Very BAD Jasper

[Itsapyr]

He went after Hattie and literally picked her up by the back. I almost killed him. I am so ticked off at this dog right now. Then he snarled at me...oh he is treading on very thin ice right now!!!

[Yeti_Girl]

yikes!

send him to me.

[Itsapyr]

Give me your address and you can have him !!!

[NickandNora'smom]

Oh, Pam, that sucks! Mine have been very bad lately too. Must be something in the air...

[Itsapyr]

He gets like this every once in awhile. Seems like after Janey has been really afraid he gets all full of himself and it always involves food, especially raw. I now feed Janey separately from him and have for quite awhile. I was fixing his food and Janey was already in the other room eating when Hattie came ambling into the kitchen. He went from sitting beside me to having Hattie in his mouth in a split second with this horrible snarl. I was afraid he was going to bite down and if he had he would have killed her. All I could think to do was grab him which I did with both hands buried in his fur and he dropped her and turned around at me and held his head low and growling. I did let go of him but didn't back away. I told him he was very bad and he just glared at me. I am thinking maybe I need to fix his food first and put him in the other room and then feed Janey in the kitchen while he is still confined. I just have always fed him in the kitchen and didn't think I should change that.

After he ate he brought me his toy with his tail wagging...aaggghhhh. I don't understand dog!!!

[moondog]

That is sooo scary!!! Im glad she is ok. I think I would completly confine him while he is eating.

[bren]

How scary for you, Pam! I'm glad he didn't hurt Hattie ... sorry he is being bad

[mezmerelda]

Stop it, Jasper! Be a good boy or you're going to Aunt Amy's house.

[Swissies4Me]

That is scary. The only thing about feeding him first is usually it is the dominant/leader of the pack that eats first, so could that make things worse in other aspects if he feels he's above Janey? Although, I guess if it's just at meal time that he gets cranky secluding him with his food first is probably the safest for everyone.

[Lora]

OMG how scary Pam... That brings flash backs to Achilles... be careful and i think the idea of confining him is a good one.

[Itsapyr]

Well he is dominant over Janey but not really in a mean way so I guess I just need to let him be. He is normally really good but every once in awhile he just flips out and I can't let him have his way with being a snot. I will not let him be mean to my cat though...that is the limit. I never really thought about feeding him first but I will definitely give that a try and put him in the spare room to eat. He is such a goofy guy and I hate this side of him. He has tried to be my friend all evening. It's funny how they know when you are ticked at them.

[ALDOGMOM]

That is a really frightening thing to have happen...

[krb0471]

Do you think desensitizing training might help? As in practice the "leave it" command first with small treats while Janey and Hattie are around then move to higher value items? You could also move on to giving Hattie and Janey treats in his presence and then give him his. This would have to be a daily exercise. If he learned he was going to get his share of what ever it you are dishing out (treats, food) regardless of who was around he might be more relaxed about it. Unless you think he is just being a sh*t every now and then and it won't help....

[Swissy Mom]

Scary. I would agree with secluding him. I'm glad Hattie is okay.

[Terry]

that is one of the scarey things with our big dogs, not usually room for whoops. I bet you were scared silly. sounds like you handled everything very well. Seems like he knew you meant business. I feed Daisy first outside and the little ones second, for the only purpose of convience for me and there hasn't seem to be a dominance issue. The little ones still rule over her. Good luck and Jasper, young man, don't make me bring daisy to get your sweet little white butt! You leave miss hattie alone!

[Itsapyr]

Do you think desensitizing training might help? As in practice the "leave it" command first with small treats while Janey and Hattie are around then move to higher value items? You could also move on to giving Hattie and Janey treats in his presence and then give him his. This would have to be a daily exercise. If he learned he was going to get his share of what ever it you are dishing out (treats, food) regardless of who was around he might be more relaxed about it. Unless you think he is just being a sh*t every now and then and it won't help....

The last part is exactly what he is being. I give them treats together all of the time with absolutely no problem. I can't put my finger on what really is the trigger. I can be sitting on the floor eating something and give pieces to all 3 with no trouble. What made me really start watching him a few months ago was Janey's reaction. She would come walking through and see him eating and stop dead in her tracks, put her head down and walk away. He actually free fed all day with kibble. I think she was picking up on something from him way before I ever noticed it. They used to eat out of the same bowl or take turns with each others bowls. They still will drink out of the same bowl. It seems to be a main meal situation. It sure isn't because he ever went hungry or didn't get his share. The thing with Hattie was new...and he was in a sit waiting for me to get his ready and Janey was already in a different room. I notice this more with raw. I can feed him pieces from my hand with no trouble but once something is in the bowl or on the floor he changes on his posture. Maybe his reaction to me was some fear because I was really pissed off and grabbed him hard but he did this thing with lowering his head and putting his ears back and a low growl...it was actually scarey...but he did drop the cat! He did the same thing to Verne about a month ago(wrong move) but I can't remember what started it. I wasn't in the room when it happened.

[ShilohsGirlJen]

Is it possible it is a hormonal thing. Also, when Lowe gets in her "shark mood" (nippy/grrbby) normally when she is all wound up or too tired she gets a time out. We have had to do this since she was a puppy. I either put her in my room or the bak hall for 5-10 minutes and totaly ignor her. She just gets led there not come on no talking.

[Itsapyr]

I don't think its hormones he been neutered for a year. Verne did tell me he caught Janey Humping him...wow that is a big switch...I wonder if she is throwing him signals of wanting to be top dog??

[ShilohsGirlJen]

It could be. Lowe and freedom go round and round with this. Freedom grabs Lowe and pins her. Lowe gets all wound up and humps her. But freedom is still fully in charge.