Posted by: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Hello,
I'm hoping that one of you guys might have a suggestion in this matter as
I'm facing having to place one of my Danes who I love dearly. I am low on
finances, and realize that my best chance would be a Behaviorist but I've
recently lost my job and house (which forced an expensive move) and am
struggling just to provide the basics for my family. Anyhow here's the
story...
I adopted Zeus from Great Dane Rescue a few months ago, he was an owner
turn in who had spent the first year of his life as an only dog. When he came
to my home I had a Budgie, an amazing cat, a male (unaltered/show) Beauceron,
and a male (altered) rescue Dane. In the first couple weeks he killed my
parakeet (faulty cage construction), and my cat (my fault entirely). Although
we were deeply saddened we did understand it was not his fault and understood
he had a high prey drive. He did well with both Paladin (beauceron), and
Lazarus (Dane). And he began to bond very deeply with me, and me with him.
After the move he became my sidekick and protector. When going outside he'd
always pause at the door to see if I was coming with him, if not he'd hurry
to do his business and be back at the door in a flash. If I sat down he'd lay
at my feet, if I walked to the mailbox he'd heel off leash at my side. At
night his place of choice became the hallway right outside my bedroom. All of
these behaviors just endeared him to me more. He senses my mood where my
other two boys are more concerned about their own. I have no doubt that if I
was ever in serious danger Paladin would hide behind me "protect me mom!",
Lazarus might roll over in his sleep, but my dear Zeus is the dog who would
unhesitatingly give his life to save mine. To sum it up, he is the dog I've
wanted my whole life a dear companion and protector, as well as a
magnificently stunning Dane.
Paladin is 2 and I've had him since a puppy. He has earned certain
privileges around the house which the others have not earned yet, and he is
my baby. Zeus began showing aggressive tendencies towards him when we would
call Paladin for attention. If one of us was petting Zeus and the other
called Paladin, Zeus would lunge and attack Paladin. Every time he was
corrected for it, at first by being placed alone outside while the attention
continued for the other two. It got worse. We began strong corrections for
the behavior since he knew it was wrong, followed up by praise and attention
when he didn't attack Paladin. It got worse and he began attacking Paladin
when passing him in the hall, or when going outside. We separated the two of
them, so they weren't together at all. The only way to do that here is to
place one in the bedroom, while shuffling the others between indoor free,
indoor confined dog room and outside dog yard. Zeus also suffers from mild
sep. anxiety, if alone in the dog room or outside without another dog he will
do whatever it takes to free himself. One free he causes no damage or
destruction but will wait curled up at the front door for me either inside or
out. Saturday, I had Zeus in the bedroom (briefly) so I could bring Paladin
in and put him in the dog room, and move Zeus outside to the dogyard. Zeus
heard Paladin come in and smashed the bedroom door down to attack him. He
grabbed Paladin by the head and began a "death shake" (the one you most
frequently see when they are 'killing' a stuffed animal/blanket, etc.). I was
on them in a flash yelling, kicking, pulling and finally got them separated
by banging a metal dish against the wall. Fortunately neither was seriously
injured. Yesterday Zeus began the initial behavior towards Lazarus. When I
was petting him and Tim called Laz he lunged for him.
As I no longer have a room for isolation, and Zeus attacks whenever Paladin
(and now Laz as well) are in a different area than him and switch. I gave
Paladin the option of choosing where he'd rather be. Each time he has chosen
to be where Zeus is, and there are no problems as long as none of the dogs
get attention. Obviously this is not fair to Paladin or Laz, and is probably
not the proper thing for me to be doing but it has stopped the attacks for
now. I cannot bear to lose another animal to Zeus, and if this can't be
resolved I know I need to place Zeus. I bawled while writing a letter last
night to his rescue telling them that he will need to be placed, and I've
been crying nonstop all day. I love this big Dane boy to death, is there
anything I can do to put an end to his jealous behavior? Also, if you see any
mistakes I've made leading up to this point please let me know as I never
want to go through this again. It would break my heart to place him (in an
only dog home of course), but I want what's best for all of my babies.
~Andrea
