[Fandrew]

Ok, we've had our Sheltie for 14 years now, and she used to be the greatest dog on Earth. But, recently, she's gotten more and more aggressive, showing teeth, biting at us occasionally, and as of today, she's been starting fights with our 10 year old longhair dachshund. Honestly, I'm scared to leave the two home alone. To make matters worse, "Shelly" (Sheltie) is deaf now, and she can't/doesn't listen to us anymore.

Any idea how to keep her off the other dog? Or is this just a sign that her end is near?

[roscoestring]

14 years is pretty old for a dog. When my grandmother was dying (during her last month) she would want to fight. She would cuss you like - well, pretty badly. I never heard my grandma cuss until she was nearing death. I still don't think that she new what she was saying. She died with cancer. It could be that it had gotten to her brain and affected her.

I would think that dogs would be much the same. When they get old some start to become senile.

My grandpa just went to sleep and didn't wake up. He kept his senses about him until the end. He died with cancer too.

Sorry to hear about your doggy problems. Hope it all works out.

[sweet4smiles]

Something like this happened to my golden retriever only not to the same extent. She died just this past Christmas but before that she also went deaf. When that happened she went from this sweet, friendly, cuddly type dog to one that startled easily, would growl more, and barked constantly. She wasn't friendly the same and she also didn't listen well. She wouldn't start fights with other dogs but she avoided them and if they came at her or wanted to play she would snarl.

14 years is old for a dog.

This may sound a bit stupid but do you have a basement and upstairs? Maybe if you are really concerned you could separate the two with one of those baby gates so they could stay in separate rooms while you were out.

We actually used to have to do this with our dog when she was a puppy and also when she got old because of her hip problems. She would get downstairs and couldn't get up again. Just an idea.

[Fandrew]

I think the main issue last night was when we tried to give each dog a treat. The older one seems to assume that the younger dog always has something and tries to take it from her. We're gonna try to keep one outside when the other gets a treat, and see if it helps things. Also, we're gonna buy the older dog some rawhide bones so she can have something "productive" to do all day.

[OiBoyz]

If she can't hear, it's also likely she can't see well either. So she may be over defensive. Also, she could be feeling ill or in pain.

My mom's going through something similar now. She's in ill health and in very ill temper.