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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Jennifer Shryock is a certified dog behavior consultant, who specializes in helping families keep things safe and fun between children and the family dog/s. She has a duo bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Kutztown University. She combined her passion for working with families, children and dogs into a career in dog behavior, and founded Family Paws in 2002. She developed Dogs & Storks™, an original and complete program for new and expecting parents (and grandparents) who have a family dog.
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7/12/2005
I have two whippets (male and female, 8 years, aprox 20 pds), a Shepard/Pitt mix (male, 1 ˝ years19pds) and a teacup rat terrier (female, 7mo, 5 pds). The Mix was very badly abused at 6 months when I rescued him; he was friendly with all the animals, terrified of me and other people. I spent a year socializing him with people. Recently, about 6 months now, he has become aggressive with the male Whippet. Originally it was over food, which I now have removed. But, recently he attacks the male whippet for just passing him in the hall. The Whippet fought, but eventually rolled and became submissive, but the mix continued attacking him. I pulled the mix off the whippet, which I have done for all the fights, if I do not I am certain, they would continue.
The mix has never bitten me, even when I have had to reach across the mouth, which one I know I should not do and secondly I understand I should not physically break up two dogs fighting. Some more insight, the mix does not fight with the females, even when they bite him or become aggressive, he immediately submits, even when food is involved. I love him and my others, but I fear, he may kill my male dog, or hurt him badly. I have had him on anti anxiety pills, but he seems not to be responding to them. He is still somewhat skittish, but is submissive and sweet to me, I can handle him, cut his nails and put him on his back and he only will lick me in the process. Thank you (nvizy4, Florida)
This is a very complicated situation. One of the first things that come to mind is the medical aspect of both dogs that are engaging in these conflicts. Sometimes a dog may become aggressive/reactive to a dog that has a health consideration or vulnerability. It is worth ruling out that there is not some underlying condition with your 8 year old male whippet.
Your male mix is also at a prime "teenage" age and this is often the time of
conflict and confrontation within multi dog households. Patricia McConnell has several books at Dogwise that you might find helpful. Leader of the pack and Feeling outnumbered come to mind.
I highly recommend the Book by Patricia McConnell called Feeling outnumbered. In multi dog homes where there is conflict of such intensity management for safety is key. It is so important that your dogs feel safe within their environment. I would strongly advise having a dog behavior consultant come in to assess the situation as well as a trip to the vet to rule out medical considerations. There are some situations that re homing one of the dogs is the safest and best option depending on the intensity of the fighting. I think that there is a great deal that you can do though before considering this as a final option.
- Limit the number of dogs that are free roaming in the house at one time.
- Become VERY familiar with Calming signals (Turid Rugaas)
- Predict potential conflict hot spots: hallways, doorways, corners, under things, couches etc
- Firm up obedience and practice independently with each dog.
- Increase your role of active leader. Leaders initiate, followers react
Some other thoughts:
How does this behavior work for him? What can you do to be sure that this behavior no longer works to get what he wants? Be proactive in prevention by pin pointing triggers and preventing opportunities to rehearse this behavior.
I hope this helps to get you in the right direction. Multidog home conflicts are complex and require a great deal of care and detective work. www.iaabc.org, www.apdt.com and pupforum can assist you in finding a professional near you to help you with your situation
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