[pyrnet] dog fight question

[Mary Delmage <Mary@ericnagler.com>]

Hi everyone,

I'd appreciate any comments anyone might have about a new situation we have 
here.

Last week Bear (neutered male) became ill quite suddenly and had emergency 
surgery to remove stones from his urethra.  He was at the vets for 4 days 
and came home shaved, wearing one of those silly elizabethan collars, and I 
guess, smelling funny to a highly developed canine nose.

Belle (neutered female), his mum took one look at him and went for him.  He 
gave as good as he got.  No harm done in terms of physical damage as it was 
very brief and I was able to wade in and break it up.  However they are 
still very uncomfortable when they see each other.  Bear remains inside 
until he is fit to go out and until then only goes out for pee breaks and 
short supervised walks.

They are very guarded with each other and can be in the same room until one 
of them makes eye contact, then it's growls again.  Stern words from me put 
a stop to it.

What to do?  Will it pass as Bear regains his normal appearance and 
smell?  Should I leave them to it and hope they sort it out themselves 
(probably not I think but I wonder if my intervention is making things 
worse.  How could they be worse, apart from bloodshed....)

I wonder why this is happening.  Is it the strangeness of him that is 
causing it? Or maybe Belle is jealous as he's inside all the time.  I've 
been making a fuss of her and giving her little treats and bringing her 
inside when Bear is in his room.

They normally live outside together, the best of pals, going everywhere 
together and often sleeping snuggled up in the same chair.  I'm afraid they 
may never peacefully co-exist again and we will have to let one of them go.

Any advice, experiences etc gratefully received.

Many thanks,

Mary.