I have a part norwegian elkhound/lab. I have had her for nine yrs. I just recently adopted a pure bred norwegian elkhound from humane society. for the most part they get along. but when it comes to treats, dinner time, and attention from myself, there is a lot of aggression. today's fight was a big one. help!
2006-09-27 12:03:26 · 5 answers · asked by dorfelkhound 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Fights between 2 females are often the most serious. It sounds like their problems are escalating so you need to step in right now. Both these girls need to acknowledge that you are the pack leader - otherwise both of them will keep trying for the job.
You're going to have to separate them when you're not supervising them. At dinner time, put both dogs in a sit stay before they get fed. If they get up, no one gets fed. If they're in separate areas of the room you're feeding them in and they're sitting, they can't fight.
For treats, you should be feeding your older dog first. The new one has to learn to accept this. Again, put the dogs in a sit stay, or put them in a down stay. The idea being they have to earn their rewards.
Which dog is the worst aggressor? Is it the new one? If so, spend some time obedience training her giving lots of praise for correct behaviour.
Often times walking them together helps build some good feelings between them. When I got my 3rd greyhound, one of my males, who has some space issues, really didn't like her at all. But the 2 of them walk together, side by side, keeping in perfect step with each other, and they've over time become much better friends. Not quite the same I know, because they're not same sex, but it should help. If you control the behaviour right now before it gets worse, they should become accustomed to each other. Is the new elkhound spayed? That might help, too.
2006-09-27 12:43:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ah, jealousy. I had an elkhound I loved very much, but she was an only, so I'm not sure that I can be much help, but . . . John Ross and Turid Rugaas are two dog trainers you might want to research for help with jealousy issues. Feeding them separately and making sure that you separate them when it comes time for treats might help. Aggression in packs is natural, but I imagine that there must be things we can do to help ease the tension. Best of luck!
2006-09-27 19:13:38 · answer #2 · answered by writerchick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have same sex aggression and it is very common. I recommed that my cliets not have dogs of the same sex in the same house as it leads to bad fights. Worse than if the dogs were opsite sexes.
You need to seperate these dogs anytime there is food around and NEVER feed them in the same room. THey should not be left together unsupervised ever and you are going to have to work at getting control or you will never have peace in the home.
I would suggest a behavioral trainer to work one on one with you and the dogs to see if you can work something out other than that I would place one of them in another home.
2006-09-27 19:26:13 · answer #3 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't get too uptight about them fighting! This is natural. Even in the wild, animals have a social 'pecking order', and will fight to see who is alpha (male or female top dog), and next in line, and so on. I have raised German Shepards, wolf hybrids,etc. and see it all the time. It's best to let them establish that 'pecking order' and things will calm down once that's out of the way! Hope I helped.
2006-09-27 19:16:19 · answer #4 · answered by Darryl L 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Duh....you answered your own question!!!
***COMPETITION***!!!!
Did you think your dog would WELCOME any new-comer????
*ALWAYS* feed SEPERATELY!!!! IN THEIR OWN CRATES!!!
NEVER "feel sorry " for the under-dog!!! TOP DOG comes FIRST! ALWAYS!!!
If you don't get your "pack dynamics" straight FAST,you'll end up w/BLOOD all over hell & a BIG vet bill...if not a GRAVE to dig!!!
2006-09-28 08:43:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋