Diesel just attacked Murray

A few weeks after we had gotten Diesel back in Oct, Murray & Deisel had their first fight. I posted about it on here and I came to the conclusion that it was a minor dog thing and that Diesel was just putting Murrays dominant attitude in check. This has happened a handful of times since Oct but it didnt seem D was biting Murray, it didnt seem like he was even opening his mouth.

Murray is still a pain in the a$$ to Diesel sometimes. D tries to play and Murray just wants to bark in his face and make sure he's the first one to get the treats and he's the first one in and out of the door, etc. Typical dominant behavior.

Anyway - tonight D was playing with a ball, accidentally stepped on Murray, Murray yelped and D just pounced on him and was biting him. Diesel was COMPLETELY over and on top of Murray. Murray is bleeding above his eye. It doesnt look bad at all and looks like a minor cut but poor Murray. Murray is only 30lbs compared to D's 70.

It really scared me. I left a message with the rescue to see what they think about it.

Re: Diesel just attacked Murray

I never had 2 dogs at the same time so I have no clue what to tell you but I do hope that Murray feels better soon!!!

Re: Diesel just attacked Murray

Oh no.

Murray wants to be top dog and Diesel is responding to being pushed I guess. But in this case, it doesn't sound like Murray did anything other than yelp. Maybe Diesel saw he was in a weak state and figured it was his chance to show Murray he isn't able to be pushed around, you know, kick him while he is down type of thing. I don't think Diesel is as submissive as they claim he was though, kwim?

My two dogs have had spats. But...one always backs down (actually my bold male will back down, which is weird.) But they never made each other bleed. And what would bother me is what you brought up, that Diesel is so much larger than Murray.

I am not sure how this should be handled. How did Diesel eventually stop attacking Murray? Did you step in? Did Diesel keep going for him?

Just what you need now. Sigh.

Message edited 2/28/2010 10:11:09 PM.

Re: Diesel just attacked Murray

I spoke with GR rescue last night and she kind of made me see it in another way. I def value her opinion and trust her. This woman has been working with animals forever. She has therapy dogs and has always had multiple dogs in her household.

She said dogs are always communicating, even if we dont notice or see it. After D stepped on Murray, and murray yelped , he could have nipped Diesel or given D a look, who knows. She said if D really wanted to hurt Murray, he would have and he would have done a lot worse than the minor cut. She said hopefully Murray learned his lesson and D won't have to do that again. (but it could always happen again, you just never know)

Dh broke it up. He just really touched Diesel and called him and D jumped right off Murray and stopped. He acted like nothing was wrong.

I guess I just feel bad for Murray b/c he is 30lbs compared to Diesels 70! thats a huge difference.

I can't believe how much I have learned about dogs now that I have 2 living together that constantly have lovers spats

Re: Diesel just attacked Murray

Message edited 3/1/2010 10:26:33 AM.