Gambit going after older dogs

[Jodysh]

I've never had a pup act this way. I'll try to explain as best I can. Gambit is 6 months old. While at my mom and dad's house Gambut spends time in the kitchen, he likes to sleep on the floor in there and of course hover around when anyone is in there whether there is food involved or not.

Over the last month or so he's taken to "going after" the dachshunds (who are and 12 & 13). One of them lives with him - it's my sisters other dog (male) and they even sleep in the same bed together. The other is my mom and dads dog (female). These attacks don't always involve food but sometimes do - as in food is being prepared or eaten. He may launch an attack just because one of them walked in the kitchen.

All the dogs have their own area to eat they aren't right next to each other.

all the dogs are altered. Gambit's neuter was 3 weeks ago.

He's been taking training classes but we are in the process of buying a house and getting ready to move so haven't had him in trading for a couple weeks. I'm still planning to call the trainer. She said previously we should kept the dachshunds away from him and we do try to do that, but sometimes can't.

I'm just really perplexed about this. It's been an ongoing issue for a couple months actually. Is he posturing for a higher rank in the pack? The "attacks" are usually a lot of snarling noise he's never actually bitten one of them.

I'm really quite concerned about this. Just looking for some words of wisdom while I fret over it for the rest of today and tomorrow until I can speak to the trainer again.

[Rosy]

Yeah that's a good idea ask his trainor why this happening that's all you can do for his behaviour.

[barry581]

It's very hard to say not seeing exactly what's going on. You very rarely find a truly aggressive Lab, especially one that young. For now I would definitely keep them apart, or make sure you are monitoring them very closely. I do know dachshunds can be pretty bossy, and maybe Gambit is reacting out of some kind of fear, or perceived threat. I'd be interested to hear what the trainer says.

[POPTOP]

Had a similar instance here. Before Mardi passed, as her health was declining, Archie started playing the dominance role. He would "posture" stand in front of her.

Gambit seems to have claimed the kitchen. Is that the place where these instances happen? If so, he may have to be banned from the kitchen.

Keep a close eye on him. Glad you are getting the trainer in on this.

[Labradorks]

Keep them separated especially if this is a temporary situation. I know people who have kept two to three dogs separated in their homes for years. So, where there is a will there is a way!

[Jodysh]

You know after thinking about this it does always happen in the kitchen and only at my mom and dad's house. He's never offered to get snarky with Hershey when we are at home and they all stand around the kitchen waiting for breakfast. Gambit doesn't eat in the kitchen at home he eats in his crate which is in my sister's bedroom. The 2 times he got snarky with Malcolm at home wasn't in the kitchen, but it was over a kibble.

I have an Aunt with early onset dementia and when she visits (which could be for a week or 2 at a time) my dad (who babysits Gambit and Mal while my sister work has to keep him away from Aunt Rita as much as possible (who sits on the couch in the living room) because she freaks out when he comes near her (get away get away. She's smacked at him before too. He's a pup so of course he gets excited to see people and hasn't completely learned his manners, but she doesn't seem to comprehend...that is a whole other issue though).

The point of that long story is he does spend a lot of time in the kitchen when the weather doesn't allow for a lot of time outside. He also eats his lunch and dinner there in the kitchen (but like I said all the dogs have their own spot in there and they aren't next to each other). So I'm wondering if Gambit needs to eat his dinner in the bedroom alone. It really is about food in that kitchen I think...Yesterday when my dad was getting their dinner ready he was laying by the sink and Piper came in and sat down - about 3-4 feet away from him. I was watching them both. She was just sitting there and I looked over at him and he was staring at her and saw him start to curl his lips so I made a noise to get his attention. In that moment I'm not sure if she perhaps glanced his way because I was watching him but she was still just sitting there and didn't look like she'd moved. During dinner Mal and Gambit were sitting by my dad's chair. I was trying to keep an eye out for the wieners, and didn't realize Piper had come in there and was under the table by where I was sitting and Gambit went after her. He DID make contact because I felt her fur and it was a little damp. Nobody was giving the dogs any bites of food from the table at this time we were eating dinner. He basically pushed Mal out of his way to get to Piper under the table. Then 45 minutes later when Piper was up on the couch sitting by my dad Gambit came in and they played for a bit. Of course we had to break up the play because Gambit doesn't really realize yet she's much smaller so he starts to get too rough. But when we stop them we say something like alright time for a break or time for a rest. Good boy good girl, whatever.

I'm still anxious to call the trainer. I know they do a training day camp which I think is only $40 per visit. I'll find out and hopefully we can let him at least do that. I told my sister we need to find the money for it and make it happen. Gambit is really supposed to be her dog, but I don't mind to help pay for him to get whatever training he needs.

We really do try to keep them separated but the water bowl is also in the kitchen so. I'm thinking that Gambit shouldn't be allowed in the kitchen up there maybe. But we will see what the trainer says when I call.

[Jodysh]

I spoke to the trainer and she thinks it sounds like resource guarding. This is a new one for us. I guess we've been lucky. She gave me some additional information to use and hopefully we will be able to stop this behavior. We'll give it a go and if further intervention is needed then we'll take him for private behavioral training.

I love this trainer...Malcolm went to her too. Gambit isn't even taking classes now because we are getting ready to move and she talked to me for a good 30 minutes about this. Thanks to all for the responses. I really appreciate it!