They are 4.5 and 5.5 years old. The younger has been the alpha and has been a bully for the last 3 years toward the older and larger dog. Both spay females. The older dog is a 60 lb Blue Healer Aussie Mix. Generally mellow. The other is a 50 lb Dalmation-Terrier mix. Very high energy. I wonder if the older and larger dog has recently decided to challenge for alpha status?
2007-05-20 12:42:36 · 5 answers · asked by SiegeMo 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Honey, YOU are the Alpha. The other stuff is wannabe stuff.
You need to train both dogs. Get them working for you. Teach them that the polite, deferential dog gets noticed and attention.
There is an excellent book by a PhD. Behaviorist, Dr. Patricia McConnell. She received her Doctorate studying dogs and their behavior.
Try: "Feeling Outnumbered: How to manage your multidog Household".
2007-05-20 12:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Normally spayed females get along fairly well. However, it seems you have allowed a dominant situation for 3 yrs now? Maybe your older girl is just fed up and looking to you to stop the problem. Get control of the Dalmation mix. Rough play is one thing but you have to control the activity. My top girl is never overtly dominant over the rest of my pack. You have allowed her to be a bully as you put it. Not fair to the other dog.
Get control back of your pack now. Dalmations can develope some serious issues as they age. You are going to have to get control over her and not allow the bullying. Be firm and no nonsense in your approach and tone when she acts up. Seperate her immediately and put her to time out. Be consitant. It won't be an overnight fix as has gone on too long.
2007-05-20 20:06:51 · answer #2 · answered by pets4lifelady 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I can't add much more that the other answers said. It is amazing the people do not train their dogs. What, do they think dog come already trained? If everybody was a responsible pet owner and trained there dogs and thus learned about dog behavior, this category would have about one question a day rather than one every two minutes.
2007-05-20 20:02:08 · answer #3 · answered by DaveSFV 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
that's very weird, you need to get a trainer or talk to your vet about this...maybe one of them did something bad to the other
2007-05-20 19:55:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call and ask Cesar Millan, he'll know what to do
2007-05-20 20:03:40 · answer #5 · answered by Jimima K 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋