Help my dog of 10 years got killed by his friend dog

Rona

Oh please help, my heart is so heavy. Our kids had 2 Cockers when they were small. Kids are now in College and the dogs were under my care. We have a large yard and own our house so this was no problem. They were both fixed. Since I'm a GSD lover I deceided after 10 years to get one for myself. Was told she is friendly and she was. I mean they all played nice together but he kept growling at her. She would run and hide. 2 wks. later out of the blue my GSD attacked our 10 year old Cocker. I saw the Attack and it was horrible and will be forever in my mind. It was usually him who attacked first. This time my new GSD turned and attacked him. She dragged him out in the yard like a ragdoll and bit him in the neck. Blood was gushing from his neck. To make matters worse I blame myself because I made him go outside. They usually played nice so I didn't think anything of it. As soon as I opend the door she was there waiting for him and didn't back off instead she grabbed him and didn't let go. I ran after her but she ran away with him. I hit her with a baseball bat but she wouldn't let go. Finally she did. I grabbed him away from her and dragged thim into the house. He was soacked in blood. I tried to stop the bleeding and bathed him but he died last night. Our Cocker was always the Alpha male and had a food agression problem or when someone played with his toy he would attacke the other dog. After awhile they would play ok. How can I love this this dog? What should I do with her? I can't even look at her. I hate her. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

borzoimom

Ohhhhhhhhh Honey- first of all hugs! I am so sorry.
I have been through something like this but it wasn't dogs involved and I know how you feel. You feel angry at the other animal ( my case also a dog. A dog of mine killed a cat of mine known for years! ). I am giving you the advice my vet told me, and in time, you will accept it and it helps alot.
First understand they are animals. We can dress them up, love etc, but at heart they are animals. Gut reactions are animal in nature. And cruel as by our method of compassion and judgements, they have a their own code. Retailiation behavior however cruel in our minds, is totally normal in a dogs way of thinking.
Now- that being said- for now on the dog should not be assumed to be ever be around another ( in your case) dog that the 1st dog has ever had problems with.
And understand- your dog was acting on a instinct mode- there was no reason of " going to hurt one my owner loves" etc or other human emotions. It was an instinctual reaction of retaliation and opportunity.

verarenczi

That is so sad! I'm really sorry.

Same here, I watched my mother's two Greyhounds tear my 12 year old cat in two one night. I watched her die. It was horrifying.

My first instinct was to shy away from those dogs, I couldn't pet them or hardly even look at them, but then I got into some deep thinking about how those dogs felt at the moment. In this case, these were retired racing Greyhounds, trained to chase a white rabbit. Well, my cat was solid white. She was usually kept inside, separated from the dogs and she got out through a broken window in our garage that night. It finally hit me, they thought they were just doing what they had been trained to do their whole life.

Eventually, I forgave the dogs and to this day, one of them is still alive and I love him like I love every other dog.

In situations like these, you absolutely can't humanize the actions of the animal. Who knows what she was thinking? Give yourself plenty of time to grieve your loss. Do you have any help taking care of the dogs? Maybe you should just give yourself some space from her until you're able to forgive her? I promise, even if you don't think so right now, it can and will happen. You just need that time.

Criosphynx

I understand you just lost your dog, so Iam not trying to be harsh.

First, if you dog acted out this way this signals a couple things, one shes likely more dog than you can handle, you mention them fighting other times... or two, shes frustrated and bored and still is more dog than you can handle. Fighting should not be "he usually attacks her" or visa versa...it should not be the norm and if it is they needed to not be allowed to be together.

but let me get this straight...you didn't take the dog to a vet?

also legally you have very few options. Its very hard to rehome a dog like this, but I don't suggest you keep her. You should contact a GSD rescue and they can guide you.

borzoimom

I was wondering about the vet too but I figured she just did not type it in the thread.

Rona

Thank you for answering. The incident happend 2 days ago late evening. No Vet was available. But yesterday morning we took her to the Vet and he bandaged her up and gave her antibiotic. He slept all day and died last night. I could maybe forgive her in time and may even consider keeping her but we still have one more Cocker Spaniel girl who is deadly afraid of her since this happend. She won't even go outside, were before they all played together. I can never trust this GSD again when she turns again and eats the other one. This little dog has never been mean to her and always is submissive to the GSD but yesterday she even tried to attacke her too. I think she has gone crazy. She is not chained up only goes in the Kennel at night and has the yard to run and play all day and now this. I can never trust her again.

Criosphynx

Um, what do you do with this dog? She get any training or exercise?( yard doesn't count) She lives outside? GSD are a working breed and need a task or things like this happen. They also need to live inside with their families. You cant rely on your yard to provide the stimulation a breed like this needs. So yes, she might be going crazy if she is bored stiff. She needs a HARD JOB every.single.day. I really feel rehoming is a better option for this dog that or she needs entire lifestyle revamp.

Rona

Hi thank you for your answers and I replied but can't find my new post. Yes, I did take her to the Vet yesterday morning cause the night before he was closed so I cleaned him up myself.

Rona

Just found the other post. Thank you for all your comfort.

Rona

I do work with her. I grew up with GSD and know the Breed but this was something very knew. I thought her how to fetch and give. I play ball with her every day and the Cockers love the game. The Alpha male she killed was exremely protective over his ball. To her it was something new and exiting. He would run after her and try to attacke her when she touched his ball. I think she snapped. Now she is after the other one and she is shaken with fear.