I have recently got a 3yr female cocker spaniel hoping she could be friends with my 11yr springer spaniel that iv had from a pup.They just dont get on.When in a room alone together they dont fight, but they wont go near each other and my springer spaniel looks absolutely miserable she has sat in the same place for an hour staring at my new cocker spaniel.My cocker spaniel is now starting to look miserable too.The problem really occurs when myself or a member of my family enter the room they are in,when this happens they both start by growling an then end up in a huge fight biting one another and i have to break it up by squirting water on them.Is there anything else i can do?i am afraid to leave them alone together incase one of them gets hurt but i realise that they have to get used to one another.Any help would be great thanks.I do not know why my 11 yr old is doin this because she used to be the best of friends with a golden retriever i used to have until she passed away.
2007-01-05 05:07:01 · 14 answers · asked by holly_graci 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
How long have you had the new dog? Sometimes it just takes time. The Dog Whisperer, Caesar Milan, has a show on the National Geographic Channel. He recommends some techniques to get fueding dogs to get along. One of which is walking them while side-by-side. I suggest you pick up one of his books, he's a genius.
2007-01-05 05:11:28 · answer #1 · answered by P_P_K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How long have they been together? Did you get your new dog a week ago, a few days, what? Yes, they will take time to get to know eachother, but if they are fighting for dominance, then you may have a major issue on your hands. Your Springer Spaniel, the akayla, also known as alpha dog in a pack, SHOULD be the one to set the rules for the younger. If you are allowing the new dog the same respects as your older dog, and you have not tried to establish the fact that the older dog is in charge, then the new dog should be confined in a kennel or at least a small room, when you are not present, and kept on a leash no more than six feet long that should be attached to you when you are present. this will teach the new dog that it is to follow and obey you, but you must leave the older dog free to roam without being leashed. this will show the younger dog that they have a place in the chain of command, basically. With time, the older dog should be able to show it's dominance without aggression, and you will be able to let the younger one off the leash. Kenneling the younger one when you're not at home is a good idea until full dominance is established. the water gun is a good idea, but fill it with vinegar, the smell and taste is more annoying than water and will lessen the encounters. Avoid spraying them in the eyes, though!
If they are together and the older one snaps at the younger WITHOUT causing harm or pain, then you MUST LET IT GO. They are showing to the younger dog that they can control the younger dog, and right now, that is what you want to happen. Once the younger dog learns to submit to the older and to yourself, then you won't have to worry about them.
If your issues do not stop within a month of these efforts, dominance may always be fought for with no resolution. If they do start to snap at each other, do your best to make the younger one stop WITHOUT getting in the middle of them! They might attack you if you climb between them. But, say, if you are behind the younger and they start to fight, grab the younger dog's collar and force them down! Make the YOUNGER one stop first, you will be showing your support to the older one. If the older one continues to attack, however, NOW make them stop. Only do this if there is little fear of your own harm, however! Do not get yourself hurt when you could use the spray bottle!
Good luck with the new dog, I hope they learn to get along!
2007-01-05 05:25:32 · answer #2 · answered by Kitten 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dogs are jealous of each other, especially your 11 yr old, she feels she is being replaced and she ain't goin for that. Are the dogs the same sex? That can be a big problem. When purchasing or bringing a new pet into your circle, you should have the pets meet at a neutral place(like a park), not at the family home. Preferably opposite sexes, but not always needed, let the dogs check eachother over, smelling their butts is very important to the dogs, that's how they decide if they are going to like eachother. Watch the action of their tails, huge indicator of how the meeting is going. Since yours are already together, lavish attention on both in separate areas, let the older one she isn't get booted and that she is loved. Over time, and with much patience things should mellow out, if not, you may have to find another home for the young one. Good luck.
2007-01-12 05:37:40 · answer #3 · answered by fisherwoman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way it sounds is that they are both trying to get your attention and are fighting for it. So when if you play with one the other one gets jelous of the one you are playing with. I also think that your older dog is just not used of all the playfulness of the puppy. So if your dog has a time that he usally has a nap keep the puppy away so the dog can have some rest so mabey when he gets up he will be in a better mood with the puppy and when you can see if they will sit on your lap together that is all the advice I can give you sorry hope this works.
2007-01-05 05:25:58 · answer #4 · answered by Hailey C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Older Spaniels do not typically get on good with younger pets. I know it is a steriotype, but it's commonly true. I would wait them out. Dogs eventually come to grips with the hands they are dealt. Take your Cocker to training and make sure YOU know the proper commands too. When the dogs show signs of aggression, command the younger dog to heel. The 11 yr old will likely maintain her distance.
They will work out a way to live together eventually.
2007-01-12 04:49:43 · answer #5 · answered by bobthebuilder 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WAIT!!! Do NOT make either of the dogs the ALPHA dog. YOU are the alpha my friend. They both listen to YOU first!!!!!!!!!! End of story!!!!!!! Seriously, if you are the owner you are considered part of the pack by the dogs.
There are commands you can give I believe. You need to make them both settle down and have somewhere "safe" for them each to go.. separately!!!!!!!!!!
There is a command, "settle", which should tell them both to be calm. I'm not sure if either of the dogs know this, but if so, when the family enters the room, both dogs should be given the command. Both dogs should learn that fighting around you will not be acceptable behavior.
Ways you can make your Springer the dominant over the younger one? Feed him first. If you take him for walks, walk him first, put him on his leash first, let him out the door first. Let him back in the door first. Let him into the car first. Pet him first when you enter the room. Play with him first. Basically, do every thing for him before you do it for her. Ignore her while you do these things. Don't talk to her even to correct her. It will show her that she needs to wait her turn and that her turn is last!
2007-01-05 06:03:21 · answer #6 · answered by Melissa Me 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh what a shame honey. It must be heart breaking to see your companions looking so miserable! All you can do is love them both, speak encouragingly and be sure to love them both the same amount, and let them work it out for themselves. I have a cocker spaniel, and the cat hates him, and he is now afraid of the cat, it is a shame, but they have to work it out. Can you walk them together? The springer is obviously jealous, and the cocker would be a sensitive sort anyway. I get on the floor and have one on my left, one on my right and pat and cuddle them both the same time, keeping them apart - it does work for me, makes them a bit closer.
2007-01-12 04:45:48 · answer #7 · answered by rose_merrick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are territorial by nature. Female dogs will be more aggressive to a new female dog in the home, just as a male dog will be more aggressive to a new male dog in the home. You have brought in a new dog into your older dog's territory. She's upset about that, and most likely about the loss of attention she was used to getting without the other dog around. I have an 11 year old Boston Terrier who will attempt to fight my daughter's female dog, who is 35 pounds heavier than her, any time they are around each other. She is used to being an only dog, and does not like it when my daughter brings her dog over. However, I recently brought home a one year old male Boston, and my 11 year old dog and he get along and play together without any problem. In this case, you truly cannot teach an old dog new tricks.
2007-01-11 21:27:48 · answer #8 · answered by Suzy Q 59 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
B/c they r both females, usually when they r spayed this won't happen. Not in all cases but spaying both will make a difference. Keep them separate if they fight.
2007-01-12 23:49:35 · answer #9 · answered by Dotr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok. i used to have a poodle, but when i got my lab puppy she got miserable and ran away. so you better be carefull and not let them get too miserable and spend lots of time with both of them cuz we were giving my lab more attention than my poodle. dont let one feel less loved than the other.
2007-01-12 11:23:53 · answer #10 · answered by mojovanamon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋