It almost happened again!!

I almost had another fight between Leo and Penny Lane. :eek: This time, however, I saw it start to develop and averted it before it escalated into a full blown fight. The good news is since I saw it develop, I have a better idea of what sets them off. Here is the scenerio:

I am sitting at the computer (reading this board as a matter of fact). Leo is laying on one side of me and Penny Lane on the other. Leo hears a noise and does a low growl. Penny Lane walks over and growls back and tries to "disipline" him by growling and nipping him. Leo starts to retaliate. I had already grabbed Penny's collar and told her to go lie down so the fight was averted, but Leo was starting to go after her leg and got a bit of fur.

I immediately crated both of them for about 15 minutes. They seem to be fine now - I have them both in a down/stay. My feeling is that Penny Lane (who has become pretty fixated on me) thought Leo was growling at me and that is why she tried to "discipline" him.

Forgot to mention, the only other time she has growled at him is when he climbs under the computer table to lay at my feet. She seems to think that is her spot. I am really beginnning to notice that the bone of contention is ME!!

Am I reading it wrong do you think? Any thoughts?

Sounds like that's exactly what's happening to me.

I know sometimes when I play with Roxey & she gets to growling really loud, Angus has to come over & make sure that I'm alright & she's not hurting me. If he thinks she is he'll growl and bark & her until she quits.

I don't know what else to say besides that I hope it all works out between the two of them!

I don't think you're reading it wrong at all. Abbey is "protective" like that too, but not to the point of a fight. If one of the other dogs is lying near me, she wants to be closer than they are--you wouldn't believe the small spaces she can squirm her way into!!

She does let out a growl at Kito or Riley, but that's all the further it goes.

I'm glad you got to witness the situation, so know you have a better handle on it when the behaviorist comes to visit. It really sounds to me like you are doing everything right when it comes to handling the situation, I'm not sure what else to say.

Good luck, and be patient--hopefully the behaviorist will have some more options for you.

Oh lil leo...one of my fav. pets here at pettalk. Penny is just trying to protect mommy.