Karen, yes the Hemopet panel showed that Bae Lee has thyroid issues and Keeper is on the border. I ordered their meds from KV and should have it today. Both will be on Soloxine as soon as I get them. We are going to moniter this until this weekend and if it even gets to the low growl or posture, will get a behaviorist. You have all been so helpful! We are heeding your advise!

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I have two sister goldens who fight with each other, never to the point of getting hurt like your dogs did. We let them work it out most times, but when they are really go after each other we intervene. Your dogs sound like they are jealous of each other, if one is getting attention the other wants it. We always try to give equal attention to both so there are no jealousy issues. I don't have enough experience to offer advice but I do hope you find a way to make your dogs get along and have long happy lives with you. It is very sad what they had to endure prior to you saving them.

I think you've got some good advice here but if this were my situation my first step would be to talk to a good behaviorist and explain to them what you've encountered. There's nothing worse than having two dogs with issues that you can't trust to get along with one another. And I think the sooner you approach the problem in a well thought out way the better.

By talking to a behaviorist at least you know you're headed in the right direction right off the bat instead of trying something that may or may not work. And may leave you further in the hole than you were to begin with.

Your vet should be able to recommend a behaviorist should you not know of one. You story is so special with these two dogs I'd hate to see something develop which could have been prevented with the right information.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Pete

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Sonny, the black lab, ran ahead to make sure there were no gophers or jackrabbits in the way. If you don't give a dog a specific job, he'll improvise one for himself and it will invariably be fun. There's a lesson there.
John Gierach

Also, since you'll be getting the thyroid meds soon, you might want to inform the vet about what happened. Vets often have good insight into animal behavior even though their specialty is medical side of things.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

I'm just now seeing this thread - dog fights are unsettling. I agree that you've gotten good advice and I hope that things settle down quickly.

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Part 1 of Hannah's story - Cancer diagnosis - - - - Part 2 of Hannah's story - grab bag of health issues

We have been watching them closely, to keep things from escalating. Have stopped letting them on the couches and bed and also feeding them in seperate rooms. We actually did get names of 3 behaviorists. They have now been on the Soloxine since last week.

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I think you'll likely see a difference in behavior once the soloxine kicks in. Low thyroid can make for a cranky dog.

With the steps you have taken, I bet you'll see a great improvement. Dog fights are scary.

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Sending you lots of good luck vibes. I can imagine how intense this must be but it sounds like you are on the right track. GOOD luck!

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Have there been any further kerfuffles?

BTW, the trainer/behaviorist I've been working with has been very helpful and very real world. She's given me great insight into Bella's needs and insecurities and how to help her, and it seems to be working.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

No "kerfuffles" so far!

Here is a picture of the boys and what they do while mom works from home!

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