I think Ringo bit Lucy

[Ringo1]

I'm so upset. I found two little scab marks on Lucy's NECK after our walk today when we were laying down resting and I was petting her.

On my dog park post - I mentioned that Ringo got REALLY MAD Wednesday evening when I took Lucy to the dog park and he had to stay home. I've never seen him like that.

He pounced on her when we got home. I really didn't think he bit her though - not at all. It's not like they never have skirmishes; she can't stand him trying to get on my bed . . etc. But no blood; never any blood.

I went out last evening and when I got home - I noticed that Lucy would RUN to her blanket at the far end of the room whenever I left the room. I couldn't figure out why she was doing that, but I had some suspicions.

And today, I found those two scabs. I think Ringo must have bitten her either Wednesday night or last night.

OMG. I'm so upset; he has never bitten her. Is this all it takes to upset the apparently delicate balance of their relationship? One trip without him? And I walked him afterward to avoid this very situation.

Needless to say, I've given up my dream of the dog park for Lucy; it's not worth it if it totally destroys our 'pack'. I will have to keep them separated when I'm not home until I figure out exactly what is going on.

I just had to vent; I'm so upset. I hope this isn't the start of something that I can't handle. Not after being together for two years.

I'm just sick that Ringo could do this. How else could she have scabs on her neck? She doesn't wear a collar.

If anyone has any words of widsom; I sure would appreciate it. I feel like crying right now; I failed to protect her. I forced her to go to that park and she didn't even like it; she was terrified. Now Ringo has attacked her and it' wasn't even her fault.

I feel like a terrible owner right now.

[Britster]

First off, I am so sorry. I know you are feeling like crap now but I will tell you don't!

You are a GREAT mommy to Ringo and Lucy! In the end, dogs will be dogs. We don't always know why they do what they do.

Jackson has been in two big fights, both with his two closest dog friends (my dads dogs) who he lives with part of the time. They went AT it, but it's only happened so far once with each dog. The second fight with him and Buddy ... they both had a little scab on them, Jackson on his ear, and I think Buddy had one on his belly. I know it was from the fight but... I didn't worry too much about it.

Living with multiple dogs, fights ARE most likely going to happen. I think you are lucky this is the first! Sometimes they never do, but there is always a chance. Don't feel too guilty -- Ringo will get over it (the fact that you took Lucy alone) and I am sure Lucy will forgive him quickly. Dogs have a way with that. Buddy and Jackson were practically trying to kill each other (over a bully stick) and 5 minutes later, were laying next to each other again.

All 3 dogs are always left alone with each other. We don't live bones out or anything they could think is "protective worthy" but they just sleep while we are gone anyways.

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by Britster

First off, I am so sorry. I know you are feeling like crap now but I will tell you don't!

You are a GREAT mommy to Ringo and Lucy! In the end, dogs will be dogs. We don't always know why they do what they do.

Jackson has been in two big fights, both with his two closest dog friends (my dads dogs) who he lives with part of the time. They went AT it, but it's only happened so far once with each dog. The second fight with him and Buddy ... they both had a little scab on them, Jackson on his ear, and I think Buddy had one on his belly. I know it was from the fight but... I didn't worry too much about it.

Living with multiple dogs, fights ARE most likely going to happen. I think you are lucky this is the first! Sometimes they never do, but there is always a chance. Don't feel too guilty -- Ringo will get over it (the fact that you took Lucy alone) and I am sure Lucy will forgive him quickly. Dogs have a way with that. Buddy and Jackson were practically trying to kill each other (over a bully stick) and 5 minutes later, were laying next to each other again.

All 3 dogs are always left alone with each other. We don't live bones out or anything they could think is "protective worthy" but they just sleep while we are gone anyways.

Oh, thank you Brit. I feel a little bit less panicky and not quite so worried that I'm going to have to rehome one of my dogs!

We've been out in the backyard all evening and everything seems normal.

Ringo is so much bigger than Lucy though - he could really hurt her if he wanted to. I believe I will keep them separated for a while when I'm not home.

His nose is out of joint too - because she sleeps in my bed. As the top dog, I know HE should be the one sleeping with me; but my son won't hear of it.

I simply won't leave them alone together unsupervised for a while.

She likes to play with fire though - my Lucy. She just ran over and took the last bite of his food when he stopped eating to bark at a cat.

[AllDogBoots]

I'm sorry you have to deal with this and the fact that you feel like such a bad mommy. About a month ago I took Max to the vet because I saw strange marks on his neck and his belly. I thought perhaps they were hot spots, but I went to the vet nonetheless. The vet did a couple of tests and scraped the skin to see what we were dealing with. After everything came back normal, it was assumed that Cooper was playing too rough with him! What??!!! The marks eventually cleared up.

I agree with Brit in saying that living with multiple dogs fights will at some point break out. I really don't know if Cooper bit him or if they were playing rough. But, they are siblings. Siblings fight.

Watch them carefully, but don't beat yourself up about it. I have no doubt that Lucy and Ringo love each other.

I don't think you are wrong in bringing Lucy to the park and I'd hate to think you won't ever do it again. I think it's very good for her (as long as you are within very close supervision). While you want to protect her at all times, she needs to learn to be a tough little girl sometimes.

[kjc]

Sorry this may have happened... usually with bite wounds you would see 4 holes. I'd have your vet check her out, bite (puncture) wounds should not be allowed to scab over... sets up grounds for infection.

I'd check her over for two more wounds on the other side of her neck, or all around her neck and look for any signs of bruising too. She may be hiding if she's not feeling well... if she's feeling warm, she may be running a fever. Still best to have your vet check her out, to be sure the wounds are healing properly.

Walking them together should help reestablish their bond.

I don't allow my dogs to fight, I intervene immediately. I have enough vet bills to worry about, and I avoid nursing injuries as much as possible!

[Ringo1]

I can't find any other marks kjc - but I am going to have to take her to the Vet. I found a small round lump in her belly - like a little hernia or something. It's smaller than half the size of a pea - but my son felt it too.

Now I have something else to worry about!

I did take them to their favorite trail today - through the forest and down by the lake. They loved it and really enjoyed themselves. I played with them together this evening with their toys so I hope to re-establish their bond.

And as soon as Ringo pounced on her - I was all over him. I thought he was going to shake her; believe me, I was scared and mad at him.

[kjc]

Just mentioning this: Seems like sometimes Peek A Boo will start going after the others here on occassion... I figure something is bothering him to make him do that. So I started to give him more one on one attention in front of the others, not right after an attack, but when all are more mellow. I did notice his attacks became much less frequent.

I think they're more like kids, bad attention is better than no attention at all, not that I have ever completely ignored any of my dogs. But I guess with Tink getting meds 3x daily, he may see that as extra attention for her... and less for him. So now Tink gets her meds, and the others get treats. That way hopefully no one feels left out.

I also had a problem when Tink had to get separate walks after her surgery, but after a week the others were more accepting of it. I did have to break up a few skirmishes at the door. They also know that when one is not feeling 100%, that one will get more attention from me, and the others know to back off and not push the issue.

And bringing Tink back into the house after her walks was a bit scary for me, bc I wasn't expecting anything unusual. But then the other 3 dogs rushed her and were grabbing at her harness and leash. She became very submissive, so I'm thinking it's the same at the dog park, not good for one to be leashed around others who are not. So now I remove her harness and leash after we enter the yard, and let her go in the house nekked. This has helped to calm things down on those occassions.

In summary: we just have to try different things when problems occur. I don't think 'rehome' first, I think 'retrain'. So far, the retraining has worked in each instance, and I haven't had to think further about if it didn't work. Really just trying to say I think you are a good doggy mommie, and that you are more than capable of figuring this thing out.

[Ringo1]

Well, I did take Lucy to the vet and he put her on an antibiotic - just in case.

She has two pretty big scratches that didn't appear infected but he mentioned they always worry about bites due to the bacteria in the mouth.

He is also a trainer and thinks that maybe it wasn't so much as Ringo was jealous but that he smelled all those other dogs on her and it was kind of 'misplaced aggression'. He suggested that I get some dog cologne and spray it on them both for a few days to get used it; then spray it on Lucy IF we go back to the dog park. That, and distract him with a treat the minute we walk in the door AND take him someplace on HIS own right afterward.

When we got home from the Vet; Ringo sniffed all over her but I gave them both a french fry (my bad) and that was that.

Keep ya posted! Thanks for everyones advice.

Anyway, I'm glad I took her.

[kjc]

That's great... smells will do it. And a fry isn't that bad!