Dutch Shepherd Forum

First off, a Riley update, just finished puppy class and is going to start nose work next month. She excelled at the obedience part but we went more to be around people and dogs. she still doesn't trust people and certain dogs really bother her. We've been working on socialization for two months now and not moving along in leaps and bounds. We can walk past people and dogs with a quiet grumble instead of the pissy growling and barking.... Yay progress! There is a new strange behavior which i cant figure out. When ever Riley and Lily are separated for more than an hour Riley gets aggressive towards Lily, this consists of barking, growling and snapping. Lily never retaliates and i'd like to keep it that way, i don't want her to decide that no self respecting pitbull should put up with that and whoop Riley.Once corrected they are best of friends, i don't get it.
Any suggestions?

thanks,
Marc

Lily says thanks in advance!

Can you explain in more detail what happens?

Riley will see Lily walking towards the room and just get angry. If she gets a correction before they are close, it stops there. If no one notices, riley will growl and snap at her almost without warning. Once past that they're best friends again. It can be in passing but typically its when Lily comes into whatever room Riley is in. No toys, couches or anything worth protecting is involved. Riley is on leash in the house still learning house manners so it has never escalated into a real fight but I'm at a complete loss. If Riley walks into the room that Lily is already in there's no issue.
Thanks,
Marc

Territorial?

I never thought of that, could be. It doesn't seem to be any particular room, maybe wherever Riley is at is her space. I'll start making a point of "claiming" the room before Lily comes in and see if there is any change.
Thanks,
Marc

with out seeing it, maybe its hearding, my girls will do this thing where, the first one into a room, or outside, or inside, or where ever, will turn around and go after the other one, its not really mean its a thing they do, Thalie would do it to my parents basset all of the time and the Basset would just wait because she knew what Thalie was doing. The longer the second one takes the more aggitated the first one is and the bigger the attatck.

Just an update,
We've been really watching to see what sets her off. The only time she acts up is when Lily walks into the room with someone, not when she walks in alone and Riley is within arms reach of a family member. Maybe defending her spot near her people or protecting her people? Maybe she's decided that she's going to be the big dog in the family! We've "claimed" anything and everything that she thinks is hers. It seems to be a battle of wills. Maybe next time we don't see eye to eye I'll do the crocodile roll and nip at her heels or what ever else I can get my teeth on!
She is 8 months old and only been with us three months, could it be she's still finding her place in the family?

Marc

Sounds like she may be finding her place.