[Dailydrool] new aggression in an established hound

[Sharon Novy]

I was looking for some advice from the group on new onset aggression in my
basset.  (I have contacted my vet and am waiting for his reply too).  My
basset Toby is 5 years old.  I adopted him 1.5 yrs ago when he was my foster
dog.   He came from a hoarder situation and would growl if he was surprised
in his sleep but that was all I saw. I also have a yellow Lab who is 9 and
has many medical issues and is about as docile as they come.  I also had my
old Man Bogart at the time we adopted Toby.  He was the alpha basset and he
passed away in April.  Now Toby and the Lab have always played well together
playing tug of ear and such with no problems.  

This past Friday, I had my friends 3 legged Golden Retriever over for the
day.   He has been here many times before with no issues.  His personality
esp now that he has 3 legs is extememly passive.  That was the only thing
different.  That night, I was showing my friend how our lab is learning to
play Frisbee.  As I tossed the Frisbee, Toby was interested too.  They both
went for it at the same time and the next thing I know Toby was growling
with my labs snoot in his mouth and my lab yelped.  It sounded very nasty
but there was no blood or visible wounds.   That is the first time I ever
saw that and I thought maybe in the excitement, my lab landed on Toby and
maybe that is what did it.  

So now the next day, I got a new foster basset.  Very mellow male.  This is
the first other dog to come since Toby was adopted.  All was fine that day.
Then yesterday Toby and my Lab were playing like they have for the past 1.5
years.  They paused.  My Lab was standing there huffing and puffing and Toby
laid into him like the Friday night incident all over again.  I happened to
have my laundry basket in my hands (empty ) and I put the edge between them
and that separated them.  Later last pm, I am reading in bed.  All 3 dogs
are outside and I hear snarling again.  All 3 dogs come in and my Lab goes
to hide in my sons room.  

I know that he is unsettled with a new foster, but this started before that.
He has always been fine with dogs in our neighborhood, my friends golden, my
parents basset and shepherd and he often has doggie play dates.  

Any advice on how to proceed moving forward is appreciated!

Thanks.

Sharon Novy

Who told Toby this is not acceptable!

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