why one dog attacks another

[sharkfamily]

we have a little house dog. She is a mixed breed not sure of what all. We have had her for 7 years. she is a little on the onry side. About a year and half ago we got a chocolate lab. (mix dog choc and black lab) the little dog has never been real nice towards lab. The little dog is always snapping at the lab. About 6 months ago we got another choc lab puppy just barely 6 weeks old. Last night while outside the puppy tried to get the little dog to play and the little one started snapping at it. Our big choc lab attacked the little one. We were doing everything in our power to get her to let it go and she wouldnt after what seemed like forever of spraying her with hose she let the dog go. We had to put the little one to sleep the injures were just to bad. Our big choc lab is the best dog i have ever had. if a little kid has her ball she will take it but never hurting the child. Never has she shown any kind of meanist towards anyone or anything. She is like part of the family. My question is now we are worried. Will she do this again? Will it be our kids? and what made her attack so mean? If anyone can add insight please do need all the help i can get with this one. Choc lab belongs to my 10 year old and this is tearing him up.

[scotsclyde]

Sorry for your lost :(
Alot of same sex dogs do not get along. It is always good if thinking about getting another dog to take the existing dog with you to see if they get along. Spaying and neutering helps also.
You may want to get a book on how dogs think and their body language, this was a problem that has been going on for a long time and sadly reach a head last night.
This usually is a dog to dog problem and not dog to people problem.Just to make sure you may want to take the dog into the vets for a checkup to see if there are any medical reasons. Obedience training if not done will help .Sign your 10 year old up for a class- great bonding experience and get the 6 month puppy into a class too.
A dog that does not have the social skills to talk to another dog can be a problem-I dont know the history of the 7 year old dog but if she was not socialize with other dogs ,she may not have had the skills to accept another dog in her territory.And some same sex dogs just dont like each other and never will.
I doubt very much she will do this with a human. The only way to see if she is dog friendly is to get her out to meet other dogs- once again classes are good for this.

[sharkfamily]

thank you for your reply. It meant alot and we are taking her in for a checkup. She has been to the vet alot so he knows her. The last time there she had cut her foot and they took her in the back and when they returned they said she was the nicest and easiest dog they have ever had. This is why its so hard. But I do thank you and am going to get the book also to read. Thank you again.

[loonyeuny]

I am sorry about your loss but is sounds to me like the older dog was just trying to protect the puppy. To some dogs a puppy or baby of any kind is considerd her baby. She also probly did not mean to hurt the smaller dog but since she is so much bigger that is why she killed her. I would however take the dog and get her some big time training. Attacking another dog should never be permitted. ALL dogs should know the basic commands. Sit, Stay, Down, Come, Stop, and Leave it. Also Heel is a good one that they should learn. Start working with the puppy as well. I had my last lab puppy Sitting and staying for about 2min, when she was just 8 weeks old. She was walking fine on the leash buy the time I took her to the vet at 8 weeks and heeling at about 12 or so. She also knew "Say Please" she would bark. And when I would said to Shhh say please she would bark but I could barly hear her.
Training is the key to everything. A well trained dog is a safer dog. But please remember that dogs still have a bit of their wild side and NEVER should be left alone with small children.

Good luck,

Eunice :angel6:

[sharkfamily]

Thank you for your reply. I think that why we had such a hard time with the dog attack is that our older choc lab is a very well trained dog. She will sit stay lay down and all that. She is also trained on hand command if you point she will sit if you bring your hand up and down she will lay. She is the best dog we have ever had. She knows when she does wrong. But during the attack she would not respond to anything we said. But thank you very much for your reply it helps.