Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone! My husband and I found this site to be so helpful following our dog Scout's accident. She had to have her back leg amputated 2/18/10. Scout is a 2 1/2 year old Shepherd/Sheltie mix and weighs 40 lbs. She did well after the surgery and has, for the most part, adjusted to her new way of life. She gets along perfectly well with our other dog and our cats. Our only issue has been an occasional display of aggression toward other dogs. She had an incident of bullying behavior towards my brother's 2 young female dogs, one is Scout's size and the either about 15 pounds less. She got along well with these girls prior to the accident. The incident was at our parent's house (neutral territory in my eyes). Scout was clearly bullying these dogs (chasing, growling, and pining) and the fighting got pretty serious quickly. The other incident was toward a young female puppy and Scout displayed the same type of aggression. This behavior is very distressing because it seems so completely out of character. I want to be able to take Scout on outings as much as possible and not be limited by other dogs presence. To Scout's credit, we do live on a farm and she doesn't get to interact with other dogs as often as I'd like for her to. We adore our dog and want to understand what is causing her to act this way. I have considered taking her to a dog trainer. Any suggestions would be very appreciated!
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Seems like Scout is showing her true Shepherd colors … we're dealing with the same behavior in Wyatt, our 18 month old GSD punk. But the truth is many dogs may compensate for their "weakness" by acting agressive toward other dogs. We just learned that with Shepherds, this biting and pinning is apparently something that can not be "cured" but must be managed, rather. That's why we are always monitoring Wyatt very closely whenever playing with other dogs.
We've discovered that with Wyatt it totally depends on the other dog's attitude. If they welcome the rough play, then all is good. But if they act timid, he will dominate and we must intervene. This will obviously take time (lots of time) and practice to correct, especially since he doesn't yet listen so well (at all) when he gets so focussed. But it is a tough call … we must socialize him to manage the behavior, but the behavior may get ugly with the wrong dog – or people.
We will be seeking professional advice ourselves. You might consider the same. Then we can compare notes!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Does it make a lot of difference that Wyatt had such a crappy start? Or do you feel you would have been dealing with the same problems? I ask because Shepherds are definitely in my mind as a down the road possibility but with the dogs and day cares in the neighborhood, I would want to be careful before I borrowed trouble....
Pawsonally I think Wyatt's upbringing definitely exacerbates the challenges that anyone will face in a purebred Shepherd. He's like a Shepherd on speed sometimes. And yet other times, he's so sweet, sitting here next to us asleep and looking quite angellic.
My pawrents definitely have their work cut out for them.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Scout's Mom. Thanks for joining us here. We're sorry you're dealing with aggression. Here's a great conversation my Mom had with some trainers about Wyatt's issue, maybe this might apply to Scout too?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry to hear you are having problems with aggression and Scout. Our dog Chuy had FHO surgery last year and is also a Tripawd. We were fostering a Ger. Shep. male at the time. Before Chuy's surgery, he got along fine with Rory (the shep), afterwards, not so much. Unfortunately Chuy bit Rory in the face and drew blood. Rory was play aggressive and Chuy was on the defense because of the surgery. We wound up turning Rory back to the shelter (he now has a good home as an only dog) 
We now have a female shepherd that is submissive to Chuy and they get along fine.
Could the play aggression be because she is feeling more vulnerable than before? Does she only do this with other female dogs? It may be that she is feeling a loss of her place in the pack. Close monitoring while at play and calm assertiveness on your part when stopping this behavior will teach her that she is still "Boss Dog". We hope you can get the problem resolved, in the meantime, socialize her as much as possible, but make sure you monitor her closely. Keep us posted on how things are going.
Eleanor & Chuy
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
Welcome Scout!
I don't know that I can offer any advice because I have the most spoiled 3-legged dog (from birth). Whatever Comet wants, Comet gets. Bad behaviour - well that's just who she is! She's very scared of new things but sassy in familiar settings. I have a dichotomy and have for 12 years! I blame it on the fight or flight mentality when she is scared - she does both. She likes to growl and laugh afterwards when we are at the park and someone passes by! But in really scary situations she tries to flee or hide. (she thinks there are ghost living upstairs and will run to her bed if you walk up the stairs too loud!)
All I can add is - it could be worse and Scout may work this out.
Poor Wyatt. I read most of the conversation trainer link. I have to agree - I'm no fan of dog parks! And that's not just because I have no dog suitable to go to one! They are unsafe for one thing. And the other thing (even my vet said this), they are good way to get the dog sick!
Poor Wyatt again. I couldn't take Rugby (shep mix) around any dogs or people. He was so excited and seriously happy to see everyone he'd scream and carry on - he became uncontrollable - even in the car. Even my neighbors knew not to approach us because he was like a happy wild animal. It was total insanity! I never cured it in 8 years - I just planted my feet firm, held on for dear life and accepted it.
But what a wonderful dog he was in the house with no one around!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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