When we talk about animal cruelty, it’s typically in the context of humans abusing animals physically or emotionally — hitting an animal, starving an animal, neglecting an animal. But there is another kind of cruelty, one in which humans allow or even encourage one animal to abuse another. Dogfighting is a particularly sadistic version of this. Here’s a version that hits closer to home:
We have two female Shih Tzus, and we brought both of them home at 8 weeks old. Over the past few months, Sadie, who is now 4, has become aggressive toward Precious. This started when our grandson was born, but over the past couple of months, it’s been getting worse. We never know when she will attack. Precious could be napping or just walking by, and Sadie attacks.
In Sadie’s defense, Precious does try to take her food, and we have to stand between them when giving them snacks. But outside of that, Sadie seems to snap for no reason.
Yesterday, we had to separate Sadie from Precious and the rest of the family because she would not stop growling and charging ferociously at Precious. We had to keep her in the laundry room all night. Sadie once bit Precious in the eye and caused some damage. Our vet was able to take care of her, but later, Sadie bit her again in the same eye, causing additional injury.
I just don’t know what to do. It’s getting out of control. We have tried throwing cold water on them, but it doesn’t work. She will not listen to us.
Female dogs follow a pattern similar to human sisters. They play well together when they’re little — and they want to kill each other when they grow up. At least for a while.
The difference is that human impulses, for the most part, are mitigated by our capacity for empathy and our understanding — or fear — of consequences. Dogs aren’t bridled by such things. And this seems particularly true of female dogs in relation to other female dogs.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: If you’re going to get two dogs, your best pairing is one male and one female; next best is two males; last resort is two females.
But whatever the pairing, if one dog is hurting the other, they must be separated — permanently. It is cruel and unfair to subject the one to the ongoing torture and torment of the other. In allowing injury after injury, dogfight after dogfight, we are as guilty of animal cruelty as if we personally bloodied a dog.
In this case, the two female Shih Tzus do not get along. They will not grow out of it. It will continue to get worse. And the fact that they are small is irrelevant. Size doesn’t matter with aggression. An eye is an eye.
As dog owners, we have a duty to protect our dogs, even from each other. We are responsible for their well-being, their safekeeping, their happiness and their good, long lives. If the owner loves and cares for Precious, she will find a new home for one of her dogs.
Woof!
Dog trainer Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis is co-author of 18 books and host of the PBS series “Woof! It’s a Dog’s Life!” Send your questions to dearuncle.gazette@unclematty or P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619.
