Aa
My dogs keep fighting!
I have a total of 6 small dogs. 3 males (a pekingese, rat terrier/chihuahua, and a pekingese/toy fox terrier), and 3 females( 2 Toy fox terriers and a **** zhu).
Well the larger toy fox terrier and the pekingese have always been more dominant (oldest female and middle male that bred with the other fox). They always seem to "mark" their territories on the grass after the other dogs just urinated there. No problem. We used to keep all the dogs gated in the kitchen with a doggy door leading to a pretty big backyard. Just saturday we moved the gate further out and now they have access to our living room with our couch. Every once in a while my pekingese will get into it with the rat terrier/chihuahua. We have to pull them apart! But its really not that often, maybe once every couple of months.
But yesterday it seemed that the ratchi was on the couch all day and if we were sitting on it and the pekingese approached for attention, he would start growling at my peke. My pekingese doesn't stand for him to growl at him or around us, especially if I am around because the peke is my personal dog and is protective of me. They would attack each other and we would have to try and pull them apart constantly! They must have fought over 10 times yesterday! They never do any damage to each other either but yesterday they did! We have to take them to the vet. There is something wrong with my peke's eye. Its red like it got scratched with a bunch of broken blood vessels in his sclera(the white part) and its swollen this morning. The other dog somehow broke his bottom teeth! I don't know how but the two teeth next to the canine on the left side on his bottom jaw are loose and they bleed easily. Everytime they would fit he would be bleeding from his mouth! It seems like the ratchi is starting all the fights, just because he feels the need to growl, although he gets his butt kicked everytime.
My dog (the peke) is not neutured and he's the only one out of all 6 that isn't fixed, which I will be getting done very soon. Any thoughts as to why they might be fighting? Is it just the new territory of the couch? I feel like the ratchi is trying to take over being the dominant male..and I feel like he is going to fail and get hurt because my peke is all muscle and hes just bigger! This is getting ridiculous...my mother got bit last night when she was trying to pull them apart and I have been bitten before. None were intentional, just from having our hands in the wrong spot at the wrong time. What can we do?! I don't want to have to put one down or get rid of one, I love my dogs and they haven't gone this far before...any advice is appreciated. Sorry so long!
Well the larger toy fox terrier and the pekingese have always been more dominant (oldest female and middle male that bred with the other fox). They always seem to "mark" their territories on the grass after the other dogs just urinated there. No problem. We used to keep all the dogs gated in the kitchen with a doggy door leading to a pretty big backyard. Just saturday we moved the gate further out and now they have access to our living room with our couch. Every once in a while my pekingese will get into it with the rat terrier/chihuahua. We have to pull them apart! But its really not that often, maybe once every couple of months.
But yesterday it seemed that the ratchi was on the couch all day and if we were sitting on it and the pekingese approached for attention, he would start growling at my peke. My pekingese doesn't stand for him to growl at him or around us, especially if I am around because the peke is my personal dog and is protective of me. They would attack each other and we would have to try and pull them apart constantly! They must have fought over 10 times yesterday! They never do any damage to each other either but yesterday they did! We have to take them to the vet. There is something wrong with my peke's eye. Its red like it got scratched with a bunch of broken blood vessels in his sclera(the white part) and its swollen this morning. The other dog somehow broke his bottom teeth! I don't know how but the two teeth next to the canine on the left side on his bottom jaw are loose and they bleed easily. Everytime they would fit he would be bleeding from his mouth! It seems like the ratchi is starting all the fights, just because he feels the need to growl, although he gets his butt kicked everytime.
My dog (the peke) is not neutured and he's the only one out of all 6 that isn't fixed, which I will be getting done very soon. Any thoughts as to why they might be fighting? Is it just the new territory of the couch? I feel like the ratchi is trying to take over being the dominant male..and I feel like he is going to fail and get hurt because my peke is all muscle and hes just bigger! This is getting ridiculous...my mother got bit last night when she was trying to pull them apart and I have been bitten before. None were intentional, just from having our hands in the wrong spot at the wrong time. What can we do?! I don't want to have to put one down or get rid of one, I love my dogs and they haven't gone this far before...any advice is appreciated. Sorry so long!
Yeah its nice that they are getting along again. No fights for a week! I think its because the ratchi gave up! He was the one that growled everytime and now he just doesn't and he plays with my peke again. We just have to watch his jaw because his teeth are all broken and loose but I think its getting better. If we see anymore problems he will probably have to go to an animal dentist or whatever they are! But yay problem solved. I will try and be on here more!
Whoo Hoo!! Thats Great news!! Your story was funny, I got 5 Chi's dogs, and I got the water bottle, they are too cute, your reach, they look, like uh oh, and off they go, its too cute too watch, and yep, first sign of acting ugly, squirt, and they look at me like, what mom, we didn't fight, just like 10 yr old kids,,,,
I'm so happy to see this story play out and something was successful...
Stay in touch w/us and keep posting...
I'm so happy to see this story play out and something was successful...
Stay in touch w/us and keep posting...
Well we have been using the water bottle more and I know that it does seperate them now. I thought that my dad used it and it failed but I guess not! So they fought everyday for about a week. Now they get squirted anytime they growl! The other day...they got real close to each other and I grabbed the water bottle so i was ready. They stood next to each other starring, and BOOM broke out into a play! lol They were chasing each other and play fighting how they used to...And no fights since then..maybe they gave up. We still have the bottle within reach just in case...but hopefully problem solved! Thanks for everyone support and advice! It was really appreciated and helped bunches!
I'm a massive animal lover. All 4 people have to agree to react in the same manor concerning the rules though as not to confuse the situation. No favorites.
Rules bring order to the pack in which therefore brings peace within the pack.
Every dog is taught that growling is not permitted! Growling leads to fighting. And fighting leads to (as you know already) pain and vet bills. And Lord forbid: possible death.
Try making it a family effort. It may help to walk the aggressors before trying the above. They will be tired out, less stressed, and it will make the process easier. Then REPEAT- REPEAT - REPEAT, until they all learn to be at peace with each other. It may sound tough; but, really isn't.
I hope I don't come across as sounding harsh because I don't want to. It just seems to work the best because it brings the peace to everyone.
Take care; Amy
Rules bring order to the pack in which therefore brings peace within the pack.
Every dog is taught that growling is not permitted! Growling leads to fighting. And fighting leads to (as you know already) pain and vet bills. And Lord forbid: possible death.
Try making it a family effort. It may help to walk the aggressors before trying the above. They will be tired out, less stressed, and it will make the process easier. Then REPEAT- REPEAT - REPEAT, until they all learn to be at peace with each other. It may sound tough; but, really isn't.
I hope I don't come across as sounding harsh because I don't want to. It just seems to work the best because it brings the peace to everyone.
Take care; Amy
Well see I am not the only caregiver...so how can 4 people all be the pack leaders? Just use the same methods? I know that sometimes when I growl at my dog Bailey she will run away..She watches me out of the corner of her eye and if I just look at her funny she looks the other way quickly..like I wasn't looking! I never did that with Patch (the ratchi) because he would growl at us...he had a bad temper and if he felt "threatened" at all he would go on the defense. He will growl at us when he's getting a bath! Or if youre petting him sometimes he will snarl...but you stop and he will paw at you like "why are you stopping?" So he's a confusing dog..He was my mom's christmas present from me and my dad. And he was SO mean to my mom and loved my dad. Patch will growl at Kipper(my Peke) and thats when it all begins. My dog will stand up at him like You wanna start something? and Patch will growl and most of the time Patch will start it, then Kipper will not stop going for him, and as soon as its all done Patch will sit there and lick himself pitifully..Oy...All because of the gate move? Jeez!
Hi. Well number 1 being pack leader on your part is crucial.
The horn method sounds great as Peek has mentioned. Plus as mercyone said "sounds like fun too" is a riot. LOL.
Seriously though it (as you know) this has to come to a halt now and you have to control it; without feeding into it. If you cannot use a horn get a some load whistles. Try to say as calm as possible so that you don't feed into it; but, can control it the situation. They will feed off of your emotions in which will increase the situation.
I have a Rotty mix, G. Dane, and Border Collie. I have found that the Rotty mix is alfa in the house mainly but, it is alittle different outside. The Dane (under 2 yrs old) is starting to be alfa outside. My point that I'm getting to is that: You said "Just Saturday we moved the gate further out and now they have access to our living room with our couch."
This in all reality could've set the play into action. It sounds like your ratchi needs/ (has to) understand that this growling is unacceptable with "you" period. And the Pekingese is claiming you (in which is dominant to him over you). You have to be dominant over the pack in a calm but demanding and stern manor. Remember the main word here is calm.
A smaller dog will put on a tough man act as a defense issue. Have you ever noticed how a smaller dog will put on a tough man act, while a larger dog will just go into a stance. It's because the smaller dog feels like he has to prove himself (hey man look at me I'm big, tough, loud and rough), while the larger dog don't have to therefore will just stand there ready.
It may sound funny to say but, I actually (when they do not listen) say NO and growl at my dogs when they are young and pretend that I'm biting their neck by: putting my head down on their necks, give a "slight" pinch on there neck and shake my head as I move their neck "slightly" with my hand. They think they were bit and become submissive. As they get older if I growl at all they all sit in a row like three kids saying "What...I'm being good". I try not to laugh. If you watch you can catch it early enough to where a fight never happens by controlling the situation first as you being alfa. No growling permitted.
As far as your father goes. Trying to be tactful here. Not sure if I can. Ok skip.
You can also try sitting down with one on each side of you. Catching it before it happens is very important. With you being alfa it sets rules between them and will help to calm down everyone and all will be happier.
Best wishes to you; Amy
The horn method sounds great as Peek has mentioned. Plus as mercyone said "sounds like fun too" is a riot. LOL.
Seriously though it (as you know) this has to come to a halt now and you have to control it; without feeding into it. If you cannot use a horn get a some load whistles. Try to say as calm as possible so that you don't feed into it; but, can control it the situation. They will feed off of your emotions in which will increase the situation.
I have a Rotty mix, G. Dane, and Border Collie. I have found that the Rotty mix is alfa in the house mainly but, it is alittle different outside. The Dane (under 2 yrs old) is starting to be alfa outside. My point that I'm getting to is that: You said "Just Saturday we moved the gate further out and now they have access to our living room with our couch."
This in all reality could've set the play into action. It sounds like your ratchi needs/ (has to) understand that this growling is unacceptable with "you" period. And the Pekingese is claiming you (in which is dominant to him over you). You have to be dominant over the pack in a calm but demanding and stern manor. Remember the main word here is calm.
A smaller dog will put on a tough man act as a defense issue. Have you ever noticed how a smaller dog will put on a tough man act, while a larger dog will just go into a stance. It's because the smaller dog feels like he has to prove himself (hey man look at me I'm big, tough, loud and rough), while the larger dog don't have to therefore will just stand there ready.
It may sound funny to say but, I actually (when they do not listen) say NO and growl at my dogs when they are young and pretend that I'm biting their neck by: putting my head down on their necks, give a "slight" pinch on there neck and shake my head as I move their neck "slightly" with my hand. They think they were bit and become submissive. As they get older if I growl at all they all sit in a row like three kids saying "What...I'm being good". I try not to laugh. If you watch you can catch it early enough to where a fight never happens by controlling the situation first as you being alfa. No growling permitted.
As far as your father goes. Trying to be tactful here. Not sure if I can. Ok skip.
You can also try sitting down with one on each side of you. Catching it before it happens is very important. With you being alfa it sets rules between them and will help to calm down everyone and all will be happier.
Best wishes to you; Amy
Fighting is scary and territorial - I have lots of dogs and keep the ones that fight apart - they fight over who is top dog - couches and beds are prime target - it can start with a look and is made worse when the owner appears (you) and sometimes stops when the owner goes away.........two females I can't keep together - but I can control apart but they still growl at each other even when I do the "Bad dog no" command.......I like the air horn idea - and it sounds like fun too!
Wow,,,,you had some hard core fights at the house...yep,,,it not a good thing...get the boy neutered definetly....but, that will only cure a small portion...cause you still got the pack and they've got to find thier position in the pack....but,,,,,YOU....need to be the pack leader....you can control this situation....but, you lead the pack...and they need to know that...
Loud noise at any sign of aggression to stop tension....then seperate...turn the aggresore around let the other smell the butt, and crate for time out, and let out...time out does not need to be more than apprx 5 mins....clap hands, shake a bean can, slam a hand on table, grab the aggresor turn but around for sniff to other...then everybody get seperated for 5 mins,,,back again....but, you lead....don't spank em' it makes the aggression worse....take the two biggest fighters on walks to start getting them on the way of the pack...you lead...they #2 #3....reward after walks w/snack....
Loud noise at any sign of aggression to stop tension....then seperate...turn the aggresore around let the other smell the butt, and crate for time out, and let out...time out does not need to be more than apprx 5 mins....clap hands, shake a bean can, slam a hand on table, grab the aggresor turn but around for sniff to other...then everybody get seperated for 5 mins,,,back again....but, you lead....don't spank em' it makes the aggression worse....take the two biggest fighters on walks to start getting them on the way of the pack...you lead...they #2 #3....reward after walks w/snack....
Well we talked to our vet when the ratchi went to get checked out...his jaw may be broken. They told us we may need professional training..and I need to get my dog neutured. We have a kennel for when were not around so that one will be put away and we have to trade off which one goes in. I like the can idea..I think I will try that one.
Okay, try this ...get soda pop can empty rinse out and fill w/ apprx 15 or so hard beans, like beans out of a bag you cook, tape the end of drinking hole w/heavy duty tape, masking tape, duc tape, and everytime you start to see symptoms,, shake the can right and em, see if it stops enough for someone to bend and get one of the fighters out...
But, you said,,you had to hold one up high, and still fighting...get blanket and snatch dog and go to another room entirely....grabb quick w/blanket...
I also, heard about the pack thing....before fight,,just when their getting started, pick up the aggressor and let the others smell butt...something about smelling butt, its like us shaking hands of greeting....its not a joke...
Also, call a nearby vet and ask over phone for a suggestion....
But, you said,,you had to hold one up high, and still fighting...get blanket and snatch dog and go to another room entirely....grabb quick w/blanket...
I also, heard about the pack thing....before fight,,just when their getting started, pick up the aggressor and let the others smell butt...something about smelling butt, its like us shaking hands of greeting....its not a joke...
Also, call a nearby vet and ask over phone for a suggestion....
Yeah I did. My mom hounded him for it. He said he wasn't going to hurt him, but I was so mad because he hurt my feelings and its not like choking him isn't hurting him already. I said so what if I had my baby, if it would have done something wrong and dad strangled it I wouldn't feel any different about the situation! Whether its my dog or my baby because they are one in the same to me since I didn't get to have my baby! I agree that it was extremely cruel. I couldn't even look at my dad after that I just went to my room, held my dog and cried. .I agree that punishing them for fighting isn't going to do anything either! Its a natural thing for dogs to do and punishing them isn't going to help. I just need to figure out a way to make them stop...I kept my dog in a kennel all last night and he cried the entire time..I can't just do that to my dog because he's not used to it at all. I don't want to use the "cry it out" method on him!
Jame, that's animal cruelty. Its unthinkable and monstrous. Can you tell your mother or some other trusted adult what your dad did to the dog?
Someone needs to know.
Someone needs to know.
Yeah we have a spray bottle but that doesn't stop them. We will grab one and have to lift him above our heads but even then theyre still after each other! Last night me and my dad got into a fight because I heard the fighting and went upstairs and he was CHOKING my dog, his tongue was pale purple, normally reddish pink, and he was gasping. I was so angry at my dad. He told me to take my dog and go away and I started crying, being so mad because thats like my baby! It was horrible! I think I may try the airhorn thing...we don't know what else to do...
Try a little water spray bottle....
Usually means territorial, males needing neuter, female to female, or just protecting thier role in the pack...everyone has their place...
I have chihuahuas, I was told never discipline dogs for fighting, it just increases the temper...so, I got water spray bottle centrally located in their areas just a reach away...
I have 5 chi's...sometimes the 2 females, sometimes the boys,,,,sometimes its just a bad day...a little mist redirects their attention..if they still goin at it...grab pillow slip down in between them...to seperate...good luck..
Usually means territorial, males needing neuter, female to female, or just protecting thier role in the pack...everyone has their place...
I have chihuahuas, I was told never discipline dogs for fighting, it just increases the temper...so, I got water spray bottle centrally located in their areas just a reach away...
I have 5 chi's...sometimes the 2 females, sometimes the boys,,,,sometimes its just a bad day...a little mist redirects their attention..if they still goin at it...grab pillow slip down in between them...to seperate...good luck..
That sounds like a good idea for big dogs who fight. Too bad I didn't know about it years ago when our rottie and Akita used to fight. I don't think air horns are even legal in Canada - you can't take them to hockey games in Toronto = (
Somehow fighting shih tzus aren't the same as fighting rottweilers .... but that's just my opinion and I don't even know what liquid smoke is
Somehow fighting shih tzus aren't the same as fighting rottweilers .... but that's just my opinion and I don't even know what liquid smoke is
I'm sure there are many psychologically oriented, politically correct things that you can do under these circumstances. After you have tried them, if they don't work, consider this:
When we were faced with in-pack fighting between our Dobermans, Great Dane, and the German Shepherd (absolutely horrifying fights at that size/breeds), I went to the store and got a couple of air horns, which I stashed strategically around the house. (there is no way to break up fights between those types of dogs).
When a fight broke out, I grabbed the nearest can and gave a long and ear splitting HHHHOOOOOOOONNNNNKKKKKKK with it. All of the dogs instantly scattered to opposite ends of the house to cower under various pieces of furniture for about an hour.
Never, ever to fight again.
That's what worked for us.
When we were faced with in-pack fighting between our Dobermans, Great Dane, and the German Shepherd (absolutely horrifying fights at that size/breeds), I went to the store and got a couple of air horns, which I stashed strategically around the house. (there is no way to break up fights between those types of dogs).
When a fight broke out, I grabbed the nearest can and gave a long and ear splitting HHHHOOOOOOOONNNNNKKKKKKK with it. All of the dogs instantly scattered to opposite ends of the house to cower under various pieces of furniture for about an hour.
Never, ever to fight again.
That's what worked for us.
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