hey,
I have a little shih tzu (Harvey) and a golden retriever (Harry) who always fight with each other when people are around. Harry especially gets jealous whenever people pay any attention to Harvey which often results in us not being able to be around Harvey muh. Harvey always seems to be fine and sometimes provoces the other but i'm worried that he will get hurt as Harry often knocks him out the way or almosts sits on him, and hes alot bigger than Harvey is!
They're both just being playful but im just conerned that one day it could result in something much worse.
How can we stop them from doing this?
2007-09-27 08:00:45 · 5 answers · asked by Rachel 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Also, my parents and especially my brother aren't too concerned about it so i dont think they'd be too dedicated to training, any ideas as to how i can get them to take more notice! haah x
2007-09-27 08:03:08 · update #1
Harry is actually castrated for health reasons, Harveys not but hes not really the one that is the most jealous x
2007-09-27 11:07:55 · update #2
I think this is a dominance issue. You need to distunguish the Harry as the dominant one by making him first for everything, petting him first, and also show the both of them that you are alpha. This way Harvey will get the idea that he shouldn't mess with the big guy (for his safety) and that you are all a pack. Dogs understand packs like wolves, not families like humans.
2007-09-27 08:06:05 · answer #1 · answered by chaychayolei 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many training programs and obedience schools that can help you out with this. You're right to worry- Harry could totally crush Harvey if things got out of hand. One thing I've found effective in handling my dog's aggression toward other dogs is rattling something that makes noise, like a can of pennies or a tin of breath mints, near my dog's ear when he starts to get aggressive with another dog. He hates that sound, and if I do it every time he tries to jump on a dog, he will eventually associate that sound with the action of fighting with dogs, so he will quit doing it. He has already started to become more manageable, but training a dog is always a work in progress, and it's important to be consistent.
2007-09-27 15:05:59 · answer #2 · answered by fizzygurrl1980 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So are they being playful or actually fighting?
If they're just playfighting, don't worry about it, that's just how dogs play.
I'd think if they were really fighting Harvey would be toast by now.
2007-09-27 15:05:43 · answer #3 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Watch the dog whisper
2007-09-27 15:04:11 · answer #4 · answered by The Guru 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Try getting them neutered.
2007-09-27 15:20:42 · answer #5 · answered by plynn_03 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋