How Do I Stop 2 Males From Fighting??

Question

I have a 4 year old male Chow-Chow and a 3 year old male Dreat Dane. We are guessing that they are trying to figure out who the alpha male is but they fight non stop. Last week, they were in the house together and broke into a big fight. They knocked down my tv, my 400 dvd collection, it was a mess.
The chow-chow ALWAYS starts the fight. If my great dane walks past him, he snaps and they start fighting. The problem is definitely with the chow-chow. Me and my husband are currently expecting a child and the chow-chow is becoming very unpredictable.
When he's alone, he's the best but when the great dane is around, all h*ll breaks loose. We can't really afford a professional trainer at this point in time. Can anyone suggest something we can try at home?

Separation doesn't work. Right now my 3 dogs are in the yard, free to run around and hte chow-chow is in a 6X6 cage on the other side of the yard. If the great dane walks past the cage, the chow-chow has a fit.
Honestly, I can't separate them forever!

Both dogs have been fixed for about 2 years. The water squirting doesn't work. The chow-chow doesn't seem to care if we hit him afterwards.

Letting one "hump" the other is out of the question. I mean, they can't even walk by each other without someone bleeding. Besides, we're talking about 2 dogs that are about 110 pounds each.

Both dogs were raised together, along with two other female dogs. They got along great as puppies. About a 2 years ago, it all changed. Since then it's been horrible!

We've had all of our dogs since about 6 weeks of age.

Answer 1

this is going to take both of you and some work to fix, you need to put a leash on each of them , (this is best done outside in a nuetral area) each of you hold the leash on one dog, so you can control the situation at all times, bring the dogs closer to each other but not so they can actually reach each other, when they approach each other most likely the hair will rise on both dogs, and at least one of the dogs tails will stand straight up, this is your cue that they are ready to fight which ever dog does this or if both do it, you need to immediately put them in a submissive position ( either on their backs or completely on their sides on the ground)and say NO!.. and hold them in that position for a few minutes,. you may have to do this over and over till they get the message that you two are the alphas and you will not tolerate the aggression in your pack.. this may not happen the first day , but do not give up, and do not let them be together at the same time until you are sure they completely understand the rules of the pack, .. the chow sees the great dane as the interloper and intends to show its dominance..they are fighting because the great dane has not shown its submissive to the chow..you could let them fight it out until its finally decided who the winner is, but you will have some serious blood shed and damage done and the chow will end up feeling dominant to the dane and possibly to your future children... not good, so you need to show both of them who the real bosses are now, ( ps everything changed since they were puppies because they have now matured and are testing their limits and pack order ) best wishes!!!! ( I have 4 dogs myself 2 males 2 females 1 a chow/shep , 1 a rottie , 1 a pitbull 1 a dobie shep all big dogs lol.. )

Answer 2

With a baby on the way, I would ONLY recommend having the Chow leave the picture. They can be very unpredictable and aggressive by nature - and this one obviously is, by your own account. The more you keep them separated, the worse they will be. And you said you couldn't afford a professional trainer. Even if you were willing to pay me $1200, I would still give you the same advice. Sorry if it sounds harsh, but put the chow to sleep unless you can find a good home where he will be the only dog.

Answer 3

this is a disterbing situation how long havae you had the two dogs if you have had them for a while and the problem is just getting worse you and your husband have not established yourselves as the leaders the dogs will follow the leader if the leader is confident and sets consistant rules of condust the best advice I can give you is to work with them on basic social skills such as sitting to greet other dogs and people this is best done by taking both of them to a trainer. and soon before you bring a new member into your home. Spend the money and get professional help. talk to a veterinarian and get the number for a good trainer in your area. dogs fighting and the changes that will happen in your home can be very dangerous mix for a new child. get some professional help..

Answer 4

Seems like Chow Chow is hating. If you can't afford a professional trainer then try contacting the nearest Petco to you. They have trainers that will train your dog. It doesn't cost as much as a professional trainer. So contact your nearest petco, ask them if they have dog trainers, and tell them that you have 2 dogs fighting everyday and you don't know what to do. They are bound to help. If you can't find a near petco try training them yourself. Everytime they fight, take a water hose and shoot both of them. If they continue, kept on shooting until they separate. Take Chow Chow and put him outside. Keep Dane inside. When Chow Chow calms down, let Dane go outside and bring Chow Chow inside. If you continue doing this, even at night, Chow Chow will understand that you do not like it when he fights. It won't work until 5 to 6 weeks. So if Chow Chow is nice to Dane then everything will work out. So here is what you need to do.
1-3 weeks:
When they start fighting take a water hose and shoot them until they stop. Take Dane inside and leave Chow Chow outside. When Chow Chow calms down, Take him inside and put Dane outside.
Chow Chow outside time: 1-2 hours
Dane: 30 minutes
4-6 weeks:
Take Dane inside and leave Chow Chow outside. When Chow Chow calms down, Take him inside and put Dane outside.

Answer 5

You may have to find one a new home, sad to say. I had to do that because I tried everything to keep mine two males from fighting and then they started waiting until I left the house and would fight. The older one always lost and finally he was seriously injured one day and we decided the older dog would stay and the younger one would have to leave. BTW: They were both neutered. It was very emotional but it had to be for the safety of the older dog and my fear of him hurting someone who came to visit.
I tried rolled up papers, squirt guns, separation, tie out chains, nothing worked. There has to be an Alpha Male. If you have a man in your house he can try to be the Alpha Male, that sometimes works. He has to be very Sturn and let them know he is in charge. Use the rolled up newspaper, it doesn't hurt but it does send them the message, Good Luck and I hope all turns out well with the new baby coming.

Answer 6

The issue now is not the dogs, it's the child that you are bringing into an unsafe household! Find the chow a new home or send it to the pound. You do not have the time that it would take to retrain this animal before your child is born. Do this or you will have a bigger problem than the dogs are fighting. PLEASE LOSE THE DOG BEFORE YOU ARE ON THE LATE NEWS!

Answer 7

The problem is almost too simple to see from close up.
the situation is from the ground up, the chain of command.
you have given over the alpha role to the chow. He's strutting his stuff as king of the turf...just as typical teenagers do.. he has to be brought under submission to you.
first thing to do is when feeding, give him ONLY kibble from your hands...this is time consuming, but really works.
Begin teaching him obedience commands, even if he knows them, put him through the drills....sit, come, stay, down-stay, sit-stay are the basics....Drill an d drill and drill, for 20 minute segments....I like to do this during TV commercials,,,,I just give a command to the one that is getting a little too bossy, and demand she do it.....amid lots of praise when she does.
A good lazy man's gimmick ( i use it) is the Gentle Leader head collar. You can find it at your local pet supply, or on line, or on eBay...about $17 for the chow's size... Instructions are in the package, be sure to read.
Put the 'Leader; collar on the chow, and let him get used to it...
Have your husband give the Dane a couple of treats, in front of the chow..with you holding the lead of Chow's 'Leader' collar.
If Chow tries to step in to get his share, give him a tug ...you will have complete control over him with this, and it is very humane.
As soon as chow is accepting your control, give him his share of treats, and praise...If Chow still seems aggressive, leave the Leader on him, so he knows that you have 'remote' control over him....
Just the basic 'Master is master' training is all your teenager
needs... If they liked each-other before, they will soon get along again... You will find that this exercise will bring even a close bond to you and Chow...its a win-win remedy.
Here are pics of the 'Leader'.
http://images.google.com/images?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial_s&q=gentle+leader&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

Answer 8

Get rid of the chow! If he acts like that, you may not want him around your baby!!!
You could give him to a relative who lives nearby, and still get to visit him, without the Great Dane, but I don't advise keeping both together. :o)

Answer 9

If your dogs are intact, get them BOTH neutered. That will help with the aggression. Chow Chows are protective dogs and his behavoir might only get worse after the baby comes.

Answer 10

Neuter them! This will help immensely. I do not know if it will solve all of the problems they are having but I bet it will help. Plus if you do neuter them talk to a vet about what else you can do.


When you got the Dane did you not introduce the two dogs first to see if they got along? This is very important. Maybe their personalities just clash.