Great Dane/Basset

[candido]

I have a great dane and a basset. They've always gotten along up until the last 2 weeks. The great dane is about a year old and the basset is around 7 years. The basset has always been the "boss" and the dane would follow her around all the time but lately the dane has been attacking the other one and even bit her. They are both females. What can I do to stop this behavior?

[Dorothy39]

I have a great dane and a basset. They've always gotten along up until the last 2 weeks. The great dane is about a year old and the basset is around 7 years. The basset has always been the "boss" and the dane would follow her around all the time but lately the dane has been attacking the other one and even bit her. They are both females. What can I do to stop this behavior?

Wow, a real big dog versus a short legged dog.

My first suggestion is to assert your status as "alpha dog" of the pack.

The Great Dane is gaining on you at this point, so, the sooner the better before there is an all out War with injuries.

[candido]

i realize that's what i need to do but i need to know HOW... i've never had a problem with smaller dogs but the great dane knows it's bigger than i am... what can i do to change that and stop her from attacking other dogs?

[Dorothy39]

I'm sorry for not finishing the reply, my phone keeps ringing off the hook , I am hoping to get back and reply again, :(

[Karen]

You need to reestablish that you, and you alone, are the boss of the pack. Have you done obedience training with the Dane? If not, sign up now! She is going through her "teenage" phase, and it's natural for her to challenge for lewadership, but YOU must remain in charge, so that if she starts after the Bassett, you can stop it with a quick command.

[Danegirl2208]

im honestly not seeing any dominance issues twords the owner, has the dane ever bitten you?...how old is your dane? I have a 1 year old male great dane.. when he was a little pup he would let my smaller dog dominate him and boss him around, but once he hit a year he didnt allow her to do that to him anymore..your 2 are most likely establishing dominince between themselves, the dane is testing the basset..when your dane bit the basset, what was the situation? Was there a toy or food involved?

[RBBM's Mom]

In learning how to be "Top Dogs" in our house, my husband and I had to learn to hold Rascal (our 7 month old Lab mix) down while playing (gently pushing down on Rascal's shoulders while wrestling on the ground), holding a stare until he looks away, and just general control over any situation. If he's playing too hard, or chasing one of the cats, a very firm and loud NO! and LEAVE IT! usually takes care of the issue, but if it doesn't, into his room he goes, removing him from the fun and the pack for a while. It's working out well for us - I hope you can use some of this. Good luck! :)