My dogs don't get along at all!?

Question

We adopted Bella, a corgi mix, 4 yrs ago. She was 6 weeks old when we got her, and she has been great.
Back in June we decided to adopt another puppy, Zoey. She is a beagle corgi mix. They we ok at first but then Zoey started jumping on Bella. Bella knew she was a puppy and let it go.
Now 5 months later, they have full out fights all the time. Zoey is a little bigger than Bella and still jumps on top of her and bites her.
For the past 5 months we have been trying to get them to get along, trying training method after training method. Nothing has worked. We have to kept them separated. We want to be able to have them both out in the house or in the backyard at the same time but they just don't get along.
We love them both and don't want to give Zoey up. We called the rescue and the lady was really mean and was saying that if we couldn't take care of her why did we get her?
Zoey is completely up to date on all of her shots and isn't yet spayed because she is just a little bit too young.We really love her and if we have to give her away we want to make sure that she is in a loving home and is being taken care of.
We can't live with two dogs that don't get along. We just don't know what to do.... Please help us or head us in the right direction.
If you know of any inexpensive trainers in the Albany, NY area who can help please let us know.
Thank You in advance.

Answer 1

ok - first off Zoey is NOT too young to get spayed. If you got her in June - even if she was 1 day old she's now 4 months old. CHances are - you got her when she was 8 weeks old in June, which means she is 6 months old now. She's old enough to get spayed and should be done immediately.

What kind of fights are they really? BLoody take the dog to the vet fights or just nasty sounding? If they aren't drawing blood then they are just having a disagreement. It's ok to let them disagree because they need to figure things out, but you should step in and put a stop to it. It sounds like Zoey is a little instigator, and part of that could be her hormones. Get her spayed and keep her on a leash, even in the house. If they get into it, let it go for a moment and then step in and stop it. This establishes that you are the one that says when and where and how long things can go on. It's ok to let them figure things out - but it must be done carefully.

Also - how often are these dogs exercised? Bored dogs tend to get into a lot more trouble than tired dogs? Leash them both - one on each side of you and walk as a pack. This will naturally increase their "bonding" to one another as they "migrate". You walk with a purpose, the dogs are not allowed to drag your around, to interact with each other, or to sniff the ground. Walk for 30 minutes in the morning and do so again in the later afternoon. Tired dogs sleep - they don't fight. And the migrating together will begin to cement the "we're a family" mentality into them.

Get Zoey spayed now - call the vet on Monday and get her in this week.

Answer 2

First of all, 6 weeks old is TOO young to adopt a puppy. Hopefully you did not obtain it from a breeder as I would say this person does not have any idea what they are doing. Luckily, it sounds as if Bella has grown up well but weaning/selling pups too young can have very bad results.

Next, your Zoey sounds very dominant or else dog-aggressive. As a fellow dog rescuer, I am shocked at the reaction of the Zoey's rescuer. I would have expected some assistance or at least help in finding suitable training. If a dog doesn't work out, I always offer to take it back and this lady should have expressed this to you.

Having lived in a household with fighting dogs, I am completely sympathetic to your plight. I would recommend getting (hopefully free) consult from one or two dog trainers. See links below for resources.

Answer 3

Some dogs just don't get along but if they see you as their absolute Alpha, meaning "you call, they haul," you might get to the point where they get along (or at least ignore each other) when you are there to supervise. When you aren't there or can't supervise them you'll need to keep them separated until such time, if ever, they become friends.

To become the absolute Pack Alpha put both dogs on a strict NILIF (nothing in life is free) program. For information google "alpha dog boot camp" (without the quotes) and click on the first item. But, basically it means the dogs must earn everything they get including food, treats, petting, etc. by first obeying a command. It also includes you eating first, going through doors first, etc.

Along with the nilif program each dog should be put through at least two, 15-20 minute basic obedience lessons each day. This, along with nilif teaches the dogs that you are the pack boss. You need to insist on strict obedience from both dogs as Corgis are known to be somewhat dominant (which is why they're not recommended for first time owners) and tend to test their owners' leadership resolve.

Answer 4

In my experience female dogs have a very hard time getting along with each other, especially when one trys to dominate the other which seems to be the case with your new puppy (being more dominant).
If they are not hurting each other I would try to let them fight it out when they get into it. My dog and my parents dog (both females) were not very fond of each other in the beginning. There was a lot of growling and snapping going on, but they eventually got over it. They play VERY rough with each other, but I think most of it is in a playful way. I would suggest letting them fight it out. As long as they are not biting each other, it will probably help the situation. If they STILL can't get along, you might want to think about rehoming the new puppy.
Hope this helps

Answer 5

I quite have had the two small and medium length canines (as many as 5 at one time) and that they've all gotten alongside quite nicely. i think of which you will discover that they are going to set up their very very own pecking order, with the point to speak, with the 1st canines interior the homestead being the alpha. precise now I quite have a daschound and a minature poodle, a French mastaf, and a medium length blended breed mutt. The poodle is approximately 12 years old, blind and deaf, yet otherwise in solid wellness. And he regulations the roost. each and every of the others defer to him on the water and nutrition bowls, yet additionally they shield him whilst he's outdoors. All doggies will play with one yet another, and from time to time this is going to become "tough and tumble" yet once you instruct your canines what's suitable play i do no longer think of you're able to desire to difficulty approximately one hurting the different. i think of it can be a solid concept in case you gave your canines obedience practise jointly on the comparable time. in many circumstances speaking, canines are the greater intellegent of the domesticated animals and that they are quite dedicated to their human beings in the event that they're taken care of nicely.

Answer 6

I think once you spay Zoey things will become much easier. But I also think you should let your dogs interact (with supervision of course) and as long as they are not hurting each other you should not have to pull them apart. THey are trying to determine the social hierarchy which is difficult when you have two alpha female dogs.

Answer 7

My Corgi females bickered (no blood) non stop and I let them have at it, it was short lived, I never had to intervene, maybe it's a Corgi trait. If it's escalated beyond bickering, you need to step in and let them both know that you won't allow aggression. Punish the aggressor by telling her NO very firmly, remove her from the yard/room and ignore her for several days, turn your back on her when she approaches you, no treats, no petting, no playing with her, no talking. That worked with my Corgis. Good luck.

Answer 8

Watch Cesar " The Dog Whisperer " on TV.
He's really good, and shows how to
take care of many problems we have
with our Dogs.
I've seen him fix the problem of dogs not
getting along.

Look him up on the Web