How Do You Deal with a Dog Fight?

[Stella]

Our boys are now 16 months and 18 weeks old. After a bit of a shaky start we had a few weeks when things were going pretty good between the two of them. But in the last two days they got into two pretty bad fights (I was at work, my husband was at home). He didn't see what or who started either of them and both times had to drag them off each other. I am wondering what is the best way of dealing with the dogs once you have separated them? (Obviously, you can't make them kiss and make up!!).

Sometimes they are so sweet together and our older one will lie on the floor and let the puppy climb all over him, and at other times one of them looks at the other the wrong way and the fur starts flying. Obviously, I want to stop this problem, I don't want the fighting to continue, or get worse, as the puppy gets bigger. The idea of getting another dog was so that they could have fun together, not get into fights. (We also, still can't get them in the back of the car together without them getting the growlies!) Any help, or advice would really be appreciated.

[Karen & Lucy]

I am not a breeder or expert, but it sounds to me like the older one is showing that he is the Alpha dog. I will be interested in seeing what the experts say.

[Stella]

Yeah, Hartley is pretty dominant and we had a hard time with him when he was younger! But, he is a great dog now and is generally really friendly and sociable with other dogs - part of the reason why we thought getting another dog would be a success. But, the puppy is so bold and cheeky. I guess he is just trying to challenge for 'top dog'.... and I am a bit of an anxious owner! We had a great afternoon today, went out for a good walk together and played fetch in the yard without any incidents. I just want to make sure we deal with any aggrevation between them correctly so that things don't escalate. I really would like it if they become friends in the end!!

[Ginny Nightingale]

So...they are really fighting? Is it just the older dog growling and putting the younger dog in his place or are they both being aggressive? i have a hard time picturing a puppy actually fighting back. Usually the older dog gets growl-y to put the pup in its place and its over. That will have a way of working its way out. But if they are both actually fighting---that's a lot harder, I'm sure. I am also interested in what the experts say.
The reason I ask if they are actually fighting is that my two doodles play like they are having a fight. The lips are curled, one of them growls quite a bit and they are jumping at each other like crazy--but its all play and no one gets hurt. It looks like a real fight, though--but its not at all and they love it. They both happen to be the same type of "player"--One is even quite a bit smaller, but loves the rough-housing.
Anoterh question is--do you ever separate them? I wuld give them "time-outs" with a gate or a crate so that the older dog gets a break--also if they are fighting, its a way to teach them that its not allowed. Since I have only had my puppy for a month (she is 8 months old), I never leave them together unless I am there to supervise. Otherwise, the play gets too rough. I just had to separate them a moment ago for getting too wild, but now I can just tell them to lay on their beds and I don't have to use a gate. (most of the time, that is!)

[Stella]

A lot of the time they are just rough-housing and that's fine. We just separate them if they are getting a bit too wild, ask them to sit stay for a couple of minutes and then let them go again. I was at work the last couple of days when my husband reported they actually fought and he said it was full on snarling and yelping. Our older dog has a puncture above his eye from those sharp puppy teeth. I have seen the beginnings when our older dog gave the puppy a warning but the puppy didn't back off - luckily I have always been able to step in before anything got started and let them know that is wasn't acceptable to behave like that.

I guess one of the things that is concerning me is that until now I have never seen our older dog not get along with any other dogs. He goes to classes and to the dog park without any issues at all and has always been a very sociable fellow.

When we are not there to supervise, the puppy is crated (he is also still working on his house training, but I think he has almost got it!!).

[Karen & Lucy]

Boy, this sounds a little bit like the puppy is the aggressor. He needs that nipped in the bud. But what do I know. Still waiting to see what the experts say. TeeHeeHee

[Sandy]

Awww...Chase looks so sweet! I'm sorry the dogs aren't behaving, or at least Chase isn't behaving. Does your trainer have any thoughts? Hope this straightens out for you soon.

[Stella]

I have class with Hartley tomorrow, so I am going to ask Erin for help!! She does do in home sessions and I'm beginning to think that might be a good idea. Today so far they have been great. They played in the back yard while I was hanging laundry out(!!!), and things were a bit rough and a bit noisy, but I watched really carefully and they were actually playing (even though to a non-dog person it probably looked like they were trying to kill each other!). So, I think that there is hope!

I think part of the problem is that Hartley was our first dog ever for both of us and now we have added another to the mix, it is challengeing us quite a bit - and I get anxious, I just want us all to be one happy family! But I guess, just like human brothers, they won't always get along with each other all the time. Chase starts classes next week and I think having playtime with other puppies should help too, rather than always playing with someone bigger and faster than him, I think he gets frustrated and then starts to get snippy.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Sounds like you are right and I hope that it straightens out soon--the trainer may have some suggestions, like you said. My puppy Lyric is definitely more aggressive and larger than Mattie and always wants to WIN every tug-of-war, sleep on the best bed, have the newest toy, etc. She gets much more fierce about things, but the other one is very sweet and just gives in. This sounds like you might have a rough time until they decide who is boss--and I am guessing that it is the dogs who will decide. I ahve been trying to get Lyric to chill out and play nice, but i am not getting too far.

[Stella]

Thanks for the morale support!! We knew that having two boys might lead to a bit of competition between the two of them. But I guess I was thinking it wouldn't happen until the puppy was older and bigger! I wouldn't be suprised if Chase (the puppy) ends up being 'top dog' as he is so bold and definitely stands up for himself, but only time will tell. Today we all had a really nice day together.