can i get two dogs to stop fighting?

Question

i currently have two dogs that can't be together at all because they fight. i do not want to get rid of one of them but do understand that might be the best answer. i am looking for a good suggestions that i might be able to do to calm them. they are both the same age, female and around the same weight. one we have had to a few years the other a few months. this just recently began, not when we took the new dog in! please help!

Answer 1

If they are both male, then they're finding their place in the pack.
Obviously, both want to be top dog. They haven't worked it out
among themselves. You say you've had a dog for a couple of
years, and you bring in another dog. Now, the first dog's place of
dominance is threatened. So they fight until they figure out which
is the dominant one. Also, once they do figure that out, they'll
occasionally mix it up and play. If they really don't like each other
then it is in their best interest for you to separate them and get
rid of the newer dog. Although dogs are not human, they do
experience emotion. Who wants to live with someone they
don't like and can't stand? If you watch them you'll probably
find that it is the new dog that is the instigator.
I suggest you read this page:

Answer 2

Hello,
I am not a professional, but I have worked at a boarding kennel for many years and see all types of dogs each day. You do not have to get rid of your dogs just because they are fighting. If they are not already spayed, I would definitely look into doing such. It is better for them in the long run. You might want to consider watching the dog whisperer tv show because it may help you see the problem you may be facing with your pets. You do not have to train the way he trains, but he brings up points that people do not realize about, like your body language towards the pets, how you act towards them, etc. I do not recommend using the techniques because he is a professional and I would not like you to get hurt, but you must be in charge, not the other way around. I think with some training, you will see that things will change for the better. Do not give up!

Also, there was an episode on maybe last week where 2 smaller dogs had a similar situation, and things turned out to be just fine in the long run.

Answer 3

What are their age? What type of dogs are they? Do each of them have their own eating and sleeping space. Also, if one is close to coming into heat, this may be a problem. There is a dominance issue. This would help in answering more elaborately. I find that when they show this type of behavior (fighting), say NO and place them in their crate or place them on a tie down. Once they figure out that this is not acceptable, they will start to understand. When they do get along well together, be sure to tell them "Good Girl" and give them a treat. Positive reinforcement is something they need.

Also, see which one starts the growling first and for what reason.

Answer 4

Are they spayed? If they are the same size etc they are probably scrapping for Alpha status amongst themselves.

You need to step up with the discipline! A firm Sit and a firm Down and making sure they STAY in down around each other will help.

I'd advice hiring an at home trainer. There may be some underlying issues here and without the knowledge and details of the situation and environment it's hard to really give good advice.

You may have to crate train them to keep them seperate while you're not there. The only way to curb this behavior is to catch them right before it happens or during the fight.

Just keep them in a relaxed state - down at all times - while they are around each other.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Both dogs need YOU to be the "alpha" in their pack. They are fighting with each other because there is no clear "leader", and they're trying to figure out between them who is going to lead. If your "aggressive one" also nips people at 6 month old, he'll need to get the most training NOW. The older he gets (without correction to his behavior) the more vicious he's going to become. And if he gets out and bites someone you may not only have to put him down, but you'll also be liable for any medical bills / injuries he causes. You CANNOT simply re-home an aggressive dog. The law requires that you tell any prospective buyer/adopters of the dog's aggressive tendancies -- which means no one will take the dog. And if you sell or give away the dog without telling the person that the dog is aggressive, and something bad happens, you can still be held liable for the damage (because of "non-disclosure"). We suggest that you get both dogs into some serious training with a trainer who specializes in aggressive dogs.

Answer 6

First, let address the respondent who stated there is nothing you can do and must get rid of one dog. This is utter nonsense. Secondly, while hormones can contribute to problems, this is not so much of a problem with females and based on what you said I doubt this is playing any role, but it is a good idea for them to both be spayed. The good news is that the problem is not the dogs. The bad news is the problem is you. But with some training, this is easy to fix if you are open to change. Without knowing you and observing the dogs and you, I cannot say exactly why, but you are not the pack leader. Each situation is different, so there is not one magic solution, but there are a couple of concrete action you can start with. One is exercise. Dogs need to walk EVERYDAY, at least 45 minutes, more if they are high energy. This must be a structured walk where YOU are the leader. Do not allow them to walk in front of you, and do not allow them to dictate where to go, where to stop and smell. While 45 minutes a day sounds like a lot, trust me, it's good for you and the dogs and you will be amazed at how far a structured walk will go in helping you control your dogs. Draining their energy will greatly reduce their aggression. Of course the most important thing for you to do is take the lead as a calm, assertive pack leader. Many of my clients feel they are being the leader and are amazed when I point out where they are presenting themselves as just a follower to their dogs. My recommendation to you is to first, start watching Cesar Millan's "The Dog Whisperer" on The National Geographic Channel, and get his book "Cesar's Way". As a canine behavioralist and former American Bulldog breeder (at one time with a pack as large 28), and police K-9 trainer with 16 years of daily experience handling aggressive dogs, I can assure you Cesar's methods will work for you. Secondly I recomend you find a good trainer/behavioralist in your area to help train YOU to be your dogs pack leader. When you are the leader, trust me, this problem will evaporate.

Answer 7

It could be a lot of things, but it sounds like one is trying to establish dominance over the other.

Try to determine who the trouble-maker is, and what situations or behaviors set her off. One key is for you to establish yourself as head of the household, and to let the dogs know that fighting is not acceptable behavior.

You might also try walking them together on leash, one on each side of you. Keep them close and on a short leash, and keep their attention focused on the walk, not on each other. Packs of dogs in the wild 'migrate' together, at the direction of the pack leader, sometimes for whole days at a time; playing 'follow-the-leader' with the dogs reminds them of who is in charge--you!

Good luck--I hope you don't have to get rid of one of your dogs to solve the problem.

Answer 8

are the dogs spayed? sometime if they aren't, the high levels of hormones can cause them to fight like crazy. if they are, then i would try keeping them separated for a few hours a day and then when they're together, keep a good eye on them. there may be something that the new dog is doing that is driving your other dog nuts.

Answer 9

You are going to hate this. No, you are going to have to get rid of one of them. I would recommend seniority, (which one you have had longer, stays) because there is no easy or "fair" way to choose.

I had a Chow-Akita mix puppy to keep my Golden company, but when she matured, her instincts took over. broke my heart, but I got her a good home, and told them she was a one-dog dog, no cats, no kids, just to be safe. Do not take a fighter to a shelter, they will put them down.

Answer 10

This is a difficult situation. What you have is two dominate dogs that are battiling for superiority. What's worse is that you have two female dogs that are the same age. I can't think of really any other situation that would cause so much tension as what happens when this gets out of hand.

I recomend a professional. You don't have to get rid of the dogs, but you are going to need some serious help. Ceaser Millan is excellent at handiling agressive behavior and strife between pack memeber dogs. I sugjest watching his DVDs or reading his book. Or, try and find someone you has a similar training method as him.

Patience is going to be your ultimate key here. They have been squabbiling like two teenage kids who can't get away from each other and both want your attention. This can be dangerous if not handled properly and quickly.

Both the dogs need a lot of exersise, they need to be tired once you begin to atempt introduction the next time. They also need to be under strict control of your authority. You need to have their obedience to you at a quick response rate.

Once both dogs are tired, the first step should be a walk. Though.. to begin with I would start with two different people (who are plenty strong enough to handle a dog that could try and pull at any second) and have them walk with the dogs on their outside.. so, two people in between in a sense. Keep the dogs focused on the walk and not on each other. Have them on a short leash (not pulling or stressing them out.. calm walk, but under control) and walk for about 5 mins or until the dogs cease looking at each other and growling in any way. No agressive behavior should be tolerated from any of the dogs.

Then, you can have it "dog, person, dog person" in order. Have only a person in between. Again.. keep them focused on your and the walk.

Next, you have the two dogs on the inside of the two people and have them ignore each other. Then, if they are good. call it a DAY! (that is a serious point.. don't push them too hard or too fast..) repeat the steps for a couple days or until walking is really a no brainer activity were they ignore the other dog.

This is were I would have a professional be on sight.. seriousally. Agressive dogs are highly dangerous if not taken care of properly. The next steps would be to have the dogs walk on either side of you, and then lay down on the ground a bit away from each other (totally relaxed and seemingly not caring about anything the other dog is doing). Then you can walk them right beside each other and basically teach them to behave at all times.

The last step, would be to have them walk together on leash inside the house. You need to start back at ground zero and just pretend that all the work you did outside has never taken place. Remember, this is both their territory. they will be more alert and highly activated. Make sure you take them each on an indavidual long walk before each session of training. And between each session, they need to remain seperate at all times! If they happen to get at each other, you need to back track to ground zero.


Last but not least, you can start by having both dogs on leash while sitting in a room with you. Keep it calm.. just watch some TV and have them lay down on either side of you. KEEP THEM ON LEASH. and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, have someone ready to assist at a moments notice. Don't let the dogs sniff or play with each other (at least not for now), old fueds blow up in a seconds notice! And NEVER feed them together.. you will be risking a serious fight if you bring food into the picture. Or even toys for that matter!

If the dogs are crate trained. have them sleep in their crates beside each other at night. For the first couple weeks, cover their crates with a sheet, so they can't see eachother, they can only smell eachother. Then, if they appear unstressed, you can removed the sheet and if they get stressed out, they aren't ready to have it removed yet! Put it back on!


The two number one rules : Always be in control, always keep it calm


A hint: Never scream at a dog.. it only gets them arroused and creates more violence.

if they are violent enough to draw blood.. I'm thinking that your best case is to give away one dog. If they are both young, then pick the one you are more attatched to. If one or both are seniors.. pick the dog who has lived with you longest. It's very stressful and difficult for an elderly dog to change homes. Sometimes it's been known to kill them if not done properly.

the best of luck!