Indy is acting out....

Oh, the terrible twos!!

I agree that more exercise might help. If it is a dominance thing, maybe special one-on-one time with each dog would help? You could go play tug in the yard with one and then walk the other or something along those lines. Or alternate which dog you take to the mailbox. Even simple things can make them feel special.

What about teaching them separate tricks? One gets roll-over and one gets giving their paw (assuming they don't do this already, but if they do, you could sub in anything you like). Individualized attention AND they are getting some mental stimulation.
 
Another vote for wear his furry butt out! Sca is actually pretty well behaved but on nights we can't play frisbee and I have been at work all day he does go into Sca the Destroyer mode. He will jump up and just bite the chair for no reason and stuff like that. After a couple of frisbee sessions he tends not to do that or even nose surf the coffee table as much. On the weekend when I have been there all day and playing on and off (interfering with him sleeping) he is collapsed by the evening.
 
I wouldn't take it lightly and just shrug it off as a boredom. IMHO, winter blues is no excuse for being aggressive towards you or Bacca. Yes a bored dog can become destructive, but shouldn't turn aggressive. This is just my opinion and I would look into training or medical issues for his sudden behavioral change.
 
Barb, it probably isn't any one thong. Combine the terrible twos, two males, and cabin fever, and you have a recipe for irritability. We've noticed that Annie is crabby, Bits is snarling more, and Layla & Beckon are acting needy. Now that speing is coming, we're sure that more outdoor, Mom/Dad-guided activity will take that March edge off are return to us our sweet Sheltie natures. :yes:

Meanwhile, we don't make a big deal out of things, just a gentle reminder of "leave it" and "no snarling."
 
It could be a combination of all those mentioned. I wouldn't put up with nastyness though, a quick correction every time he does it, and if it continues I would use a time-out. 2 males or 2 females for that matter can be a bit tricky at times. My question for you is, before you had to start giving meds, was Bacca getting the treats first? or second? is he getting the treats first or second now? He could be taking this as you trying to change the pack order(I really hate using that term but its the easiest way to explain it.)
 
Thanks everyone for your feedback!

1) For confirming that this kind of behaviour can be expected; and
2) For advise how to deal with it as it comes.

The one thing that twigged me though was medical condition.

I've been stalking Indy for the last day or so because instead of instantly going out to pee in the morning, he decides to lay outside instead. And almost relunctantly pee eventually. But he also seems to want to be outside all the time.

I wonder if his panting and pacing is medical, and he actually has a UTI or other infection. I think I will call the vet tomorrow.
 
Always a good idea I think to rule out medical before we label it behavioral. Maybe he really doesn't feel good! Let us know .... you've had more than your share!
 
Herd4fun said:
It could be a combination of all those mentioned. I wouldn't put up with nastyness though, a quick correction every time he does it, and if it continues I would use a time-out. 2 males or 2 females for that matter can be a bit tricky at times. My question for you is, before you had to start giving meds, was Bacca getting the treats first? or second? is he getting the treats first or second now? He could be taking this as you trying to change the pack order(I really hate using that term but its the easiest way to explain it.)
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I switch it around - in terms of who gets fed first or treats first.

Correction just seems to make Indy more anxious. I think I need to focus on positive techniques for him.
 
Poor Indy, so very sorry things like this are going on right now! I would just concur with what everyone else said and maybe in a day or two a trip to the Vet to rule medical issues out!
 
I don't know about the anxiety, but I wouldn't be happy with the aggression towards you for removing things.

Do you 'swop' him something for the thing you remove, especially if it is food? My trainer always explains that if someone came up to you when you were eating a tasty chocolate bar and just snatched it away, you wouldn't be happy. Some people would just give in, others would complain. If the complaining didn't work they would escalate to something else (snatching back perhaps?)

The same applies to dogs. Food is a primary resource which is why possession is so, so common.

My trainer recently had to work with a lhaso x yorkie (in fact she kept him :wink2:) who had become possessive of toys and even bitten his owners badly. She worked on holding his collar and the toy, not pulling, just holding until he gave it up. The first time it took ages but she was prepared to wait and as soon as he gave it up he got lots of praise and a treat.

But do be careful as I wouldn't want you to get bitten and I think this is the sort of situation where I would consult a recommended behaviourist (who only uses positive methods).

I'm thinking also a DAP diffuser for easing anxiety?
 
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