We got a new dog about 2 weeks ago. One is 5 years old and is a Mini Doberman. The other is a 2 year old cattle dog mix. They keep fighting very fiercely to the point that you have to physically separate them. The mini Doberman has a sizable chuck of flesh missing from his leg from the attacks even though you start most of the conflicts.
2006-10-31 01:04:03 · 6 answers · asked by dudewithadarkeye 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You may have introduced them too quickly. You might be able to go back and start over. You need to separate the dogs for a while. Your original dog feels threatened and overwhelmed by this new presence, so you need to give him his space back for a while.
First, find a room for one of them (the new addition) with bedding, food and water. Let him make that room his own, give him toys and plenty of attention. Make sure that when you take him outside the other dog is put up and they don't have contact. They will be able to smell each other through the door, which will be a point of introduction. Keep them separated like this for a least 1 or 2 full days. It will depend on the dogs and their behavior. Once it seems like the original dog is accepting the new dog's presence, go on to the next step.
Next, swap the dogs' blankets and/or toys. In other words, make sure that there is something that smells like each dog, and put them in each other's space. This way they can get familiar with the smell of the other without dealing with the threatening presence. Once they are accepting, go onto the next step.
Next, swap the dogs. Put the original dog in the room where the new dog was and let the new dog loose in the rest of the house. Remember through all of this to spend time with each dog individually, playing with him/her, so they know they are in a safe situation. Once the dogs have slept in each other's spaces, they should be ready to meet.
Take the meeting slowly. Put them both on leashes and take them outside - to neutral territory. Let them sniff each other and give them lots of affirmation when they do it without growling. Then, take them apart for a while. Repeat this unti you feel comfortable taking them off leash and sniffing each other. If at any point, either animal acts aggressively, go back to the previous step.
It may take some time, but it's worth the investment for a peaceful household and animals that see each other as friends instead of enemies. Once they've sniffed each other off leash in a neutral area, things should progress pretty quickly. Take them back inside and watch carefully as they interact.
You may need to consider establishing one of them as the dominating dog, but this usually gets figured out on its own, once they consider themselves part of the same pack.
2006-10-31 02:45:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Watch Cesar Milan The Dog Whisperer on The History Channel
2006-10-31 09:08:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They’re both adult dogs & need to establish who's dominate. As you've seen, it can get violent. Their being the same sex will also kick it up a notch. Which dog lived there first? He/she has a territory to defend. If you punish the dog that’s defending territory, that dog thinks he must try harder & will go after the other dog with more ferocity. To keep the peace, you will need to go against human nature and give attention to the resident dog and even ignore the new dog for a while. At least give attention to the resident dog first, like greet him first when you get home. The more secure the resident dog in his place in the pack, the fewer fights you will have. After a while, they also need training & taken for walks together (as members of the same pack). Get them into a dog class – you may need the help of a pro trainer.
Good luck
2006-10-31 09:26:46 · answer #3 · answered by Celt 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It just might not be possible. They fight over the territory, and unless one of them shows subordination to the other or leaves, they'll fight. They are both very dominant, obviously. If one of them was female, the problem would be solved easier .
ATTENTION, NEW COMMENT: NEUTERING THEM BOTH WILL HELP, BUT THE RESULTS WILL TAKE EFFECT AFTER A FEW MONTHS.
2006-10-31 09:10:08 · answer #4 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy them Goldfish masks.
2006-10-31 09:58:47 · answer #5 · answered by Stubby Dayglo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you just need to have them interact as much as possible and eventually they will have to deal with living togeather so they'll start getting along..
2006-10-31 09:54:27 · answer #6 · answered by chanchi 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋