I have a neutered 3 yr old male dalmatian named flash that just started attacking my 8 months old intact male rat terrier named ringer when he goes outside after they eat. This has been going on for 3 days now. Flash has lived with Ringer since Ringer was 6wks old. They dont fight at all inside or fight over anything. Just when Flash is outside in the fenced yard and I open the door to let Ringer out Flash readily attacks Ringer before he can get outside. So I have to shew Flash off the steps in front of the door before Ringer is let outside. Once Ringer is outside and I prevent the fight at the doorway they are fine together. Why is this all of a sudden happening?? I have another dog a spayed female golden retriever that he doesnt fight with at all.
2006-09-30 15:36:04 · 14 answers · asked by Dalmatian 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
some of the answers are okay but most are assuming that they have not lived together for along time, they have all lived together in harmony for the last 8 months in the same yard and they just started fighting "3 days" ago, nothing in their routine has changed.
2006-09-30 16:01:11 · update #1
The dalmatian was neutered a year before I got the rat terrier
2006-09-30 16:03:16 · update #2
the female dog does nothing to protect the puppy but the fight doesnt last long enough for me to notice because the second the fight starts all I have to say is "NO" and the fight stops.
2006-09-30 16:07:26 · update #3
It sounds to me like Flash doesn't want Ringer in the back yard. Seems that's his territory.
Just curious, was the dalmation neutered before or after you got the terrier?
There are 2 things you can try:
1. Let Ringer out first. Give him about 5-10 minutes alone in the backyard. Then, put Flash on a leash and take him out back. Show him that Ringer is allowed in the yard, and let him follow Ringer around. But, you need to be the one in control.
2. Let Flash out first, but tie him to the fence or another area. Then, same premise, except don't put Ringer on a leash.
It seems like there is maybe a little alpha male competition going on. I would try number 1 first. See if that remedies the situation. Ringer is getting older, and Flash feels like he needs to have some territory to himself.
Good luck!
2006-09-30 15:46:59 · answer #1 · answered by tn_lovett 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The puppy has gone from being a harmless puppy to being competition now that it is nearing adulthood. The adult dog is displaying his dominance over the puppy, trying to retain his position as the Alpha male in the pack. It is natural! This is what wolves and coyotes do too. Whether we like it or not, there is this natural struggle whenever you get a "pack" of dogs together, especially when there is a female present in the "pack". As long as the adult male is not going for "kill spots" or seriously trying to injure the younger dog, this should pass. If you feel that the younger dog is in danger, you may have to get rid of one of the males. The reason your adult male doesn't fight with your female is because that dominance has already been established. How does she treat the puppy? Does she ignore these fights or does she try to protect one of the males? That will tell you a lot about what kind of spat this is. Being around the puppy since it was six weeks old would give her some maternal instinct towards it. If she is doing nothing about the fights, like trying to protect the puppy, it is probably just a power struggle between the two males.
2006-09-30 15:47:50 · answer #2 · answered by Social_D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is most likely an alpha dog responce. If the dalmation and the golden have lived together for a long time, he probably thinks they are mates...in a wierd sort of way. He just wants to make sure the intact male doesn't intrude on his territory or his girl. I would suggest you neuter the 8 month old. But talk to your vet, or a pet trainer at Petsmart or something, before you do anything. They know dog behavior better then the rest of us. Oh and the one that says your dog is homo....you have probs.
2006-09-30 15:44:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it possible that there is another dog in heat nearby? Maybe Flash and Ringer can smell the dog in heat, and are starting to establish their dominance so they can get first dibs at her. Even neutered males display this behavior. Keep Flash on a leash and correct his behavior, and let him know that Ringer is also allowed in the yard.
Hope this helps!
P.S. No more "beer spheres of happiness!" (inside joke)
2006-09-30 16:05:10 · answer #4 · answered by rita_alabama 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's the whole male thing... one's fixed, one isn't... so flash smells the "male-ness" on ringer while they're outside-- since urinating is how dogs mark their territory, if you will. if your dogs go potty outside only (and not in the house), it'll explain why they get along fine inside, but seem to have their clashes outside.
plus, it's park of the whole "pecking order" thing. flash is older and bigger, so he needs to feel like the big dog-- putting ringer in his place is how he does that.
i think it's likely that flash will grow out of this.. although, it'll probably happen quicker if you were to get ringer neutered.
2006-09-30 15:42:42 · answer #5 · answered by brooke44 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We did the same exact thing for our male! Bought him a female companion and she is so mean to him. It has been this way for almost 8 years. It was the biggest mistake to buy another dog. I would find your female dog another home ASAP, I would have done the same, but I kept waiting for it to get better and it never did.
2016-03-27 00:22:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well Males usualy feel that they are the dominant one and if another male comes to the home of one male then they have to show dominance to show them whos boss and that they own this place. You know what i mean? Its just a male dog thing alot of males do that. Some females do that too.
2006-09-30 15:41:00 · answer #7 · answered by xpoisonousxinjectionx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the older male dog considers the yard to be his territory and is establishing his role as alpha male. hopefully it should soon vanish
2006-09-30 15:45:19 · answer #8 · answered by DUSTY 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is showing the other dog that he is the Parke leader. you better get a hand on this and show both dogs that you are the leader not them
2006-09-30 15:41:33 · answer #9 · answered by david o 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the male dogs have to feel like ther the head honcho
2006-09-30 15:38:53 · answer #10 · answered by Dance chic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋