Dogs fighting, need ideas!?

Question

I'll try to keep this short. We have 3 indoor dogs.

Juliet, an Italian Greyhound, is our alpha dog. She's 9 and was an only dog for 3 years.

Griffin is another Italian Greyhound, who we've had for 6 years, he's a passive little boy.

Three years ago, we inherited a dachshund, Gretchen, who is about the same age as Juliet. She settled in fairly well, but just recently Juliet and Gretchen have been fighting...they had a blowout a couple months ago and two pretty decent arguments last night. Juliet starts this (jumping on Gretchen then screaming & snarling) but Gretchen can be aggressive when provoked and is twice Juliet's size.

I'm stumped as to why this is happening. We haven't had any changes at home and all dogs were neutered at a young age. Any ideas??

Answer 1

Same sex aggression is common. Even in dogs that have been altered it happens quite often.
Doxies are very aggressive they were bred to hunt badgers. You would have to aggressive to hunt a badger.
They are small pusshy dogs who will not hesitate to fight for whatthey want.
You may have to keep these two seperate unless you are supervising. Juliet smoehow must fell that Gretchen is at hreat to her top dog position and is making it clear that she is and will be top dog. Gretchen may be giveing her her some type of signals that challange her authority. Sometimes thises things brew for years before becomming a huge problem. Once they do however it can be a chronic thing where the dogs can not be together at all.
I had to place a doberman many years ago as he decided he no longer could function well in my home so he wnet to a home where he was the only dog and did fine for years.
Good luck with your dogs.

Answer 2

The more dogs fight, the more the fighting is reinforced. So you must stop this cycle.

Always feed the alpha dog first. Give attention to the alpha dog in front of the other dogs so that in their minds her status is clearly set. It's obvious that the 2 females are trying to be an alpha dog.

Be ready for any fight, and be aware you could be bitten if you intervene. I used to use a loud horn that is made for personal safety to stop the fight.Have a beach towel handy to use if you must grab a dog.

You can see a fight situation starting if you watch your dogs body language. Signs are hackles up(fur on the shoulders), staring straight into the other dog's eyes, standing very stiff and erect, and of course a growl.

Be ready to divert their attention with pig ears or chewy treats when you see a fight sign. Just say"Let's not fight, let's get a chewy treat , come on". Often a diversion buys more time so that you can leash train your dogs and have much more time between fights.

I have found petting on a dog's chest and saying "it's okay" is the most calming thing. Do this often and remember to not leave them alone together or you might have a bad situation when you return home :(

Praise them when they are good, and offer lots of good treats.
Good luck!

Answer 3

I have four dogs in the house and from my experance is YOU need to pick who the ALPHA dog is going to be in the pack. Once you decide. This is the dog that is greeted first, fed first, let out first and everyother thing first. I have two that compete and I'm careful not to ruff house with them around one another because that starts the fight. Affection will also start a problem. When I come home I great my Alpha first, set Alpha bowl down first etc.. hope this helps.

Answer 4

Gretchen and Juliet are both girls, so it is a threat to them on their territory.

Answer 5

maybe there is something that maybe hurting the dog in side that making him/her turn like this..try calling your vet..cause it it has just started .that would be a reason ot sometimes dog have there own space and don't like to be bugged just like people do if your having a bad day it's like leave me alone..could be allot of things..but keep a watch and if it doesn't chance go to the vet

Answer 6

do u think my avatar is cute just kidding we have the same initials
xoxoxo