I need advice badly.
 

I apologize in advance for the length of this.
I have three dogs. Spike 8 (Yorkie) – Cosmo 3 (Boston Mix)- Bella 7 months (Yorkiepoo). In August my dear Nala 5 (Yorkie) died. Spike and Nala were best friends. They really adored each other. When we brought Cosmo in Nala took the role of mother to Cosmo, she adored her. Spike did not share the sentiment. Initially he chose to ignore Cosmo, he would not even look at her. Eventually he would assert himself as the leader from time to time only when Cosmo was involved. Sometimes he would not allow her to eat or drink. He would just stand near the dish and glare at her. After some time he seemed to get used to having her around.

After Nala died in August my daughter brought Bella home to me. Almost immediately Spike my handsome sweet Spike began getting aggressive. First he started going after Cosmo with food, and then toys and bones. Sometimes he just stares at Cosmo as if to tell her “don’t move a muscle”. Poor Cosmo starts to tremble and cry. She is twice his size and terrified of him. At the same time that all this was transpiring my daughter and her husband moved in with us until their house was finished being built. Spike adores my son-in-law and had been spending weekends and vacations at their apartment before they moved in with us. Spike technically belongs to my daughter but had always lived with my family, she got him before she was married 2 years ago.
Now 6 months have passed, my daughter has moved into her own home and Spike is really becoming a problem. My daughter has taken him to live with her and he seems very happy there. We all (skin and fur) get together every Sunday usually at my house. This past Sunday (Superbowl) we went to her house and it was awful! Spike attacked Bella when she walked past the coffee table. We think it was because of all the food on the table. Then he attacked Cosmo as my daughter was petting her. He goes right at their faces. I am so very upset, the attacks are getting more and more vicious and I am fearful that someone is really going to get hurt. It is so awful because the two girls love Spike and are so excited to see him when they have been apart. He too acts like he is happy to see them and then without warning it's like something inside him just snaps.

I am really a wreck because my daughter is a teacher and a softball coach and next month Spike is supposed to come back to stay with me during the week so that he will not be alone all day while they are at work. I am getting sick with worry and don’t know what to do. i don't want him to be alone for so many hours but then I have to worry about his behavior when he is at my house.

I do think part of this is that he is acting out because of all the changes that have taken place over the past few months.

I hope I haven’t jumped around too much but I trying not to leave anything out.
Help!!!
~Debbie

When you take Cosmo and Bella to your daughter's house...they are now invading Spike's territory. Some dogs need to be the only animal in the house. If I were you...I wouldn't be babysitting Spike in my home...sounds like a tragedy in the making and easily preventable.

That sort of happens with my girls. I loudly say NO and lay her down to calm down and next thing they do is start playing and chasing each other.
Do they have seperate bowls to eat and drink? I seperate my girls bowls and don't let them near each others bowls.
He is the Alpha and he will let it be known but you need to teach him your the boss in there.
Good luck, I'm not an expert but hope it helps a little.

Jealousy
 

Wow, sorry for your problem and the passing of your Nala.

Apparently, Spike doesn't much like to share (food, toys, your attention, etc.) I agree with you that it's probably due to all the changes in his living arrangements. Seems to me I saw an episode of "It's Me or the Dog" with Victoria Stillwell that was not unlike your situation.

If I remember correctly, she segregated the dogs and worked with them individually to build their confidence (training them to focus on her at her command using positive reinforcement). Then she worked up to getting them within sight of each other, then in the same room, etc. Bad behavior resulted in segregation; good, calm behavior resulted in treats, being with the family, etc. It's a lot of work but unfortunately Spike is probably very stressed, anxious, and insecure, which is why he lashes out. If you can get him to calm down it would be a huge help.

I'm no dog trainer, anyone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, and I do sincerely hope you can get help for Spike. If not through your own training, then maybe you could consult a professional dog trainer. Good luck !

I appreciate all the advice. Spike has always lived with me. He had only spent weekends with my daughter before she moved and now he is begging to leave with her. He has gotten very attached to my son in law, so much so that he does not ever leave his side.
He is the sweetest guy you have ever met and otherwise and the most behaved. He has always gotten along with all the other pets in the family.
I believe that it is a combination of all the changes in the household during the last 6 months leading to jealousy towards the girls. I have been giving him 'time outs' when he acts up. I just wonder if he could be resenting them even more when I send him to another part of the house alone.
UGH....did not have this much trouble raising my kids!!