent tragic deaths. 

I suggest you talk about the situation with or comment below to share the knowledge. If you recently lost a pet and need counselling, please drop me a line. I know how hard it is to lose a friend under such tragic events. 

For the second time now, this blog post has been removed (without and explanation from our web host) along with the nearly 200 comments that you shared. I am truly sorry and apologize for the problem. We read every comment and e-mail you send us, which is on average one a day. 

Please leave a comment, others seek solace in knowing they are not alone. Thank you for understanding this very frustrating situation.

11/15/2017

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81 comments

  • Emanuella
    Emanuella Mexico
    Jul 8 2020 10:47 AM
    Hello. I have just read an article about dogs killing another dog in the same home. I have 3 dogs. The two, have almost killed my 3rd dog 4 times since January. We have spent thousands on vets. I live in rural Mexico. To drive to a behaviorist is just not feasible at this time. I’m afraid my 3rd dog will not survive another attack. He may not survive this most recent one. Please if you think you can help me, email me back. I’ve been observing their behavior since February. Im trying so hard to understand what’s happening so I can address it and I can’t figure it out. I will gladly describe and answer any questions, but I hate to write out all of the little things they do only to be directed elsewhere. So again, please just respond and I’ll write the whole thing out. Thank you for your time thus far. I really hope to hear from you.

    Hello. I have just read an article about dogs killing another dog in the same home. I have 3 dogs. The two, have almost killed my 3rd dog 4 times since January. We have spent thousands on vets. I live in rural Mexico. To drive to a behaviorist is just not feasible at this time. I’m afraid my 3rd dog will not survive another attack. He may not survive this most recent one. Please if you think you can help me, email me back. I’ve been observing their behavior since February. Im trying so hard to understand what’s happening so I can address it and I can’t figure it out. I will gladly describe and answer any questions, but I hate to write out all of the little things they do only to be directed elsewhere. So again, please just respond and I’ll write the whole thing out. Thank you for your time thus far. I really hope to hear from you.

  • Jennifer
    Jennifer Texas
    Jul 10 2020 11:07 AM
    We just had our older Anatolian Shepherd kill our 9wk old miniature Red Heeler pup. I am so hurt over this. We've never seen any aggressive behavior towards other dogs in our Anatolian before. The pup got in a tiff with another red heeler and was yelping, the Anatolian grabbed the pup and crushed it's head. I am in shock. My husband is furious and wants to kill the Anatolian. I am wondering if this is normal dog behavior.

    We just had our older Anatolian Shepherd kill our 9wk old miniature Red Heeler pup. I am so hurt over this. We've never seen any aggressive behavior towards other dogs in our Anatolian before. The pup got in a tiff with another red heeler and was yelping, the Anatolian grabbed the pup and crushed it's head. I am in shock. My husband is furious and wants to kill the Anatolian. I am wondering if this is normal dog behavior.

  • Monika
    Monika Manitoba
    Jul 11 2020 11:28 AM
    I just found your article online after losing my old and increasingly sickly Brussels Griffon to an attack by my young female my pit bull (1 yr old.) For about 2 weeks prior to the fatal attack, both my young female Doberman (just over 1 yr) and my young female pitty began showing aggression toward my little old man. Of course my Dobe is easily called off and never laid a tooth on him, but the crabbiness toward him was definitely there. My pitty, though, got her ‘switch’ flipped and did the deed. I was present at the time of the attack (she literally snatched him from right under my feet,) and did everything in my power to get the dog to let go, but there was literally NO getting her off of him. A true case of ‘lights on, nobody home.’ It was violent and horrible. After yelling at my Dobe to get back, she hid under the kitchen table and stayed put. She is very trainable and respects my commands in every situation. My pit has never shown aggression toward any other dog or human... very loving and plays well with my other dogs... the Brussels included up until the 2 weeks prior. My question is this: Is this a case of an attack on an older, compromised dog due to the instinct to cull the weak pack member? Or is this the start of a behavioral pattern that will inevitably happen again? This dog is so precious to me and to my family, but we can’t risk a repeat with another dog, or worse, a child. Of course the rescue groups will not touch her with a kill history, so our only other option is euthanasia. I am anxious to hear your thoughts. Thank you so much for your time. Peace and Blessings

    I just found your article online after losing my old and increasingly sickly Brussels Griffon to an attack by my young female my pit bull (1 yr old.)

    For about 2 weeks prior to the fatal attack, both my young female Doberman (just over 1 yr) and my young female pitty began showing aggression toward my little old man. Of course my Dobe is easily called off and never laid a tooth on him, but the crabbiness toward him was definitely there. My pitty, though, got her ‘switch’ flipped and did the deed. I was present at the time of the attack (she literally snatched him from right under my feet,) and did everything in my power to get the dog to let go, but there was literally NO getting her off of him. A true case of ‘lights on, nobody home.’ It was violent and horrible. After yelling at my Dobe to get back, she hid under the kitchen table and stayed put. She is very trainable and respects my commands in every situation. My pit has never shown aggression toward any other dog or human... very loving and plays well with my other dogs... the Brussels included up until the 2 weeks prior.

    My question is this: Is this a case of an attack on an older, compromised dog due to the instinct to cull the weak pack member? Or is this the start of a behavioral pattern that will inevitably happen again? This dog is so precious to me and to my family, but we can’t risk a repeat with another dog, or worse, a child. Of course the rescue groups will not touch her with a kill history, so our only other option is euthanasia.

    I am anxious to hear your thoughts. Thank you so much for your time.

    Peace and Blessings

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Spain
    Jul 12 2020 7:23 AM
    Hi, I just stumbled across this blog post, and would like to know if you could detect in these cases other similarities apart from the age gap, like eg. it's more common in same-sex dog households, or in specific breeds (eg. dogs with increased canine-aggression, like fighting dog breeds, livestock guardian dogs, etc.), or between dog with significant size/weight difference? I eg. have an old, arthritic, very sweet and gentle hound mix (male, intact, 42lbs/19kg), and a very obedient, now almost 2 year old, also very sweet spayed female, what I think is a Pit bull-Podenco-mix (44lbs/20kg), and which I found abandoned at around 5 months old. They get along very well, play gently with each other, although she does sometimes display dominant behavior, which I do not allow (like blocking his way, or gently pushing him away with her body when they walk up to me, and such), but there's no real aggressive behavior involved. I'm actually quite an experienced dog owner myself, but I never had such an age gap, at least not where the younger one would have been physically capable of doing harm to the older one (the only other time I had a large age gap was with the young female being a Chihuahua mix, and the male senior dog a large Spanish Mastiff-German Shepherd mix). However, this blog entry has raised concerns, so I'd really like to know if our situation is among the ones where these things commonly are prone to occur, and what I need to look out for. I do not want to risk any harm to my old boy. Thank you very much in advance!

    Hi, I just stumbled across this blog post, and would like to know if you could detect in these cases other similarities apart from the age gap, like eg. it's more common in same-sex dog households, or in specific breeds (eg. dogs with increased canine-aggression, like fighting dog breeds, livestock guardian dogs, etc.), or between dog with significant size/weight difference?

    I eg. have an old, arthritic, very sweet and gentle hound mix (male, intact, 42lbs/19kg), and a very obedient, now almost 2 year old, also very sweet spayed female, what I think is a Pit bull-Podenco-mix (44lbs/20kg), and which I found abandoned at around 5 months old.

    They get along very well, play gently with each other, although she does sometimes display dominant behavior, which I do not allow (like blocking his way, or gently pushing him away with her body when they walk up to me, and such), but there's no real aggressive behavior involved.

    I'm actually quite an experienced dog owner myself, but I never had such an age gap, at least not where the younger one would have been physically capable of doing harm to the older one (the only other time I had a large age gap was with the young female being a Chihuahua mix, and the male senior dog a large Spanish Mastiff-German Shepherd mix).

    However, this blog entry has raised concerns, so I'd really like to know if our situation is among the ones where these things commonly are prone to occur, and what I need to look out for. I do not want to risk any harm to my old boy. Thank you very much in advance!

  • Dogue Shop
    Dogue Shop
    Jul 12 2020 9:31 AM
    @AngelaBrown Yes, you are at risk. To put it simply, it is time to start a management plan to not leave these two dogs alone, even for a fraction of a second.

    @AngelaBrown
    Yes, you are at risk. To put it simply, it is time to start a management plan to not leave these two dogs alone, even for a fraction of a second.

  • Sarah
    Sarah Australia
    Jul 13 2020 1:05 PM
    Hi, About three months ago my husband and I got married and me and my dogs moved onto his place. He ranches and has four dogs, I have my two. All dogs have been integrating great and no problems. He has an 11 year old Aussie mix that is grumpy and in charge. She is growly over her food and lives outside most of the time, but never any problems and is in general a happy dog. I have a Rottweiler (Gypsy) age, 5, that has high anxiety, very attached to me, but no history of aggression. This past Friday we had all the dogs out (a common occurrence) and everything was smooth and happy. My husbands Aussie (Bailey) was lying a little off to the side of all the dogs. My husband walked over and started petting her, to which Bailey rolls on her back in a submissive position and he continues to scratch her tummy. Gypsy out of the complete blue runs at her and starts attacking her, with a locked jaw in between her legs, I run over and pull her off to which she runs and hides shaking. Bailey had two big puncture wounds on the inside of her leg, and limped inside. The next day she had a large Hematoma and I had to take her into the vet resulting in surgery. The vet is REALLY concerned about them doing it again, as am I. Gypsy has no history of aggression with any animal, but has been acting out of character since I moved. I am really concerned about her going after anohter animal or person and have lost all trust in her, which is hard because I have spent her whole life highly socializing her and working on her being very kind and going against her breed standards... and this was SO RANDOM and scary. I read your article "My dog killed my other dog" and it seems to pretty closely fit the situation, except my husband was literally petting Bailey and she was in a completely submissive position. Please let me know if you have ANY suggestions and how to proceed. Both dogs are obviously very loved and Bailey is my husbands own dog and Gypsy is mine... Thank you so much

    Hi,
    About three months ago my husband and I got married and me and my dogs moved onto his place. He ranches and has four dogs, I have my two. All dogs have been integrating great and no problems. He has an 11 year old Aussie mix that is grumpy and in charge. She is growly over her food and lives outside most of the time, but never any problems and is in general a happy dog. I have a Rottweiler (Gypsy) age, 5, that has high anxiety, very attached to me, but no history of aggression.

    This past Friday we had all the dogs out (a common occurrence) and everything was smooth and happy. My husbands Aussie (Bailey) was lying a little off to the side of all the dogs. My husband walked over and started petting her, to which Bailey rolls on her back in a submissive position and he continues to scratch her tummy. Gypsy out of the complete blue runs at her and starts attacking her, with a locked jaw in between her legs, I run over and pull her off to which she runs and hides shaking. Bailey had two big puncture wounds on the inside of her leg, and limped inside. The next day she had a large Hematoma and I had to take her into the vet resulting in surgery. The vet is REALLY concerned about them doing it again, as am I.

    Gypsy has no history of aggression with any animal, but has been acting out of character since I moved. I am really concerned about her going after anohter animal or person and have lost all trust in her, which is hard because I have spent her whole life highly socializing her and working on her being very kind and going against her breed standards... and this was SO RANDOM and scary.

    I read your article "My dog killed my other dog" and it seems to pretty closely fit the situation, except my husband was literally petting Bailey and she was in a completely submissive position. Please let me know if you have ANY suggestions and how to proceed. Both dogs are obviously very loved and Bailey is my husbands own dog and Gypsy is mine...
    Thank you so much

  • Molly
    Molly Corpus Christi
    Jul 14 2020 4:39 AM
    If still in shock and it makes it even harder she was my daughter comfort dog.my emtionless is me trying to my daughters rock but I really feel lost

    If still in shock and it makes it even harder she was my daughter comfort dog.my emtionless is me trying to my daughters rock but I really feel lost

  • Nikole
    Nikole Edmonton
    Jul 19 2020 3:08 PM
    I am not sure this is the right place, but there seems to be a lot of post about this subject. We have a combination of rescue dogs and dogs we have had since they were born. There is a total of 8: Buster (miniature greyhound), max (Jack Russell), Daisy (lab basset hound, Bear (great Pyrenees mix), Diesel (bully), Cherokee (red heeler)m, Tank (bully), Ellie (great Pyrenees). They have always been together and never separated from each other. Other than we were introducing them to a new dog, whether we basically be a temporary rescue or they became part of the family. Before Tank which is the last dog that was rescued and we have been unable to place there have been no signs of aggression and no dog fights. Tank has been in the picture for two years roughly and has become a large part of our one year's life.I came home yesterday to see our oldest dog Buster laying in a pool of his own blood and not moving. They were in a garage that is insulated, has old couches, food water and fans with ac. Its a two car garage. I chased the dogs out into the backyard and rushed my poor old man to the er vet. Two vet visits later he ended up passing away from his injuries, shock, and they think cardiac arrest. I cam home to evaluate the situation, but I only found a lot of blood all over our five-year-old bully Diesel. Now I am confused because Diesel has never shown any signs of aggression. To be honest, sometimes the other dogs picked on him (the smaller dogs because he was submissive) so that was always monitored closely. However, we believe that Diesel acted alone but some of the dogs have injuries on their snouts and a very small amount of blood. Diesel kept trying to come inside to see Buster. We don't know if we need to have him put down or if this is some crazy act of aggression. Literally, we are at a lost. Like I said we have many other animals, a one-year-old little girl, and we are expecting our second child, I have been raised around dogs my whole life. I knew this was possible when you have a large pack of dogs but for some naive reason, I thought it would never happen to us with how they always cuddled and played well together. Can you please give us some advice?? Our vet said he does not see why he would need to be put down, Rescue groups say rehab him, others say to keep him separate ( which we are), some say take him to the pound, and we dont know what to do.

    I am not sure this is the right place, but there seems to be a lot of post about this subject. We have a combination of rescue dogs and dogs we have had since they were born. There is a total of 8: Buster (miniature greyhound), max (Jack Russell), Daisy (lab basset hound, Bear (great Pyrenees mix), Diesel (bully), Cherokee (red heeler)m, Tank (bully), Ellie (great Pyrenees). They have always been together and never separated from each other. Other than we were introducing them to a new dog, whether we basically be a temporary rescue or they became part of the family. Before Tank which is the last dog that was rescued and we have been unable to place there have been no signs of aggression and no dog fights. Tank has been in the picture for two years roughly and has become a large part of our one year's life.I came home yesterday to see our oldest dog Buster laying in a pool of his own blood and not moving. They were in a garage that is insulated, has old couches, food water and fans with ac. Its a two car garage. I chased the dogs out into the backyard and rushed my poor old man to the er vet. Two vet visits later he ended up passing away from his injuries, shock, and they think cardiac arrest. I cam home to evaluate the situation, but I only found a lot of blood all over our five-year-old bully Diesel. Now I am confused because Diesel has never shown any signs of aggression. To be honest, sometimes the other dogs picked on him (the smaller dogs because he was submissive) so that was always monitored closely. However, we believe that Diesel acted alone but some of the dogs have injuries on their snouts and a very small amount of blood. Diesel kept trying to come inside to see Buster. We don't know if we need to have him put down or if this is some crazy act of aggression. Literally, we are at a lost. Like I said we have many other animals, a one-year-old little girl, and we are expecting our second child, I have been raised around dogs my whole life. I knew this was possible when you have a large pack of dogs but for some naive reason, I thought it would never happen to us with how they always cuddled and played well together. Can you please give us some advice?? Our vet said he does not see why he would need to be put down, Rescue groups say rehab him, others say to keep him separate ( which we are), some say take him to the pound, and we dont know what to do.

  • Kelly
    Kelly Arizona
    Jul 20 2020 9:29 PM
    I had noticed some wierd injuries to my older dog over the last 4 years. He was beginning to loose hearing and did loose sight in one eye. Did my best to keep him separated when not supervised. The other morning let all outside early, was inside house and heard no sounds. Went outside 1 hr later noticed my border collie/aussie had blood all over his face/neck. My younger thought to be meaner dog had little blood. Found my old dog alive but completely in shock and mauled to point of needing to be put down. I am angry at my dogs, feel guilty I was not there to protect him and thought of putting my other dogs down as just cant believe after so many years they killed my older, passive and never aggressive dog. Makes me sick just to think of his last minutes in such fear and pain. I cant believe my border collie was capable of this, he is such a nice dog.

    I had noticed some wierd injuries to my older dog over the last 4 years. He was beginning to loose hearing and did loose sight in one eye. Did my best to keep him separated when not supervised. The other morning let all outside early, was inside house and heard no sounds. Went outside 1 hr later noticed my border collie/aussie had blood all over his face/neck. My younger thought to be meaner dog had little blood. Found my old dog alive but completely in shock and mauled to point of needing to be put down. I am angry at my dogs, feel guilty I was not there to protect him and thought of putting my other dogs down as just cant believe after so many years they killed my older, passive and never aggressive dog. Makes me sick just to think of his last minutes in such fear and pain. I cant believe my border collie was capable of this, he is such a nice dog.

  • Julie
    Julie Edmonton
    Jul 27 2020 10:46 AM
    Hello, I am extremely hurt, heartbroken, and untrusting as our newer female dog that we’ve had for 1.5 years who is almost 2 lunged at our 4 year old female dog for what seemed she was being protective of me during a group play between me and both of them. The 1.5 year old is extremely dog aggressive and reactive with all other dogs besides our dog and our friend’s 2 dogs. Well, she now seems to be aggressive with ours and we are worried. They have always been best friends since day one. When the 1.5 year old lunged at our 4 year old dog, she wouldn’t let go of her ear and eventually broke her cartilage and caused her to get stitches in her ear. She just bit down and shook her. Had it not been for my husband there, I think she would’ve killed our 4 year old dog. Our older dog was crying in pain and the pup would not let go. It has been 3 days since the fight and they both have been acting fine like nothing has happened - have been playing and sleeping in the same bed together. I just can’t believe the 1.5 year old that has always played submissive to our older dog attacked her so aggressively and viciously. She didn’t growl or give her any warning. I am so lost and don’t know what to do. I can’t trust her and her dog aggressiveness. I’m worried it will happen again, or worse, she will start to turn human aggressive and bite one of us or someone else. I don’t know what to do to prevent this other than to get rid of her. Please help us!!

    Hello,
    I am extremely hurt, heartbroken, and untrusting as our newer female dog that we’ve had for 1.5 years who is almost 2 lunged at our 4 year old female dog for what seemed she was being protective of me during a group play between me and both of them. The 1.5 year old is extremely dog aggressive and reactive with all other dogs besides our dog and our friend’s 2 dogs. Well, she now seems to be aggressive with ours and we are worried. They have always been best friends since day one. When the 1.5 year old lunged at our 4 year old dog, she wouldn’t let go of her ear and eventually broke her cartilage and caused her to get stitches in her ear. She just bit down and shook her. Had it not been for my husband there, I think she would’ve killed our 4 year old dog. Our older dog was crying in pain and the pup would not let go.

    It has been 3 days since the fight and they both have been acting fine like nothing has happened - have been playing and sleeping in the same bed together.

    I just can’t believe the 1.5 year old that has always played submissive to our older dog attacked her so aggressively and viciously. She didn’t growl or give her any warning. I am so lost and don’t know what to do. I can’t trust her and her dog aggressiveness. I’m worried it will happen again, or worse, she will start to turn human aggressive and bite one of us or someone else. I don’t know what to do to prevent this other than to get rid of her. Please help us!!

  • Erika
    Erika Montreal
    Jul 28 2020 9:43 PM
    I work for a yorkshire dog breeder and today was the most traumatic experience I ever lived. I was alone at the house with the dogs outside, I suddenly hear a big fight so I check in the windows and see them all ganged up so I run inside to get a broom and I run back outside and yell at them, they all moved and I saw Cinnamon, laying there eyes wide open, all covered in dirt with her stomach open, she was pregnant. I had the worst panic attack ever, I fainted and vomited, I’ve been crying for 10 hours now, I don’t know how to recover for this and i’m getting scared, is this PTSD? Please help me i’m scared

    I work for a yorkshire dog breeder and today was the most traumatic experience I ever lived. I was alone at the house with the dogs outside, I suddenly hear a big fight so I check in the windows and see them all ganged up so I run inside to get a broom and I run back outside and yell at them, they all moved and I saw Cinnamon, laying there eyes wide open, all covered in dirt with her stomach open, she was pregnant. I had the worst panic attack ever, I fainted and vomited, I’ve been crying for 10 hours now, I don’t know how to recover for this and i’m getting scared, is this PTSD? Please help me i’m scared

  • Gaby DufresneCyr
    Gaby DufresneCyr
    Jul 29 2020 4:02 PM
    @Erika (Montreal) I'm sorry you had to witness this event. First, breathe in deep a few times when the images come to mind and release your thoughts to the universe. The first thing to remember is that dogs do what dogs do. I know it sounds harsh, but it is their nature. We cannot ask of them to be people and act as we do, that would be unfair and cruel to both them and us. A panic attack doesn't mean it will develop into PTSD. Although traumatic, your resilience will prevail and the images in your mind should dissipate. Time, in this case, is the only remedy. However, if you feel you need counselling, please find and animal trauma psychologist who can help you through this event. I wish you the best and send my condolences to you and your breeder. Gaby

    @Erika (Montreal)
    I'm sorry you had to witness this event.
    First, breathe in deep a few times when the images come to mind and release your thoughts to the universe. The first thing to remember is that dogs do what dogs do. I know it sounds harsh, but it is their nature. We cannot ask of them to be people and act as we do, that would be unfair and cruel to both them and us.
    A panic attack doesn't mean it will develop into PTSD. Although traumatic, your resilience will prevail and the images in your mind should dissipate. Time, in this case, is the only remedy. However, if you feel you need counselling, please find and animal trauma psychologist who can help you through this event.
    I wish you the best and send my condolences to you and your breeder.
    Gaby

  • Sarah
    Sarah Indiana
    Jul 30 2020 10:40 PM
    I’m sorry to read everyone’s losses and heartaches. Yesterday my daughter and I witnessed our 1 yr old pitbull kill our 7 yr old Italian greyhound. It was over in a matter of seconds, we have had the pitbull since he was 5 weeks old and the ig for 6 yrs. both had/have strong personalities. I keep playing the screen over and over and seeing the IG staring up at me as I’m trying to help. I just wasn’t strong enough and I feel like a failure. The pitbull is a good pup but now I’m scared, how to I work to correct this? Will this cross over to people? I failed our Italian Greyhound , and I want to help our pitbull not become a statistic.

    I’m sorry to read everyone’s losses and heartaches.
    Yesterday my daughter and I witnessed our 1 yr old pitbull kill our 7 yr old Italian greyhound. It was over in a matter of seconds, we have had the pitbull since he was 5 weeks old and the ig for 6 yrs. both had/have strong personalities. I keep playing the screen over and over and seeing the IG staring up at me as I’m trying to help. I just wasn’t strong enough and I feel like a failure. The pitbull is a good pup but now I’m scared, how to I work to correct this? Will this cross over to people? I failed our Italian Greyhound , and I want to help our pitbull not become a statistic.

  • Betty
    Betty Alabama
    Jul 31 2020 10:31 PM
    Thank you for this information. We rescued a Schnauzer in January bringing her into our home with an older dog who is a small dog half her size. The past two weeks, the Schnauzer has attacked the older dog in a very vicious manner. I’m convinced she’s trying to kill her. I’m heartbroken and confused. I’ve been searching everything I can find on this topic and you’re the only information I can find on this subject. I’ve had dogs my entire life and have never witnessed these attack’s for no apparent reason. The older dogs doesn’t do anything, one time, she was sleeping and the Schnauzer jumped on her trying to kill her. This was in front of my grandkids!!

    Thank you for this information. We rescued a Schnauzer in January bringing her into our home with an older dog who is a small dog half her size. The past two weeks, the Schnauzer has attacked the older dog in a very vicious manner. I’m convinced she’s trying to kill her. I’m heartbroken and confused. I’ve been searching everything I can find on this topic and you’re the only information I can find on this subject. I’ve had dogs my entire life and have never witnessed these attack’s for no apparent reason. The older dogs doesn’t do anything, one time, she was sleeping and the Schnauzer jumped on her trying to kill her. This was in front of my grandkids!!

  • Catherine
    Catherine New york
    Aug 8 2020 9:56 PM
    My sisters pitbull has now killed a second dog. The first dog was his son about a year ago, and they were fighting over a female in heat. This time, it was an unprovoked attack on a Yorkie. He LOVED this little girl. They slept together, hung out, played, etc. My sister is besides herself. She has other dogs in the house and doesn’t feel safe having him around them. I don’t want her to euthanize him for something I think we can fix- if not maintain. I think rehoming him to a house that has no other dogs is the best option. Any advice?

    My sisters pitbull has now killed a second dog. The first dog was his son about a year ago, and they were fighting over a female in heat. This time, it was an unprovoked attack on a Yorkie. He LOVED this little girl. They slept together, hung out, played, etc. My sister is besides herself. She has other dogs in the house and doesn’t feel safe having him around them. I don’t want her to euthanize him for something I think we can fix- if not maintain. I think rehoming him to a house that has no other dogs is the best option. Any advice?

  • Aubrey
    Aubrey Texas
    Aug 9 2020 9:33 AM
    I have a dog fighting question. I have three wonderful dogs that are all mixed breed. They get along together famously, usually. My two youngest Velcro and Ethel play well together (share toys, cuddle, etc.) and the eldest Elvira kinda just hangs out and watches every now and then she will play. When I was at my mothers back in April there was a dog fight that broke out where my youngest, oldest and my mothers dogs jumped my middle dog, Velcro. I had to break it up as I am certain they would have killed her. She suffered lacerations to her hind leg and had to spend three days at the vet. I brought my babies back home thinking that it had more to do with the number of dogs in the pen than anything else, but unfortunately last night 8/9 I had to break up an attack once again. Ethel and Elvira had jumped Velcro again. Luckily Velcro seems to have only suffered some bruising and swelling on her front leg. I am heartbroken, but blessed that she is alive and will survive. Unfortunately now I am faced with the decision of rehoming one of the two that attacked Velcro, or attempting to manage them. Th problem is I didn't see the beginning of either attack, so I don't know who started it or why. The first time I think it was excitement over a dog on the other side of the fence, but this second one...I'm not sure what triggered it. As much as I want to keep them all with me, I just don't know if that is the right choice.

    I have a dog fighting question. I have three wonderful dogs that are all mixed breed. They get along together famously, usually. My two youngest Velcro and Ethel play well together (share toys, cuddle, etc.) and the eldest Elvira kinda just hangs out and watches every now and then she will play. When I was at my mothers back in April there was a dog fight that broke out where my youngest, oldest and my mothers dogs jumped my middle dog, Velcro. I had to break it up as I am certain they would have killed her. She suffered lacerations to her hind leg and had to spend three days at the vet. I brought my babies back home thinking that it had more to do with the number of dogs in the pen than anything else, but unfortunately last night 8/9 I had to break up an attack once again. Ethel and Elvira had jumped Velcro again. Luckily Velcro seems to have only suffered some bruising and swelling on her front leg. I am heartbroken, but blessed that she is alive and will survive. Unfortunately now I am faced with the decision of rehoming one of the two that attacked Velcro, or attempting to manage them. Th problem is I didn't see the beginning of either attack, so I don't know who started it or why. The first time I think it was excitement over a dog on the other side of the fence, but this second one...I'm not sure what triggered it. As much as I want to keep them all with me, I just don't know if that is the right choice.

  • David
    David Pennsylvania
    Aug 11 2020 6:16 PM
    We are currently in on vacation and I got the call two days ago that our German shepherd attacked our puggle while being boarded together. I am in total shock. The shepherd cried when we boarded the two little dogs first, then when we can back to get her she was anxious to leave to see where her friends went. When I let them out and she comes in first, she nervously waits by the door for them to come back. Three years ago she was boarded and she cried the whole time, the woman who boards them asked us to put (chewie) our puggle in the kennel with her, and it worked. Rey, the shepherd immediately calmed down. This time the border walked in after hearing the puggle screaming and saw the shepherd had his head in her mouth. The puggle died yesterday after being rushed to the vet. Injuries to the neck, near jugular, and shoulder of puggle. I am now overridden with guilt and maybe I misinterpreted these signs that looked like “dog love” as something else. I don’t know what to do when I get back as I will have the shepherd and another dog left,... a shitzhu. I’ve had dogs die before, but not like this, this absolutely kills me. The guilt is overwhelming and I feel I abandoned him and was helpless to do anything. Not being there when he passed also makes it difficult. I still haven’t told my children who were very bonded to the puggle. Should I get rid of the shepherd (who was my dog) ?? Are the kids in any danger ?? Was it separation anxiety, lack of water (it was in the ’90s), fighting over food,... or something much, much worse. I’ll never know. If anyone reads this and has any info to share, it would be appreciated. Thanks for reading, writing this helped a little.

    We are currently in on vacation and I got the call two days ago that our German shepherd attacked our puggle while being boarded together. I am in total shock. The shepherd cried when we boarded the two little dogs first, then when we can back to get her she was anxious to leave to see where her friends went. When I let them out and she comes in first, she nervously waits by the door for them to come back. Three years ago she was boarded and she cried the whole time, the woman who boards them asked us to put (chewie) our puggle in the kennel with her, and it worked. Rey, the shepherd immediately calmed down. This time the border walked in after hearing the puggle screaming and saw the shepherd had his head in her mouth. The puggle died yesterday after being rushed to the vet. Injuries to the neck, near jugular, and shoulder of puggle. I am now overridden with guilt and maybe I misinterpreted these signs that looked like “dog love” as something else. I don’t know what to do when I get back as I will have the shepherd and another dog left,... a shitzhu. I’ve had dogs die before, but not like this, this absolutely kills me. The guilt is overwhelming and I feel I abandoned him and was helpless to do anything. Not being there when he passed also makes it difficult. I still haven’t told my children who were very bonded to the puggle. Should I get rid of the shepherd (who was my dog) ?? Are the kids in any danger ?? Was it separation anxiety, lack of water (it was in the ’90s), fighting over food,... or something much, much worse. I’ll never know. If anyone reads this and has any info to share, it would be appreciated. Thanks for reading, writing this helped a little.

  • Lisa
    Lisa Wisconsin
    Aug 12 2020 9:12 AM
    I had a dog that killed one of our older dogs when we were gone and we thought it was the older dog who instigated it. We didn’t have the realization at that time so two weeks later he killed another one of our dogs who was also an older dog. We have Lived with him for two years after that but unfortunately he almost killed a neighbor’s dog who got into our yard and almost killed and has tried to killed out cat.Based on our vets recommendations and the rescue we rescued him from we are euthanized him last week. It makes me very sad because 95% of the time he was a very sweet and loyal dog but he would just snap and would become reactivity and it would cause him to kill. We still have three other dogs in the house, we alway had to keep them very separate from him because we never knew when he’s going to react. We’ve begun to realize this is no life for him, the other dogs or us. Plus I’d he killed another animal I would not be be able to forgive myself.

    I had a dog that killed one of our older dogs when we were gone and we thought it was the older dog who instigated it. We didn’t have the realization at that time so two weeks later he killed another one of our dogs who was also an older dog. We have Lived with him for two years after that but unfortunately he almost killed a neighbor’s dog who got into our yard and almost killed and has tried to killed out cat.Based on our vets recommendations and the rescue we rescued him from we are euthanized him last week. It makes me very sad because 95% of the time he was a very sweet and loyal dog but he would just snap and would become reactivity and it would cause him to kill. We still have three other dogs in the house, we alway had to keep them very separate from him because we never knew when he’s going to react. We’ve begun to realize this is no life for him, the other dogs or us. Plus I’d he killed another animal I would not be be able to forgive myself.

  • Marilyn
    Marilyn New Jersey
    Aug 12 2020 1:01 PM
    yesterday my akita male attacked my morkie male. I feel so responsible woulda coulda shoulda is now playing in my head. Im so torn what do I do I loved them both. I have other dogs and he never showed aggressive behavior with them. My husband was considering getting rid of him. For now he doesn't even want to see the dog, he walked this dog akita everyday. The akita looks to me like, he knows he did was wrong hes sniffing around and seems ok but sad i don't know maybe its me so im also grieving but for now Im taking him out for walks because the dog seems he wants to go but then when i bring him home he doesn't want to come in right away as if hes afraid He is such a sweet gentle dog im hurt but im going to try with him. I pray my husband can too otherwise Im hoping i find a could home for him but also afraid for him. So hurt and confused

    yesterday my akita male attacked my morkie male. I feel so responsible woulda coulda shoulda is now playing in my head. Im so torn what do I do I loved them both. I have other dogs and he never showed aggressive behavior with them. My husband was considering getting rid of him. For now he doesn't even want to see the dog, he walked this dog akita everyday. The akita looks to me like, he knows he did was wrong hes sniffing around and seems ok but sad i don't know maybe its me so im also grieving but for now Im taking him out for walks because the dog seems he wants to go but then when i bring him home he doesn't want to come in right away as if hes afraid He is such a sweet gentle dog im hurt but im going to try with him. I pray my husband can too otherwise Im hoping i find a could home for him but also afraid for him. So hurt and confused

  • Leslie
    Leslie Montana
    Aug 13 2020 4:56 PM
    Our 10 month old golden retriever just attacked our 9 week old puppy (lab) over a small stuffed toy. He's done it before over food but never over a toy. I never thought a golden could have these tendencies. He was a rescue and we aren't totally sure if he's purebred but he looks like a golden. He most definitely has behavior issues and something is obviously not fully right with him. But he's been so sweet until recently. We have an older lab (almost 2 years old) and he's done that to her but she can fend for herself and it's only been a couple times over food. Clearly, he has food aggression but is it now progressing into other areas? I'm afraid the puppy will be traumatized and I don't want that. Please, any advice is welcome. I love him so but I don't think I can trust him and we have 3 kids (teens) and I don't want them to have to deal with this if we're not home, etc.

    Our 10 month old golden retriever just attacked our 9 week old puppy (lab) over a small stuffed toy. He's done it before over food but never over a toy. I never thought a golden could have these tendencies. He was a rescue and we aren't totally sure if he's purebred but he looks like a golden. He most definitely has behavior issues and something is obviously not fully right with him. But he's been so sweet until recently. We have an older lab (almost 2 years old) and he's done that to her but she can fend for herself and it's only been a couple times over food. Clearly, he has food aggression but is it now progressing into other areas? I'm afraid the puppy will be traumatized and I don't want that. Please, any advice is welcome. I love him so but I don't think I can trust him and we have 3 kids (teens) and I don't want them to have to deal with this if we're not home, etc.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Canada
    Aug 14 2020 10:47 AM
    Here is the bottom line (in my opinion) after thirty years of experience rescuing and breeding German Shepherds and leading large and small packs of dogs including mixed breed pit bulls, terriers, etc. Unless an attack provokes a defensive aggressive behavior, there is no single incidence of dog bites or attacks on animals or people. If a dog bites or nips someone, they will do it again and again, given time and opportunity. If a dog attacks another dog within the pack, it will happen again. It might take two years but it will happen again and if it’s an older and/or smaller dog, it could well be fatal. Dogs are animals, they are not perfect and neither are human beings. However, it is your job as a dog owner to protect the young, aged, infirm and vulnerable members of your family or pack. Some dogs lose all aggression towards animals simply by making them the only dog in the household. Off property they can interact well with other dogs without incident. Aggression towards people is not something to fool around with. If your dog is aggressive towards you, euthanize immediately. If aggressive towards other members of your family, children or friends, euthanize it. In all other cases, isolate that dog from coming in contact with the animals or people that it is aggressive towards at all times. There is nothing more distressing than dealing with unprovoked aggression from an animal you love. Some dogs just can’t deal with living in a pack and some are just plain aggressive or aggressively protective or fearfully aggressive and some will resort to aggression whenever you as pack leader are not present. These dogs should be locked in a crate or kennel whenever you are not present.

    Here is the bottom line (in my opinion) after thirty years of experience rescuing and breeding German Shepherds and leading large and small packs of dogs including mixed breed pit bulls, terriers, etc. Unless an attack provokes a defensive aggressive behavior, there is no single incidence of dog bites or attacks on animals or people. If a dog bites or nips someone, they will do it again and again, given time and opportunity. If a dog attacks another dog within the pack, it will happen again. It might take two years but it will happen again and if it’s an older and/or smaller dog, it could well be fatal. Dogs are animals, they are not perfect and neither are human beings. However, it is your job as a dog owner to protect the young, aged, infirm and vulnerable members of your family or pack. Some dogs lose all aggression towards animals simply by making them the only dog in the household. Off property they can interact well with other dogs without incident. Aggression towards people is not something to fool around with. If your dog is aggressive towards you, euthanize immediately. If aggressive towards other members of your family, children or friends, euthanize it. In all other cases, isolate that dog from coming in contact with the animals or people that it is aggressive towards at all times. There is nothing more distressing than dealing with unprovoked aggression from an animal you love. Some dogs just can’t deal with living in a pack and some are just plain aggressive or aggressively protective or fearfully aggressive and some will resort to aggression whenever you as pack leader are not present. These dogs should be locked in a crate or kennel whenever you are not present.

  • Dogue Shop
    Dogue Shop
    Aug 14 2020 11:20 AM
    [Editor's comment] - Here is the bottom line (in my opinion) after thirty years of experience rescuing and breeding German Shepherds and leading large and small packs [Dogs are not pack animals] of dogs including mixed breed pit bulls, terriers, etc. Unless an attack provokes a defensive aggressive behavior, there is no single incidence of dog bites or attacks on animals or people. If a dog bites or nips someone, they will do it again and again [Not necessarily], given time and opportunity. If a dog attacks another dog within the pack, it will happen again [Not if the conflict that triggered it was resolved]. It might take two years but it will happen again and if it’s an older and/or smaller dog, it could well be fatal. Dogs are animals, they are not perfect and neither are human beings. However, it is your job as a dog owner to protect the young, aged, infirm and vulnerable members of your family or pack [Again, dogs are not pack animals]. Some dogs lose all aggression towards animals simply by making them the only dog in the household. Off property they can interact well with other dogs without incident. Aggression towards people is not something to fool around with. If your dog is aggressive towards you, euthanize immediately [Killing a dog is rarely necessary]. If aggressive towards other members of your family, children or friends, euthanize it. In all other cases, isolate that dog from coming in contact with the animals or people that it is aggressive towards at all times. There is nothing more distressing than dealing with unprovoked aggression from an animal you love. Some dogs just can’t deal with living in a pack and some are just plain aggressive or aggressively protective or fearfully aggressive [Fear aggression is not possible. I've discussed this at length on this blog] and some will resort to aggression whenever you as pack leader are not present [Dogs are not pack animals and people are not their leaders. This belief can lead to more aggression]. These dogs should be locked in a crate or kennel whenever you are not present.

    [Editor's comment] - Here is the bottom line (in my opinion) after thirty years of experience rescuing and breeding German Shepherds and leading large and small packs [Dogs are not pack animals] of dogs including mixed breed pit bulls, terriers, etc. Unless an attack provokes a defensive aggressive behavior, there is no single incidence of dog bites or attacks on animals or people. If a dog bites or nips someone, they will do it again and again [Not necessarily], given time and opportunity. If a dog attacks another dog within the pack, it will happen again [Not if the conflict that triggered it was resolved]. It might take two years but it will happen again and if it’s an older and/or smaller dog, it could well be fatal. Dogs are animals, they are not perfect and neither are human beings. However, it is your job as a dog owner to protect the young, aged, infirm and vulnerable members of your family or pack [Again, dogs are not pack animals]. Some dogs lose all aggression towards animals simply by making them the only dog in the household. Off property they can interact well with other dogs without incident. Aggression towards people is not something to fool around with. If your dog is aggressive towards you, euthanize immediately [Killing a dog is rarely necessary]. If aggressive towards other members of your family, children or friends, euthanize it. In all other cases, isolate that dog from coming in contact with the animals or people that it is aggressive towards at all times. There is nothing more distressing than dealing with unprovoked aggression from an animal you love. Some dogs just can’t deal with living in a pack and some are just plain aggressive or aggressively protective or fearfully aggressive [Fear aggression is not possible. I've discussed this at length on this blog] and some will resort to aggression whenever you as pack leader are not present [Dogs are not pack animals and people are not their leaders. This belief can lead to more aggression]. These dogs should be locked in a crate or kennel whenever you are not present.

  • Petra Wiederhorn
    Petra Wiederhorn Canada
    Aug 15 2020 7:02 AM
    If dogs are not pack animals, what do you call them when they live in large numbers? If dogs are descended from wolves, why is it called a wolf pack and not a dog pack? If a person provides all food, shelter training and discipline for a group of dogs he or she owns, why not call them a pack leader versus an owner? Is Cesar Milan not an expert in dog aggression and behavior modification? Do some dogs not attack out of fear aggression because they lack social skills or have been attacked themselves at a young age? Trying to respectfully understand your adversity to these ideas.

    If dogs are not pack animals, what do you call them when they live in large numbers? If dogs are descended from wolves, why is it called a wolf pack and not a dog pack? If a person provides all food, shelter training and discipline for a group of dogs he or she owns, why not call them a pack leader versus an owner? Is Cesar Milan not an expert in dog aggression and behavior modification? Do some dogs not attack out of fear aggression because they lack social skills or have been attacked themselves at a young age? Trying to respectfully understand your adversity to these ideas.

  • Carrie
    Carrie Maine
    Aug 16 2020 11:19 AM
    My husband and i had a 5 year old female bezenji. We rescued 2 catahoula sisters at 6 months. They got along great. Slept together, played together etc. No apparent issues. 2.5 years later one of the sisters attacked the bezenji. The other sister joined in and they were literally tearing her apart. My husband and i witnessed the entire event. There was no warning. It was out of nowhere. We couldn't get them away from her. Seems like the attack went on forever but in reality it was probably a few minutes. My husband and i both were bit trying to intervene. We finallt seperated them. My poor bezenji was very torn up around her neck and head. The animal hospital could not save her. We had her euthanized that afternoon. The next day we put both sisters down. We NEVER saw it coming. It was horrible. Nightmare. No signs of aggression. We are devestated to say the least. I can only shudder to think if they had attacked a child! This occurred nearly 2 years ago. We have sinced rescued an older king shepherd male, and more recently, a female siberian husky pup. So far so good. But we are on alert for any signs of aggression. Once this tragedy occurred we don't trust dogs like we had in the past. I still am in shock.

    My husband and i had a 5 year old female bezenji. We rescued 2 catahoula sisters at 6 months. They got along great. Slept together, played together etc. No apparent issues. 2.5 years later one of the sisters attacked the bezenji. The other sister joined in and they were literally tearing her apart. My husband and i witnessed the entire event. There was no warning. It was out of nowhere. We couldn't get them away from her. Seems like the attack went on forever but in reality it was probably a few minutes. My husband and i both were bit trying to intervene. We finallt seperated them. My poor bezenji was very torn up around her neck and head. The animal hospital could not save her. We had her euthanized that afternoon. The next day we put both sisters down. We NEVER saw it coming. It was horrible. Nightmare. No signs of aggression. We are devestated to say the least. I can only shudder to think if they had attacked a child! This occurred nearly 2 years ago. We have sinced rescued an older king shepherd male, and more recently, a female siberian husky pup. So far so good. But we are on alert for any signs of aggression. Once this tragedy occurred we don't trust dogs like we had in the past. I still am in shock.

  • Dogue Shop
    Dogue Shop
    Aug 17 2020 8:55 PM
    @Petra Wiederhorn When dogs are in large groups, they are called a group of dogs. Normally large groups come together to find mates. If they hunt, it's a disorganized event and the winner normally takes all because their pray is too small. We do not call people leaders because we are not dogs. We do not speak their language, thus, people and dogs interpret communication. That said, we can learn their language, so some extent, but I have yet seen the day when a "dominant" human has raised their hackles, pushed their ears forward and have raised their tail and tip tail wagged. Cesar Milan is not an expert, especially not in dog aggression. He doesn't even know how many aggression categories exist. When he went to Germany for his tour, he had to be certified by the government as it is their law. He failed all counts: behaviour, training, and management. No, dogs do not attack out of fear. Fear and aggression are 2 very different emotions, thus 2 very different chemicals released by the brain. My ideas are not adverse, they are simply based on science. The idea of pack leader was termed and presented to people by the Monks of New Skete in the early 90s. They have since then (which is a long time ago by now) retracted and explained that their training methods were wrong, based on scientific evidence. I've worked with wolves for nearly two decades now and can guarantee you that humans will never be pack leaders.

    @Petra Wiederhorn
    When dogs are in large groups, they are called a group of dogs. Normally large groups come together to find mates. If they hunt, it's a disorganized event and the winner normally takes all because their pray is too small. We do not call people leaders because we are not dogs. We do not speak their language, thus, people and dogs interpret communication. That said, we can learn their language, so some extent, but I have yet seen the day when a "dominant" human has raised their hackles, pushed their ears forward and have raised their tail and tip tail wagged. Cesar Milan is not an expert, especially not in dog aggression. He doesn't even know how many aggression categories exist. When he went to Germany for his tour, he had to be certified by the government as it is their law. He failed all counts: behaviour, training, and management. No, dogs do not attack out of fear. Fear and aggression are 2 very different emotions, thus 2 very different chemicals released by the brain. My ideas are not adverse, they are simply based on science. The idea of pack leader was termed and presented to people by the Monks of New Skete in the early 90s. They have since then (which is a long time ago by now) retracted and explained that their training methods were wrong, based on scientific evidence. I've worked with wolves for nearly two decades now and can guarantee you that humans will never be pack leaders.

  • Jag
    Jag NY
    Aug 18 2020 1:04 AM
    Back in February, my 2 year old staffy went after my 12 year old corgi mix. They are both females. (I have a 2 year old male dog too) My corgi did not like the other dogs and repeatedly try to go after my staffy, who just wanted to play. We knew that if my staffy ever fought back it would be bad. So we separated them. My corgi would try to instigate her through the dog gate. Well one day in the process of letting the dogs out (I didn’t put them out together), it happened in an instant. My son was there and tried to stop it but got all bitten up too. I had to take my my girl to the emergency clinic and I had to put her down. Then I had to go home where there’s another dog that loves me too. I feel like I’ll never get over this. :(

    Back in February, my 2 year old staffy went after my 12 year old corgi mix. They are both females. (I have a 2 year old male dog too) My corgi did not like the other dogs and repeatedly try to go after my staffy, who just wanted to play. We knew that if my staffy ever fought back it would be bad. So we separated them. My corgi would try to instigate her through the dog gate. Well one day in the process of letting the dogs out (I didn’t put them out together), it happened in an instant. My son was there and tried to stop it but got all bitten up too. I had to take my my girl to the emergency clinic and I had to put her down. Then I had to go home where there’s another dog that loves me too. I feel like I’ll never get over this. frown

  • Marilyn
    Marilyn New Jersey
    Aug 18 2020 5:09 PM
    ITS been almost a week since my Loki is gone Im moving but still so heartbroken.I miss this little guy he had so much personality. My akita OB1 killed him with his bite. All the other dogs have been doing well and the all seem to be getting along as if nothing happened except for the akita hes been sleeping alot and looks as if he is looking for Loki. Could it be possible that OB1 thru his aggression not realizing he harm him and now missing him. The akita OB1 is younger then my Loki was. And since this happened he has also been like glue to me.

    ITS been almost a week since my Loki is gone Im moving but still so heartbroken.I miss this little guy he had so much personality. My akita OB1 killed him with his bite. All the other dogs have been doing well and the all seem to be getting along as if nothing happened except for the akita hes been sleeping alot and looks as if he is looking for Loki. Could it be possible that OB1 thru his aggression not realizing he harm him and now missing him. The akita OB1 is younger then my Loki was. And since this happened he has also been like glue to me.

  • Gillian
    Gillian England
    Aug 28 2020 5:35 PM
    Our much loved family labradors have killed another Labrador at our home - I have a mother and daughter (Not spayed) Labradors who share a home with a male Related neutered Labrador. In March the family homed an other female lab (not spayed) because our elderly neighbour sadly passed away. All animals got on very well. A slight growl over food but no other aggression ever witnessed. This attack happened whilst we were on holiday and was witnessed by other family members who were looking after them. The heartache and upset is unbearable for all. How can we forgive the bitches that have done this and why would they do this? How should we now treat them? Punish them? Can we trust them with other animals? We have since spayed the older bitch and will do with the younger one as I’m assuming we shouldn’t breed from her? They are well bred, well trained and have tons space and plenty of exercise. I can’t get my head around this and I’m terribly terribly upset.

    Our much loved family labradors have killed another Labrador at our home -
    I have a mother and daughter (Not spayed) Labradors who share a home with a male Related neutered Labrador. In March the family homed an other female lab (not spayed) because our elderly neighbour sadly passed away.
    All animals got on very well. A slight growl over food but no other aggression ever witnessed. This attack happened whilst we were on holiday and was witnessed by other family members who were looking after them. The heartache and upset is unbearable for all. How can we forgive the bitches that have done this and why would they do this? How should we now treat them? Punish them? Can we trust them with other animals? We have since spayed the older bitch and will do with the younger one as I’m assuming we shouldn’t breed from her?
    They are well bred, well trained and have tons space and plenty of exercise. I can’t get my head around this and I’m terribly terribly upset.

  • Catherine
    Catherine Woodstock
    Aug 31 2020 9:53 PM
    I answered an ad 2 years ago. It was regime for a dog cane corso/pit bull female, 3 years old. No real history to give and was told she took her in to prevent her being put down but she decided for whatever reason she couldn't keep her. Making ,me her 3rd owner. I let her get pregnant by accident and the dad was 100%pit bull. She was FANTASTIC with her litter of 8 puppies. Couldnt have asked for better mother. Beautiful, not kidding, gorgeous pups. I decided to keep one, a male. They got along so well, played morn to night. Golden family until suddenly at 14 weeks old out of no where she attacked him to kill. I'm losing my mind trying to understand it. Got pup to emerg vet, fixed up took him home well if she didn't immediately do it again, we were luckily sort of ready for it so acted quickly but just the same....I'm gutted, I had to surrender her. I wanted to urbanize but the vet wouldn't but she took a cat's eye out before in a snap and this is her 3rd attack that I am witness to. However I now suspect is the reason she was almost put down before. I was yelled at and almost name called by the facility that was supposed to Handel the surrender. Long story bad very bad hillside kennel in innerkipp fyi. I was so angry that my vey sent me there. I miss her so much. I hate this but I have 2 grandsons and live in a community of 100 homes closely joined all families with kids and various pets. I had no choice. What went wrong. How could this happen to her/The pup/ to us. I need to understand what went so very wrong. Sickened by it all and desperately need to know if I made the right call here

    I answered an ad 2 years ago. It was regime for a dog cane corso/pit bull female, 3 years old. No real history to give and was told she took her in to prevent her being put down but she decided for whatever reason she couldn't keep her. Making ,me her 3rd owner. I let her get pregnant by accident and the dad was 100%pit bull. She was FANTASTIC with her litter of 8 puppies. Couldnt have asked for better mother. Beautiful, not kidding, gorgeous pups. I decided to keep one, a male. They got along so well, played morn to night. Golden family until suddenly at 14 weeks old out of no where she attacked him to kill. I'm losing my mind trying to understand it. Got pup to emerg vet, fixed up took him home well if she didn't immediately do it again, we were luckily sort of ready for it so acted quickly but just the same....I'm gutted, I had to surrender her. I wanted to urbanize but the vet wouldn't but she took a cat's eye out before in a snap and this is her 3rd attack that I am witness to. However I now suspect is the reason she was almost put down before. I was yelled at and almost name called by the facility that was supposed to Handel the surrender. Long story bad very bad hillside kennel in innerkipp fyi. I was so angry that my vey sent me there. I miss her so much. I hate this but I have 2 grandsons and live in a community of 100 homes closely joined all families with kids and various pets. I had no choice. What went wrong. How could this happen to her/The pup/ to us. I need to understand what went so very wrong. Sickened by it all and desperately need to know if I made the right call here

  • Isabel
    Isabel N. California
    Sep 3 2020 11:06 PM
    There is no way how to start this but just wanted to share. I had two dogs in my household. Chloe the chihuahua who was 9 years old and Mia a lab/pit bull mix who we rescued from a shelter around 5 years ago. Chloe was always grumpy and would want to show dominance towards Mia. Chloe was attacked twice with Mia and luckily those times I was there to save her and she would get taken to the vets and get stiched up. Last week Thursday, Chloe growled and Mia and this time she attacked her bad that she mailed my baby to death. My whole family feels to blame as we have Mia so many chances and always thought she changed. I know Chloe was no angel but she did not deserve to die this violet death. She died and took her last breath in my arms. Our hearts our so broken, our house is so quiet without her. We still have Mia but we leave her outside now as we cannot bear to see her and it reminds me of that tragic night. I miss my fiesty Chloe, the way she would protect us, how she loved playing fetch, loved her daily snacks, miss taking her to the park, miss our rides in the car. I miss her sooooo much. I’m so heartbroken writing this but I know my Chloe is in a better place and she will always be in our hearts. She is waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge. Miss you Coco 💔😢🐶🌈

    There is no way how to start this but just wanted to share. I had two dogs in my household. Chloe the chihuahua who was 9 years old and Mia a lab/pit bull mix who we rescued from a shelter around 5 years ago. Chloe was always grumpy and would want to show dominance towards Mia. Chloe was attacked twice with Mia and luckily those times I was there to save her and she would get taken to the vets and get stiched up. Last week Thursday, Chloe growled and Mia and this time she attacked her bad that she mailed my baby to death. My whole family feels to blame as we have Mia so many chances and always thought she changed. I know Chloe was no angel but she did not deserve to die this violet death. She died and took her last breath in my arms. Our hearts our so broken, our house is so quiet without her. We still have Mia but we leave her outside now as we cannot bear to see her and it reminds me of that tragic night. I miss my fiesty Chloe, the way she would protect us, how she loved playing fetch, loved her daily snacks, miss taking her to the park, miss our rides in the car. I miss her sooooo much. I’m so heartbroken writing this but I know my Chloe is in a better place and she will always be in our hearts. She is waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge. Miss you Coco 💔😢🐶🌈

  • Aaron
    Aaron MIssissippi
    Sep 6 2020 10:13 AM
    I’ve been having trouble with my two dogs fighting. For 3 years I never had a problem. Then I finally got my medium younger dog (Luna) fixed. The day she got fixed my larger older dog (Cassie) attacked her. Since then (6 months ago) I have stopped 6 different dog attacks. The most recent one was yesterday. In the midst of separating them I was bit a few times on my hand. Nothing serious but a reality that the dogs could not remain together any more. My sister took Luna to live with her for the dogs protection. The attacks are hard to pin point what provokes them but it was just best to separate the situation before one of the kids was accidentally hurt. Also for anyone with attacking dogs, I stopped the attack by pulling out the hind legs of the aggressor (Cassie) which forces her to let go because she could no longer stand. I only got bit when Luna came back to continue fighting and I put my hand out to separate them further. But pulling or kicking out the hind legs can also result in a bite just a warning. But it does work good for stopping it.

    I’ve been having trouble with my two dogs fighting. For 3 years I never had a problem. Then I finally got my medium younger dog (Luna) fixed. The day she got fixed my larger older dog (Cassie) attacked her. Since then (6 months ago) I have stopped 6 different dog attacks. The most recent one was yesterday. In the midst of separating them I was bit a few times on my hand. Nothing serious but a reality that the dogs could not remain together any more. My sister took Luna to live with her for the dogs protection. The attacks are hard to pin point what provokes them but it was just best to separate the situation before one of the kids was accidentally hurt. Also for anyone with attacking dogs, I stopped the attack by pulling out the hind legs of the aggressor (Cassie) which forces her to let go because she could no longer stand. I only got bit when Luna came back to continue fighting and I put my hand out to separate them further. But pulling or kicking out the hind legs can also result in a bite just a warning. But it does work good for stopping it.

  • Mikayla
    Mikayla Atlanta
    Sep 24 2020 7:22 PM
    I recently adopted a puppy, marcie and I was so in love with her. Not long after I got her I let a family member watch her while I ran some errands. Another dog bit her while I was out. She is alive but she is blind And has neurological problems that require special care. I can’t afford her medical attention and surrendered her to a medical foster. I feel so sad and guilty. She is just a baby and my first puppy and I just wish I could go back and just bring her with me to run errands. I can’t seem to move past it. I want another dog eventually but I just don’t know if I can get over the guilt of what happened to marcie.

    I recently adopted a puppy, marcie and I was so in love with her. Not long after I got her I let a family member watch her while I ran some errands. Another dog bit her while I was out. She is alive but she is blind And has neurological problems that require special care. I can’t afford her medical attention and surrendered her to a medical foster. I feel so sad and guilty. She is just a baby and my first puppy and I just wish I could go back and just bring her with me to run errands. I can’t seem to move past it. I want another dog eventually but I just don’t know if I can get over the guilt of what happened to marcie.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Wales
    Sep 25 2020 10:50 AM
    Can anyone give me any help iv never heard or seen this before. We recently got a new dog and our older dog we’ve had her since a pup herself she’s 5 and half now they both got along fine not the best of buddies I thought it was to do with the age gap our older dog lays about most the day and our new dog just does her own thing so that was fine. BUT our new dog she’s had some puppies there 4 weeks old now the mum and pups have always been separated from our old dog The mum gets time out from the pups and when she’s out the door we’re the pups are in side stays open until she’s ready to go back to her puppies 2 weeks ago we heard crying our older dog carried 1 of the pups outside so we were shocked at first but just put to down to her wanting her own pups. But as of today our older dog as sadly killed 2 puppies by going inside when mum is out taken a pup 1 week crushing it in her mouth and next week going back in and crushing another poor puppies in her mouth we are so shocked and hurt she’s done this she’s always been a really loving dog and a brilliant mother when she had her own puppies we really don’t understand we’re this is coming from ??

    Can anyone give me any help iv never heard or seen this before. We recently got a new dog and our older dog we’ve had her since a pup herself she’s 5 and half now they both got along fine not the best of buddies I thought it was to do with the age gap our older dog lays about most the day and our new dog just does her own thing so that was fine. BUT our new dog she’s had some puppies there 4 weeks old now the mum and pups have always been separated from our old dog The mum gets time out from the pups and when she’s out the door we’re the pups are in side stays open until she’s ready to go back to her puppies 2 weeks ago we heard crying our older dog carried 1 of the pups outside so we were shocked at first but just put to down to her wanting her own pups. But as of today our older dog as sadly killed 2 puppies by going inside when mum is out taken a pup 1 week crushing it in her mouth and next week going back in and crushing another poor puppies in her mouth we are so shocked and hurt she’s done this she’s always been a really loving dog and a brilliant mother when she had her own puppies we really don’t understand we’re this is coming from ??

  • Carole
    Carole Tennessee
    Oct 4 2020 5:45 PM
    Ok I recently obtained a 1 year old german shepherd, Have 2 other dogs, a small 12 year jack russel and a mixed breed beagle about 2. and cats, ( we live on a farm). They all got along, life was good, she never bothered with the cats or kittens. Played with the other dogs. Not too much with Jack, she was old and just layed around. Out of the blue she started after the cats and killed one yesterday, ( she was caught ) today she attacked and killed the Jack Russell and it was gruesome, layed her open, she didn't have a chance. She wasn't caught in the act but she had the evidence all over her. I don't know what to do, I have small grandchildren, I don't know what provoked her, and don't trust her.

    Ok I recently obtained a 1 year old german shepherd, Have 2 other dogs, a small 12 year jack russel and a mixed breed beagle about 2. and cats, ( we live on a farm). They all got along, life was good, she never bothered with the cats or kittens. Played with the other dogs. Not too much with Jack, she was old and just layed around. Out of the blue she started after the cats and killed one yesterday, ( she was caught ) today she attacked and killed the Jack Russell and it was gruesome, layed her open, she didn't have a chance. She wasn't caught in the act but she had the evidence all over her. I don't know what to do, I have small grandchildren, I don't know what provoked her, and don't trust her.

  • Devastated
    Devastated Texas
    Oct 8 2020 2:55 PM
    It's heartbreaking to think so many people can relate to this situation, but more-so makes me feel guilty for claiming to ever 'know' dogs. I'm 31 and I've always had a dog in my life/home/family - most of the time it was two or more. I loved them so much that I believed I would be a veterinarian one day and help them... until I got to college and didn't make the cut. So I decided my contribution would be adoption and I adopted my first very own dog. She was an Australian Shepherd mix from the local humane society. She was only weeks old - we had to wait a week after adopting her so she met the age requirement for spaying. She was an only child for almost a year, lots of love and attention. When along came a female Whippet/Min. Lab mix from the side of a major highway. She was also very young, just months, you could still see the puppy all over her. I made sure she was spayed and chipped, just like my Aussie. I had both of these sweet girls for almost 6 years with no issues. The Whippet suffered from little dog syndrome and was sassy but the Aussie treated it just as that. Never a fight or bite between them, just some rough housing from time to time. It seemed to be how the Aussie got past the grumpiness of the Whippet. Then we took in a young male Pit Bull mix, probably 2-3 years old at the time. My neighbor was terrible at keeping him in the yard and always got home late. So on the days I came home from work and found him roaming the neighborhood, I invited him in to wait for his owner. This Pit mix was the sweetest and calmest dog I had ever met, and my girls typically were praised for those two things. The three of them got along well and maintained this as the visits became more frequent. Eventually I had enough and asked my neighbor if he truly wanted the Pit back, and I wound up with my third dog. I forgot to mention that in both the 2nd and 3rd dogs I tried desperately to find them good homes before deciding to keep them - three dogs is a lot to manage, if you don't think so then you're probably not managing them as closely as you should be. I learned this the hard way... The three dogs continued to get along well. They all lived in the same house, unseparated, and unsupervised for about 8 hours a day during the week while we went to work. They ate, played, and slept together for years. Never a single fight. About 2.5 years ago we took in my parents 3 Labradors for a week while they went on vacation. They were all male, varying in ages from 4 - 13. All 6 dogs had been in the same home before, visiting around the holidays, although it was a bigger/more spacious home. We had no issues then, and sadly assumed this time would be the same. The first day that we had all 6 dogs went well - we even went to dinner and came home with all wagging tails and no sign of an issue. Day two was a very different scene. We went on a 2hr grocery run and came home to what looked like a dateline murder scene. My Pit mix had brutally attacked and almost succeeded in killing one of the Labs - the middle aged one. There were pools of blood everywhere, the walls were covered, and it even looked like our Aussie tried to step in and stop the assault. The lab survived after a gruesome recovery period and we kept our Pit mix, chalking it up to a male/territorial issue. Like I mentioned, this Pit mix had a perfect demeanor up until this point - I mean flawless. This however was a reality check for me and I decided the Pit needed to be separated from my girls when I wasn't home. I maintained this practice for almost a year when my family, friends, and boyfriend all said it was time to let it go - "he would never hurt the girls." Well, I'm here, because nearly three years after the first incident, we were proved to be wrong. Monday October 5th at 3:35 I got a call from my husband who had just arrived home to find our lifeless Whippet in the front room and another dateline-like murder scene around the house. It was evident that this poor 35lb dog had been beaten and bitten to death despite her attempts to escape. The Pit mix was curled up in a corner several feet away with the same look of remorse as if he had gotten into some trash, not taken a life. Yes, I know, it's because he's a dog - not a human. I guess when we treat our dogs so similar to humans we forget what they really are. Again, my Aussie appears to have tried to step in and stop the slaughter as she received several bites to her face and a large gash in her ear. The Pit mix was unscathed with exception to a small scratch on his nose - and of course covered in blood around the mouth and neck. In both attack cases, his victims were the most likely to have snapped/growled/bitten first. The lab was a huge pansy, but had been known to get vocal over a bone or food. The whippet had small dog syndrome and was notorious for trying to play referee or act dominant, also mostly vocal. Although we have no evidence, we fully believe that in both cases the Pit mix was retaliating to some display of bad attitude/temper in a situation that had both dogs worked up. However, we also believe the Pit mix has full intent and ability to kill once he becomes engaged. About a month prior to the second event the Pit mix caught and killed a stray cat that wandered through our yard. I always assumed he had done this in his past simply because of his history of being out/roaming the neighborhood with his previous owner. My husband thinks that this recent cat event peaked his 'wild' side and he was more prone to kill/attack violently. But again, we clearly don't know as much as we thought we did. With this now unpredictable violent history, our remaining Aussie, a 19-mo. old child and new baby due in November - we decided the most humane thing to do for the Pit mix was to euthanize him. I refused to put him in a shelter that he will not adopt out of just to be euthanized after a couple months of being scared and confused. I held him and loved on him as he was put to sleep in my arms, as if he hadn't just murdered one of my other babies. I've made peace with that decision, but not with the pain associated yet. Please know if you're considering it, it almost hurts more than the loss of the pet that was attacked. This is 100% on the owner - you are voluntarily taking this (physically) perfectly healthy animal's life. Don't make that decision in haste or anger. You have to live with it. They say hindsight is always 20-20, so the regrets and self-blaming in this situation are endless... Regardless of background, age, breed, or size - please protect your pets. As their owner, I put my Whippet in the way of danger and am ultimately responsible for her unnecessary and extremely tragic death. Albeit unknowingly, that doesn't excuse me. As pet owners we should be as educated as possible to protect our animals, especially from one another. I hate that this is what it took to open my eyes. I went from trying to be a savior to a killer, as both lost lives were in my hands. - Devastated

    It's heartbreaking to think so many people can relate to this situation, but more-so makes me feel guilty for claiming to ever 'know' dogs.

    I'm 31 and I've always had a dog in my life/home/family - most of the time it was two or more. I loved them so much that I believed I would be a veterinarian one day and help them... until I got to college and didn't make the cut. So I decided my contribution would be adoption and I adopted my first very own dog. She was an Australian Shepherd mix from the local humane society. She was only weeks old - we had to wait a week after adopting her so she met the age requirement for spaying. She was an only child for almost a year, lots of love and attention. When along came a female Whippet/Min. Lab mix from the side of a major highway. She was also very young, just months, you could still see the puppy all over her. I made sure she was spayed and chipped, just like my Aussie. I had both of these sweet girls for almost 6 years with no issues. The Whippet suffered from little dog syndrome and was sassy but the Aussie treated it just as that. Never a fight or bite between them, just some rough housing from time to time. It seemed to be how the Aussie got past the grumpiness of the Whippet. Then we took in a young male Pit Bull mix, probably 2-3 years old at the time. My neighbor was terrible at keeping him in the yard and always got home late. So on the days I came home from work and found him roaming the neighborhood, I invited him in to wait for his owner. This Pit mix was the sweetest and calmest dog I had ever met, and my girls typically were praised for those two things. The three of them got along well and maintained this as the visits became more frequent. Eventually I had enough and asked my neighbor if he truly wanted the Pit back, and I wound up with my third dog. I forgot to mention that in both the 2nd and 3rd dogs I tried desperately to find them good homes before deciding to keep them - three dogs is a lot to manage, if you don't think so then you're probably not managing them as closely as you should be. I learned this the hard way...

    The three dogs continued to get along well. They all lived in the same house, unseparated, and unsupervised for about 8 hours a day during the week while we went to work. They ate, played, and slept together for years. Never a single fight. About 2.5 years ago we took in my parents 3 Labradors for a week while they went on vacation. They were all male, varying in ages from 4 - 13. All 6 dogs had been in the same home before, visiting around the holidays, although it was a bigger/more spacious home. We had no issues then, and sadly assumed this time would be the same. The first day that we had all 6 dogs went well - we even went to dinner and came home with all wagging tails and no sign of an issue. Day two was a very different scene. We went on a 2hr grocery run and came home to what looked like a dateline murder scene. My Pit mix had brutally attacked and almost succeeded in killing one of the Labs - the middle aged one. There were pools of blood everywhere, the walls were covered, and it even looked like our Aussie tried to step in and stop the assault. The lab survived after a gruesome recovery period and we kept our Pit mix, chalking it up to a male/territorial issue. Like I mentioned, this Pit mix had a perfect demeanor up until this point - I mean flawless. This however was a reality check for me and I decided the Pit needed to be separated from my girls when I wasn't home. I maintained this practice for almost a year when my family, friends, and boyfriend all said it was time to let it go - "he would never hurt the girls." Well, I'm here, because nearly three years after the first incident, we were proved to be wrong.

    Monday October 5th at 3:35 I got a call from my husband who had just arrived home to find our lifeless Whippet in the front room and another dateline-like murder scene around the house. It was evident that this poor 35lb dog had been beaten and bitten to death despite her attempts to escape. The Pit mix was curled up in a corner several feet away with the same look of remorse as if he had gotten into some trash, not taken a life. Yes, I know, it's because he's a dog - not a human. I guess when we treat our dogs so similar to humans we forget what they really are. Again, my Aussie appears to have tried to step in and stop the slaughter as she received several bites to her face and a large gash in her ear. The Pit mix was unscathed with exception to a small scratch on his nose - and of course covered in blood around the mouth and neck.

    In both attack cases, his victims were the most likely to have snapped/growled/bitten first. The lab was a huge pansy, but had been known to get vocal over a bone or food. The whippet had small dog syndrome and was notorious for trying to play referee or act dominant, also mostly vocal. Although we have no evidence, we fully believe that in both cases the Pit mix was retaliating to some display of bad attitude/temper in a situation that had both dogs worked up. However, we also believe the Pit mix has full intent and ability to kill once he becomes engaged. About a month prior to the second event the Pit mix caught and killed a stray cat that wandered through our yard. I always assumed he had done this in his past simply because of his history of being out/roaming the neighborhood with his previous owner. My husband thinks that this recent cat event peaked his 'wild' side and he was more prone to kill/attack violently. But again, we clearly don't know as much as we thought we did.

    With this now unpredictable violent history, our remaining Aussie, a 19-mo. old child and new baby due in November - we decided the most humane thing to do for the Pit mix was to euthanize him. I refused to put him in a shelter that he will not adopt out of just to be euthanized after a couple months of being scared and confused. I held him and loved on him as he was put to sleep in my arms, as if he hadn't just murdered one of my other babies. I've made peace with that decision, but not with the pain associated yet. Please know if you're considering it, it almost hurts more than the loss of the pet that was attacked. This is 100% on the owner - you are voluntarily taking this (physically) perfectly healthy animal's life. Don't make that decision in haste or anger. You have to live with it.

    They say hindsight is always 20-20, so the regrets and self-blaming in this situation are endless... Regardless of background, age, breed, or size - please protect your pets. As their owner, I put my Whippet in the way of danger and am ultimately responsible for her unnecessary and extremely tragic death. Albeit unknowingly, that doesn't excuse me. As pet owners we should be as educated as possible to protect our animals, especially from one another. I hate that this is what it took to open my eyes. I went from trying to be a savior to a killer, as both lost lives were in my hands. - Devastated

  • Mia Gad
    Mia Gad Northern Arizona
    Oct 12 2020 10:04 PM
    Hello. I just lost my tinkerbell. Literally like this evening. She was a chihuahua. I've had her since I was 16 years old. I am now 27, Married and have my own human children. ⚘ she truly was my best friend. When I was sad and crying she always came up to me and would lick my tears away. She was an amazing fur baby to me. She died in my arms. I'm so hurt. I feel as if my heart is broken. It hurts I won't see her again when I look out the window, I won't hear her little paws running on my hardwood floors. I won't ever hear her barking her telling me she wants in. I'm going to miss you baby girl. My sweetheart. Our pitbull we've had since a puppy , he is now about 4 years old. It was all over a bone, when they each had their own. 😭 I wasn't watching as I was tending to my 7 month old while we were outside. It happened so fast!!! I just heard sammy growl I got up and told him to go! There i seen my baby. she was laying on her back. At first I thought she just submitted to him but I seen her stiff. I started yelling at sammy , my pit. Balling. Freaking out. I held my sweet girl in my arms as she slowly drifted away.. I've never felt such hurt in my body, my soul. I held my scarf I had on me around the knot on her head. He had put his canine into her scalp, which automatically would kill her and I knew already there was no saving her. So I prayed , I talked to her and sang to her, I told her to go on. To go on her journey to rest. That I love her and hope to see her again. for her to watch over us all. My little boy Emilio was so hurt also, just balling. him asking me why it happened, with no words or explanation could I tell him. Now I'm so lost, my girl. I miss you so much already. We are going to bury you even though its night. I don't even know the plans right now as to regarding my other dog I cant even bare to think right now. I pray we all just find peace. I love you mama. My fur baby. You'll always be with me ⚘⚘⚘💔💔💔🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾👑👑👑 Tinkerbell "precious" Ludlow 2020 Oct 12th ⚘🐕

    Hello. I just lost my tinkerbell. Literally like this evening. She was a chihuahua. I've had her since I was 16 years old. I am now 27, Married and have my own human children. ⚘ she truly was my best friend. When I was sad and crying she always came up to me and would lick my tears away. She was an amazing fur baby to me. She died in my arms. I'm so hurt. I feel as if my heart is broken. It hurts I won't see her again when I look out the window, I won't hear her little paws running on my hardwood floors. I won't ever hear her barking her telling me she wants in. I'm going to miss you baby girl. My sweetheart. Our pitbull we've had since a puppy , he is now about 4 years old. It was all over a bone, when they each had their own. 😭 I wasn't watching as I was tending to my 7 month old while we were outside. It happened so fast!!! I just heard sammy growl I got up and told him to go! There i seen my baby. she was laying on her back. At first I thought she just submitted to him but I seen her stiff. I started yelling at sammy , my pit. Balling. Freaking out. I held my sweet girl in my arms as she slowly drifted away.. I've never felt such hurt in my body, my soul. I held my scarf I had on me around the knot on her head. He had put his canine into her scalp, which automatically would kill her and I knew already there was no saving her. So I prayed , I talked to her and sang to her, I told her to go on. To go on her journey to rest. That I love her and hope to see her again. for her to watch over us all. My little boy Emilio was so hurt also, just balling. him asking me why it happened, with no words or explanation could I tell him. Now I'm so lost, my girl. I miss you so much already. We are going to bury you even though its night. I don't even know the plans right now as to regarding my other dog I cant even bare to think right now. I pray we all just find peace. I love you mama. My fur baby. You'll always be with me ⚘⚘⚘💔💔💔🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾👑👑👑
    Tinkerbell "precious" Ludlow
    2020 Oct 12th ⚘🐕

  • Lacy
    Lacy So Calif
    Oct 20 2020 1:16 AM
    My 2 year old pit attacked and mauled my poor small mix dog. He was aging and they got along well. Playtime, snacks, baths, everything was equal between all 3. I have large backyard and they lived outside mostly. No aggression during meals and playtime. The pit mauled and killed our small dog in less than a minute. I got rid of the pit and had my small dog cremated. We all discussed their behavior but there were no signs. We are very heartbroken 😔

    My 2 year old pit attacked and mauled my poor small mix dog. He was aging and they got along well. Playtime, snacks, baths, everything was equal between all 3. I have large backyard and they lived outside mostly. No aggression during meals and playtime. The pit mauled and killed our small dog in less than a minute. I got rid of the pit and had my small dog cremated. We all discussed their behavior but there were no signs. We are very heartbroken 😔

  • Lynnda
    Lynnda Alberta
    Oct 23 2020 6:28 PM
    We have a 6 month old German Shepard we just introduced to the family. We live on a farm and have an 11 yr old Black lab which is arthritic and lives mostly on the kitchen floor. We had 5 adult cats and two litters of kittens, and 4 goats. 3 weeks ago we came home to the new German Shepard chewing the neck of one of the dead goats. The goat was notorious for escaping. We then out the dog on a leash and introduced her to the other remaining goats and she did not seem aggressive towards them. So we assumed it was an accident if the goat had been aggressive ( it was a head butter). Then we had a kitten turn up dead with no blood. We thought it had succumbed to the weather. Then another kitten. We then witnessed the GS with one of the kittens in its mouth and we were able to rescue it. We were able to quickly find homes for the remaining small kittens. We had one more mature kitten waiting to be honest. This morning that kitten was found and had evidence of blood on her face. We no longer have any small kittens left. We have consistently been working with the GS on commands but she seems less receptive when cats are around. Plus we both work and can not be watching all day. This afternoon I noticed her go after the next size up of a cat and she had her mouth on it as well though I was there to get her to come and sit and reward her before she did anything. I am now afraid we will watch her kill all our cats one by one and then turn on our older dog. My kids are traumatized. They love all their animals and we do not want to see any of them lost or rehomed. We do not know what to do. We are looking into training programs but in the meantime need reassurences.

    We have a 6 month old German Shepard we just introduced to the family. We live on a farm and have an 11 yr old Black lab which is arthritic and lives mostly on the kitchen floor. We had 5 adult cats and two litters of kittens, and 4 goats. 3 weeks ago we came home to the new German Shepard chewing the neck of one of the dead goats. The goat was notorious for escaping. We then out the dog on a leash and introduced her to the other remaining goats and she did not seem aggressive towards them. So we assumed it was an accident if the goat had been aggressive ( it was a head butter). Then we had a kitten turn up dead with no blood. We thought it had succumbed to the weather. Then another kitten. We then witnessed the GS with one of the kittens in its mouth and we were able to rescue it. We were able to quickly find homes for the remaining small kittens. We had one more mature kitten waiting to be honest. This morning that kitten was found and had evidence of blood on her face. We no longer have any small kittens left. We have consistently been working with the GS on commands but she seems less receptive when cats are around. Plus we both work and can not be watching all day. This afternoon I noticed her go after the next size up of a cat and she had her mouth on it as well though I was there to get her to come and sit and reward her before she did anything. I am now afraid we will watch her kill all our cats one by one and then turn on our older dog. My kids are traumatized. They love all their animals and we do not want to see any of them lost or rehomed. We do not know what to do. We are looking into training programs but in the meantime need reassurences.

  • Jim
    Jim El monte
    Oct 24 2020 6:02 PM
    Our german shepherd has killed two of our small terriers and hospitalized two other family pets. She has bitten a child on one occasion and I am fearful that she might turn on us. We have spoken to a dog trainer who mentioned ed that German Shepherds do not know their own bite strength and just dismissed the whole account. I am wondering if we might give the dog to a local police k9 unit and have him retrained.

    Our german shepherd has killed two of our small terriers and hospitalized two other family pets.
    She has bitten a child on one occasion and I am fearful that she might turn on us.
    We have spoken to a dog trainer who mentioned ed that German Shepherds do not know their own bite strength and just dismissed the whole account.
    I am wondering if we might give the dog to a local police k9 unit and have him retrained.

  • Dawn
    Dawn Indiana
    Oct 27 2020 5:14 AM
    Hi..with a heavy heart my 4 yr old pit just snatched up my 13 yr old chihuahua and killed her...we are devastated and don't know what to to...I have grandbabies and I am afraid she will hurt one of them now she is very protective qith my grandbabies...we don't know whether to put her down or not..I don't want her to do this again...I am so heartbroken and I dont know if I will be able to love her like I did...please help

    Hi..with a heavy heart my 4 yr old pit just snatched up my 13 yr old chihuahua and killed her...we are devastated and don't know what to to...I have grandbabies and I am afraid she will hurt one of them now she is very protective qith my grandbabies...we don't know whether to put her down or not..I don't want her to do this again...I am so heartbroken and I dont know if I will be able to love her like I did...please help

  • Cindy
    Cindy Tennessee
    Nov 1 2020 2:57 PM
    Hi everyone. I am so sad. I’ve lost two female dogs to aggression by a younger dog. I breed Yorkies. I had many older females that have been retired. I am not a breeder who sells or gives away my older females. They are family and I just can’t do that. About four months ago one of my older females was found outside with many bite marks to her neck. We rushed her to the vet. But unfortunately she had lost too much blood and her body temp had dropped and we could not save her. She also had seizures and enlarged liver and heart. The emergency vet. Stated that he thought she had a seizure and the younger dogs attacked her because they were afraid. I was sad but sure it wouldn’t happen again because none of my other dogs had seizures. Well just a week ago it happened again. I came home after being out for about three hours and I found one of my older dogs bleeding from her neck. We rushed her to the vet. And they were going to watch her for a couple of days but called at the end of the day and said she was in pain and she was 14 and the vet. Felt that it was not going to be a good outcome so we opted to put her down. We did not want her to suffer by herself all night. I have since made sure that all my dogs are in pens when I go anywhere. I did figure out that the aggressor was one of my younger yorkies who I am still so stunned that she would do this because she is so sweet otherwise. Never tried to bite anyone that I knew of. When I think back I guess I remember her acting a little superior to a couple of the older dogs but never in my wildest dreams did I think something like this would happen once let alone twice. I feel so guilty that I allowed it to happen again. I am learning about pack aggression from sites like this. It’s too late for my sweet Harley and Mazie but I guarantee it will never happen again I belong to several Yorkie groups and I’m going to enlighten everyone about this problem that I never knew was a problem until it happened to me. I miss my girls every day and It is hard for me to even look at Willow who is the female who was the aggressor although I do realize it is nature and I’m getting better about her. Mazie was a cranky old lady and I think she probably snapped at Willow who then had to defend her place in the pack. We need to talk more about this problem so that breeders who have a lot of dogs understand the problem and can be on the lookout for signs. Thanks for letting me tell my story. I hope no one ever has to go through what Ive gone through this last several months. Cindy.

    Hi everyone. I am so sad. I’ve lost two female dogs to aggression by a younger dog. I breed Yorkies. I had many older females that have been retired. I am not a breeder who sells or gives away my older females. They are family and I just can’t do that. About four months ago one of my older females was found outside with many bite marks to her neck. We rushed her to the vet. But unfortunately she had lost too much blood and her body temp had dropped and we could not save her. She also had seizures and enlarged liver and heart. The emergency vet. Stated that he thought she had a seizure and the younger dogs attacked her because they were afraid. I was sad but sure it wouldn’t happen again because none of my other dogs had seizures. Well just a week ago it happened again. I came home after being out for about three hours and I found one of my older dogs bleeding from her neck. We rushed her to the vet. And they were going to watch her for a couple of days but called at the end of the day and said she was in pain and she was 14 and the vet. Felt that it was not going to be a good outcome so we opted to put her down. We did not want her to suffer by herself all night. I have since made sure that all my dogs are in pens when I go anywhere. I did figure out that the aggressor was one of my younger yorkies who I am still so stunned that she would do this because she is so sweet otherwise. Never tried to bite anyone that I knew of. When I think back I guess I remember her acting a little superior to a couple of the older dogs but never in my wildest dreams did I think something like this would happen once let alone twice. I feel so guilty that I allowed it to happen again. I am learning about pack aggression from sites like this. It’s too late for my sweet Harley and Mazie but I guarantee it will never happen again I belong to several Yorkie groups and I’m going to enlighten everyone about this problem that I never knew was a problem until it happened to me. I miss my girls every day and It is hard for me to even look at Willow who is the female who was the aggressor although I do realize it is nature and I’m getting better about her. Mazie was a cranky old lady and I think she probably snapped at Willow who then had to defend her place in the pack. We need to talk more about this problem so that breeders who have a lot of dogs understand the problem and can be on the lookout for signs. Thanks for letting me tell my story. I hope no one ever has to go through what Ive gone through this last several months. Cindy.

  • Dominique
    Dominique South Africa
    Nov 8 2020 7:14 AM
    My lab snapped at my tea cup yorkie and she just dropped to the ground. Blood coming out of her mouth and ears. So much blood 😭 she died within minutes. Her body was limp. She was unresponsive. She had no bite mark on her. It felt like her jaw was loose / broken. I wonder if my lab possibly clipped her in the side of the mouth and hit a main artery? Is this even possible? I had put food down for the lab because she hadn't eaten her food that morning. The teacup yorkie went near her and she just snapped at her. I dont believe the lab meant to kill her. I never thought my lab would ever harm anybody. Could my yorkie have been sick and with animal instinct, the lab tried to kill her off? Was it just a mistake? It just doesn't make any sense to us. And today i write this with a really heavy heart. My yorkie seemed offish the past 2 weeks. Very much to herself, and sleeping all day. I definitely noticed a change in her behavior. However she was always an anxious and nervous dog Thanks for your time

    My lab snapped at my tea cup yorkie and she just dropped to the ground. Blood coming out of her mouth and ears. So much blood 😭 she died within minutes. Her body was limp. She was unresponsive. She had no bite mark on her. It felt like her jaw was loose / broken. I wonder if my lab possibly clipped her in the side of the mouth and hit a main artery? Is this even possible?

    I had put food down for the lab because she hadn't eaten her food that morning. The teacup yorkie went near her and she just snapped at her. I dont believe the lab meant to kill her. I never thought my lab would ever harm anybody. Could my yorkie have been sick and with animal instinct, the lab tried to kill her off? Was it just a mistake? It just doesn't make any sense to us. And today i write this with a really heavy heart. My yorkie seemed offish the past 2 weeks. Very much to herself, and sleeping all day. I definitely noticed a change in her behavior. However she was always an anxious and nervous dog

    Thanks for your time

  • Dan
    Dan Sacramento
    Nov 9 2020 4:59 PM
    I got a lab retriever mix from A shelter two years ago and after I got her home I could see she has some pit in her. She killed my wife’s doxie over the weekend and I have to try to re-home her. She’s not aggressive, been with two little dogs and two cats since she was rescued at 8 months. Never shown any sign of aggression toward other dogs, me, my wife, other people, or kids. We can take food or treats out of her mouth if we want. When I came outside after my wife told me my dog was nudging the doxie and whimpering. She has since been buried and she is still looking for the doxie. She is not a bad or killer dog, think of Lenny from “Of Mice and Men”, she has heart worms and the first treatment didn’t take and has to go through it again. Because of this she has been on a low activity regiment, due to covid she hasn’t been able to go out to dogs parks either, and due to my firefighter job keeping me away for the past 5 months she has been getting restless. My wife is 4 months pregnant and hasn’t been able to walk her because of her strength and she doesn’t know her strength. Contrary to what this article says this is my fault and I have to try to re-home her for my wife, she is more emotional then usual, can’t deal, and I want to make sure her and the baby stay fine. Neither of us want to get rid of her most of all neither of us want her to be put down. But it’s a sticky situation and I need to put my wifes/babies well being and health above everything else. If any one has any advice, tips, or leads please let me know. I will do what I can, or send her whereevwr I have to to prevent her from being put down.

    I got a lab retriever mix from A shelter two years ago and after I got her home I could see she has some pit in her. She killed my wife’s doxie over the weekend and I have to try to re-home her. She’s not aggressive, been with two little dogs and two cats since she was rescued at 8 months. Never shown any sign of aggression toward other dogs, me, my wife, other people, or kids. We can take food or treats out of her mouth if we want. When I came outside after my wife told me my dog was nudging the doxie and whimpering. She has since been buried and she is still looking for the doxie. She is not a bad or killer dog, think of Lenny from “Of Mice and Men”, she has heart worms and the first treatment didn’t take and has to go through it again. Because of this she has been on a low activity regiment, due to covid she hasn’t been able to go out to dogs parks either, and due to my firefighter job keeping me away for the past 5 months she has been getting restless. My wife is 4 months pregnant and hasn’t been able to walk her because of her strength and she doesn’t know her strength. Contrary to what this article says this is my fault and I have to try to re-home her for my wife, she is more emotional then usual, can’t deal, and I want to make sure her and the baby stay fine. Neither of us want to get rid of her most of all neither of us want her to be put down. But it’s a sticky situation and I need to put my wifes/babies well being and health above everything else. If any one has any advice, tips, or leads please let me know. I will do what I can, or send her whereevwr I have to to prevent her from being put down.

  • Maggie
    Maggie Oregon
    Nov 11 2020 3:17 PM
    Just last week my young Dane, 4, and my 8 year old pit attacked my senior Dane 10, while I was out of the room. It was horrible and very hard to get two large dogs of my one senior. My young Dane has shown aggression towards my senior before but the behavior has always been corrected. Like everyone else has said nothing this bad has ever happened. And my pit has never shown aggression EVER. I'm sure my pit only joined in because of my younger Dane. My senior was bit pretty bad and she had to have stitches and drains put in her. Does this mean I have to get rid of both of my young Dane and my pit? I would hate to have to get rid of my babies I love them so much and they're such good dogs. Help😢

    Just last week my young Dane, 4, and my 8 year old pit attacked my senior Dane 10, while I was out of the room. It was horrible and very hard to get two large dogs of my one senior. My young Dane has shown aggression towards my senior before but the behavior has always been corrected. Like everyone else has said nothing this bad has ever happened. And my pit has never shown aggression EVER. I'm sure my pit only joined in because of my younger Dane. My senior was bit pretty bad and she had to have stitches and drains put in her. Does this mean I have to get rid of both of my young Dane and my pit? I would hate to have to get rid of my babies I love them so much and they're such good dogs. Help😢

  • Catherine
    Catherine Ohio
    Nov 16 2020 11:46 AM
    Last week, our three year old American Bully, whom we’ve had for over two years quickly attacked and killed our six year old Brussels Griffon. Like you said in your article, it happened when I was out of the house and my husband went outside to his truck to get dog food. Within those twenty seconds my husband was outside getting the food our Bully had fractured our Brussel’s skull killing her moments after. My Brussels was our first dog and truly my shadow. Over the week since it has happened we’ve felt all the anger, sadness, and regret possible. Our home no longer feels the same way it once had. We’re still figuring out what our best option is. Our Bully has since seemed very out of character. Possibly depressed? She seems to walk around looking for our Brussels and is more distant from us rather than our snuggle bully previous from the accident. We also have a Mastiff she shows, and have never shown, aggression towards. Previous to this accident our Bully and B.G. would occasionally snip at each other. I always figured it was fighting over the alpha role or because they both had a very close to connection towards me and were being possessive. I wish I had possibly seen a dog behaviorist sooner, but since there had been no serious skin contact I ignored it. It’s truly my worst nightmare I never knew I had. My husband and I can not have children and have always felt right knowing our dogs were our babies, but now I feel a deep sadness I have never felt before.

    Last week, our three year old American Bully, whom we’ve had for over two years quickly attacked and killed our six year old Brussels Griffon. Like you said in your article, it happened when I was out of the house and my husband went outside to his truck to get dog food. Within those twenty seconds my husband was outside getting the food our Bully had fractured our Brussel’s skull killing her moments after.
    My Brussels was our first dog and truly my shadow. Over the week since it has happened we’ve felt all the anger, sadness, and regret possible. Our home no longer feels the same way it once had. We’re still figuring out what our best option is. Our Bully has since seemed very out of character. Possibly depressed? She seems to walk around looking for our Brussels and is more distant from us rather than our snuggle bully previous from the accident. We also have a Mastiff she shows, and have never shown, aggression towards. Previous to this accident our Bully and B.G. would occasionally snip at each other. I always figured it was fighting over the alpha role or because they both had a very close to connection towards me and were being possessive. I wish I had possibly seen a dog behaviorist sooner, but since there had been no serious skin contact I ignored it. It’s truly my worst nightmare I never knew I had. My husband and I can not have children and have always felt right knowing our dogs were our babies, but now I feel a deep sadness I have never felt before.

  • Laura J
    Laura J Upstate New York
    Nov 19 2020 8:46 AM
    I used to have a small male dachshund mix (fixed) named Yoda who was about 4 years old when my husband and I moved in together. He had a 1.5 year old German Shepherd (unfixed). I went out to run an errand one afternoon and my husband went to work. Shortly after I get a call from my neighbor that my son - who had just gotten home from school - found Yoda bleeding and his stomach ripped open and intestines protruding... they rushed him to the emergency vet immediately while I left work and met them there. He was so badly mauled that he did not make it and passed away the next day. Watching our Nest cams later showed the the German Shepherd had attacked out of the blue, unprovoked and killed him. I was so distraught and utterly devastated and heartbroken. Yoda was like my second child, I loved him so much and he was the sweetest dog you could ever know. This happened 3 years ago now, and I still don’t think I’m truly over it. We had a new baby last year and I just couldn’t trust the GSD around him, sometimes she would nip/snap at him - never actually biting him - but I couldn’t trust her not to hurt him. We ended up finding a home for her on a cattle ranch and horse farm further upstate. She is doing great there. I’m glad I found this site so at least I know I’m not the only one who has gone through something like this. For years I have been trying to figure out what went wrong, why she would just snap like that. Was it something we did? Was it just her nature? We were never cruel or mean to either of the dogs and they both got lots of attention and love before that incident and Yoda never antagonized the GSD in any way to set her off either, he pretty much just kept to himself. It was such a shock and a tragedy. I still miss my little baby terribly. He would be 7 this year.

    I used to have a small male dachshund mix (fixed) named Yoda who was about 4 years old when my husband and I moved in together. He had a 1.5 year old German Shepherd (unfixed). I went out to run an errand one afternoon and my husband went to work. Shortly after I get a call from my neighbor that my son - who had just gotten home from school - found Yoda bleeding and his stomach ripped open and intestines protruding... they rushed him to the emergency vet immediately while I left work and met them there. He was so badly mauled that he did not make it and passed away the next day. Watching our Nest cams later showed the the German Shepherd had attacked out of the blue, unprovoked and killed him. I was so distraught and utterly devastated and heartbroken. Yoda was like my second child, I loved him so much and he was the sweetest dog you could ever know. This happened 3 years ago now, and I still don’t think I’m truly over it. We had a new baby last year and I just couldn’t trust the GSD around him, sometimes she would nip/snap at him - never actually biting him - but I couldn’t trust her not to hurt him. We ended up finding a home for her on a cattle ranch and horse farm further upstate. She is doing great there. I’m glad I found this site so at least I know I’m not the only one who has gone through something like this. For years I have been trying to figure out what went wrong, why she would just snap like that. Was it something we did? Was it just her nature? We were never cruel or mean to either of the dogs and they both got lots of attention and love before that incident and Yoda never antagonized the GSD in any way to set her off either, he pretty much just kept to himself. It was such a shock and a tragedy. I still miss my little baby terribly. He would be 7 this year.

  • Eliana
    Eliana Virginia
    Nov 26 2020 9:01 AM
    I'm so sad I can't stop crying my pitbull grew up from a puppy with my pomeranian and after 4 years of being together she killed my pomeranian yesterday PRINCESS live to be 14years old i need help i don't know how im going to get over this

    I'm so sad I can't stop crying my pitbull grew up from a puppy with my pomeranian and after 4 years of being together she killed my pomeranian yesterday PRINCESS live to be 14years old i need help i don't know how im going to get over this

  • Karen
    Karen Long Island
    Nov 30 2020 11:10 AM
    I am hoping for some advice before anything happens. I have a 9 year old pit who was as sweet as can be but we brought in a 9 week old puppy and he has attacked the puppy. What is scary is he doesn't stop when the puppy is crying. I am watching his body language and trying to distract the older dog when I see the ears up with tight tail wagging along with a death stare. I will never leave them alone just to be safe. They walk well on leashes together and for the most part it's quiet but the attacks are so scary.

    I am hoping for some advice before anything happens. I have a 9 year old pit who was as sweet as can be but we brought in a 9 week old puppy and he has attacked the puppy. What is scary is he doesn't stop when the puppy is crying. I am watching his body language and trying to distract the older dog when I see the ears up with tight tail wagging along with a death stare. I will never leave them alone just to be safe. They walk well on leashes together and for the most part it's quiet but the attacks are so scary.

  • karen saliski
    karen saliski TN
    Dec 3 2020 10:08 AM
    I lost my chi mix Vivi to an attack from my rottie mix. I went outside to feed my horses. I was gone for an hour. I usually bring the dogs with me but it was snowing and bitterly cold on Monday so I left them inside. As I have done a million times before. Vivi survived a dog attack from my pittie two years ago. I wound up putting that dog down as we discovered she had cancer. She was 11. Vivi was only 4 and Rylee my rottie is 5. They grew up together. I don’t know what caused the attack but she didn’t deserve it. Especially after surviving the first attack. I am wracked with guilt and shame. I am having nightmares and can barely look at my rottie. I have other elderly dogs and small dogs in the house since I am in rescue. I can’t even trust her around them and I noticed she has been tracking them. Rylee likes to kill moles and rabbits and birds too. Now I am worried beyond belief. I have decided to start muzzling her when I am home. They all get crated when I leave the house I have always done that because of foster dogs in my house. What can I do? Is medication the answer? It wasn’t for the other dog and that’s how we found the cancer thru blood work. I have read all of these stories and can’t believe how many people have been what I am going thru. It’s heartbreaking and numbing. I just want to protect everyone and not have to do something drastic with Rylee. I miss Vivi so much. 💔

    I lost my chi mix Vivi to an attack from my rottie mix. I went outside to feed my horses. I was gone for an hour. I usually bring the dogs with me but it was snowing and bitterly cold on Monday so I left them inside. As I have done a million times before. Vivi survived a dog attack from my pittie two years ago. I wound up putting that dog down as we discovered she had cancer. She was 11. Vivi was only 4 and Rylee my rottie is 5. They grew up together. I don’t know what caused the attack but she didn’t deserve it. Especially after surviving the first attack. I am wracked with guilt and shame. I am having nightmares and can barely look at my rottie. I have other elderly dogs and small dogs in the house since I am in rescue. I can’t even trust her around them and I noticed she has been tracking them.
    Rylee likes to kill moles and rabbits and birds too. Now I am worried beyond belief. I have decided to start muzzling her when I am home. They all get crated when I leave the house I have always done that because of foster dogs in my house.
    What can I do? Is medication the answer? It wasn’t for the other dog and that’s how we found the cancer thru blood work. I have read all of these stories and can’t believe how many people have been what I am going thru. It’s heartbreaking and numbing. I just want to protect everyone and not have to do something drastic with Rylee. I miss Vivi so much. 💔

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous CA - California
    Dec 3 2020 1:17 PM
    I had no idea that so many people had to endure this kind of pain. We lost our little Millie, 12 week old Jack/Chi mix on October 2 of this year. She was the first little dog we ever got. I've had many dogs throughout my life, but never one so tiny, so full of energy, so snuggly, so adorable. She brought so much joy to our house for the short time she was with us. We had three dogs, including Millie at the time. A 14 year old Shepherd/Mutt rescue, who passed in her sleep on October 25, she battled cancer and type 2 diabetes. She was an awesome dog, but it was her time to go, I was able to deal with that, we saw it coming and prepared ourselves. We also have an 8 year old Pyrenean mastiff mix, 85 lb, intact male. That evening I was outside, family was inside. I asked my youngest son to feed the older dogs. That usually occurs in the kitchen. He fed them and the the little dog jumped from my husbands lap, in the living room, and ran to the mastiff's bowl, within an instant he had cracked little Millie's skull. She was still alive, crying so loud, yelping in short bursts. The rest seems like a blur. We wrapped her in a towel and sped to the emergency vet. I lost it, I mean really lost it. I was screaming and crying and yelling outside the facility while my husband took her in. He came back, doctor said she was in very bad shape, my husband had to choose to put her down on his own as I was too far gone. I could NOT believe what had just happened. I have a picture that was taken of the two of them sleeping next to one another, it was taken 2 hours before this happened. As another post mentioned, then we had to come home to the other dog.....what do you do then? The other dog is still with us, he is very sweet, obedient, easy going. I have never believed that he meant to do it, he's a dog, not a human. It's very hard and I can see that I'm not alone. We miss that little puppy so much, she had already become the apple of my husband's eye and mine too. There are nightmares and feelings of guilt and anger at the other dog (which fades quickly). It's just hard. I want another puppy so bad. However, I will not get another dog until the other dog has passed. I cannot put myself and my family through that type of pain again, I refuse to take that chance. I am glad I found this website, it helped to get that out and to see that I'm not alone. Take care.

    I had no idea that so many people had to endure this kind of pain.

    We lost our little Millie, 12 week old Jack/Chi mix on October 2 of this year. She was the first little dog we ever got. I've had many dogs throughout my life, but never one so tiny, so full of energy, so snuggly, so adorable. She brought so much joy to our house for the short time she was with us.

    We had three dogs, including Millie at the time. A 14 year old Shepherd/Mutt rescue, who passed in her sleep on October 25, she battled cancer and type 2 diabetes. She was an awesome dog, but it was her time to go, I was able to deal with that, we saw it coming and prepared ourselves.

    We also have an 8 year old Pyrenean mastiff mix, 85 lb, intact male. That evening I was outside, family was inside. I asked my youngest son to feed the older dogs. That usually occurs in the kitchen. He fed them and the the little dog jumped from my husbands lap, in the living room, and ran to the mastiff's bowl, within an instant he had cracked little Millie's skull. She was still alive, crying so loud, yelping in short bursts. The rest seems like a blur. We wrapped her in a towel and sped to the emergency vet.
    I lost it, I mean really lost it. I was screaming and crying and yelling outside the facility while my husband took her in. He came back, doctor said she was in very bad shape, my husband had to choose to put her down on his own as I was too far gone. I could NOT believe what had just happened. I have a picture that was taken of the two of them sleeping next to one another, it was taken 2 hours before this happened.

    As another post mentioned, then we had to come home to the other dog.....what do you do then? The other dog is still with us, he is very sweet, obedient, easy going. I have never believed that he meant to do it, he's a dog, not a human. It's very hard and I can see that I'm not alone.

    We miss that little puppy so much, she had already become the apple of my husband's eye and mine too. There are nightmares and feelings of guilt and anger at the other dog (which fades quickly). It's just hard.

    I want another puppy so bad. However, I will not get another dog until the other dog has passed. I cannot put myself and my family through that type of pain again, I refuse to take that chance.

    I am glad I found this website, it helped to get that out and to see that I'm not alone.

    Take care.

  • Cristina
    Cristina Cadiz
    Dec 5 2020 2:25 AM
    I had fostered about 100 dogs, mostly found wandering on the street, some from dog rescue orgs. In January I had four dogs of my own, two 8 kg females, 8 and 7 years old, Amanda and Mielinda. Amanda might have Yorkie, Mielinda was terrier type. Then an 11 year old, gentle terrier, 12 kg but mostly due to lipomatosis, and a very gentle five year old SWD mix. All castrated. They never had problems with fosters, all being well socialized, experienced and friendly, a very balanced group. I took in a Podenco (a breed said to be if gentle character) in December/January. He was in terrible condition, the (private) shelter didn't want him. So I took him in, pampered, fed him, gave meds. He blossomed, gained weight, the wounds healed. He was away a week for filaria treatment. When he came back, it was as he had never left. On January 30 we had a five dog "good morning" greeting. A short sniff walkie before I left for work - I have over 2000 m2 garden, several resting areas and water bowls distributed. There are trees, grass, bushes. When I came home, the makes were at the gate, howling and extremely distressed. One ran away and returned immediately. I came in, walked around the corner. Mielinda was lying dead, a deep bite in the neck had opened the carotidea, hematotórax, some broken ribs. Blood everywhere. It seems that a larger dog took her by the neck, bit deep and flung her to the ground. Amanda was standing by her, growling and barking at the Podenco, 5 m away, highly aroused, ears, tail up, on his toes, fixating her. I yelled and he ran away. The Podenco had 12 kg at that moment, all.muscles, not neutered. The only dogs who could inflict such a wound on my girl were the Podenco and my SWD cross, who was howling at the gate. The others are too small. The Podenco left the same day, I don't know where he is. As I insisted that he was IMO the killer and, at least, should be mentioned that he was involved "with high probability", given only to experienced hands and met smaller dogs first on a long line and get muzzle training (Podencos do have a high prey drive), I was shunned, bullied etc etc. The fact that he had never shown aggressive behaviour made it more difficult to believe - they even suggested another dog had entered the garden (there are no wolves, coyotes etc in Spain) or that a big cat had killed her. I am in psychological treatment - I have a disability with chronic pain and progressive denervation of the left leg, which got worse during the last year. Still I can't get over the death of my girl. I cry every day. If it were not for my other dogs, who needed over a month to return to normal - able to go out alone into the garden, able to eat or sleep each in a box or bed alone instead of clamming together in one, etc - I would have killed me. I work, I function, I take care of my dogs, I got an e-bike so they can have their daily long walkies (they are a mostly off leash, we have areas with no traffic and it is allowed). I do as always all I can do for them. But it's so hard to bear the pain. I still wish I could kill me. But my dogs trust me to look after them, to care for them and to keep them safe, like Mielinda did. I failed her, I cannot fail them too.

    I had fostered about 100 dogs, mostly found wandering on the street, some from dog rescue orgs. In January I had four dogs of my own, two 8 kg females, 8 and 7 years old, Amanda and Mielinda. Amanda might have Yorkie, Mielinda was terrier type. Then an 11 year old, gentle terrier, 12 kg but mostly due to lipomatosis, and a very gentle five year old SWD mix. All castrated. They never had problems with fosters, all being well socialized, experienced and friendly, a very balanced group.
    I took in a Podenco (a breed said to be if gentle character) in December/January. He was in terrible condition, the (private) shelter didn't want him. So I took him in, pampered, fed him, gave meds. He blossomed, gained weight, the wounds healed. He was away a week for filaria treatment. When he came back, it was as he had never left. On January 30 we had a five dog "good morning" greeting. A short sniff walkie before I left for work - I have over 2000 m2 garden, several resting areas and water bowls distributed. There are trees, grass, bushes.
    When I came home, the makes were at the gate, howling and extremely distressed. One ran away and returned immediately. I came in, walked around the corner. Mielinda was lying dead, a deep bite in the neck had opened the carotidea, hematotórax, some broken ribs. Blood everywhere. It seems that a larger dog took her by the neck, bit deep and flung her to the ground. Amanda was standing by her, growling and barking at the Podenco, 5 m away, highly aroused, ears, tail up, on his toes, fixating her. I yelled and he ran away.
    The Podenco had 12 kg at that moment, all.muscles, not neutered.
    The only dogs who could inflict such a wound on my girl were the Podenco and my SWD cross, who was howling at the gate. The others are too small.
    The Podenco left the same day, I don't know where he is.
    As I insisted that he was IMO the killer and, at least, should be mentioned that he was involved "with high probability", given only to experienced hands and met smaller dogs first on a long line and get muzzle training (Podencos do have a high prey drive), I was shunned, bullied etc etc. The fact that he had never shown aggressive behaviour made it more difficult to believe - they even suggested another dog had entered the garden (there are no wolves, coyotes etc in Spain) or that a big cat had killed her.
    I am in psychological treatment - I have a disability with chronic pain and progressive denervation of the left leg, which got worse during the last year. Still I can't get over the death of my girl. I cry every day. If it were not for my other dogs, who needed over a month to return to normal - able to go out alone into the garden, able to eat or sleep each in a box or bed alone instead of clamming together in one, etc - I would have killed me. I work, I function, I take care of my dogs, I got an e-bike so they can have their daily long walkies (they are a mostly off leash, we have areas with no traffic and it is allowed).
    I do as always all I can do for them. But it's so hard to bear the pain. I still wish I could kill me. But my dogs trust me to look after them, to care for them and to keep them safe, like Mielinda did. I failed her, I cannot fail them too.

  • Dylan
    Dylan Michigan
    Dec 7 2020 12:03 PM
    Thank you for the post and everyone for the comment. I'm sitting here writing this with so many emotions right now. It's been a very bad year for our pack. We lost one last year (out of 7 total) due to kidney failure. This year we lost 3 more due to old age and health issue. Today is different. We lost one due to a fight between two of the 3 remaining dogs. The pack dynamics in the house has been greatly altered with all the losses. We are not sure what caused this as they have always been great together and played, sleep, ate and loved on each other. The worst part about this is knowing our poor baby was hurting on her last breath and we couldn't make it there to be with her. STUPID COVID!. I'm sitting here not knowing what to do with the other dog. It's easy to say don't feel guilty but I very much do. I feel if I were to have been more attentive this wouldn't have happened. Thanks for listening.

    Thank you for the post and everyone for the comment. I'm sitting here writing this with so many emotions right now. It's been a very bad year for our pack. We lost one last year (out of 7 total) due to kidney failure. This year we lost 3 more due to old age and health issue. Today is different. We lost one due to a fight between two of the 3 remaining dogs. The pack dynamics in the house has been greatly altered with all the losses. We are not sure what caused this as they have always been great together and played, sleep, ate and loved on each other. The worst part about this is knowing our poor baby was hurting on her last breath and we couldn't make it there to be with her. STUPID COVID!. I'm sitting here not knowing what to do with the other dog. It's easy to say don't feel guilty but I very much do. I feel if I were to have been more attentive this wouldn't have happened. Thanks for listening.

  • Paul
    Paul Tennessee
    Dec 7 2020 3:32 PM
    I am so glad I found this site. I have 3 dogs (had 4 but one died at 12 years old from liver failure). The most recent addition came about almost 4 years ago. She was a stray pit bull mix that we found in our sun room, very young and starving. We took her in, got her fixed and gave her her shots. We noticed she was aggressive when she played and we had to remove toys because she tried to take them all even if they were the same toys. Over 4 years we saw she would occasionally attack the smaller dogs and our indoor/outdoor cat. But she never attacked the collie who is the same size as her. In the last year both she and the collie have been attacking the smaller dog. It is at the point now where I have to lock the smaller dog away from them if no one is going to be home. They will attack him for no reason. I was bringing him inside one day and they both attacked him. We paid over 1500 for a fenced in back yard but the dogs all live inside with us. I told my partner that from now on the 2 big dogs will live outside in the back yard and will only be brought in at night when it gets cold. At least then I can keep the smaller dog with me in the bedroom. I am ready to get rid of the two big dogs but both of them are older and I don't know if I can find them a home. I know that if they got ahold of the smaller dog when no one was home they would easily kill him.

    I am so glad I found this site. I have 3 dogs (had 4 but one died at 12 years old from liver failure). The most recent addition came about almost 4 years ago. She was a stray pit bull mix that we found in our sun room, very young and starving. We took her in, got her fixed and gave her her shots. We noticed she was aggressive when she played and we had to remove toys because she tried to take them all even if they were the same toys. Over 4 years we saw she would occasionally attack the smaller dogs and our indoor/outdoor cat. But she never attacked the collie who is the same size as her. In the last year both she and the collie have been attacking the smaller dog. It is at the point now where I have to lock the smaller dog away from them if no one is going to be home. They will attack him for no reason. I was bringing him inside one day and they both attacked him. We paid over 1500 for a fenced in back yard but the dogs all live inside with us. I told my partner that from now on the 2 big dogs will live outside in the back yard and will only be brought in at night when it gets cold. At least then I can keep the smaller dog with me in the bedroom. I am ready to get rid of the two big dogs but both of them are older and I don't know if I can find them a home. I know that if they got ahold of the smaller dog when no one was home they would easily kill him.

  • Crystal
    Crystal Sacramento CA.
    Dec 7 2020 7:40 PM
    Hi I am commenting not because my dog had attacked my puppy but because my almost two year old dog Milo had a s 3/4 inch deep gash on the bottom of hisback paw. My three month old puppy was asleep under the blankets. Milo has a hard time getting in bed it's about 8 inches off the floor but with one of you back legs out of commish it is hard to lift 60 lbs up. So I hold his hurt paw bythe ankle so he can put the pressure on his ankle instead of the bottom of his paw. Now just 5 minutes prior Rukus my puppy was asleep on the corner of the bed he isn't a mover in his sleep much so I guess I just assumed he was still there. I'm always telling Milonot to step on the puppy. Sometimes I think he tries to do it on purpose. But this time was not that case (I think). However because Rukus was under the blankets I can't say exactly where but Milo stepped right on his throat. Ruckus immediately started choking and gasping for air and choking and gasping for air. I didn't have any idea what to do. Rukus eventually caught a breath and then choked some more with a few constricted breath in between and now he seems fine but is not able to get comfortable. We just a week and a half ago spent over $400 at the vet for Milo I have no more money I lost my job because of Covid and barley making it. Do you think Tukus will be fine or should I start a go fund me account and hope I make enough in a short time. What could be the worst case scenario. Please Help

    Hi I am commenting not because my dog had attacked my puppy but because my almost two year old dog Milo had a s 3/4 inch deep gash on the bottom of hisback paw. My three month old puppy was asleep under the blankets. Milo has a hard time getting in bed it's about 8 inches off the floor but with one of you back legs out of commish it is hard to lift 60 lbs up. So I hold his hurt paw bythe ankle so he can put the pressure on his ankle instead of the bottom of his paw. Now just 5 minutes prior Rukus my puppy was asleep on the corner of the bed he isn't a mover in his sleep much so I guess I just assumed he was still there. I'm always telling Milonot to step on the puppy. Sometimes I think he tries to do it on purpose. But this time was not that case (I think). However because Rukus was under the blankets I can't say exactly where but Milo stepped right on his throat. Ruckus immediately started choking and gasping for air and choking and gasping for air. I didn't have any idea what to do. Rukus eventually caught a breath and then choked some more with a few constricted breath in between and now he seems fine but is not able to get comfortable. We just a week and a half ago spent over $400 at the vet for Milo I have no more money I lost my job because of Covid and barley making it. Do you think Tukus will be fine or should I start a go fund me account and hope I make enough in a short time. What could be the worst case scenario. Please Help

  • Pauline
    Pauline Perth WA
    Dec 9 2020 7:34 AM
    This happened to me only just 10 days ago. My partners 3 yr old English Staffy killed my 4 yr old Chihuahua, when I was out of the house for just 10 minutes. I found my baby with broken ribs & pelvis and punctured lung! I rushed him to the vet, but his injuries were too severe, so had to euthanise him. The whole thing g has been horrific & tragic, it has thrown me to ground and I’m only just picking myself up off the floor. I just don’t know what to do with the English Staffy now, because we have another 7 yr old Chihuahua at home. Right now, the Staffy is at my brother in laws place. My partner doesn’t want him back home. It’s so heartbreaking.

    This happened to me only just 10 days ago. My partners 3 yr old English Staffy killed my 4 yr old Chihuahua, when I was out of the house for just 10 minutes. I found my baby with broken ribs & pelvis and punctured lung! I rushed him to the vet, but his injuries were too severe, so had to euthanise him.

    The whole thing g has been horrific & tragic, it has thrown me to ground and I’m only just picking myself up off the floor. I just don’t know what to do with the English Staffy now, because we have another 7 yr old Chihuahua at home. Right now, the Staffy is at my brother in laws place. My partner doesn’t want him back home. It’s so heartbreaking.

  • Lee
    Lee California
    Dec 26 2020 1:22 AM
    My girlfriends 5 year old 59lbs female pitbull Zoey came to live with me and my 6-8year old 20lbs male German Pinscher Ozzy. We originally made the mistake of having them around each other at a hotel room and Zoey jumped up and nipped Ozzy twice from behind while I was holding him. The next time they met again at a hotel after maybe 45min of being cool Zoey just pounced on Ozzy and had him fully in her mouth but ass soon as I got loud and raced towards her she dropped him. After this we decided to take things a little more carefully and took them to a dog park and let them check each other out with a fence in between them takes we’re wagging and no signs of aggression were displayed. From here they went in several walks together and never had a problem. So Zoey came to live with us but me being a nervous dig dad always made sure to keep myself in between her as I would see her eyeing him and wanting to chase him when he would run in the house. After about a week of being together today on Christmas I let them be around each other without purposefully putting myself in between them. Ozzy would keep his distance from Zoey and was always on guard around her but when my dad was playing with both of them throwing a toy for Zoey to fetch and Ozzy was laying next to him chewing on another Zoey just pounced on him and got him in her mouth I raced over and physically forced her jaws open because she did not just drop him this time when I got loud. She didn’t break the skin or draw blood or even lump him up she just scared him and probably hurt him a little we will see if he bruises. I am terrified she will bite down and kill my little man next time. I couldn’t handle this I rescued Ozzy from the streets myself when I found him he had heart worms and was very underweight and not long for this word. Zoey is also a rescue from the pound but her story is supposedly that of a owner just dumping his dig after 5yrs I think she probably attacked another dog and the previous owner just didnt give this information upon surrendering her. How can I work with her to keep my boy safe, both me and my girl have fallen in love with Zoey so we do not want to give her up she is the sweetest dog outside of these momentary attacks which I believe could just be her asserting dominance but it still scares me she will hurt or kill my best friend. If you can help shed any light on why she goes from being a total sweet heart to a psycho bully with zero warning I would greatly accept any help to keep my pups safe happy and both in the home. As of today I will never leave Ozzy alone with Zoey I just don’t feel I can’t trust her.

    My girlfriends 5 year old 59lbs female pitbull Zoey came to live with me and my 6-8year old 20lbs male German Pinscher Ozzy. We originally made the mistake of having them around each other at a hotel room and Zoey jumped up and nipped Ozzy twice from behind while I was holding him. The next time they met again at a hotel after maybe 45min of being cool Zoey just pounced on Ozzy and had him fully in her mouth but ass soon as I got loud and raced towards her she dropped him. After this we decided to take things a little more carefully and took them to a dog park and let them check each other out with a fence in between them takes we’re wagging and no signs of aggression were displayed. From here they went in several walks together and never had a problem. So Zoey came to live with us but me being a nervous dig dad always made sure to keep myself in between her as I would see her eyeing him and wanting to chase him when he would run in the house. After about a week of being together today on Christmas I let them be around each other without purposefully putting myself in between them. Ozzy would keep his distance from Zoey and was always on guard around her but when my dad was playing with both of them throwing a toy for Zoey to fetch and Ozzy was laying next to him chewing on another Zoey just pounced on him and got him in her mouth I raced over and physically forced her jaws open because she did not just drop him this time when I got loud. She didn’t break the skin or draw blood or even lump him up she just scared him and probably hurt him a little we will see if he bruises. I am terrified she will bite down and kill my little man next time. I couldn’t handle this I rescued Ozzy from the streets myself when I found him he had heart worms and was very underweight and not long for this word. Zoey is also a rescue from the pound but her story is supposedly that of a owner just dumping his dig after 5yrs I think she probably attacked another dog and the previous owner just didnt give this information upon surrendering her. How can I work with her to keep my boy safe, both me and my girl have fallen in love with Zoey so we do not want to give her up she is the sweetest dog outside of these momentary attacks which I believe could just be her asserting dominance but it still scares me she will hurt or kill my best friend. If you can help shed any light on why she goes from being a total sweet heart to a psycho bully with zero warning I would greatly accept any help to keep my pups safe happy and both in the home. As of today I will never leave Ozzy alone with Zoey I just don’t feel I can’t trust her.

  • Victoria
    Victoria California
    Dec 26 2020 8:56 PM
    As horrible as these have been to read through, it's been somewhat comforting to know other people are experience the same guilt and shame and confusion following this sort of trauma. Yesterday, in the middle of my family's Christmas celebration, my 7 year old pit attacked and killed our sweet senior chihuahua. It was totally unprovoked and sudden. They had lived together over 4 years, slept together every night, had never had any fights save for the occasional snap over food or toys VERY rarely. They were literally sleeping side by side one second and my pit had the chi in her mouth shaking her the next, in front of the whole family. It took my dad, me, and my wife to pull her off after a whole minute of wrestling and screaming. There was blood everywhere and my chihuahua died about a hour afterwards, her skull was fractured and her jaw broken. It was absolutely horrible. I used to work as a dog trainer and pride myself on dispelling tension, managing behavior, and setting out dogs up for success. I can read behavior well and anticipate fights, and am so ashamed that I didn't see this coming. It was so shocking. Our pit has had a history of selective territorial based aggression, but usually on leash and NEVER with our other dog. I still have no idea what happened and even with my extensive knowledge of dog behavior and experience with aggressive dogs, I don't know what to do with my pit right now or the anger and hurt and betrayal I'm feeling. We have cats and she's never acted aggressive towards them save for the occasional snap over food but now I know I can't trust her. She's NEVER bitten or even growled at a person before but after seeing how sudden and unprovoked this was I feel like I just don't know her anymore. Ive had her since she was a year old and put so much time and energy into her. She's an impeccably trained dog who knows a ton of commands and listens spectacularly but I can barely look at her right now and I just feel like maybe its more humane to euthanize her than it is to muzzle and crate her as much as I'm anticipating she would need to be muzzled and crated with our cats. I'm devastated and at a loss and can't stop replaying the incident and remembering how it felt to pull my chihuahua's broken teeth and jaw out of her throat to try to clear an airway before she died. It was so traumatic and I have no idea how to move on.

    As horrible as these have been to read through, it's been somewhat comforting to know other people are experience the same guilt and shame and confusion following this sort of trauma. Yesterday, in the middle of my family's Christmas celebration, my 7 year old pit attacked and killed our sweet senior chihuahua. It was totally unprovoked and sudden. They had lived together over 4 years, slept together every night, had never had any fights save for the occasional snap over food or toys VERY rarely. They were literally sleeping side by side one second and my pit had the chi in her mouth shaking her the next, in front of the whole family. It took my dad, me, and my wife to pull her off after a whole minute of wrestling and screaming. There was blood everywhere and my chihuahua died about a hour afterwards, her skull was fractured and her jaw broken. It was absolutely horrible.

    I used to work as a dog trainer and pride myself on dispelling tension, managing behavior, and setting out dogs up for success. I can read behavior well and anticipate fights, and am so ashamed that I didn't see this coming. It was so shocking. Our pit has had a history of selective territorial based aggression, but usually on leash and NEVER with our other dog. I still have no idea what happened and even with my extensive knowledge of dog behavior and experience with aggressive dogs, I don't know what to do with my pit right now or the anger and hurt and betrayal I'm feeling. We have cats and she's never acted aggressive towards them save for the occasional snap over food but now I know I can't trust her. She's NEVER bitten or even growled at a person before but after seeing how sudden and unprovoked this was I feel like I just don't know her anymore. Ive had her since she was a year old and put so much time and energy into her. She's an impeccably trained dog who knows a ton of commands and listens spectacularly but I can barely look at her right now and I just feel like maybe its more humane to euthanize her than it is to muzzle and crate her as much as I'm anticipating she would need to be muzzled and crated with our cats. I'm devastated and at a loss and can't stop replaying the incident and remembering how it felt to pull my chihuahua's broken teeth and jaw out of her throat to try to clear an airway before she died. It was so traumatic and I have no idea how to move on.

  • Michelle
    Michelle Whyalla
    Dec 28 2020 6:34 PM
    My 9 year old American staffordshire terrier has attacked my American pit bull terrier in last 3 years once in each year but the last attack was bad tht wen I thout i could just clean him up i didnt realise he was dying off shock he had shock last time so didn't think it was life threatening & my vet was on holidays so didnt think he answer phone,i thout clean him up patch the wounds keep him warm but didn't know wen read up later tht u had to lye them on right side & elevate them for behind to get blood t o heart for shock & get to get asap,if knew my vet would off answered wen I did ring 2 hours later cozz my dog started crying & a horrible howlling I knew something ing was we o by & risked tht vet would answer which he did i rushed him to vet but died in my arms as i carried,my older dig has known the dog since it was 5mth old he was turning 4 wen died never had issues threw year but one time wer dogs all around r on heat or getting out but the time I did tf know wth the trigger was or i would off separated them wen im not home all the time,i only did it once a attack happened then i tried to get ther friend ship back by walks after few weeks i aloud them be k together all good for a year,but the older dog did attack a dog i brought in t o the pack a year b4 all was fine,he got on wth my pitbull & played ruff wth him,but my older dog I came home at the end off them fighting they had each other by back off knock but they only had mild cuts nothing bad & all good once i broke them up,but the last attack on my other dog was bad found him lying on his right side not moving but his eyes,he could stand so i carried him,thought he was badly bruised but i think now he might hav a fracture or something i was concentrating on cleaning him up from dirt in bath tub so i could clean the wounds, now i wished i just rang vet to hope he answer & got him ther sooner he b alive now,sore but alive,why was ths attack more aggressive,& why only the last 3 years once in each year ths happening,they wer close so why hurt him tht badly im deverstated & hating my other dog right now as well as myself, was it coz i brought in the other dog 4 years ago or is a trigger happening & he took it out on my other dog c o z can't get to why he after,the neighbour dog years ago use to bang on fence driving my dog crazy to the point he smash his face to try get at it,but thts b4 i got other dogs only had two all dogs which he was great wth never hurt them I still hav one them he classed in the p back a Alfa so none hav ago at him he gets respect which i s good & my larger dog is second dig in p a k the one tht died is the third,then my girl who is also same age as the dead dog,then the rescue dog,all was desexed young but the new dog,he was 1.5years wen got him then he got desexed,now he done tf play wth his toys coz other dog gone,my girl walks around lookin & sniffing yard for him,older d o g is picking up on my angry & grief & is punished by not gettin my attention ive kicked him outside all day coz can't stand to look at him,ive yelled at him about Kiah,i know i shouldn't, it im hurting,he shaking wen he see me even if i ignore him,he won't eat in morn i ng d o by know he grieving coz Kiah not ther for breakfast he do start eatin tea but only twice,i was con ordering putt ijng him down coz dogs hav tiffs but to course the death off his friend upsets me,id get him a vet check up but he closed & right now im angry,my rescue dog lyin here winging,he loved playing wth the toys wth Kiah they did ths every day but now has no interest coz Kiah not here & he was the one tht did ruff play wth him, so he grieving too,my houshold has bn turned up side down & i don't know how to fix ths or make everyone including me feel better

    My 9 year old American staffordshire terrier has attacked my American pit bull terrier in last 3 years once in each year but the last attack was bad tht wen I thout i could just clean him up i didnt realise he was dying off shock he had shock last time so didn't think it was life threatening & my vet was on holidays so didnt think he answer phone,i thout clean him up patch the wounds keep him warm but didn't know wen read up later tht u had to lye them on right side & elevate them for behind to get blood t o heart for shock & get to get asap,if knew my vet would off answered wen I did ring 2 hours later cozz my dog started crying & a horrible howlling I knew something ing was we o by & risked tht vet would answer which he did i rushed him to vet but died in my arms as i carried,my older dig has known the dog since it was 5mth old he was turning 4 wen died never had issues threw year but one time wer dogs all around r on heat or getting out but the time I did tf know wth the trigger was or i would off separated them wen im not home all the time,i only did it once a attack happened then i tried to get ther friend ship back by walks after few weeks i aloud them be k together all good for a year,but the older dog did attack a dog i brought in t o the pack a year b4 all was fine,he got on wth my pitbull & played ruff wth him,but my older dog I came home at the end off them fighting they had each other by back off knock but they only had mild cuts nothing bad & all good once i broke them up,but the last attack on my other dog was bad found him lying on his right side not moving but his eyes,he could stand so i carried him,thought he was badly bruised but i think now he might hav a fracture or something i was concentrating on cleaning him up from dirt in bath tub so i could clean the wounds, now i wished i just rang vet to hope he answer & got him ther sooner he b alive now,sore but alive,why was ths attack more aggressive,& why only the last 3 years once in each year ths happening,they wer close so why hurt him tht badly im deverstated & hating my other dog right now as well as myself, was it coz i brought in the other dog 4 years ago or is a trigger happening & he took it out on my other dog c o z can't get to why he after,the neighbour dog years ago use to bang on fence driving my dog crazy to the point he smash his face to try get at it,but thts b4 i got other dogs only had two all dogs which he was great wth never hurt them I still hav one them he classed in the p back a Alfa so none hav ago at him he gets respect which i s good & my larger dog is second dig in p a k the one tht died is the third,then my girl who is also same age as the dead dog,then the rescue dog,all was desexed young but the new dog,he was 1.5years wen got him then he got desexed,now he done tf play wth his toys coz other dog gone,my girl walks around lookin & sniffing yard for him,older d o g is picking up on my angry & grief & is punished by not gettin my attention ive kicked him outside all day coz can't stand to look at him,ive yelled at him about Kiah,i know i shouldn't,
    it im hurting,he shaking wen he see me even if i ignore him,he won't eat in morn i ng d o by know he grieving coz Kiah not ther for breakfast he do start eatin tea but only twice,i was con ordering putt ijng him down coz dogs hav tiffs but to course the death off his friend upsets me,id get him a vet check up but he closed & right now im angry,my rescue dog lyin here winging,he loved playing wth the toys wth Kiah they did ths every day but now has no interest coz Kiah not here & he was the one tht did ruff play wth him, so he grieving too,my houshold has bn turned up side down & i don't know how to fix ths or make everyone including me feel better

  • Maritza
    Maritza Florida
    Dec 29 2020 4:01 PM
    My heart is broken, my husband and I went on vacation for Christmas and came back to a horror scene in my living room. My sister in law was watching our 3 dogs, a 4 yr old Shih Tzu , 6 year old terrier and 5 year old dane/terrier mix. They have lived today since my shih tzu was 2 years old and always shared everything with her, but Saturday evening we got home to her on the floor suffering for bites on her neck and on her left upper arm. She wouldn’t move or anything but we she was breathing very slow..we rushed her to the vet but the vet couldn’t do anything. My heart is broken. My other two dogs never showed signs of aggression towards her and my sister in law had sent us a picture of them all sleeping together right before we got home. My world is turning so much my heart hurts so much , my husband won’t stop crying and speaking about her. Idk how we will ever over come this. But I am just so thankful I found this group I thought my husband and I were the only ones that have gone thru this. RIP Cici “Tiki” our home will never be the same without you baby girl. We miss you so much. And love you.

    My heart is broken, my husband and I went on vacation for Christmas and came back to a horror scene in my living room. My sister in law was watching our 3 dogs, a 4 yr old Shih Tzu , 6 year old terrier and 5 year old dane/terrier mix. They have lived today since my shih tzu was 2 years old and always shared everything with her, but Saturday evening we got home to her on the floor suffering for bites on her neck and on her left upper arm. She wouldn’t move or anything but we she was breathing very slow..we rushed her to the vet but the vet couldn’t do anything. My heart is broken. My other two dogs never showed signs of aggression towards her and my sister in law had sent us a picture of them all sleeping together right before we got home. My world is turning so much my heart hurts so much , my husband won’t stop crying and speaking about her. Idk how we will ever over come this. But I am just so thankful I found this group I thought my husband and I were the only ones that have gone thru this. RIP Cici “Tiki” our home will never be the same without you baby girl. We miss you so much. And love you.

  • Josie
    Josie Cambridge Ontario
    Dec 30 2020 9:30 AM
    I just lost my little chawa from a dog fight in the house hold. Tues Dec 29/2020 I just came back from my daughters house and like always my chawa was hungery and went into the kitchen to feed her . My other day is a mix between poodle/coco spandle and she's always going after her food but we put up the gate or stay and watch her eat her food . So anyways I put up the gate and left her in the kitchen to eat and went and grabbed a shower came back upstairs realized she was finished and took the gate away and all I saw was my little dog being attack my my other dog . She shook her and this hasn't been the first she attack the little one over food but she not an aggressive dog but I feel it was my fault and my dog would still be here if I had of picked her up in time and I have to live with that.

    I just lost my little chawa from a dog fight in the house hold. Tues Dec 29/2020 I just came back from my daughters house and like always my chawa was hungery and went into the kitchen to feed her . My other day is a mix between poodle/coco spandle and she's always going after her food but we put up the gate or stay and watch her eat her food . So anyways I put up the gate and left her in the kitchen to eat and went and grabbed a shower came back upstairs realized she was finished and took the gate away and all I saw was my little dog being attack my my other dog . She shook her and this hasn't been the first she attack the little one over food but she not an aggressive dog but I feel it was my fault and my dog would still be here if I had of picked her up in time and I have to live with that.

  • Jonna
    Jonna Texas
    Jan 1 2021 5:09 PM
    My husband and I have always had a soft spot for dogs. And we have always had multiple dogs. Our current pack was at a total of 10 dogs of all different shapes and sizes. My older pups have had issues getting along with the younger ones at times. We just lost our oldest pup to an attack. It was so sudden and unexpected. We never thought this would happen again. Unfortunately this is our second loss for this reason. We love all our pets. But it is so traumatic to loose them in this way. Please keep my family and pups in your prayers. Its been hard.

    My husband and I have always had a soft spot for dogs. And we have always had multiple dogs. Our current pack was at a total of 10 dogs of all different shapes and sizes. My older pups have had issues getting along with the younger ones at times. We just lost our oldest pup to an attack. It was so sudden and unexpected. We never thought this would happen again. Unfortunately this is our second loss for this reason. We love all our pets. But it is so traumatic to loose them in this way. Please keep my family and pups in your prayers. Its been hard.

  • Michelle
    Michelle Whyalla
    Jan 2 2021 4:38 AM
    My 3 year old American pitbull terrier,would bn 4 in few weeks,died off shock 7 days ago from my 9 year old American staffordshire terrier,ther wer no signs but the attacks started 3 years ago only once in each year he got my pitbull twice my rescue dog once which was miner just all wounds,but the last attack i only went out four few hours found my Am/staff & staffy x Kellie at back door wagging ther tails my Am/staff covered in deliver & blood i found my pitbull lying on ground,all dogs r desexed the last attacks was coz a dog was trying to get at them throu fence she was on heat so not sure if ths happened again wth different dog,everyone was happy wth ther they,the pit & staffy x was playing wth ther Xmas toys wen i left,they don't fight over food or toys but thes two do play ruff,don't understand why attack worse the time & i didn't notice any aggression as ther normally best friends,i didn't realise his shock was bad,& I realised later i may hav made it worse by reading up on it tht ur meant to put them on ther right side & elevate ther lower back,i gav him warm bath to clean him up ascovered wth blood,dirt & deliver so i didnt want to put creams on till i cleaned him up,i didnt realise coz he b still damp tht ive made his shock worse even tho i put a blanket on him,i couldn't ring vet as he was closed so i thout id just clean him up lol last time he b sore but ok,but he lifted his head up fast started winging so i thout he needed toilet so carried him out but he collapsed so brought him back in covered him but then he started panting so i thout he was hot so i uncovered him put fan on gav alittle water,later read u wer not meant to give water or food,he lied ther then he starting crying then let out the horrible howlling ths continued,wth heavy breathing continuing but stopped let out deep breath the done few times then the crying & howlling i touch his mouth it was lik ice i new then something bad was tapping,i tried ring vet & he did answer,told me to get him to clinic,my dog had tongue hanging out will crying im sayin hang on Kiah wer getting help but the 7 mins drive their & as i got him out car he flopped he died in my arms b4 i got him in the door,id did everything wrong if i only rang vet soon as i saw my dog he b alive,if only i kepted them separated wen not home instead off listening to a trainer saying they b ok now,& they wer for 4 mths im angry wth my older dig coz after it happened he acting everything ok,till he realised i was upset & his friend not come home i had 5 dogs one was young female desex around same age as the pitbull & staffy x & i hav two o older dogs the Am/staff & a terrier x staff x pit mix the size off terrier but they all know he Alfa then it's the Am/staff then the pitbull then my girl then the rescue dog they all new ther places they all knew ther commands they all got treated the same so don't understand why,just hard to love the dog tht did the atte k but i blame myself f oir his death as i didn't know wht i was meant to do as i was in shock myself in how bad he was,i lost my baby coz i couldn't read up on shock wen first happened few years ago as never had phone tht i could look things up till now which is too late😭😭😭

    My 3 year old American pitbull terrier,would bn 4 in few weeks,died off shock 7 days ago from my 9 year old American staffordshire terrier,ther wer no signs but the attacks started 3 years ago only once in each year he got my pitbull twice my rescue dog once which was miner just all wounds,but the last attack i only went out four few hours found my Am/staff & staffy x Kellie at back door wagging ther tails my Am/staff covered in deliver & blood i found my pitbull lying on ground,all dogs r desexed the last attacks was coz a dog was trying to get at them throu fence she was on heat so not sure if ths happened again wth different dog,everyone was happy wth ther they,the pit & staffy x was playing wth ther Xmas toys wen i left,they don't fight over food or toys but thes two do play ruff,don't understand why attack worse the time & i didn't notice any aggression as ther normally best friends,i didn't realise his shock was bad,& I realised later i may hav made it worse by reading up on it tht ur meant to put them on ther right side & elevate ther lower back,i gav him warm bath to clean him up ascovered wth blood,dirt & deliver so i didnt want to put creams on till i cleaned him up,i didnt realise coz he b still damp tht ive made his shock worse even tho i put a blanket on him,i couldn't ring vet as he was closed so i thout id just clean him up lol last time he b sore but ok,but he lifted his head up fast started winging so i thout he needed toilet so carried him out but he collapsed so brought him back in covered him but then he started panting so i thout he was hot so i uncovered him put fan on gav alittle water,later read u wer not meant to give water or food,he lied ther then he starting crying then let out the horrible howlling ths continued,wth heavy breathing continuing but stopped let out deep breath the done few times then the crying & howlling i touch his mouth it was lik ice i new then something bad was tapping,i tried ring vet & he did answer,told me to get him to clinic,my dog had tongue hanging out will crying im sayin hang on Kiah wer getting help but the 7 mins drive their & as i got him out car he flopped he died in my arms b4 i got him in the door,id did everything wrong if i only rang vet soon as i saw my dog he b alive,if only i kepted them separated wen not home instead off listening to a trainer saying they b ok now,& they wer for 4 mths im angry wth my older dig coz after it happened he acting everything ok,till he realised i was upset & his friend not come home i had 5 dogs one was young female desex around same age as the pitbull & staffy x & i hav two o older dogs the Am/staff & a terrier x staff x pit mix the size off terrier but they all know he Alfa then it's the Am/staff then the pitbull then my girl then the rescue dog they all new ther places they all knew ther commands they all got treated the same so don't understand why,just hard to love the dog tht did the atte k but i blame myself f oir his death as i didn't know wht i was meant to do as i was in shock myself in how bad he was,i lost my baby coz i couldn't read up on shock wen first happened few years ago as never had phone tht i could look things up till now which is too late😭😭😭

  • Tina
    Tina Croatia
    Jan 3 2021 2:15 PM
    I have 3 dogs, a Alpine Duchsbrack female of 8 years and two male Golden Retrievers (brothers from a same litter) 2 years of age. And reading this post and then comments I got little bit scared and I am just wondering how many of dogs that attacked or killed another dog were working dogs or dog that had a very active life - mental stimulation?

    I have 3 dogs, a Alpine Duchsbrack female of 8 years and two male Golden Retrievers (brothers from a same litter) 2 years of age. And reading this post and then comments I got little bit scared and I am just wondering how many of dogs that attacked or killed another dog were working dogs or dog that had a very active life - mental stimulation?

  • Dogue Shop
    Dogue Shop
    Jan 3 2021 2:36 PM
    Tina, service animals are not exempt from killing our being killed. One person comment as a dog trainer. I too am a behaviour consultant and both my dogs are service animals. One is retired and the other is 2.5yo. I'm 100% aware that this could be me. Consequently, I never leave my dogs unsupervised, even when grabbing a package. The younger, bigger dog is always created. The difference is that she's trained to go to her create when the doorbell rings.

    Tina, service animals are not exempt from killing our being killed. One person comment as a dog trainer. I too am a behaviour consultant and both my dogs are service animals. One is retired and the other is 2.5yo. I'm 100% aware that this could be me. Consequently, I never leave my dogs unsupervised, even when grabbing a package. The younger, bigger dog is always created. The difference is that she's trained to go to her create when the doorbell rings.

  • Nicole
    Nicole England
    Jan 10 2021 2:46 PM
    My husky recently just got attacked at a local park and his leg is injured and he can barely walk at the moment. I also have a jack Russell who is very protective and was protecting the husky during the attack. But, since we got home the husky had been very aggressive and territorial towards the jack Russell. I am worried because he is very small and the husky could be down with him in 10 seconds he has already tried to attack him just because my jack Russell walked close to him. What should I do?

    My husky recently just got attacked at a local park and his leg is injured and he can barely walk at the moment. I also have a jack Russell who is very protective and was protecting the husky during the attack. But, since we got home the husky had been very aggressive and territorial towards the jack Russell. I am worried because he is very small and the husky could be down with him in 10 seconds he has already tried to attack him just because my jack Russell walked close to him. What should I do?

  • John
    John Wyoming
    Jan 11 2021 12:16 AM
    My dog Lula, a husky mix attempted to kill our larger and older male Siberian Husky. She snapped. It took nearly ten minutes to break the fight apart. We have had isolated accidents, but never this bad. She's currently in boarding likely about to be rehomed. We have three dogs, she seemed to be protective of one my family members and wanted solely his attention. I guess you'd call it possessive. She usually plays with the other dogs and seems to have a tight bond with them. But whenever we're outside she can't handle not being the sole dog getting the attention. That's my guess at least. Is it possibility to train her out of this, or is this agression innate? It seems too risky at this point. If she snaps again she may end up killing one of the the other dogs. I desperately want to keep her, but I also have to do what is best for her and the other dogs. Should I attempt retraining?

    My dog Lula, a husky mix attempted to kill our larger and older male Siberian Husky. She snapped. It took nearly ten minutes to break the fight apart. We have had isolated accidents, but never this bad. She's currently in boarding likely about to be rehomed. We have three dogs, she seemed to be protective of one my family members and wanted solely his attention. I guess you'd call it possessive. She usually plays with the other dogs and seems to have a tight bond with them. But whenever we're outside she can't handle not being the sole dog getting the attention. That's my guess at least.

    Is it possibility to train her out of this, or is this agression innate? It seems too risky at this point. If she snaps again she may end up killing one of the the other dogs. I desperately want to keep her, but I also have to do what is best for her and the other dogs. Should I attempt retraining?

  • Kristin
    Kristin Texas
    Jan 12 2021 5:53 PM
    I came here today because I’ve noticed an increasing trend for one of my dogs to be overly aggressive to another (same one every time). It became readily apparent today when my small terrier mix Penny merely walked in the house from going potty, and immediately my much larger and younger German Shepard mix Lola attacked her. There was no food, toy, or anything else anywhere near, and Penny was preceded by our even smaller Chihuahua mix Daisy who was ignored completely by Lola. Besides a few bleeding cuts and her cute little personality being quite subdued currently, Penny is okay. I think the problem may be that Lola is a bit of a bully, and while our other dogs all seem to defer to her, Penny does not. It could also be a jealousy issue as Penny generally likes being wherever I am and Lola until about two weeks ago (when things started to get worse), seemed perfectly content to be across the room from me in her spot on the couch. This article and many comments and questions, have made it perfectly clear that I, and my family need to alter what we’re doing at home and keep Penny safe from Lola at all costs, and potentially our other pups, because after reading all these I’m afraid for my other dogs if they should ever get tired of, or try challenging Lolas bullying. For now, we have come up with a plan to keep Penny and Lola separate at all times. It may be that we’ll need to keep Lola separate from all our other pups, if we can convince my hubby, that is. I thank all of you for sharing your heartbreaking stories. My heart aches for you all because I know how I would feel if we hadn’t managed to get Penny away from Lola today.

    I came here today because I’ve noticed an increasing trend for one of my dogs to be overly aggressive to another (same one every time). It became readily apparent today when my small terrier mix Penny merely walked in the house from going potty, and immediately my much larger and younger German Shepard mix Lola attacked her. There was no food, toy, or anything else anywhere near, and Penny was preceded by our even smaller Chihuahua mix Daisy who was ignored completely by Lola. Besides a few bleeding cuts and her cute little personality being quite subdued currently, Penny is okay. I think the problem may be that Lola is a bit of a bully, and while our other dogs all seem to defer to her, Penny does not. It could also be a jealousy issue as Penny generally likes being wherever I am and Lola until about two weeks ago (when things started to get worse), seemed perfectly content to be across the room from me in her spot on the couch.
    This article and many comments and questions, have made it perfectly clear that I, and my family need to alter what we’re doing at home and keep Penny safe from Lola at all costs, and potentially our other pups, because after reading all these I’m afraid for my other dogs if they should ever get tired of, or try challenging Lolas bullying. For now, we have come up with a plan to keep Penny and Lola separate at all times. It may be that we’ll need to keep Lola separate from all our other pups, if we can convince my hubby, that is.
    I thank all of you for sharing your heartbreaking stories. My heart aches for you all because I know how I would feel if we hadn’t managed to get Penny away from Lola today.

  • Deanna
    Deanna Texas
    Jan 14 2021 8:12 PM
    I have 2 yorkies . An older one male snd a young female. I moved in with my b/f and he has a 7 yr old unfixed jack Russell. We have had a routine of feeding them but my older guy decided he would stop snd eat some dry food that we leave out all the time. The jack russell out of nowhere attacked him and might as well say he killed him. We had to put the old guy down. He has Shown aggressive behavior one time before when he was around him but there was also another dog around so we thought it was because of that. After reading this I’m wondering if it was because my Yorkie was older I am so heartbroken and wish I would have done things differently. I wish I had read this article sooner. I hope someone sees this and possibly saves their pet. Don’t really know if we should get rid of jack russell around my other Yorkie or what.

    I have 2 yorkies . An older one male snd a young female. I moved in with my b/f and he has a 7 yr old unfixed jack Russell. We have had a routine of feeding them but my older guy decided he would stop snd eat some dry food that we leave out all the time. The jack russell out of nowhere attacked him and might as well say he killed him. We had to put the old guy down. He has Shown aggressive behavior one time before when he was around him but there was also another dog around so we thought it was because of that. After reading this I’m wondering if it was because my Yorkie was older I am so heartbroken and wish I would have done things differently. I wish I had read this article sooner. I hope someone sees this and possibly saves their pet. Don’t really know if we should get rid of jack russell around my other Yorkie or what.

  • Etta
    Etta Charleston,SC
    Jan 14 2021 11:36 PM
    We got a little girl Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (ruthy) for Christmas this year, December 23rd. We have another dog who is a large springer spaniel (Roy) male who does not like other dogs, but we had two other dogs who recently passed that he grew up with (they were older than him and one was a cavalier King Charles). When we got her we were very careful with her, and every day since we got her. Roy nipped at her a few times and if we didn’t have a leash on her she would have run up to him and tried to play (he does not like when other dogs come up to him, he usually attacks them and they run away) but Ruthy being a baby did not understand his behaviors and ignored the aggression. Sometimes she will go up to him and he won’t hurt her and we are always right there. But today, I was Watching them and I saw Ruthy go up to Roy and I let her because Roy seemed very relaxed and wasn’t showing teeth or anything. I was Right next to them on the ground. And in not even a second he attacked her, she started crying and I was literally in shock and have been crying all day because I keep Telling myself if I had been faster, if I had held her with me and not trusted Roy, she would still be alive. He bit her so hard and had her head in his mouth. He broke her neck and her brain blood was bleeding out her nose. She was paralyzed and had internal brain bleeding and gashes in her head so we had to put her down. I have Been crying all day and called all my friends and therapists because I feel so guilty and am feeling intense grief like I never have before (I dont Think I’ve ever felt grief before this, even when my grandmother passed because at least I knew My granny had a long life), Ruthy was 10 weeks old, and I didn’t protect her, and I trusted A dog that shouldn’t have been trusted. We should have never gotten her in the first place because Roy is a liability. I am Pointing fingers at my parents for not training him but mostly at myself for completely freezing. I never thought Roy would bite her that hard, but she was a puppy not a grown up dog. We are thinking of euthanizing Roy because of fear he would do this to another puppy or even a child. We are all angry and me the most because I saw him do it and Was horrified at the monster he became. She was a literal baby and i am shook to my core and I will Never get over it .

    We got a little girl Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (ruthy) for Christmas this year, December 23rd. We have another dog who is a large springer spaniel (Roy) male who does not like other dogs, but we had two other dogs who recently passed that he grew up with (they were older than him and one was a cavalier King Charles). When we got her we were very careful with her, and every day since we got her. Roy nipped at her a few times and if we didn’t have a leash on her she would have run up to him and tried to play (he does not like when other dogs come up to him, he usually attacks them and they run away) but Ruthy being a baby did not understand his behaviors and ignored the aggression. Sometimes she will go up to him and he won’t hurt her and we are always right there. But today, I was Watching them and I saw Ruthy go up to Roy and I let her because Roy seemed very relaxed and wasn’t showing teeth or anything. I was Right next to them on the ground. And in not even a second he attacked her, she started crying and I was literally in shock and have been crying all day because I keep Telling myself if I had been faster, if I had held her with me and not trusted Roy, she would still be alive. He bit her so hard and had her head in his mouth. He broke her neck and her brain blood was bleeding out her nose. She was paralyzed and had internal brain bleeding and gashes in her head so we had to put her down. I have Been crying all day and called all my friends and therapists because I feel so guilty and am feeling intense grief like I never have before (I dont Think I’ve ever felt grief before this, even when my grandmother passed because at least I knew My granny had a long life), Ruthy was 10 weeks old, and I didn’t protect her, and I trusted A dog that shouldn’t have been trusted. We should have never gotten her in the first place because Roy is a liability. I am Pointing fingers at my parents for not training him but mostly at myself for completely freezing. I never thought Roy would bite her that hard, but she was a puppy not a grown up dog. We are thinking of euthanizing Roy because of fear he would do this to another puppy or even a child. We are all angry and me the most because I saw him do it and Was horrified at the monster he became. She was a literal baby and i am shook to my core and I will Never get over it .

  • Jennifer
    Jennifer NC
    Jan 20 2021 9:33 PM
    We have been married for 26 years and have owned dogs that entire time. We have fostered, rescued, bred, you name it. We live on a large farm with chickens, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, you name it. We thought we were incredibly experienced. We were wrong. Currently, we have 9 dogs in the family but two come and go to school with our daughter. - leaving 7 at home full time. They range in age from 4 months to 13 years and are a mix of pure breeds (pugs, a german shepherd) and rescue mutts (a husky mix and a pit mix). We have had great harmony until very recently. One of the pugs, age 5, was singled out by the pit mix, also age 5. These two had lived together since the pit was rescued at age 10 months - basically their entire lives. In October, the dogs were in the house and a serviceman came by. I stepped outside to talk for 5 minutes and in that short time, the pit attacked the pug and tore her eye out. I rushed her to the emergency vet and 2 surgeries and $4000 later, Pearl came home. We were devastated but thought we had it under control. We had a routine - the pit would sleep with us at night while the others were crated, then the pit would crate during the day while the others were out. Worked like a charm. Until this week. My husband was quarantined from COVID and was home which is atypical. He slept in so instead of crating the pit, I put her in the bedroom with him while I took some work calls. He got up, let her and the others all out together and was on watch when his phone rang. He took a 2 minute work call. When he called the dogs back up, all came but the pug. The pit and the shepherd were covered in blood and the pug was in the yard, mauled. She died minutes later in my arms. We are gutted - it happened so quickly. I thought we are the worst dog parents ever and that we were the only ones until I just found this site. I do not know what to do. I feel like euthanasia is the only way but do only know that the pit cannot EVER be trusted even though we love her with everything - she is an absolutely wonderful dog save for the fact she just murdered our girl. I am not sure about the shepherd. She was an accessory. I am meeting with a trainer tomorrow to look at a plan for her, but just do not know what to do about the pit. It is awful because we, like all of you, basically lost two absolutely beloved dogs yesterday. My condolences to each and every single one of you - this is just awful.

    We have been married for 26 years and have owned dogs that entire time. We have fostered, rescued, bred, you name it. We live on a large farm with chickens, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, you name it. We thought we were incredibly experienced. We were wrong. Currently, we have 9 dogs in the family but two come and go to school with our daughter. - leaving 7 at home full time. They range in age from 4 months to 13 years and are a mix of pure breeds (pugs, a german shepherd) and rescue mutts (a husky mix and a pit mix). We have had great harmony until very recently. One of the pugs, age 5, was singled out by the pit mix, also age 5. These two had lived together since the pit was rescued at age 10 months - basically their entire lives. In October, the dogs were in the house and a serviceman came by. I stepped outside to talk for 5 minutes and in that short time, the pit attacked the pug and tore her eye out. I rushed her to the emergency vet and 2 surgeries and $4000 later, Pearl came home. We were devastated but thought we had it under control. We had a routine - the pit would sleep with us at night while the others were crated, then the pit would crate during the day while the others were out. Worked like a charm. Until this week. My husband was quarantined from COVID and was home which is atypical. He slept in so instead of crating the pit, I put her in the bedroom with him while I took some work calls. He got up, let her and the others all out together and was on watch when his phone rang. He took a 2 minute work call. When he called the dogs back up, all came but the pug. The pit and the shepherd were covered in blood and the pug was in the yard, mauled. She died minutes later in my arms. We are gutted - it happened so quickly. I thought we are the worst dog parents ever and that we were the only ones until I just found this site. I do not know what to do. I feel like euthanasia is the only way but do only know that the pit cannot EVER be trusted even though we love her with everything - she is an absolutely wonderful dog save for the fact she just murdered our girl. I am not sure about the shepherd. She was an accessory. I am meeting with a trainer tomorrow to look at a plan for her, but just do not know what to do about the pit. It is awful because we, like all of you, basically lost two absolutely beloved dogs yesterday. My condolences to each and every single one of you - this is just awful.

  • Kathleen
    Kathleen Philadelphia
    Jan 31 2021 7:21 PM
    My pit attacked my golden doodle out of nowhere. She was a rescue at Six weeks. She came into the house with the golden just being one year old. They have been best buddies. Now 3 years later she is aggressive and he is submissive. Unfortunately she attacked him for no apparent reason. Do I need to put her down? Can something be done? Medicine maybe?

    My pit attacked my golden doodle out of nowhere.
    She was a rescue at Six weeks. She came into the house with the golden just being one year old.
    They have been best buddies. Now 3 years later she is aggressive and he is submissive. Unfortunately she attacked him for no apparent reason. Do I need to put her down?
    Can something be done? Medicine maybe?

  • Gaby
    Gaby Holland
    Feb 4 2021 1:58 PM
    We had this wonderful, playful, loyal German spitz. We live in the countryside with few neighbours and only their dogs in the neighbourhood that were all girl and got along well with our pomeranian. We let our dog roam free in the neighbourhood since he enjoyed so much this freedom! One morning I wake up and see he didn't touch his food, I knew smth happened to him. Found him laying dead in the field with a big whole in his neck ripped out. No blood around him or around the wound. Just a clean big round piece missing from the neck. But why is there no blood at all? Isn't this weird? Devastated....no words.

    We had this wonderful, playful, loyal German spitz. We live in the countryside with few neighbours and only their dogs in the neighbourhood that were all girl and got along well with our pomeranian. We let our dog roam free in the neighbourhood since he enjoyed so much this freedom! One morning I wake up and see he didn't touch his food, I knew smth happened to him. Found him laying dead in the field with a big whole in his neck ripped out. No blood around him or around the wound. Just a clean big round piece missing from the neck. But why is there no blood at all? Isn't this weird? Devastated....no words.

  • Dogue Shop
    Dogue Shop
    Feb 4 2021 5:54 PM
    That's because the body was moved.

    That's because the body was moved.

  • Ruth
    Ruth South of England, UK
    Feb 9 2021 3:18 PM
    My chihuahua cross miniature pincher developed epilepsy and was killed by my Yorkshire terrier and my Croatian sheepdog. I was in another room and heard the screams. She had a huge ripped skin wound and teeth wounds in the back of the neck. She bled to death in my arms, though I think the shock killed her first. This is the first time I have talked about that terrible day a few months ago. I can only make sense of that happening is that the killers sensed that epileptic fits would only get worse and this was a merciful release. I feel better for sharing this gruesome experience. I

    My chihuahua cross miniature pincher developed epilepsy and was killed by my Yorkshire terrier and my Croatian sheepdog. I was in another room and heard the screams. She had a huge ripped skin wound and teeth wounds in the back of the neck. She bled to death in my arms, though I think the shock killed her first. This is the first time I have talked about that terrible day a few months ago. I can only make sense of that happening is that the killers sensed that epileptic fits would only get worse and this was a merciful release. I feel better for sharing this gruesome experience.
    I

  • Angie
    Angie Gladwin
    Feb 10 2021 2:53 PM
    I have a pure bred chihuahua and my daughter got a pure bred heeler. My chihuahua is older. By a lot. And he is male, the other female. I think the female is now pregnant and it’s causing her to be more irritable and aggressive toward my chihuahua. She is always pushing him out of the way, is very territorial and earlier today she attacked him and wouldn’t let go. She was laying by my feet and he came up and she grabbed him and wouldn’t let go. I tried dislodging her jaw but nothing. I had to grab her around the neck and punch her face to get her to let go. He now has a small piece missing from his upper lip where she took hold and I have her in a cage and not sure what to do next. She has attacked him before, but it’s getting worse. I wonder if it’s her being pregnant, being a dog, or if she has rabies??? She has not had her shots yet. Can she still get them while pregnant?

    I have a pure bred chihuahua and my daughter got a pure bred heeler. My chihuahua is older. By a lot. And he is male, the other female. I think the female is now pregnant and it’s causing her to be more irritable and aggressive toward my chihuahua. She is always pushing him out of the way, is very territorial and earlier today she attacked him and wouldn’t let go. She was laying by my feet and he came up and she grabbed him and wouldn’t let go. I tried dislodging her jaw but nothing. I had to grab her around the neck and punch her face to get her to let go. He now has a small piece missing from his upper lip where she took hold and I have her in a cage and not sure what to do next. She has attacked him before, but it’s getting worse. I wonder if it’s her being pregnant, being a dog, or if she has rabies??? She has not had her shots yet. Can she still get them while pregnant?

  • Mini
    Mini Somewhere
    Feb 13 2021 6:41 PM
    We have a 4 year old puggle who is being frequently attacked everytime she crys in pain and they constantly look at each other and growl by our 2 year old mix breed. I have no idea what to do but the attacks keep getting worse.

    We have a 4 year old puggle who is being frequently attacked everytime she crys in pain and they constantly look at each other and growl by our 2 year old mix breed. I have no idea what to do but the attacks keep getting worse.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Florida
    Feb 15 2021 1:44 AM
    I had a tragic situation happen just yesterday with my younger and older dog. I would love to hear from you if your available I would greatly, greatly appreciate someone who could help me understand this situation better!

    I had a tragic situation happen just yesterday with my younger and older dog. I would love to hear from you if your available I would greatly, greatly appreciate someone who could help me understand this situation better!

  • Julie Williams
    Julie Williams
    Feb 17 2021 10:56 PM
    My ten year old lab mix just gouged out my 20 year old chihuahua in a 3 second long attack that may have been over a thought that I might drop some food. I had to put her down. Now I have to decide if I have to put my lab mix down too. I still have a cocker spaniel to protect. He has snapped at both before but never drawn blood. Please tell me I have another choice than to get rid of him.

    My ten year old lab mix just gouged out my 20 year old chihuahua in a 3 second long attack that may have been over a thought that I might drop some food. I had to put her down. Now I have to decide if I have to put my lab mix down too. I still have a cocker spaniel to protect. He has snapped at both before but never drawn blood. Please tell me I have another choice than to get rid of him.

  • Tracey
    Tracey TX
    Feb 18 2021 7:09 AM
    I’m going through the very same grief as the stories that I just read. My little Chihuahua named Bitsy was attacked and shaken by my Rhodesian ridgeback mix. The Rhodesian mix is about 14years old and the Chihuahua mix was only a year and a half. The signs were there I just didn’t read them clearly. My big dog had snapped at the Chihuahua many times prior but I never thought that she would actually kill my little girl. I’m devastated and heartbroken and I blame myself. Now, I’m having to put down my Rhodesian because I can’t trust her anymore and she’s old so I don’t think rehoming her would work either. I’m losing two fur babies at once.

    I’m going through the very same grief as the stories that I just read. My little Chihuahua named Bitsy was attacked and shaken by my Rhodesian ridgeback mix. The Rhodesian mix is about 14years old and the Chihuahua mix was only a year and a half. The signs were there I just didn’t read them clearly. My big dog had snapped at the Chihuahua many times prior but I never thought that she would actually kill my little girl. I’m devastated and heartbroken and I blame myself. Now, I’m having to put down my Rhodesian because I can’t trust her anymore and she’s old so I don’t think rehoming her would work either. I’m losing two fur babies at once.

  • Stephanie Rodriguez
    Stephanie Rodriguez Arizona
    Feb 22 2021 3:13 AM
    Today my pitbull attacked my poodle today. This is the third time she’s done this. Before we got her, we had a different poodle and she attacked her as well and killed her. But today, I don’t know why she attacked my other dog if she was just standing under my nieces high chair. We managed to take her off and my poodle isn’t very seriously injured but I am scared that my pitbull will do it again to her

    Today my pitbull attacked my poodle today. This is the third time she’s done this. Before we got her, we had a different poodle and she attacked her as well and killed her. But today, I don’t know why she attacked my other dog if she was just standing under my nieces high chair. We managed to take her off and my poodle isn’t very seriously injured but I am scared that my pitbull will do it again to her

  • Jaxon Majewski
    Jaxon Majewski Texas
    Feb 24 2021 7:31 PM
    I’m sorry if some words are misspelled in this, the death was today and I might still be in a little shock. It was all normal for the entire day, my 3 year old Labrador-Pit Bella was lying on the floor sleeping and our 6-7 year old Yorkie, Pip, was eating her food next to Bella. I was about to go outside and play basketball and I was in a rush so I almost stepped on Pip and she scurried away and accidentally kicked Bella’s eye, which cause Bella to react immediately and bite but she accidentally hit pip in the mouth. Pip was lying on the floor completely still but audibly and visibly breathing and her hear was beating as well as her eyes moving, so we got to the car as fast as we could, making sure Bella was okay as she had immediately let go of pip after realizing it was her and was whining and barking trying to check on her and was obviously worried. We drove over with me holding pip in my arms with a towel to clean up as much blood as I could. I should’ve realized something was wrong, but about halfway over she stopped looking at me and around her and started looking dead ahead, but she was still breathing and her heart was beating so I guessed she must’ve been tired from looking everywhere, and she was finally starting to move her legs, but I noticed that they were shooting up, down, or to the sides rigidly for a few seconds and relaxing before doing it again a few minutes later. We got to the emergency room and I respect how fast they got us in as within 1 minute of arriving we were already placing her on an operating table. They were getting her cleaned and were even getting ready to do a blood transfusion before who I think the head vet might’ve been came over and noticed that she was reacting or blinking or even moving her eyes. After a few minutes the vet told us she fears that pip might have brain damage, and after a few more minutes, confirmed she was most likely brain dead and that the breathing and leg movements was most likely involuntary. I appreciate these people as they got us tissues, did their best to comfort us at this, and calmly explained that the most they could do at that point was give her some medicine to make sure she passes as smoothly and painlessly as possible. Their were five, maybe six of them all helping and I honestly believe that if Pip’s accident hadn’t been so fast to send her into shock, these people would’ve been able to help her. After about ten minutes maybe, I’m not sure I wasn’t totally conscious mostly zoning in and out as I pet her, they told us that she finally passed. I think all I remember is I felt blank, not entirely empty, but just like I couldn’t sense anything around me, they were very good at trying to comfort us and they brought my mom into another room to ask about what should be done with the body, as I walked out and just say in the car on my phone filling in my dad. Once my mom came back, we went home over what was almost entirely silence save for my mom calling my dad just letting him know everything did, and this was a blur as I was almost comatose on the way back and completely numb to my surroundings. That’s pretty much it but the reason I came her was I am worried, as I’ve heard of dogs getting put down if they bit and killed another, I’m just concerned as this wasn’t what the article talked about, as Bella has always been a very gentle giant kind of dog, and this was the first time she ever did something and it was clearly accidental as she immediately let go of pip within a second of biting her, and immediately began whining trying to nudge her up with her nose. I just want to know that Bella won’t get taken or put down as we all know this wasn’t an attack, even the vet after hearing the story told us this sounded like a freak accident that nobody could’ve predicted. But I’m also scared as this is all my fault, since I was in such a rush I stepped over pip instead of just easily going around her and I made her scurry and startle Bella, and the guilt is immense enough without knowing I could not only have lead one dog to getting killed in an accident, but leading my personal puppy to getting euthanized.

    I’m sorry if some words are misspelled in this, the death was today and I might still be in a little shock. It was all normal for the entire day, my 3 year old Labrador-Pit Bella was lying on the floor sleeping and our 6-7 year old Yorkie, Pip, was eating her food next to Bella. I was about to go outside and play basketball and I was in a rush so I almost stepped on Pip and she scurried away and accidentally kicked Bella’s eye, which cause Bella to react immediately and bite but she accidentally hit pip in the mouth. Pip was lying on the floor completely still but audibly and visibly breathing and her hear was beating as well as her eyes moving, so we got to the car as fast as we could, making sure Bella was okay as she had immediately let go of pip after realizing it was her and was whining and barking trying to check on her and was obviously worried. We drove over with me holding pip in my arms with a towel to clean up as much blood as I could. I should’ve realized something was wrong, but about halfway over she stopped looking at me and around her and started looking dead ahead, but she was still breathing and her heart was beating so I guessed she must’ve been tired from looking everywhere, and she was finally starting to move her legs, but I noticed that they were shooting up, down, or to the sides rigidly for a few seconds and relaxing before doing it again a few minutes later. We got to the emergency room and I respect how fast they got us in as within 1 minute of arriving we were already placing her on an operating table. They were getting her cleaned and were even getting ready to do a blood transfusion before who I think the head vet might’ve been came over and noticed that she was reacting or blinking or even moving her eyes. After a few minutes the vet told us she fears that pip might have brain damage, and after a few more minutes, confirmed she was most likely brain dead and that the breathing and leg movements was most likely involuntary. I appreciate these people as they got us tissues, did their best to comfort us at this, and calmly explained that the most they could do at that point was give her some medicine to make sure she passes as smoothly and painlessly as possible. Their were five, maybe six of them all helping and I honestly believe that if Pip’s accident hadn’t been so fast to send her into shock, these people would’ve been able to help her. After about ten minutes maybe, I’m not sure I wasn’t totally conscious mostly zoning in and out as I pet her, they told us that she finally passed. I think all I remember is I felt blank, not entirely empty, but just like I couldn’t sense anything around me, they were very good at trying to comfort us and they brought my mom into another room to ask about what should be done with the body, as I walked out and just say in the car on my phone filling in my dad. Once my mom came back, we went home over what was almost entirely silence save for my mom calling my dad just letting him know everything did, and this was a blur as I was almost comatose on the way back and completely numb to my surroundings. That’s pretty much it but the reason I came her was I am worried, as I’ve heard of dogs getting put down if they bit and killed another, I’m just concerned as this wasn’t what the article talked about, as Bella has always been a very gentle giant kind of dog, and this was the first time she ever did something and it was clearly accidental as she immediately let go of pip within a second of biting her, and immediately began whining trying to nudge her up with her nose. I just want to know that Bella won’t get taken or put down as we all know this wasn’t an attack, even the vet after hearing the story told us this sounded like a freak accident that nobody could’ve predicted. But I’m also scared as this is all my fault, since I was in such a rush I stepped over pip instead of just easily going around her and I made her scurry and startle Bella, and the guilt is immense enough without knowing I could not only have lead one dog to getting killed in an accident, but leading my personal puppy to getting euthanized.

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