I had three male dogs, all neutered & attended obedience class. Lately I noticed my two labrador retrievers (littermates, 2 1/2 years old) starts figthing for no reasons. The leader of the pack is my black lab but choco lab starts showing aggression, grawling & that's how they starts fighting. As in they want to kill each other. My black lab is badly beaten & had some wounds. They used to like each other, snuggling & sleeping together. I can't bear the thought of giving away one of them. Any help??
2007-03-28 18:20:15 · 23 answers · asked by Jing M 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I agreed that I should be the leader...but what happened, when I catched them grawling with each other & yelled at them to stop, they do stop. They fought when I'm not around & during their fights it will take 3 commands for me for them to stop & yes I do use water. I'm still wondering though what they're fighting for? My german shepherd don't join there fights, he's just barking at them.
2007-03-28 18:49:07 · update #1
Hi Guys,
Thank you so much for all your answers & advices. It was a big help for me. We consulted an animal behaviorists, & explained to us that my choco lab is trying to be the "alpha dog". That I treated him not by his rank by spoiling him & giving more attention than the alpha...
I am very much happy today that they didn't fight. I do have my hose ready & everytime I hear them grawl I hose them down which really makes a big difference. I did emphasized today their ranking by feeding the black lab first. I let them play for 30-45 mins. before feeding which helps. My husband is a calm & collect person & these dogs are calmer & submissive to him. But he's not around most of the time. I know it will take a lot of effort & time for me but it doesn't matter, I just don't like the idea of giving one of them away.
Again, thank you so much!!!
2007-03-29 17:08:39 · update #2
The leader of the pack needs to be you. They will always fight to be the leader until you get control of them. Try this link to learn more.
http://cesarmillaninc.com/tips/index.php
PS dont' listen to the idiots below me that advocate violence
2007-03-28 18:24:35 · answer #1 · answered by Over The Rainbow 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The problem is not that you aren't the leader. Each dog has a social rank in the pack...not just the alpha.
If you have two dogs that are suddenly fighting, chances are that one's trying to get above the other in status. I had this problem with my two of my dogs and it was frustrating!
The way I dealt with it was to encourage the pack order that already existed to discourage the lower dog from trying to move up. To do this, I had to make an effort to always do everything in the correct order. When you hand out treats, give the top dog the first treat, the second dog the second treat, etc. When you come home and greet the dogs, always greet them in the correct order, too. If you see the two struggling dogs acting like they might start to fight. Tell the LOWER dog, "NO!" in a firm voice. The lower dog needs to know that his efforts are not encouraged and that you are backing the dog who is already in the higher position.
Until the dogs can be trusted to be together again, some effort should be made to keep them separated so they don't seriously injure each other. Once the lower dog knows his place and that you do not support him challenging the higher dog, things should get back to normal.
2007-03-28 19:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem is you are saying that the black lab is leader of the pack.. YOU are supposed to be alpha over all 3, not allowing one of the dogs to be alpha over the others.. The 3 dogs should be equal to one another, but under you. You should be someone who they can trust and respect and would see as a leader that they can depend on to take care of things. If you are allowing the black lab to be the alpha, then you obviously aren't. So they are going to fight...
2007-03-28 18:39:26 · answer #3 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do need to be the boss. Also you can throw ice water on them if they fight or hose them down. Don't put your hands in to pull them apart or you will be bitten. Everyone I know who has tried to pull fighting dogs apart has been bitten.
You can do a quick hard jab to a dog's nose and it will have a really big effect on a dog, they can't think if they have been hit hard in the nose. You could also bite them on the ear if you need to ( not when they are fighting ) that will also make them reconsider their actions.
I'm not recommending being mean to them though, it would be better to give them more to do as in activity so you get them tired out. You need to do something at the sign of any aggression, such as shouting, staring them down with a direct stare.
2007-03-28 18:30:44 · answer #4 · answered by inzaratha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The leader of the pack is my black lab... That's your problem. The leader of the pack should be you. If you are taking that role the way you are supposed to than the dogs would not being trying to challenge each other for the position.
2007-03-28 18:25:11 · answer #5 · answered by Boober Fraggle 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You need to be pack leader not one of the dogs.
When you catch them fighting spray them with the hose.If it's not available then grab their tails and pull apart.
Once they're apart take control of the situation and make them both sit down until you say they can get up.
If they try to go at it again grab their collars and again make them sit.
Neutering will help but you need to take on the dominant role with all 3 dogs rather than let one of them rule the others.It's your job to establish rank not theirs.
2007-03-28 18:35:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
one of your options would be to get rid of one of them, since all your attemps failed to become the alpha in the pack, since haveing three and two are fighting and the situation gets out of control you need to get rid of one of your dogs, but if thats not the option your looking at the next best thing is to seperate the two and dont let them have a chance to get at each other, two seperate walks, depending where keep them all you need to find a seperate part of the house that you will be able to keep them appart, keep one in a kennel or anything that you might think is best for the one your going to seperate
2007-03-28 18:59:55 · answer #7 · answered by ashlar282 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So, you need to change the pack dynamics in your pack. You should be the leader of the pack. Have you ever watched the dog whisperer on National Geographic. He covers these ideas and can show you how to change the pack dynamics.
go to www.dogpsychologycenter.com
2007-03-28 18:53:07 · answer #8 · answered by PBullyLuv 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its about dominency. Its natural for them to strive for it.
If there should be a leader of this pack, it has to be you. They must know that you are the boss, otherwise you will probably have to get rid of one of the two dogs.
2007-03-28 18:36:52 · answer #9 · answered by Taylor 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These sites will be of realy help> How to Become The Pack Leader. >
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/alpha1.html
http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk/ccp51/cc/dog-behaviour/packleader.shtml
http://leerburg.com/groundwork.htm
when they first begin to growl, step in with authority and tell them to knock it off..in no uncertain terms.
If a fight has already begun, pull the back leg of the dominant one, as he can't continue to fight if pulled off balance, and he can't reach you to bite your hand.
or get a bite stick from your local pet supply.
2007-03-28 18:34:57 · answer #10 · answered by Chetco 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋