the girls aren't getting along
My girls (Abbey, 2 year old beagle and Jada, 2 year old Rottie) have been having some issues lately.
About a month ago, they had a little tiff over a toy--I yelled at them, they stopped, and the toy went in the garbage.
When one of them is getting attention, the other cannot handle it--if Jada is sitting by me, Abbey has to come over and butt her nose in, and vice versa.
But they are worse with my husband. Tonight, we were sitting on the couch, and he had one hand on each dog, petting them and giving them both attention. All of a sudden, Abbey glared at Jada, and lunged for her. We were both there, and jumped up right away to get between them, and they wouldn't stop. My husband had Abbey on the steps, and I was trying to get Jada into the kitchen, and they kept trying to go after each other again. Jada even tried to get me as I was trying to get her into the kitchen.
We got them separated, and they calmed down, and were fine in a few minutes.
I know they are trying to fight for second in line (Kito is our alpha, and that isn't challenged).
I have experienced fights with the dogs in the past, but never to the point that they kept trying to lunge at each other after separated. I don't know if Jada was trying to lunge at Abbey though, because she thought Abbey may have been hurting her daddy, and Abbey may have thought Jada was hurting mommy.
It just makes me nervous--I need some advice on how to prevent this behavior in the future.
They both have to sit before being petted, as well as before eating, going out, and everything else. They don't fight over anything else (i.e. bed space, treats, food), just over attention.
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Behavior Modification - Long
Okay - here are some of the highlights to Penny Lane's behavior modification - it might help you as well. Some of the items are for Penny's nervousness (I tried to leave those out), so might not apply to Abbey or Jada.
- "Keep a leash or leash tab attached to Leo and Penny when they are together. If you need to get control you can do so without reaching for their face or neck. This is your lifeline."
"Give interactive toys that they will have to work at in order to get something in return. This will have to be supervised so there is no opportunity for competitiion of resources"
"Pick up all toys and only leave a few out at a time, on your terms. Rotate the tyos and always make them work for the toy before you give it to them. (if they are showing an interest in it"
"Begin implementing "TIME OUTS" for negative outburst or behavior. Growl = 3-5 minutes in crate; any escalation = 5 - 7 minutes in crate; altercation = 10 minutes in crate. Do not threaten a "TIME OUT". Say it and do it.
"Try not to disipline Leo in front of Penny Lane. I believe she has built a alliance with you and feels she needs to be involved with Leo when you are involved with Leo. Always keep them checking in with you and reward for complying with verbal praise and food rewards"
"Keep a hands off approach while they are together. Give one on one attention when they are not in view of each other"
"Do not allow them on beds or furniture. These areas are considered to them higher status areas. They get confused and territorial if one or the other are allowed in these areas."
"As we discussed this is a life-time management program. Penny Lane suffers from a generalized anxiety disorder and inter-dog aggression concerns within the social dynamics of the family. What you are doing is managing this situation to the best of your ability while maintaining the high quality of life for everyone involved"
From my observations - they have finally worked out their hierarchy. Leo is alpha and Penny is next. She defers to him most of the time, but occasionally tries to increase her position. I know you are concerned with the fact that they continued to lunge for each other after the squabble was over, but dogs adrenalin flows for a good 10 minutes after an altercation (which is why you give them a 10 minute time out in the crate). I also have to watch the doors, as they continually try to body block each other to get in the door first. I am continuing to train them to sit and wait at the door and enter one at a time with permission.
Watch for signals. Side long glances at the other, licking lips, tensing of the body, flattened ears, that kind of thing.
I wish you all the best, and I hope this helps some. If you need to search for a behaviorist, let me know. I can call mine and see if she has any suggestions.
