Charleen
Well-known member
I haven't been able to tell you, because I am horrified and appalled at what has occurred this week. But I need advice and so I must tell you. For those of you that have worked with a PACK of DOGS - I really need your expertise.
I'll start with the story on January 12th. Before that date my parents were home with the cavaliers during the day and I was with them on nights and weekends. Starting Jan. 12, my parents are down south with their camper and won't be back until spring.
Luke has always wanted to sit on my lap. He loves affection and will jump in your arms to get it. I know he craves it, so starting last week, I am taking him to daycare once a week and he is doing really well there.
Sunday - Feb. 4th - I was eating a sandwich on the couch and the dogs were on the floor. Next thing I know Luke attacked Pippin's ear. Luke detached himself after a few minutes.
After that I will not eat in front of the dogs.
Wednesday - Feb. 7th - I was going to toilet and I was petting Pippin's head. Luke started to enter the bathroom and Pippin growled at Luke. Next thing I know Luke lunges at Pippin and grabs his ear and won't let go. Then Merry attacks and grabs Pippin's other ear. It was awful. I am screaming for them to stop and they will not. My sister runs into the room and reaches in to pull the dogs off each other and she is bit in 3 places. Blood everywhere.
Since this incident, I will not let the dogs in the bathroom, when I am in there.
Once I got the dogs apart, I locked Luke and Merry in separate crates for the next hour, while we bandaged up Melody's hands and got ready for work. I had to wash my sister's hair and then she went to the emergency room. They required that she fill out a dog bite report and next thing you know the Health Dept. wants to inspect the house and the dogs and get current vaccination records. My sister told them that it was her fault. The dogs did not attack her, they were fighting and she shouldn't have reached into the melee.
Anyway, I think Luke thinks I am all his. And since my parents are not home, he is now telling the other dogs that he is not sharing me and they need to stay away. Luke is also telling Pippin that he is taking over as top dog. Merry and Pippin are half sibling and been together since birth and I was surprised that Merry joined in on attacking Pippin.
I called Luke's breeder and got her husband. He said the breeder will be home tonight and I plan on talking with her. He said they had Luke for 3.5 years and had 2 un-neutered males in the house and Luke didn't show this dominance in their house. I have had Luke since last May and this is the first time he has done this. It has to be because he isn't getting as much attention as when my parents where home.
I have tried not to show my anxiety after the 2nd attack, but I am changing what I do. It is hard not to think about what happened when I am changing my sister's bandages twice a day and washing her hair. And the Dept. of Health being involved.
With the dogs, I am trying to show that I am in control, by standing more, instead of being at their level by sitting or laying down. I am working on not letting Luke on my lap as often and working on his obedience training again. Making him sit, before I pet him.
Can I re-train myself and Luke to get past this? What do I do?
I'll start with the story on January 12th. Before that date my parents were home with the cavaliers during the day and I was with them on nights and weekends. Starting Jan. 12, my parents are down south with their camper and won't be back until spring.
Luke has always wanted to sit on my lap. He loves affection and will jump in your arms to get it. I know he craves it, so starting last week, I am taking him to daycare once a week and he is doing really well there.
Sunday - Feb. 4th - I was eating a sandwich on the couch and the dogs were on the floor. Next thing I know Luke attacked Pippin's ear. Luke detached himself after a few minutes.
After that I will not eat in front of the dogs.
Wednesday - Feb. 7th - I was going to toilet and I was petting Pippin's head. Luke started to enter the bathroom and Pippin growled at Luke. Next thing I know Luke lunges at Pippin and grabs his ear and won't let go. Then Merry attacks and grabs Pippin's other ear. It was awful. I am screaming for them to stop and they will not. My sister runs into the room and reaches in to pull the dogs off each other and she is bit in 3 places. Blood everywhere.
Since this incident, I will not let the dogs in the bathroom, when I am in there.
Once I got the dogs apart, I locked Luke and Merry in separate crates for the next hour, while we bandaged up Melody's hands and got ready for work. I had to wash my sister's hair and then she went to the emergency room. They required that she fill out a dog bite report and next thing you know the Health Dept. wants to inspect the house and the dogs and get current vaccination records. My sister told them that it was her fault. The dogs did not attack her, they were fighting and she shouldn't have reached into the melee.
Anyway, I think Luke thinks I am all his. And since my parents are not home, he is now telling the other dogs that he is not sharing me and they need to stay away. Luke is also telling Pippin that he is taking over as top dog. Merry and Pippin are half sibling and been together since birth and I was surprised that Merry joined in on attacking Pippin.
I called Luke's breeder and got her husband. He said the breeder will be home tonight and I plan on talking with her. He said they had Luke for 3.5 years and had 2 un-neutered males in the house and Luke didn't show this dominance in their house. I have had Luke since last May and this is the first time he has done this. It has to be because he isn't getting as much attention as when my parents where home.
I have tried not to show my anxiety after the 2nd attack, but I am changing what I do. It is hard not to think about what happened when I am changing my sister's bandages twice a day and washing her hair. And the Dept. of Health being involved.
With the dogs, I am trying to show that I am in control, by standing more, instead of being at their level by sitting or laying down. I am working on not letting Luke on my lap as often and working on his obedience training again. Making him sit, before I pet him.
Can I re-train myself and Luke to get past this? What do I do?