need urgent help

[bohnertjeffery59]

I need help my two family pet dogs are fighting all of a sudden really bad. I don't know what to do?

[bohnertjeffery59]

Ok. Thanks. I will try your suggestion

[zoe114]

Yeah, it is interesting. It's the younger one that is being the agressor. My oldest of the three growls at the male and the poor guy get dumped on by the two females. It's strange but the younger one and he get along great to play with each other, even walk along with each other, but food sets the puppy off. I have seen blood once and sometimes I want to allow them to fight it out, but I think the puppy would win..so I don't.
I will keep trying what I need to, I might get a choker coller to work on the puppy at her agressive behavior with the other. I do make her lay down when she acts this way.
Thanks for your insight. I hope BohnertjefferyJ59 finds the right help as well.

[DiamondFox]

Hi Zoe, and thanks.  I have found through experience with the dogs I've owned throughout my life that if a dog suddenly has a change of attitude or personality than its been triggered by something is not just a natural progression through their life.  They get stressed with pain, fear, anxiety, jealousy etc - all very powerful feelings/emotions. Think also that once a dog has reached say, middle-age its unfair to introduce a 'younger model' to the home which the dog has always thought of as his/her 'own terriroty'.  This can cause intense jealousy on the part of the older one and territorial behavior can take over and then disgreements can break out - generally over the smallest thing such a scrap of food or even a place near the fireside.  They feel they are being pushed out and, like older people, maybe a feeling of uselessness sets in and hatred towards the 'newer model' intensifies.
You take care Zoe.   DiamondFox

[zoe114]

What great advice !!

I once noticed one of my dogs snapping at the other dogs, and it turned out that dog was ill. Now, the one he used to snap at wants to fight him for a scrap of food. I guess it's due to when the other dog was ill, he would steal the puppies food- not it's her turn to protect what is her's. It was suggested to me to put a leach on so that you can have some control and teach the agressive dog who is in control. I just started doing this, I can't tell you if it will work yet. I am going to watch the advice rolling in on this thread.      

[DiamondFox]

Hi. Would need to know a bit more about the circumstances which brings on a fight before commenting further.  For instance, are they both the same gender ?  What ages are they ? Have you brought anything new into the house recently (another pet or a new piece or furniture.....even something simple like a blanket or throw - just something that they both wanted badly enough to fight over it).  Are both of them in good health because sometimes if one is off-colour then the other one seems to take against that fact and fights can break out.  There has to be a trigger which is setting them off if they are not in the habit of doing this, its finding the trigger thats the key to preventing further fighting episodes.  I've also discovered through experience that 'old wives tales' such as throwing a bucket of water over two fighting dogs, or throwing a huge blanket over them so they are in the dark, DO NOT work.  The only this is separation.  You have to put them different rooms till they calm down. But you its vital you find out what triggers these terrible fights before one of them gets badly innjured.  I hope this has helped.  I'll pop back to this Forum to see any if you've updated anything.  Good luck with it.
Take care, DiamondFox