Aggression between 2 dogs in our household

RE: Aggression between 2 dogs in our household

Derek Lyon — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 12:08:18 GMT

Dogs still behaving!

RE: Aggression between 2 dogs in our household

Claire Godfrey — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 08:24:03 GMT

Ah please let me know if it has any effect! Worth a try!

RE: Aggression between 2 dogs in our household

Derek Lyon — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 11:00:51 GMT

[quote user="claire godfrey"]

Very anecdotal, but our receptionist had this problem, was ready to go to for behaviour consult when she decided to swap the dogs collars. No problems since. Both male dogs.

Had a friend having similar problems, again 2 males and told her what the receptionist had done. She also swapped the collars, (as well as removing toys and not feeding treats) and this has greatly reduced incidents!

I'm not sure exactly why but could be worth a try. Both cases above were about to go to behavioural consults but have held off at the moment.

[/quote]

Thank you Claire. Last night I swopped their collars. Fingers crossed. Kind regards Derek

RE: Aggression between 2 dogs in our household

Claire Godfrey — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 17:39:37 GMT

Very anecdotal, but our receptionist had this problem, was ready to go to for behaviour consult when she decided to swap the dogs collars. No problems since. Both male dogs.

I'm not sure exactly why but could be worth a try. Both cases above were about to go to behavioural consults but have held off at the moment.

RE: Aggression between 2 dogs in our household

Jill Butterworth — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 19:23:53 GMT

That's a great example. You need to establish which dog is 'in charge' and make the humans go along with this, feeding the this dog first, grooming it first etc etc. However, if something has changed the equilibrium, it needs to be correctly diagnosed and then you can establish if it is likely to become permanent. There is a risk of both of misinterpreting the dogs' previous and current subtle behaviour and then choosing the incorrect dog...I think it's too much of a minefield to attempt an internet diagnosis or quick fix treatment. Rehoming can become necessary in bad cases.

RE: Aggression between 2 dogs in our household

Julie Innes — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 18:42:25 GMT

Just re-read that and sounds like I was being a bit facetious, but I wasn't meaning to be!

I too have seen dogs in a household suddenly turn, and there is often a subtle trigger.

the best example of this I ever saw was when I was working in kennels as a student. We had 2 rotties (both male, neutered) from the same household. We were instructed that when you took them out for a walk they had to go back in the kennel in the right order. One day another student put the wrong one in first (they were hard to tell apart, but one had a red collar and one a blue!) and all Hell broke loose. It took the fire hose and 5 of us to separate them! It was incredible- they had been absolutely fine for the previous 2 weeks, and that one mistake set them at each other like wild dogs!

RE: Aggression between 2 dogs in our household

Jill Butterworth — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 15:46:20 GMT

It can happen when they are too close in hierarchy for one to keep the peace, by being happily subordinate. Something may have happened to change things and the previously submissive dog is now challenging the status quo. Any signs of a season and possibly an ovarian remnant?

You might be wise to get a behaviourist to analyse things, before things get worse, I have known of fights to the death, so you may not have been mistaken.

Prof Daniel Mills takes referrals at Lincoln Uni and runs an MSc course, and his graduates are very good. Be very careful who you chose for help in cases of aggression, it can be challenging.

For now, keep them separate and train them to accept basket muzzles when together .

RE: Aggression between 2 dogs in our household

Julie Innes — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 15:10:01 GMT

What kicks off the fighting? If you can pinpoint the cause it may help with the solution!