Will dogs that don't get along ever learn to?

Question

My 5 year-old spayed female heeler hangs out a lot with my boyfriend's 4 year-old fixed weimariner. They're fine with each other if they're running around playing, but if they're inside and he passes too close to her she'll snap at him. He's pretty dopey and clueless and doesn't seem to notice her snarls and growls as warnings, and thus gets bitten fairly often, which makes him yelp and jump away. Will she ever get used to him and stop this behavior? And extra question: is this really a bad thing and should I definitely try really hard to stop it, or just let them work it out on their own? He's not getting injured or anything.

Answer 1

If there is no major fight and no real injury, I'd say it's best to leave them alone. He's a Weimaraner - the definition of clueless and out of control. She's just telling him to knock it off. When he does, then she won't need to bite him.

Answer 2

I have to think that only the people watchng can really judge whether or not a dog's behavior is a major problem. Some dogs are just cranky about their personal space, and will nip and growl about it with other dogs and its not a big deal. If the weimeraner isn't getting snapped at hard enough to actually hurt him, your heeler is still at a stage where she's just communicating with him, though quite emphatically. If she wanted to really hurt him, she would.

It does sound like the weimerarner is sort of clueless. Most dogs will work out who's who and what's what through small gestures like growling, baring a couple of teeth, that sort of thing. But I guess if the weim is just completely not getting the message, snapping would be the next logical step.

It took my dogs about 4 weeks of living together full time to work each other out. They only actually fought once, but my older dog is a bit of a resource gaurder and it took a while for my younger to realize that if he's got a toy and he growls at me, maybe I should just go lay down on the other side of the room. But he did eventually get it.

If it's been a long time and they're still not arriving at a truce, then I'd keep a close eye on them when they're together and call off the weim when he gets to close to the heeler. She may begin to warm up to him if he just leaves her alone in her personal space for a few visits.

Answer 3

Normal behavior I have worked with dogs for years, and in some cases like thing one you have a submissive male. Your boyfriend's dog has no interest in being in control and being territorial, like you said hes kind of dopey which means hes really relaxed and laid back. On the other hand your dog wants total control over the other no matter what the situation and wants him to know it at all times. If you really want to eliminate the nipping problem it will take some work with the dogs actually being within close proximity of each other, I dont know if you are crazy about having them close together but thats the way to solve it. It also sounds a little like your dog is missing some attention that you might have slipped up not giving her and haven't even noticed. KEEP IN MIND the most important thing for your dog to accept all this is the attention she gets from you and then the attention you give to your boyfriends dog. I know it is long and drawn out but thats the way things are sometimes.

Answer 4

Dogs tend to do what they are allowed to get away with. You in all respects are the one that should be in control of the situation. She has made a specific territory and so long as you do not interfere with it she will act the same no matter whose dog it is. She is the other femal of the house and so long as you let her be the Alfa ***** than she will run the house more and more

Answer 5

After some time passes they should learn to get along, but if you are really worried, try getting in touch with an animal behaviorist. They would be able to interpret each growl etc and probably help the two dogs get along better.

Answer 6

they may get along playing outside but in the house, they are very territorial. female dogs are more agressive than the males unless a female goes in heat then the males will fight. since both were fixed, they make better pets. she may be thinking he's to close to her space. they all need space and she may think his dog is trying to get attention from you that only she is to get. if the dog is that dumb as to keep letting himself get bit or nipped at without knowing whats going on, it may be hard to train them to get along inside. you never said if it was your place or his, or you live together. i've seen many animals that grow up together and play fine in the yard, but if one bothers the other in the house or gets in their space, they bite or snap. there will always be a dominant dog of the two.

Answer 7

Sounds like all your dog is trying to do is teach the Weimariner that she is going to be the dominate one in the house hold, it should stop once the weimar figures out that the heeler is going to be the boss.

Answer 8

When you find the answer to this question, please let me know. I have a male chow chow that is CONSTANTLY attacking my male Great Dane. Fortunately for my chow, chow - he is covered in thick hair making it very difficult for my dane to get a handle on him. So everytime a fight breaks out....the great dane needs fixing up.
It's been 3 years and they were raised together. I cant figure out how to stop this.

Answer 9

guess wat? i have the same problem, my pekinese WILL NOT get alongwith my border collie puppy, and it is hard to cope with, they snap, growl, and chase eachother...but trust me as long as they're not getting hurt and their tails are up when they r playing, u are ok.
As for my dogs, they are finally starting to behave themselves around eachother...give it time, and see how they do...GOOD LUCK