What do i do with my puppy who has recently started to be aggressive towards his sister?

Question

We have two 10 month old pomeranians. Only in the last week has the male started to be aggresive towards the female, particullary with food. We place his down first, but then he wont let her eat hers, growling when she tries to get near her bowl. She now is scared to eat and starts to cry. I have tried feeding her inside and him outside but i think thats making it worse. He also will turn on her and bite her for no reason occasionally. Obviously it is to do with jelousy, but i dont know how to fix it?

Answer 1

He is doing what is known as "resource guarding". All dogs and wolves do it, it is normal behaviour.

In fact, the most submissive dog in a pack will resource guard from the alpha without fear of being disciplined unless food is very scarce. It should also be noted that the alpha male will sometimes share food with subordinate pack mates.

As pack leader, it is up to you to show him that he has no reason to guard his resources.

Scolding or feeding last may actually contribute to further aggression - if he is under attack or perceives scarcity then he has more reasons to resource guard.

The full instructions are too long to post here, so I have provided a reference. The basic idea is to make him think that every time you approach his bowl it is to give, not take away.

In the meantime, feed your dogs in separate rooms. There is no sense in allowing this behaviour to escalate - it will spill over into other areas of their lives (as you have seen).

Litter-mates are statistically more likely not to get along, this sort of thing needs to be dealt with kindly and effectively.

Answer 2

It's not jealousy. Dogs do not have the capacity for that emotion. What your male is displaying is dominance. What you have to do is teach him that the female is the dominant one. Here's how.

First: Feed the female first. By feeding the male, you are teaching him that he is more important. In packs, alpha dogs always eat first. So from now on, feed the female and either have the male sit and stay away from her, or put up a baby gate so he can't get at her. He should, however, be able to see that she is eating. Only when the female is done and you pick up HER bowl, can you call the male over and give him his.

If he steals her toys, take them away and give them back to the female. If he bites her, tell him no and tap him on the side of the neck with your fingertips. If he does it again, put him in time out in another room for a few minutes. When you walk them, let the female in and out of doors before the male. Make him wait his turn for absolutely everything, even treats. Keep doing this, and you will establish that the female is boss over him, and he will stop being aggressive to her.

Also, if they are not both spayed and neutered, now is the time! Intact dogs are naturally more aggressive than fixed dogs.

Answer 3

you could try feeding her in a totally separate place. my cat does that with the female that i have she just waits to eat. the thing is he is establishing dominant behavior over her when he does exhibit this behavior tell him no by poking him immediately as he does it and remove him from the area he will learn, use a leash at first so you can drag him away, when he exhibits a more docile behavior and becomes submissive let him eat. every time he gets nasty over the food or anything else for that matter poke him and tell him firmly NO STOP IT ! then remove him and until he becomes submissive and calm then let him continue he will learn there are boundaries to feeding time if im nasty i don't eat it's just like children at the table remember the slap on the hand with the fork or spoon if you acted up at the table or the pinch from hell in the restaurant when you and your family went out to eat its the same crap with the dog he is not human and there are rules it must follow unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated and you are the leader of the pack, head dog in charge if you will ,dogs need rules and firm boundaries just like children you act up you don't get a thing absolutely nothing watch the dog whisperer with Oscar millian on the discovery channel if you get it its really good stuff

Answer 4

It sounds like he is trying to take the alpha dog position in the household. Try to show him that he is not the top dog and that you have the alpha position. It sounds like you have been trying the right steps by feeding them by themselves. Yet this isn't helping the situation?
Maybe try feeding her before him to let him see he is not top priority over her. When he wants to start growling and won't let her near the bowl use a stern voice and tell him no..When he finally calms down and stops growling then offer his food to him to eat by her. I hope this helps if not contact your vet and see if they have any suggestions for you.
GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

He is 10 months and therfore beginning to establish his dominance. It has nothing to do with jelousy. Please make sure your dogs are neutered/spayed. If he isn't this will help. I would also seperate them when they are being fed. I mean behind closed doors. If his aggression persists I would seek the help of a trainer now while he is still young. They get harder to disuade from aggressive behaviour as they get older.

Answer 6

i think you should get a spray bottle of water and give him a little squirt every time he is aggressive, and every time he isn't aggressive, then praise him and give him a treat and he will learn that aggressiveness means punishment and friendliness means praise.

Answer 7

spay and neuter,, and obedience training.... feed them in their separate kennels to avoid this,, give them more leash walks..

Answer 8

Old school method.. Roll up a peice of paper and tap him on his butt.. He will get the message..