ive had a rottweiler and a bull mastiff for 3 years without any problems..?

Question

but last week they had a terrible fight....now the mastiff is picking on the rotty and bullying it....why after all these years have they fallen out?

Answer 1

It is possible that their social heirarchy has changed. Mabe during that fight your rotty challenged the mastiff and the mastiff is now asserting his dominance whenever possible. It is also possible the mastiff overthrew the rotty and is asserting his new position to reinforce he is now dominant. It's really hard to say.

Who was dominant 2 weeks ago? Has that changed?

If it's just a dominance issue, you can reinforce this by treating the dogs accordingly (I know that sounds really harsh but it makes sense to dogs) and some of the bullying behavior should dissolve. For example, reinforce the dominant dog by letting them enter/leave the room second (after you and all humans have entered or left), let the dominant dog eat first, greet the dominant dog first, and pick up basic obedience training again (to inforce you are above them both).

Answer 2

I really do agree with the first answer. Dogs think of the family as a 'pack' They feel uncomfortable when they don't know where they stand in the pack. And i also agree that people see it as harsh to pet one dog first over the other, but it really does make sense to dogs. A dog who knows he is a lower rank in the pack is happier than one who doesn't know where he stands. I think you should talk to a dog trainer, they will be able to help you more. Good Luck, I hope everything gets worked out.

Answer 3

the subject with having 2 women jointly is dominance matters, exceedingly in the event that they are breeds that have a extreme prevalence of same intercourse dominance. quite often of thumb, to steer away from dominance matters, that's appropriate to have a minimum of a million years age distinction between the canines, and best 18-24 months distinction. to p.c.. 2 canines which will tournament one yet another temperamentally working example 2 canines with little to no canine-dominance, or a pair a dominant canine with a submissive canine. canines of opposite sexes truthfully have an more suitable danger of having alongside than canines of an identical intercourse. for my section? i'd by no ability do this mixture with the intercourse, breed and age of the canines you have. the prospect of dominance matters arising in a while would be too extreme for me. yet, I doubt what you're seeing now could be dominance. Terry is sufficiently old to start showing dominance, yet she would be in a position to no longer experience that a 2 month old pup is a probability to her place. She's greater probably seeing Perry as an outsider and not component of your p.c.., yet that is incredibly not her determination to make. that's annoying that she is correcting your behaviour once you do some thing she does no longer approve of. If I have been you, i'd google NILF and use this on the two canines. this would help Terry know her place and NILF is only many times a sturdy thank you to guard your canines. additionally, help the canines bond by straightforward, non-conflict events (short walks jointly and so on.) and compliment Terry for each advantageous interaction with Perry, even no count if that's barely her sitting quietly next to Perry or relaxing in Perry's presence. as quickly as Perry hits her first teenage degree around (6-300 and sixty 5 days old), you will could be greater desirable vigilant, because it incredibly is while the remarkable difficulty ought to start. Make it sparkling which you will no longer tolerate any scuffling with and bypass between them in the past any scuffling with even starts. in case you have prepare NILF then your p.c.. chief place could be in place and what if there is any difficulty, that's going to be your interest to bypass in and help the greater dominant of the two by ability of giving her greater privileges. in case you have dominance matters between your canines, then do no longer attempt to handle them the two or attempt to help the greater submissive canine, this would only worsen the region.

Answer 4

This is an example of how a dogs behavior changes as it gets older.

Hopefully you have both spayed or neutered. Surging testosterone really plays havoc with social status.

Answer 5

I agree with the fact that it may be a dominance thing. But i disagree that you should treat the dogs in the heirarchy they have chosen.

They will work it out don't worry

Answer 6

could be a fight for attention if you have been paying More attention to one dog over the other or dominance i would say too.. try talking to your vet or consult a dog trainer....