Newlywed and new puppy

kittykat8063 · 11-23-2011

Hello everyone. I've had an Australian shepherd female for almost 7 years now, got her from the breeder when she was a couple weeks old. This past July I got married and moved and brought my Aussie with me. About 3 months ago we decided to get a German shepherd puppy which is now 9 months old and currently potty training. The dogs didn't get along at first but now all they do is play!

My Aussie is the kind of dog that would NEVER..and I mean never.. have an accident in the house. She would hold it for days if she had to! Very well trained dog.

But for the past two weeks or so, she's had a few accidents and she's been biting and growling at my husband!! It's like she's a completely different dog! She drew blood on his hand three times now and it's really worrying me. We've had the GSD for 3 months, so why is she suddenly aggresive towards my husband and pooping in the house? Help please

CorkyMax · 11-23-2011

You might want to have her checked out at the vet's--The 1st thing anyone in here will tell you is that if your dog is acting out of the norm--It may be a physical problem and should rule that out for the strange/different behavior. Has she had blood work done recently?--She is 7 yrs old now---not ancient but not a pup anymore either!

If a physical problem is ruled out then I will mention this: She has had a lot of changes in the past few months--your new husband and moving and then a new puppy! Had she only lived in your former place before? Did she know your husband very well before you got married? And the new pup--Is it getting more attention then her? This breed likes a lot of attention---Is she getting less now--Think about it--A few months ago it was just you and her! Now there is a new person and a new puppy also getting your attention!

And maybe it is all coming to her now after all the initial changes and the newness is wearing off. Is she bored and seeing now that things are not what she was familiar with and wants it back? You do have to realize that with a new husband and a new puppy that you prob. are (even subtly) not doing all the things you use to with her--Is her nose out of joint?

Do you think she is jealous of your husband (or puppy)? When she growls and bites at your husband--Is she really angry or just trying to get his attention? I wonder how things might change if your husband took her for long walks every day?! Let him be the only one to give her her treats--at least until she starts acting nicer to him. This breed is a herder and needs 'a job' to make them feel important and content. Maybe she is trying to herd him out of the house! I am going to give a link here about this breed. Maybe knowing the full description of this type of dog will help you understand her better and figure some ways to try and change things. I am only guessing on all this as I do not know the daily routine of things you have going. I hope something may ring a bell for you though. Keep us posted on how things are going. And would love to know your 7 yr. old's name and also the little guy's name too. Here is that link:

Australian Shepherd Information and Pictures, Australian Shepherds

kittykat8063 · 11-23-2011

Those are all good points, thank you very much. Im going to talk to my husband about it and see what we can do for her. We have been really busy the past couple of weeks, so maybe she's acting out for attention. She definitely isn't getting as much as she used to when it was just me and her

The Australian shepherds name is Roxy and the GSD is Kona

How can I put up pictures of them on here?

CorkyMax · 11-23-2011

Pasting here the instructions one of the moderators (Luna) gave for putting pics in the forum. I do not have much luck so I am just repeating what is here: How to post pics
Download your pics to photobucket and click on the pic you want to embed in your post. Under that pic there is 4 codes to use to link your pic. Use the IMG code at the very bottom. left click on it. It automatically copies your pic. Then paste it on your post. hit enter. pic is posted.

Hope some of my suggestions work for you. Other members may have some more answers too.

dogs rule · 11-23-2011

I feel CorkyMax pretty much sums it up.
New person in her life (husband), new puppy, and new place to live.
Thats alot for any breed to absorb. Aussies are a hard working, intelligent dog.
If all is not right with them, they will let you know some how. Lashing out in your case, or I've heard of some being destructive to property.
There some members here that have Aussies, one I think shows/breeds them, maybe they can have some more imput.

Take care.

lange · 11-24-2011

Agree on vet first!! Forget behavioral training until medical issues are first ruled out

smooches · 11-24-2011

Great post Corky Max. An additional thought is that your oldie may be trying to assert her position in the pack, and up until now has been #2. She may be marking her territory, and 'mouthing' at your husband's hand etc to 'put him in his place' as #3.