My dog killed my other dog

Afterwards, my dog wasn't happy at all, but once he’d calmed down, he was acting really submissive; I think he realised he’d done something wrong. When I got home from work that evening after the incident at lunchtime, I stopped punishing him, just like the vet told me to. Even though I know he didn't do it on purpose, I still feel resentful because I can't think about anything else right now. It's even worse when he's right there with me. So, I’m giving him the cold shoulder, even though he doesn't understand why. I've still walked him and fed him, but I think I need a bit of time before I can give him a proper cuddle again without picturing him in that state of over-excitement. On top of that, my in-laws keep saying he’s vicious, which really winds me up, as I'm the one sticking up for him. He’d caught the other cat before and shaken it, but he didn't hurt it—not even a scratch—and we gave him a telling-off just to make the point. Back then, he let go as soon as we shouted at him. But yesterday, nothing worked; even once the cat was dead, he wouldn’t let go, and when I finally managed to get him to drop it, he tried to go back for more. However, as soon as we crossed the threshold into the house, he went all sad and submissive. Anyway, what I really want is to make sure he doesn’t do the same thing to my other cat. Inside the house, he’s all cuddly with the cat, but outside he chases it. It’s not like he doesn’t like them.

Any ideas on how to handle this? Other than keeping him on a lead or putting a muzzle on him in the garden, I'm at a bit of a loss. I don't want people to think my dog is "vicious". The veterinary behaviourist said it was just prey drive and she's coming to see the dog on Wednesday to have a look. In the meantime, I'd love to get some advice and hear about your own experiences with this. Over here in the UK, my first instinct wouldn't even have been to tell the vet, even though I don't think an attack on a cat is reportable in the same way as an attack on another dog. I am so incredibly sorry for the tragedy you're going through. One of the biggest problems with this kind of aggression is that it’s highly self-reinforcing for the dog, which just adds to the nightmare. What was likely just a bit of play turned into a disaster after the dog lost control, probably in the middle of it all. Mine could have done the same thing back when I didn't trust them enough to leave them alone together. At one point, when she was over-excited, she grabbed the 2.2lb kitten by the tail and was about to give her a good shake. Then the little one would have screeched, got away, Sana would have caught her by the neck (escalation), and shaken her again. I'd always been worried about a "shaking session" like she does with her soft toys. It's as simple as that. In the heat of the moment, with stress hormones through the roof and in a state of euphoria, the dog forgets themselves and starts shaking the cat. Then there's a wound and blood. And that's where the reinforcement comes in. Because that's what they were bred for. It can't be an unpleasant experience for the dog. It’s not like they have a sense of extreme empathy or remorse. They have the taste, the smell, the excitement, the movement—every sense is involved. Of course, they come over to you afterwards like nothing's happened, with a massive grin on their face. And at the same time, yes, he will miss his mate. It wasn't malicious; he didn't do it on purpose. If mine ever did that, I wouldn't even tell her off. I’d be absolutely devastated, just like you, and I’d hire a behaviourist, but I'd do so knowing that I've got a Shiba Inu, for heaven's sake, and the thing that would probably satisfy her most would be killing and eating my cat.

Something similar happened to me just today. My 6-stone (40kg) Boxer cross killed my two-year-old cat right in front of my eyes. They knew each other well; he was used to chasing him outside, but indoors they would always snuggle up together. I’m seeing a behaviourist on Wednesday. I respect your choice to have had your dog put down, but for me, that’s just not an option, nor is rehoming him, even though I’m incredibly angry with him right now. No matter how much I screamed or hit him (which is something I never usually do), nothing worked. Even once the cat was dead, he wouldn’t stop. When I finally managed to get him to let go, he kept trying to go back for more until we reached the house. He calmed down instantly then and became very submissive. I’m really struggling to get over the shock because of how violent the whole thing was. While I liked my cat, I wasn’t exactly "head over heels" about him, but I still feel awful that I couldn’t do anything to help. I have a second cat and another female dog too, and I really want to make sure he doesn’t do the same thing again. I know it was the other dog who taught him to chase cats; it started out as a game, but then the cat scratched his nose while defending himself and it turned into pure aggression. Does anyone know how I should handle this? Aside from keeping him on a lead or using a muzzle in the garden, I’m out of ideas. I don’t want people to think my dog is vicious. The veterinary behaviourist said it was just prey drive and she’s coming to see him on Wednesday to assess the situation. In the meantime, I’d like to hear your opinions or if anyone has any similar experiences to share.

Laetitia, thank you for your message. You’ve perfectly summarised our situation and exactly how my husband and I feel.

Don't beat yourself up about all this. Your dog was difficult to manage and you saw her kill your other dog right in front of you. No one has the right to judge your decision to have her put down, especially as no one else has been in your shoes to debate it; many would have surely done the same thing, knowing you have a baby on the way. I think you're already going through enough pain without feeling guilty for having her put to sleep. Wolfdog or not, I understand it was also hard to think about rehoming her because you would have been held responsible if something else happened. And if she really was prone to aggressive impulses, as @Humeur de chien mentioned, she could have turned on a child next and the consequences would have been even more tragic. Trying to think about it less is easier said than done, but focus on the positives like the arrival of your baby, and do things to clear your head like gardening or some de-stressing colouring. It'll do you good and help take your mind off it for a bit. It was just a sad and tragic accident, and you're certainly not the only one who has been through this. Stay strong, and all the best to you and your family!

Thanks again for taking the time to respond and for sharing your different perspectives based on your own experiences. Whether she was "alpha" or dominant or not, I’ll never really know the why or how of it all. I’d just like people to respect the decision we had to make regarding Latika. You can’t really say which choice would have been the best, but for us at the time, it was the right one. One thing is for sure: losing a dog is incredibly hard. It’s like losing a best friend... a member of the family is gone.

Just as I predicted...

The only truly pragmatic viewpoint I’ve come across on this subject so far is the one expressed by Mary R. Burch, PhD, who I imagine you’ve heard of. But you’re right, this thread isn’t the place for it. And since it’s the only pragmatic take (mind you, I haven’t read everything out there), it’s the only one that strikes me as being “productive”—in other words, the only one worth discussing, as the outcome could help improve general well-being.

Who knows, maybe one day...

Laetitia, I really don't think this thread should be hijacked to turn it into a debate. Now, if you really want to debate the issue of dominance and hierarchy, I invite you to start a new thread on the matter. I’d be more than happy to take part. Just to clarify one thing: I am not a veterinary behaviourist, but a behaviourist. As for my training, I was taught by Michel Chanton, who holds a PhD in ethology and is the founder of the behaviourist profession.

@Tania28700, we waited five years to learn about Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs (CSVs) before taking the plunge and getting one. A CSV is a wonderful companion, just like any other dog, really! But you have to be around for them a lot. They aren't like other dogs; the bond they form with their owner is very exclusive. My girl was very sweet but had a strong personality (just like other dogs). And I’m sorry, but so many people get these dogs because of their stunning looks and then quickly get overwhelmed by their rather difficult and destructive nature (if they're left alone). When we tell this story to other dog owners, the reaction is always: "They’re killer dogs!" Absolute rubbish!!!! If I’d had two Jack Russells, the same thing could have happened... we just didn't know how to read the warning signs. And it was by no means our girl's fault... but we still chose to have her put down for the various reasons mentioned above. My husband and I have always had dogs, and his mum works at a vet surgery. I came here because this tragedy haunts me, and I'm looking for an answer regarding her behaviour, which took me by surprise. Well, I suppose we'll never know; I think it's just nature, unfortunately! I know the breed, I have two CSVs myself. That's why I can't understand putting a dog down without giving them a chance to thrive elsewhere, if it's no longer possible for them to stay in their home. Anyway, it’s done now; nothing will bring her back. All the best, I have nothing more to add. And don't beat yourself up, think about your baby on the way. 🙂