How do you keep your dogs from fighting?

[XemaSab]

Twice in the last week two of the dogs have started brawling over nothing. This morning I let Maddy out of my room and she and Pip instantly started fighting. The other day Maddy was on my lap and she lunged off the couch and attacked Pip.

In both cases the fight ended with both dogs bleeding.

If they don't stop it, Maddy is going back to the pound.

(Maddy is two years old, 30 lbs, and we've had her for a year; Pip is five, weighs 60 lbs, and we've had her for three years.)

So how do I keep them from fighting? :shrug:

[lukasahero]

1. Not sure I have any specific answers but

My family had multiple dogs in the house my whole life and we seldom had any fights at all. The one fight I do remember was between a young female and an older female and the older female was getting sickly. So, if this is a new phenomenon, I would recommend having the dogs checked by a vet to rule out anything physical.

That said, you've had both dogs for a while - have they always fought or is this a new thing? From the two instances you report here, it sounds like Maddie is (has become) 'your' dog. Is that new? Was Pip ever the one in the bedroom or on your lap before Maddie came along? I wonder if there are 'possessive' issues at work here? Who started the fight this morning? (i.e. - is it both dogs or is Maddie always the instigator?)

Of course, the old standby - exercise, discipline, affection - also applies: are they getting enough exercise to get their energy worked out?

[MiniMe]

2. Some thoughts

I foster labs, and I had 1 female who was really, really sweet. She was fine for the first few days while she was settling in to the house. Then, I was home sick one day and was napping on the couch. I didn't realize it, but the female was sleeping beside me on the floor. One of my boys, Eddie, was coming up to me to wake me up to let me know he had to go outside, and the female went after him. I guess I'm lucky, because my boys don't fight, and she just scared Eddie half to death. He chose to run. The female was disciplined and put in the crate for a while. But it shook Eddie up. Later that evening, she decided to challenge Gus. She was going neck to neck with Gus, leaning in. I broke them up a few times, because I don't like that, but they started right up again. So I stood close by to see what would happen. Gus stood his ground, and I don't know what went on in her mind, but she decided that she loved Gus.

I suspect that in that case, the female just had a need to know what the social structure was. She had to know where she stood. She was probably protecting me while I was sleeping, but that wasn't acceptable behavior in my mind. So I was careful with them after that, and I wouldn't let the female plant herself between me my dogs. That seemed to be successful and she never went after Eddie again. Poor Eddie wanted to play with her, and almost did headstands to get her attention, but she had determined that he wasn't worthy, and completely ignored him. And she sucked up to Gus. She was the smallest of the 3, and Eddie was the biggest, but little dogs never think about that. She just had a need to know where she stood, and in her mind, Gus was top dog, she was second, and Eddie was number 3. That of course wasn't my order, but they had settled it themselves.

Is Pip a female too? Sometimes that can be a problem in itself. What kind of dogs are Pip and Maddy? Dogs usually mature around 2. I notice that you said that Maddy was in your closed bedroom with you, and Pip was not. And Maddy was on your lap. You could be giving Maddy status over Pip, unconsciously, but dogs pick up on those things. Sometimes dogs just don't get along, they are like us in that way. Some people we just don't like, no rhyme or reason, we just don't like everybody. This problem may or may not be solvable. If they just don't get along, there isn't much you can do. But you can establish a form of status for Pip. Always give Pip treats and food first. Don't let Maddy get between you and Pip. For me, I would let a dog sit beside me, but not get between my knees. Of course, I am talking about bigger dogs, so they were always on the floor. Don't keep Maddy in your room, and leave Pip outside. Use crates if you have to to contain one or both dogs. It isn't a punishment, but it is a way to keep them separate. It seems to me that Maddy is warning Pip away.

I wish you luck, this can be a difficult situation. I had another foster one time before I had Eddie. I didn't have the background at that point. I brought her home, and she and Gus got along. She was bouncing around like she wanted to play with Gus, and Gus responded. That dog went forward and clamped down on Gus's muzzle. Gus just stood there, and I stepped in and yelled at the female to knock if off, and that was all it took. It turned out that the female had lived with another dog at one time, and the other dog attacked her while she was sleeping. She just couldn't get past that. They were fine just being with each other, but they couldn't play together. So when it was play time, I would play with them separately. One would be in the crate and the other one would have playtime. Then we would switch. I don't have any magic words of wisdom for you, every situation is different.

[Xicano]

3. I have had some experience with this sort of thing.

YOU have to to assert yourself on the dog who starts the trouble. You have to take pack leader like corrective action against that dog. I would start by as soon as Maddy or Pip goes after the other dog you need to put that dog on their back and hold them down until you can feel them relax. No matter how much they fight or wimper, you have to hold them down in this submissive position until they submit to you and relax.

Anytime you see or hear them focusing on the other dog in a negitive way you have to give some sort of hands on corrective action. And anytime they go after the other dog it requires them being turned over on their back and held down like explained above. This is the most submissive position for dogs to be in.

You have to keep this up and stay consistant. Before not that long at all you should see results. You have to take command as their LEADER and make them respect you as their LEADER. You don't have to spank them or hurt them in any way. Anyway that would just be counter productive and is cruel and of course none of us here would ever think of doing such a thing. But you have to assert your dominance and put them into a submissive position when they do a no no. Not too different than putting a child into a time out.

Good Luck and hope this helps.



Peace,
Xicano

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Couple of thoughts ...... we have two dogs .......

..... and there is a whole hierarchy here.

I am *the* alpha. Sparkly is also an alpha. She wasn't always, and the border collie had her way with Sparkly. Slowly and subtly, Sparkly exerted authority and the Border fell right in line. The German Shepherd Dog has never been an alpha, so she just fell in line behind the BC.

There is now an established hierarchy here (as regards the dogs, not us humans). The GSD at the bottom, then the BC, then Sparkly. Then me. Dogs are hard wired to act certain ways. Two fundamental issues for them: They need a job and they need an alpha. Yours may need both.

I would also take them to the vet if this is new behavior. If it isn't new, then the issue is probably the humans in their lives, not them.