I have a puppy who is about 6 months old. He potty trained very well. Just two accidents then no more. I also have a German Shepard/Alaskan Husky dog. He's about about 3 years old.
My problem is that they fight over EVERYTHING. I will give them each a toy/treat/food and they fight anyway. My older dog was perfect before puppy came along. I know he's trying to defend what's his. They even fight over us! Is there some way that I haven't found that can stop this fighting? We don't tie out our dogs. They would just howl and I think it's wrong. We have a nice back yard for them to run in and they are allowed inside almost whenever they want to be. Will the puppy out grow this??? Or will we have the fighting forever??? It's driving me crazy.
Just so you know, I didn't plan on getting another dog. We were happy with just one but I found the puppy hungry and bleeding when walking home from school one day. I took him home to feed him and we just ended up keeping him.
2007-01-17 04:57:57 · 12 answers · asked by musicpanther67 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The older one is fixed, we got him from a no kill shelter so they fixed him. We will be getting the pup fixed soon. Thanks to everyone who have offered really great ideas.
2007-01-17 06:04:35 · update #1
Basically you have it right, that they are each competing or "guarding" their resources. You didn't say, but I am guessing that no one has been injured so far during their fights.
What I would suggest, is to keep them separated when giving them treats or toys of value. This allows each of them time to enjoy their prize without having to deal with protecting it from being taken by the other interloper.
Also, if they are not altered, it is highly desirable to have them neutered. This helps cut back on the aggressiveness, and also helps prevent unwanted accidents of the puppy kind.
As far as play time together, try going outside in the yard with both, and toss a ball around, spending equal time tossing the ball in each one's direction. Try to encourage them to play nicely. If they are aggressive and fighting, then put one or both on time out. Use a warning signal such as "careful", or "wait" to signal that they are about to be incarcerated. Put them on time out for say 5 minutes, but no more. If the behavior continues, do it again.
After a few days of doing this on a regular basis, they should get the idea that its not cool to fight with each other all the time. Play fighting is ok...as long as its play. But when it gets serious, it can be dangerous for either animal or for you.
Take care and enjoy your pets.
2007-01-17 05:12:56 · answer #1 · answered by Kathleen N 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
What do you mean when you say "fight"? Do you see hard stares, freezing in place and low growling, lots of bristling hair? Or is the pup play/wrestling with your older dog? Older dogs will always make their feelings known about younger dogs : telling them "no" or "back off", which is a normal and necessary part of puppy socialization. BUT. If either one of them is licking his lips, turning away from the other dog, showing teeth, and/or growling, you do need to separate them when you're giving valuable things to them. Don't make your older dog have to defend what's his - crate the younger pup when you're feeding. Only give them chewies when the younger one (or both) are crated or otherwise separated from each other.
If you're ever in a situation when one of them tries to guard you or a member of your family from the other dog, you must stop that situation immediately. For example, if one dog is on your lap and growls at the other when he's walking by, stand up right away and crate the dog that aggressed. There's no need to be emotional about this at all - just pop the dog in his crate and make a mental note to yourself to not let that happen again.
All good trainers/behaviorists will tell you that a dog will get worse with this kind of thing over time. A dog who gets the chance to 'rehearse' his aggression will develop that unwanted behavior unless you step in to stop it. Be sure that you don't create situations in your home where the dogs will need to compete with each other. Good luck!
2007-01-17 06:35:25 · answer #2 · answered by Misa M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to help establish that the older dog is the dominant one. Often dogs can get confused because you want to spend time with the new pup, etc
So feed your dog first, then the new pup. If there is a fight about a toy give it to your dog. This established between the two of them that the dog who was here first is the dominant one. The new puppy should adjust to this new routine first, and hopefully it should help reduce the fighting.
2007-01-17 05:07:44 · answer #3 · answered by Erin R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all great for you for rescuing the pup, i am sure your older dog is a bit jealous since he was there first. I don't really have an answer, maybe if u spend equal time with each, in time they will learn to get along,, good luck
2007-01-17 05:04:08 · answer #4 · answered by Krissy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dogs fight all the time,that's how dogs are especially when one was there first.I usually just break up the fight and seperate them,i put one in my bedroom the other down stairs,after about 15 minutes they are friends again.Dogs are territorial they want everything to be "theirs" even ppl.
2007-01-17 05:07:20 · answer #5 · answered by tom i 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Until they get the fact that one is Alfa male (more than likely your older dog) then they will continue to scrap--and then in watching them do they really fight?? I mean tie up and they are out for blood ?? or are they just grumping at one another?? sometimes my dogs do that --even my male will grump at the female--he is older--and just wants her to remember he is boss--I do however remind him to not be that way --tell him NO in a stern voice--never hit EVER--that will just make it worse--
2007-01-17 05:06:20 · answer #6 · answered by skizzle-d-wizzle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations on your new puppy and on rescuing a dog!
The puppy is teasing your dog on purpose, it's play, that's all.
It may be driving you crazy but that is just a side effect. This puppy, and his loud teasing, will make your older dog young again, so just learn to enjoy it, you obviously are a great pet owner and dog lover.
2007-01-17 05:10:43 · answer #7 · answered by Liligirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I think it is awesome and the hard work you put in will be completely fulfilling when it is done. Go you! :) Poll: I am not sure about the first two, but I pick Slughorn over Lockhart and Mcgonagall over flitwick or sprout. I agree an HP section would be awesome.
2016-05-24 00:24:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dominance issues. your puppy is probably trying to overtake your older dog's place in the pack, and the older dog doesn't like it. reinforce your older dogs higher status (i know you love them the same, but the older dog must take precedence cuz he was there first) by feeding him first, giving him attention first, and giving him first pick of toys and where he wants to sleep.
2007-01-17 05:07:12 · answer #9 · answered by stephizzal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both of them want to be "top dog". Since they are both male, they both want to be the alpha male. I also have a male that wants to be top dog with my others. My advice is to make sure he knows when his behavior is unacceptable or it may get worse since it has not been repremanded.
2007-01-17 05:10:53 · answer #10 · answered by Dee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋