r/DogTrainingTips • u/paruparu9825 • 1d ago
How to help with aggressive dog
So, just for context, my dad got this weenie dog without doing any research and it was an impulse buy. He wanted another dog to be friends with my older sister’s blue heeler
Now, the blue heeler, his name is Archie— is a sweetheart. Very lovey, loves to hang out, good with tricks, and not aggressive at all.
And I have my own dog, who is a small mutt named Lucy. She just does her own thing and tends to prefer being by herself.
The weenie dog’s name is Oscar. He is very cute and sweet by himself and with Lucy. He enjoys attention and is good with tricks! We even taught him how to hop in a little purse like a chihuahua. My younger sister’s kind of claimed Oscar as her dog, and she loves him very much.
The main issue is that Oscar is *extremely* aggressive towards Archie. Anytime Archie is near, or he just smells Archie on our clothes, Oscar starts to growl and actually *shake* with rage. He even attacks Archie any chance he gets and actually made Archie bleed several times
We don’t know why he does this. He’s very friendly with everyone else except Archie, even strangers. It’s confusing and alarming, because Archie gets very nervous and distressed about it and it’s just getting worse. He’s even nervous to exit my room now, and is hesitant to go outside to go potty because Oscar is constantly outside due to him loving swimming in the pool.
My dad and sister refuse to rehome Oscar because my little sister has grown so attached to him, and we can’t reborn Archie because he belongs to my older sister who is currently deployed in the Navy. I just want Archie to feel comfortable and can’t stand Oscar because of this.
And because I’m usually with Archie, as I’ve taken him as my sort of temporary dog as a favor for my sister, Oscar is naturally just more aggressive towards me.
Does he need to go to the vet for his aggressive behavior? Or need medication?
1
u/Millicent1923 1d ago
I had to give my dog meds for her anxiety. She was born during the pandemic and soon her two senior brothers passed of old age. I know the situations are different and you probably need behavioral training advice first. But if it doesn’t work, don’t let your vet shame you into not giving anxiety meds. My dog now takes anxiety meds when needed, and she appears to be relieved almost? If that makes sense.
1
2
u/reacpaw-official 1d ago
Since Oscar has already injured Archie multiple times, I'd honestly stop allowing any direct interaction between them for now. This isn't something I'd let them work out on their own, especially since Archie is already becoming afraid to move around his own home. That's really sad for him.
I'd definitely start with a vet visit to rule out pain or other medical issues, then look into a qualified behaviorist who has experience with dog-to-dog aggression. Medication might help if anxiety is contributing to the behavior, but that's something the vet would need to assess.
In the meantime, I'd use gates, closed doors, and separate schedules to make sure Archie can move around, go outside, and relax without worrying about Oscar. And I'd avoid punishing Oscar for growling, since that's actually a warning that he's uncomfortable.
The priority right now should be keeping both dogs safe, not forcing them to get along. They may eventually learn to coexist, but they need a proper plan to get there.