Fear Stage? Long Post...

[Puppy Madness]

I'm not sure where to post this at as there is a lot....

I am living in a house with my sister who has a 3 year old jack russell mix dog (Flynn). Flynn has a past of being aggressive (she didn't socialize him well as a puppy) but he has loved Aspen since the first day I brought her home. They have loved each other and would play constantly.... until the other day. My sister doesn't do scheduled feedings even though I have begged her to. Flynn always has a bowl full of food in his crate for whenever he wants it. Aspen is the opposite. I do 3 scheduled feedings daily. She is a foodie and is always trying to steal some of Flynn's but I have been training her not to go in his crate. I wasn't looking the other night and she snuck in there and Flynn apparently attacked her in some way. All I know is that she started shrieking! I had never heard a dog do this before. She continued with the screaming for probably 30 seconds and would not settle down until after I picked her up and started petting her. She didn't seem hurt and Flynn came up to her a bit later and started licking on her. 

Ever since then she has not been the same though. She acts fearful of so many things. She wasn't even excited for treats yesterday. She just kind of moped around. I work from a home office so she is always with me until I leave to go to the gym in the evening. I am able to watch her closely and I noticed that all day she was not herself at all. I'm not sure if this behavior is linked to what happened with Flynn or if it's something else. 

This morning I was getting ready for work and my sister was keeping an eye out on her as she was playing in the living area. The next thing I hear is Aspen once again doing that awful, scary shrieking noise. I ran downstairs and found her going to a corner hunched down. I quickly picked her up and as soon as I did she settled down. Flynn once again had "attacked" her. My sister saw him jump on top of her and growl in a very mean manner. She had his toy and that's what set him off.

Now I don't even know what to do. I am so tired of being around her dog. She got him at a young age and he hasn't been properly socialized or trained. He is very good with her but is very unpredictable with strangers, children and now with Aspen. I am not willing to let Aspen get hurt because her dog isn't properly trained. Any suggestions?

Is this a fear stage? I have read that puppies can enter a fear stage around 3 months old.

On another note, my family has a family vacation scheduled at the beach starting tomorrow and lasting for a week. The house was supposed to be pet friendly but now the owner is giving me a hard time because he believes goldendoodles shed. She does not shed whatsoever. I am begging him to let me bring her but if he doesn't I need to come up with a Plan B. We may try to find another house and cancel our reservation with the current house. It's all just getting to be very last minute. I am not willing to put Aspen at a boarding facility due to her young age and now her fearful attitude. I want her with me. 

I'm sorry.. this has become a long post and mostly a rant (I'm stressed) lol . As always, suggestions are very welcome. 

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I wouldn't categorize this as being a "fear stage" for Aspen. She has been attacked twice and has every right to be fearful! It is completely normal for a dog (and people) to mope around and be unsure of themselves after they have been attacked. And, the fact that she lives in the same environment as your sister's dog, Aspen has no reassurance that she won't be attacked again when Flynn is guarding something. The problem isn't Aspen- it is Flynn.

It sounds like you and your sister are going to need to maybe decide how to keep them separated until you figure out how to handle it. Flynn seems to be having a problem with "guarding," and your sister should be the one working with that problem.

I would suggest posting this in the "Training" group- others there will be able to help come up with a solution. Best wishes- sounds like a very stressful situation!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Sounds like a good plan to move out! Doodles can be pretty sensitive, and it doesn't take much for them to get shy and scared. Winnie got attacked by a black lab once, and it took her a while to trust any black labs after that. She eventually got over it. I bet Aspen will, too!  

Keep them separated for now. As hard as it might be, resist the urge to coddle and dote on her when she is being quiet and scared. She will take cues from you, so you want to act confident and like nothing is wrong. Otherwise she might get more scared and "needy" if she senses that you are afraid for her. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Until you manage to leave or your sisters dog leaves you have to create a safe space for Aspen and keep them separated. Perhaps an xpen or a large crate. It's not going to be easy but you need to protect your dog against further attack. Also have you checked Aspen all over for possible injury? Puncture wounds are hard to spot buried in lots of hair. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Flynn is guarding his food and toys.  Until you move, you need to pick up all toys that Flynn wants to guard whenever they are together - i.e. take away what he wants to have for himself.  Be sneaky and close Flynn's crate door so there is no access to his food when Aspen is around.  When you are working and Aspen is near you, are you in an area where the door can close, keeping Flynn out?  If so then he can have all his toys  and food access while you two are in your area.  Since this is for a limited time, hopefully, your and your sister can come to some compromises to keep both dogs safe.  It is not good for Flynn to get away with successful resource guarding.  Has your sister contacted a JR rescue?  They might be able to help her find a one dog only home.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Similar to what others have said but I'll say it anyways :) I would give aspen a safe place where Flynn never is. Maybe always keep your room door closed and then you and her can have quiet time in there that way she knows she has a spot to calm down and relax in? Loki is a fearful dog in general and my other dog is not allowed on my bed at all that way Loki always has a spot were he can go relax and get away from Moose or whatever is bothering him and it seems to work well.

I don't think this is a fear stage thing because she's responding appropriately to what has happened to her. Maybe try and limit time aspen isn't with you when she is in common areas (by common areas I mean areas where her and Flynn are out and about at the same time). You could try to tether her to you when you are home that way you are always right there and should something happen again, you would be able to react immediately and get your baby. I'm not sure how others feel about this but maybe find a dog or puppy that she can play with and build up some positive experiences and get some of her confidence back? If she's not ready for it then I wouldn't push her but just a thought. Moose was attacked at a puppy play session when he was 4 months old and was spooked for a little bit. I called a family friend that has nice calm dogs so he could socialize with them a bit and that seemed to calm him down. For a while he would cling to Loki for safety but he's back to being crazy these days :)

To me it seems like Flynn is guarding things and that will be something your sister really needs to address. For Aspen I would keep her toys and everything in your room unless you are watching her play and supervising her so Flynn can't stir up trouble.

If it makes you feel any better my younger sister is the same way and it is sooooo frustrating anything that goes wrong is always my dogs fault- something fell of the floor, her rugs are out of place, something is missing... Oh I could go on! But I understand your frustration sisters can be that way :)

Good luck with your baby!