Help - young dog turning on old one

[helpyhelperton]

I have an 11 yr old schnauzer DG1 and a 2 year old mixed breed (poodle and shitzhu) DG2. Both female.

About a year ago DG2 went for DG1 when she sniffed her food bowl. I got really upset but was advised it's quite a normal thing.

Not happened since.

3 times in the last week (all when I'm not in the room and other family members are). DG2 has randomly gone for DG1. No food, toys or people involved.

She just snaps, screams (I've heard it not seen it) gnashes teeth, goes to bite her and then backs off.

DG1 seems confused and DG2 'looks' guilty.

This little dog is usually the sweetest, friendliest dog. Really calm and usually submissive to DG1.

Apparently, DG1, just now, turned to look at something (a tissue) and it seemed to make DG2 react - I can't be sure of the timings as I'm relying on 2 upset children to fill me in.

Please help - I'll book the vets to see if there's anything obvious with her - maybe making her feel ill?

I can't have this - poor old DG1 is just a typical old dog, can't see very well, in pain a lot with her back and doesn't really do much - certainly doesn't invoke anger in others. She barks a lot but was calm each time this has happened.

I'm so upset - what is the best thing to do?

My older dog also is raring to go, gets very excited and is sniffing things, etc. It's taken me ages to realise that he's so over threshold that he can't even listen to me when we're out. Anxiety often looks like excitement.

This was in the blood test. She said not raised enough for diabetes but raised to show levels of stress? Didn't do urine.

Older dog has no visible problems. They're doing a blood test a part of her librella/gabapentin use in a few weeks.

She isn't showing any signs of anything.

Dg1 vet thinks it's a behavioural thing the little dog and said it could be anything.

We'll try a behavioural therapist.

They're both at different vets which makes it a bit harder.

And we're working to help dg2 be less stressed