How to handle possible dominance fight btwn an established ALD and a newly adopted

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

I haven't been on this site in quite a some time as things have been busy and going well -- with our 2 year old mini ALD Coby, as well as our latest addition we're thrilled to have, another sweet 2 year old medium ALD we adopted through Aly Rodges, the same trainer who had trained Coby in CA and had gotten Chloe as a re-home. We had flown out to meet her in early Dec and were won over by her charming good nature and disposition; she joined us a little over two weeks ago and the integration had been going very well...up until yesterday when the two "girls" got into a heated fight so intense in our bedroom we needed to separate them - snarled teeth, growling, the whole bit - seemingly out of no where. Crate time was initiated and they have each been - if I could use the word remorseful I would but let's settle on subdued, ever since.  Just when we had started to leave them alone together we're a little apprehensive about doing so.  Has anyone encountered anything similar?  if so, any suggestions?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

have you discussed this with the trainer? I'd think since she knows both dogs, she would have some suggestions or insights for you. 

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

I actually have, Karen.  Her suggestion was basically to enforce the stricter rules again. I was just wondering if anyone else had experience with this sort of thing.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Are both of the dogs spayed? 

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Yes, Chloe was spayed shortly before coming to us. I also go through reinforcements of commands each day along with backyard exercise, tandem and solo walks. Chloe was crated each night for the first two weeks so this happened soon after she was out. They both had to go into place after the altercation.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm deeply involved in doodle rescue, and I can tell you that it's very common for there to be some jockeying for position when you bring a new adult dog into a home with an established adult dog, especially if the first dog has never lived with another dog before. And two females are usually the toughest combination. One of each sex usually works out best, followed by two males. But they almost always work it out eventually, and 2 weeks is a very short time. It typically takes 2 weeks before an adopted adult dog even starts to show her true personality. 

Here's some advice from the DRC website by a member of DK who experienced a similar situation.

 http://doodlerescue.org/forum/topics/my-dogs-are-fighting-now-what

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, the suggestion of walking them together is a real miracle worker. Really builds a bond. 

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Thanks, that's the very first thing we did when Chloe got here - before she even came indoors and we do a good walk every day. I've since heard two females are the toughest combo. I'll check out the link.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

A friend of mine had a wheaton female who had been the only dog in the home for three years.  They then rescued a second wheaton and they had a difficult time with domination.  She sent me some info she found concerning this when we were thinking about getting a second doodle in case we had a problem.  We have two neutered males and fortunately they do not have any dominance issues.  But I went back and found her email and these were the strategies she put into place: see below.  I do not now if it will help or not.  I hope you can get the issue solved.  Good luck.

"The first strategy is to manage the situation for safety so that there are not opportunities for threats, fights, or injuries. Such management may include walking dogs individually, feeding them separately, and taking away objects such as bones or rawhides that cause conflict. Avoiding trouble in these or other ways is not a cop out, but rather an active training tool that helps keep dogs out of the habit of performing unacceptable behavior. Prevention is an essential part of the process because every fight is a huge setback that only makes the problem worse and harder to change.

The second strategy is to teach all of the dogs that the way to get what they want in the house is to be polite and patient rather than being pushy and demanding. If you consistently reinforce polite, respectful behavior, the dogs exhibit more of it. Conversely, when the rude, disrespectful behavior is not reinforced, less of it will happen.

The third strategy is to work extremely hard so that every dog in the household becomes rock solid at performing basic behaviors on cue. In a house with any tension that could lead to aggression, there can be no trace of the attitude that, “Oh well, maybe she’ll listen and do it right next time.”  That way of thinking is a luxury that exists only in households completely free of aggression and any possibility of it occurring. The cues that dogs must be able to respond to in any situation no matter how many distractions exist are “Sit,” “Down,” “Stay,”  “Wait,” “Come,” “Back Away” and “Leave It” (which many trainers call “Off.”)"

Good luck - keep us posted how things are going.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Lots of great advice here.  Because one of my two Doodles has a tendency to be "pushy" (and he's 50 lbs heavier than my little guy), I'm always watching for signs and body language that he's trying to bully his "brother".  I don't let him take toys away from him (which he tries to do often)...I make sure they go through doors at the same time....I make them wait at the bottom of the stairs together and I release them to come up together....I don't let them compete for my attention (who can get closest to me).  Also, I totally agree about how beneficial it is to walk them together...I really believe that strengthens their bond.

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Agreed, Jane! I may just double up on those walks. So far we're keeping the peace but I've noticed the two aren't playing with each other as they used to

[Ginny Nightingale]

Just another thought--Chloe was spayed recently and may still have some hormones circulating--she might settle down a bit more.

 I often have dogs in my house that are not mine in addition to my three and I keep them separated with gates until I feel they have gotten used to the new dog's presence--sometimes it is a week but sometimes the dog is very "low key" and they can be together sooner. I know there will be some who do not like this advice, but I keep a water bottle on the counter to spray at the first sign of any dominance from my dogs--snarling, growling or pushiness are not allowed...the "guest dog" is also watched carefully--and I use the words "Be polite". All the dogs need is the sight of the water bottle and they get less pushy and more subdued--that is because they have gotten a small spray of water in the past. Totally harmless and easy to do, but works wonders. One of my dogs even squints when he sees the bottle--I don't even have to put water in it anymore! My trainer uses the same technique with dominant snarly dogs in class. I think it just tells them that someone is watching and that bad behavior is not acceptable. And that seems to do it for us. I have never had a big fight however. I do know that it is recommended to use water to distract dogs when they are fighting--but you do not point the spray bottle at their face, you just spray in their direction and it gets their attention--for some reason, my dogs are totally intimidated by it. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

At our Daycare they also use the water squirt bottle when they see too dogs that are not behaving appropriately.  Apparently it is very effective for them.