dogs and fights?!?

Question

ok.... we have two dogs..... one is a 3 yr old cocker and the other is a 1 yr old lab. when we brought home the lab.... the cocker was very mean and constantly attacked her... she never brought blood but she was mean about it.... the lab would always just lay down and take it...... and now almost 1 yr later... the lab is fighting back.... tonight she went after the cocker(after the cocker growled at her first) and the lab drew blood, and the cocker needed stitches.... what should we do!? we really dont want to get rid of the lab, but if we have no other choice, then we'll have to find her a new home. but is there any medications that can calm her down or any siggestions to stop them from fighting?! thanks for the help! p.s. they are both females.. if that matters.

neither are spayed, and i do believe that it is more of a territorial problem

someone recently told my mom of something called a pecking order... and before we got the lab, we had a cocker and this cocker often put the 3 yr old cocker into place but she has passed away since. so it almost seems as if it is in the blood of these cockers to have a temper. but are there any risks of spaying now that the cocker is a little older?

Answer 1

Well if they are not spayed it could be a factor, but with the cocker it was probably territory to begin with. You just have to establish yourself has the one who has the territory, and they need to learn it. The lab is most likely just standing up for herself and trying to take over the territory, but you have to get them to understand that it is yours.
With that said, try this:
Sit them both down with you preferably on leashes, whenever they first start to glance at each other or growl, correct them by a quick jerk of the leash. it shouldn't hurt them, but it should take their attention away from each other and direct it to you. keep doing this until they are completely focused on you and not on each other. It may take a few sessions and you may want someone to help, but you just have to keep them from dominating each other and get it through to them that it is your territory.
I really hope this helps! If not you should try a professional such as an obedience trainer.

Answer 2

Yes, the fact that they are both females does make a difference. Believe it or not, this is usually the worst 2 to put together. I have had 2 unaltered males, and have never had a problem, but I hear lots of folks talk about female problems. They are trying to figure out who is gonna be the alpha dog, and now that the lab has matured, she assumes it should be her. There are a few things you can try. ALWAYS feed the cocker first, always make the lab wait.Same with going in and out of doors, always hold the lab back, let the cocker go first. Always acknowledge the cocker first, then the lab. You need to let the lab know that she is not alpha dog. You should also try to keep them in seperate rooms, try a baby gate. I would strongly suggest a dog training class, so that you will be sure that both dogs see you as the TOP alpha dog, and they won't feel the need to decide between them who is the boss, as you will be.Good Luck!

Answer 3

Contact a personal dog trainer to come in and observe the dogs and give suggestions on how to correct the behavior. It sounds like the aggression was allowed to get out of hand in the first place. No need to get rid of the lab, especially if you can get in a good dog trainer to help you. Look them up online or the yellow pages. Make sure it is one that can come to your house. Good luck.

Answer 4

What you have here is a fight for the Alpha position----
when you brought the new dog on--the older dog was
simply "letting the other dog know that SHE was the ALPHA" and being new the younger dog complied ......
Now time progresses and the younger dog has reached a maturity and a size that tells HER that SHE should be the ALPHA and she has already written that contract with blood---

Situation is---if and unless the older dog decides that it is time to step down (which is HIGHLY IMPROBABLE) this thing COULD turn deadly-----UNLESS---- one of the following options here and neither of them is all that sweet------One of these dogs is going to have to be Spayed ----OR-----YOU are going to have to assume YOUR ALPHA ROLE and get a bleeding newspaper --roll that sucker up---watch over the two of them like a hawk and take the paper to their primal butts in a kick your tail to God dance of fire every time they even HINT at stirring up a rowl --- this could possibly be a two to three month gig--- but believe me here--- when they learn that YOU are the Alpha and that YOU won't put up with this garbage ---and will kick THEIR butt every time it starts---- it will stop !!!!
I have raised dozens of dogs in my lifetime--- had this scenario on the homeplace enough times to write a manual--- and I'm tellling you--- you either eliminate the hormonal thing or take control--- period !!!

Answer 5

,The cocker,probably needs behavior training.After a year it's only natural for the lab., to defend herself .please ask your vet., for help,, if you do get rid of the good dog ,the lab , maybe consider just having one dog ,or making sure they are compatible before bringing another dog around the cocker. Several questions pop out .. are they spayed? have you contacted anyone to help ,, a behaviorist?? Please ask your vet a s a p

Answer 6

Yes, it does matter that they are both females. If they aren't spayed, that may help with the agressiveness toward each other.
You may just have to always keep them seperated.
You can also try "Rescue Remedy" you can get at a health food store. It is commonly used to calm down show dogs.

Answer 7

Are they 'fixed'? The growley female may be coming into heat or is just feeling territorial.

Answer 8

YOU CAN TRY SPAYING THEM..