LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

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Hello, I have 5 inside dogs (rescue dogs) and at the moment cannot afford a trainer...etc... My Problem which has been going on for years is my eldest 2 dogs, Bella 8 yrs. old(a pit-bull/border collie mix) and Beau 6 yrs. Old (a Mastiff mix). I ve had both of these dogs since they were babies... the fighting has been going on for 6 years. Each fight gets more aggressive... It Usually is over attention when family/friends are over, Well I put them in the same room when company is over and they're fine. Now it seems they are constantly growling at each other over food, attention, sleeping quaters, etc..... I try moving Beaus food to a differnt place beacuse Bella has trained all other 4 dogs to eat his food first, I try not to give each other harldy attention, only seceretly (which seems to cause a fight) The Fighting originally started over playing fetch, and now has transformed into just about anything....we and the other dogs are always so nerveous, when the 2 are the same room..They usually stay in the same room all day with freedom to roam the house while the other 3 usually stay in the same room. I really don't know anything else to do. I do allow Beau to run around the house during bathroom time, because he is the only one that will not wonder out of the yard , while the other 4 have to go in fenced yard. Toys are long gone because of fighting... Feeding him in a diffent place than the others, seems to not be working , He will eat out the other bowls, and the others will eat out of his bowl, these two are big dogs with lots of anxiety, they do not fight with any of the others dogs....just these 2 ..... any advise?

-- Contributed by: Wayne

Hi Rach,

I'm really sorry to hear the canine behaviorist couldn't help. Can you share this professional's observations and the behavior modifications he/she suggested. That will give us more information and also help us from offering the same suggestions if they already didn't work. In fact, this would be a great topic for our Dogs forum under "Unwanted Behaviors". That way more people could take part in the conversation and we can all brainstorm together. I sincerely hope you'll join us there and we can try to work out the situation somehow. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I am having the same problem and am here again online since I have paid 500 $ for an animal behavior specialist..treated my dog with benadryl and clomipramine to keep him from attacking my 14 year old older dog. I need help ..can't stand it any longer and am looking into either shock collars for use only during a fight or getting rid of one of my babies. HEart broken and torn. Any help would be appreciated. Kindly rach

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

Hi Luis, and welcome to the site.

I'd like you to take a look at the advice I gave Bubbalu in an earlier comment, because I think it might be useful for your situation too. You can find it by clicking on the link to see all comments on this page.

Additionally, it sounds like both your dog's are leaving that young puppy stage and preparing for adulthood. Increased hormone levels can also contribute to an upswing in aggression. Spaying/Neutering isn't a sure cure for aggression, but it is sometimes helpful in situations like this. It would be best to take both dogs in for altering at the same time if you decide to take this route.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this information gives you some direction. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Dianne,

Why don't you ask your training instructor if you can bring both dogs in with you for an evaluation? It seems like your female is jealous of the attention that new dog gets. Hopefully the training classes you're attending are helping you assume the leadership position in the family pack. To some extent, the dog's need to work out on their own which one is next in line in the heirarchy, but it is important not to let your larger dog harm the smaller dog. Much of the snarling and ferocious behavior is typically posturing, and it's usually enough for one dog to show the other who is boss. However, there are rare occasions where the aggressor actually delivers a serious bite, and that's what you need to watch out for.

I think it's important for the trainer to see these dogs in action together in order to offer tips on how to curb your female's aggressive behavior. I wouldn't make plans to re-home your other dog yet because there's still a chance that training will help the situation.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and best wishes that you can keep your canine family together.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, my name is Luis and my brother has a 6 month old lab mix with german shepherd and a 9 month old pure lab. The first puppy we had was the 6 month old lab-"buddy". He later decided to get Simba, the 9 month old pure lab, because it was offered to him. They are starting to bark and fight really really bad. It has gotten scary the way they go at each other. I was able to control them one time and have them lay down next to each other without neither dog getting mad. I know that it is a sign of dominance and both dogs want to be the leader but how do we get them to stop fighting? We're afraid that we will come home to some bad news one day after work. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated

-- Contributed by: Luis

I too am having the same problem. I've had my female mutt for 1 1/2 years (32 lbs) and adopted a min-pin 3 months ago (11 lbs). My female has been attacking him outside when I am throwing the ball to him. I've been going to training classes with just her but don't understand why this is happening in the last month! I don't want to re-home him as I love him but I don't want him hurt either. What is going on?

-- Contributed by: Dianne

Hi Lindsey,

Please see my advice to CutiePie and Bubulubu below. It should help your situation too. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hello,My two dogs have been getting into a lot of fights lately. they got into a fight this morning and i think it was beacuse one of my dogs had gotton into the trash and my other dog walked by. my mother wants to get rid of one and i really dont want that to happen. help!!

-- Contributed by: Lindsey

Hi CutiePie,

Since this behavior is a definite change from what you've experienced over the last three years, I recommend that you take both dogs in for a good health checkup. They seemed to have settled their pack order early on, and now it seems up for debate again and there has to be a reason for it. Sometimes a physical/medical change in one of the dogs might have brought it on, so it's worth looking into. Be sure to discuss these sudden fights with your vet so he/she understands the entire situation. It may also be wise to consider neutering/spaying these dogs if you haven't already done so. Sometimes lowering those hormone levels mellows their personality, but it's not a sure fix.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi i have had my dogs blacky and gizmo for about three years there were a couple fights n the begining but it wasnt anything serious but recently they have started fighting again and it has gotten worse. what should i do?

-- Contributed by: cutiepie2495@netzero.net

Hi Bubulubu,

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulty you're currently having. I'm not sure how long it has been since you adopted your new dog, but it will take some time for these to canines to adjust to each other and figure out their pack order. Some sparring is to be expected, and it's best to give them an opportunity to work it out on their own as long as they aren't actually biting each other and drawing blood. One will likely begin backing down to the other and things will begin to settle. That said, if both these females happen to be alpha characters, you may always have a certain level of discomfort as they occasionally test each other. However, it would be helpful to get them to begin thinking like pack mates. Daily walks are great for putting your dogs in the proper frame of mind. Take them both out on leash and walk them together with you as their leader. A good 20 minute walk should help them settle into a good frame of mind and make them more tolerant of each other. Give this a try for several weeks and see if it helps. If the fighting continues, it may be necessary to consult a canine behaviorist through a local dog training facility to observe your dogs together in action and offer tailored advice on how to lessen the tension and improve harmony in your household.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things settle down soon.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi i had 1 dog but then i recently got another one shes about 2 years of age her name is Princess and her and my other dog Flower dont really get along they keep fighting, this is really fustrating and every time they do it I put them on a time out and close theyre cages and i put them close for like 10 minutes. When they get out they do fine but i have to keep watching them and i really get tyred of it. When ever i go out somewere i have to put them in diferent rooms because im scared that while im gone they will almost end up bleeding. Soo what should i do to help them get along?

-- Contributed by: My two dogs keep fighting

Hi Morgan,

I'm not sure just how long your family has had all three dogs, but I do need to tell you that Lhasas are not known for their tolerance of other dogs. Although the altered appearance and scent of your Lhasa may have touched off the current shuffle for pack order, you may continue to experience these episodes from time to time.

As I've recommended to other visitors, daily pack walks can really help to lower energy levels and aggression between dogs that live together. The exercise helps release pent up stress, and just the act of moving together in a pack stirs up those primal instincts and helps the dogs work together as one. Why don't you and your sisters make it a plan to walk the dogs together for about 20 minutes each day or at least as long as the Dachshund can keep up. I think you'll see improvement in just a couple of weeks if you're consistent.

Thanks for your question, and I hope it all works out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Becky,

This does sound like a dominance issue. First, I want to caution you or anyone else in your household about not reaching into the middle of the fight to break it up. In the heat of the moment, these dogs are likely to bite anyone that attempts to grab them. It's an instinctive reaction when a dog is in aggression mode. I break up fights between my Terriers by using a water spray bottle and squirting them in the face. It's harmless, but it usually gets their attention.

That said, have either of these dogs drawn blood on the other during a fight? If so, you have a more serious problem that will likely require the services of a professional canine behaviorist. The behaviorist will come to your home, observe the dogs in action in their own environment to find out what sets them off, and then offer tailored instructions on how to modify the unwanted behavior.

If there has never been a serious injury, most of that frightening fracass is probably posturing. It can look and sound quite ferocious, but they never really connect on each other. If you're able to let it continue for just a bit without intervening, they may just resolve the issue of which one gets to be the alpha dog.

You can lower both dogs' energy and stress levels by taking them out on leash for daily walks. Moving together in a pack gets the dogs thinking and working together. I'm hopeful this exercise will take some of the fire out of both of them.

I honestly don't think you'll have to separate these males permanently, but if they are fighting over food/treats, be sure to feed them in separate areas or perhaps confine them to their individual crates during feeding times.

Thanks for your question, and I hope these suggestions prove helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi my sisters min pin keeps fight with my other sisters Lhasa Apso but my dachshund only fights to try to deffend the min pin. they are all females. this just started when the lhasa apso came back from the groomers. i dont know if it is because she looks different. it is causing alot of stress for us. we are now seperating them and we are going to buy muzzles for them. what shall we do to get them back to all being nice to each other and laying to getther on the couch?

-- Contributed by: Morgan

I recently adopted two male pekapoos which are brothers, they are just over a year old. Most of the day they will be fine but then at random times they will start growling at eachother and then fighting very aggressively. I am scared for their safety as well as my families because they dont care who is around when they fight and pay you no mind at that time. They are often very sweet to eachother and play together so I think it might be either a jealousy issue or dominance, how can i resolve their problems before i have to separate them completely?

-- Contributed by: Becky

Hi Jeremy,

It sounds as though both your puppies may be alpha males, and they are having difficulty working out which one is going to be the top dog. Neutering can lower the aggression levels, but it's not a guaranteed cure.

If you're willing to go to the expense, you could invite a canine behaviorist to come to your house to observe the dogs in action. the behaviorist would then recommend a course of action based on your dogs' exact behaviors. This would be the surest way to resolve the issue.

It may also be helpful to give your dogs more to do in order to divert their energy from each other. Indestructible Dog Toys, trips to the park and daily walks may dissipate some of their machismo.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope you're able to work things out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello, I have two coton de tulear 9 month old males. It was when they were about 6 to 7 months that they had first fought with each other. Ever since then the dogs had been fighting with each other. It's extremely odd because they fight out of no where. What happens is that they start staring at each other and putting their heads down sniffing each other. All of a sudden one of them starts growling, and the other attacks him. When I pick one of the dogs up, they try to leap out of my arms to try to attack again. I can't stand to see them like this. They don't completely "hate" each other because there are times where they run around the backyard together and have fun. Last night, they both slept next to each other next to me on the bed, with no problem. They are not neutered. I plan to do so very soon. I really want to solve this problem as fast as I can. Is there some sort of product I can buy to resolve this issue? Trainers usually charge a grip to come to houses. For the past 5 days, they have been having at least one fight a day. Something has to give. I do not want to resort to permanent separation. Please help!

-- Contributed by: Jeremy

I have 2 pitbulls... a female (spayed) almost 5 years old and a male (not nuetered) about 2 years old. Within the last month or so fights have been breaking out amongst the two. It ALWAYS starts because of a stare-down. One will look at the other and the female immeciately perks her ears up accompanied by very wide-eyes. The female will then growl and when the male growls back the female will attack. It seems the male doesn't even know what is happening as he doesn't posture up and just remains seated.

Since this reoccuring theme I have learned the art of breaking dogs up. Since being bitten on the forearm pretty bad I've learned to never come in between them and grab their back legs to pull apart.

The male dog always receives the worst of it. Last evening they fought twice. One resulting in a punctured lip and welps around his neck and shoulders.

We used to let them up on the couch but after a couple fights we decided to try making them stay on the floor as I've read letting them up on the couch can progress into dominance. This worked for about a week or so.

Then it became a fight over who gets to lay under my wife and I's feet. Last evening the female upon my request laid down under my feet with her belly up. The male then came about 4 feet from her and was simply sitting. The female then began the stare... I tried over and over to snap her out of it and I don't know if it was her reluctance to stop staring or his. After doing the Ceasar Milan "dog bite" and scolding her about 4 or 5 times she jumped up and growled. Fight commense...

This has also happened as the male would sit all the way towards the end of the couch, the female on the other. The male will peek his head around to see whats going on and the female will jump up into his face and begin growling. This escalates quickly into another fight.

Last evening I separated the dogs for 2 hours.. regardless of their incessant whines and howls.

This is becoming a problem I don't know how to handle even after reading numerous books and websites. Please help!

Hi Chris,

I'm sorry to hear that your dog's aren't getting along, but in this instance I'm not surprised. Pitbulls typically develop a certain level of intolerance for other dogs around eighteen months old. Even if the dogs get along for a while, the sparring is bound to begin sooner or later.

I would definitely have the male neutered to see if the lowered testosterone level mellows him out a bit. In this case, I'd also hire a canine behaviorist to come observe the dogs together in your home. This person is trained to identify the behavior cues that lead to the fighting and figure out ways to avert those cues. I do hope you'll find this helpful.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for a harmonious home.

-- Contributed by: Chris

I have two puppies-one is 6 months old the other 2 months. The little girl just joined us accidentally. My 6 month old has just been neutered but they seem to fight alot--showing lots of teeth and making lots of noise. Is this normal??? They are both small dogs and the male 6month old has been with me since he was 2 months old. I thought it would be good to keep her but I am concerned about the fighting.

Hi Beth,

Are you sure this isn't just play fighting? Sometimes puppies get very rambunctious and it can seem like the real thing.

That said, I think it's still early enough to work out the situation. Both puppies are struggling to figure out where they fit into the pack order. As pack leader, you can gently but firmly discourage the fighting. Be consistent, and you should begin to see results within a couple of weeks. These are young puppies, so it will take a bit longer for them to understand the rules you are setting. However, I think you can resolve the situation with patience and consistency.

Best wishes that everything works out well.

-- Contributed by: beth

I have 2 male dogs who are 1 years old. Until recently, they have never moved an inch without the other one to follow. Lately, 1 of them wants more alone time all the while breaking the other one's heart. They have begun fighting and we are all a nervous wreck at home. One dog is bigger than the other so the littler one gets beat up pretty bad. How do I get my baby boys back?

Hi Jennie,

I think most of us would want to preserve some of our dogs' puppy qualities, but everyone grows up. It sounds like one of your boys has decided to take the dominant role in the pack. While this is basically natural, he still shouldn't injure your other dog.

My main question is whether or not the boys have been neutered? If not, take care of this right away, and start with the aggressive dog. This lowers the testosterone level, and can take some of the intensity out of the situation.

Once neutering is complete, obedience training is the next step in gaining more control over your alpha dog. This will put you firmly in position as the pack leader, and should also help curb your dog's aggressive tendancies toward his canine housemate.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful.

-- Contributed by: Jennie

My two dog are brothers 8yrs old. They seem to be mutts with hints of chow. They have had only 5-6 fights but when they get into it you can't pull them apart. We have gotten bit trying to break up the fights. The dogs have never turned on us, they only fight each other and we end up getting in the way. We can't take it any longer. We love our dogs alot and don't want them to tear each other up, it's sad and crazy. We are wondering if its the chow nature and male dominance. We never had them fixed. Although they are extremely friendly towards everyone, even our cat. They have never even growled at anyone. But now I am scared, the almost unstoppable fights we have in our living room makes me question everyone safety. I don't want them to ever fight again, please help.

Expert Reply

Hello,

There's no way to ever guarantee that your dogs won't fight again if left together, but there are a few things you can do to take tension out of the situation.

First, both dogs need to be neutered. This will lower their hormone levels and hopefully make them less territorial. Try to have them done at the same time so one doesn't wind up bullying the other.

Second, you don't always need to let both dogs loose at the same time. You could try taking turns confining them so each dog gets some time for individual family attention.

Third, you could invite a canine behaviorist to your home to observe your dogs together in their natural environment. It's easier for a trained eye to identify the triggers that cause your dogs to begin fighting and use this information to figure out a way avoid those triggers. You may be able to find a behaviorist in your local phone directory.

Thanks for your question, and I hope these suggestions offer you some hope. I do believe that your situation can be worked out.

-- Contributed by: stop my dogs from fighting

Have had 2 female miniature red poodle littermates for 7 months. They are now 10 months old. Just this week have started really fighting each other - 4 times just today. What's the safest wy to break them up and how can we avoid further fights? Thanks

Expert Reply

Hi Stetson,

Your puppies are beginning to reach maturity, and it sounds like they are fighting for the dominant pack position. Unless you plan to breed them, my first recommendation is having them both spayed. This will eliminate most of the hormones that drive the behavior.

My second recommendation is to strengthen your own position as pack leader by enrolling both of the girls in obedience training. You will gain far more control over them, and you should be able to put a stop to their scuffles far more quickly.

Thanks for your question, and hope you find these suggestions helpful.

-- Contributed by: Stetson
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