When dogs attack... Orchids

[jrodpad]

My dog is starting to loose it. She's a beautiful German Shepard mix that we rescued from a local shelter. We've had her for 8 years and she's a full-fledged member of the family. 2 weeks ago she attacked another dog and gave the other dog a nasty neck wound. Last week she nipped my 5-year old daughter on the calf - she didn't break the skin, but left an ugly bruise. She's never attacked another dog. She's never bit another person.

Today, after some morning shopping with the family, I came back home, walked into my living room and found a total and complete mess. The dog got into the orchids and went crazy. She completely destroyed my new Paph bessea var. flavum. She ripped off each leaf ripped off the spike and tore off the roots. They were all over the room. Bark chips were EVERYWHERE. She ate my beautiful little paph niveum. It was one of my favorites - and there was very little left. She tore my paph purpuratum to shreds. There were bits of it all over the room. Beautiful healthy roots spread out all over the carpet. I'm so sad that I'm not going to get to see this one bloom again . She gnawed my resteripa sp. down to a green mush. Only one leaf survived. No roots. I've been growing a phal belina from a tiny seedling for years. I was hoping that it might bloom next year - its a super slow grower. It's been cut in half. I don't know if it will survive. She upended a little phal equestris that is in spike and left the largest leaf with a huge gash. I think this one will make it - it might even still bloom. A few other orchids got knocked around, but they are mostly okay.

She's never shown any interest in my plants before. Never. And today she goes nuts and kills a whole pile of orchids. I think this is the beginning of the end for her. We can't have a dog in the house that is so wildly unpredictable. She attacked a dog, a person and got into the orchids too. We are taking her to a behavioral specialist on Friday - but I'm not hopeful. I have two small kids at home and if I can't trust the dog... We'll have to find her a new family . So sad. It's such a feeling of loss - she's part of the family. I just don't know what I would do if she went after one of the kids.

I know it's off topic, but I thought you all were the only ones that would understand how I felt seeing the pile of bark and shredded orchids.

-J

[silken]

OMG! So sorry to hear of the damage J. That is so upsetting I wonder what has come over your dog? Could she be getting senile? If she wasn't a puppy when you got her then she could be in her old age. Can't think of anything else. I agree, with two young children you can't take chances if she is unpredictable. And if she attacks other dogs, you could be in for a law suit or someone getting hurt trying to pull them apart. Not good. I hope you get some answers.

[Daethen]

I feel so bad for you. For the orchids and for the dog acting up. I hope things get better.

[Carpe Diem]

So sorry about your dogs behavior. Perhaps losing your dog and your orchids - a double whammy! Is your dog sick? Have you taken it to the Vet? Has anything changed lately to upset your dog? I hope you can salvage most of your orchids and are able to keep your four legged companion. Good Luck!

[ingse]

Your dog may have pain somewhere, if she suddenly changes behavior like this.
One of my dogs did something similar and it turned out that he had toothache. The vet had to pull out one of his teeth and my dog changed back to his normal happy self the same day.

[LinhT]

Sorry to hear of the damage to your orchids and hope your child is ok. It sounds like your dog may have some type of neurological problem rather than a behavioral issue. With age, dogs can have all kinds of degenerative diseases. If it were a behavioral problem, I think these things would have happened shortly after you brought her into your home. I'm glad you are so kind to be willing to find her a new home instead of just putting her down. Sounds like she needs to be with a family with no kids and no other pets. Perhaps you can contact a rescue group near you to see if someone can foster her and find a new home for her.

It's understandable that you need to consider the safety of your children first. So you really are doing the best thing by finding her a new home. Aside from the "out of the blue" aggression, she may be having other symptoms that you don't know about because she can not tell you. There is a sanctuary called Home for Life in Stillwater, MN Home for Life, The Animal Sanctuary of St. Croix Valley, Inc.. You may want to contact them and tell them your situation.

[Leafmite]

Having the dog evaluated is a great step. In the meantime, the dog should not get too close to the children. Too many terrible tales. I understand your pain, our dogs are family, too.
Leafmite

[Lagoon]

I totally understand how upset you would be causes that kinda damage to you're orchids. I'm still replacing the 95% loss of mine during my young dogs rampage. But this was the menacing of young dogs being home alone with to much energy on their hands. This is completely controlable within time.

There is some reason why she does not have the control she once had. If you have had you're dog for 8 years, then she has proven herself to be loyal and a loving dog around you and you're children. Point blank she is family.

Biting a young child and biting other dogs is s big No-No.

She's out of control - I understand this is heartbreaking for you're entire family

Have you veterinarian check her for hypothyrodism right away. Dogs who have this can not control themselfs.

Good luck J - I hope it gets better for you real soon.
Sending you postive dog vibes for you're fury girl from Jo & Charm

[bballr4567]

I agree with Lagoon. Your dog is approaching her elder years. Things happen with people and happen with pets. One of our cats starting peeing everywhere when she was 10 just out of the blue. Turned out she had kidney disease and couldnt help it. A friend has an english bulldog with hypothyroidism and if she doesnt get food on a certain schedule gets REALLY grumpy.

Sorry about the orchids but your dog IS trying to tell you something.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by ingse

Your dog may have pain somewhere, if she suddenly changes behavior like this.
One of my dogs did something similar and it turned out that he had toothache. The vet had to pull out one of his teeth and my dog changed back to his normal happy self the same day.

I have to agree with this. I have heard of many cases of dogs becoming vicious because they are in pain. Perhaps you should have the dog vet checked. If they dog really has become unpredictable then finding a new home shouldn't be an option. The dog could still attack someone.