Mini and Shadow had another fight...

**k9krazee** · 03-13-2006, 03:17 PM

-sigh-

I don't know what to do anymore...

Last night my mom got home and I let the dogs all out to see her. Everybody greeted her and everything seemed fine. My mom and I were sitting on the porch and the dogs were all just standing in the driveway, all of a sudden Mini and Shadow started fighting. I have no idea how or why it happened, but it did. Shadow had Mini by the neck and shaking her around

It was so awful, and it didn't help that the other three were trying to get in it too

So we were kicking dogs and my mom was screaming, all we wanted was to get Shadow off of Mini

It felt like it lasted 15 minutes, but in reality I know it couldn't have been more than a couple. Finally I grabbed Shadow and somehow managed to get her off of Mini, but then Mini had Shadow by the face! I'm not even sure how we got them apart, if I would have been thinking I would have grabbed the hose, but I couldn't think and just wanted them to stop. There was blood everywhere, but the miracle was that they both had very very minimal injuries and also that my mom or I didn't get hurt. She did fall and bruised her behind

Shadow has a bite wound on her lip and on her chin and Mini haa several on the inside of her cheeks, looks like it was from her own teeth. Mini's collar was also broken in the ordeal. This is the second time, in what? a week

We CAN'T live like this! Good think we have extra antibiotics on hand

What should we do?? They seem fine for a while and then all of a sudden they'll start fighting...there's never any food, toys, treats, anything involved. Most of the time we don't even see it coming. We are definately supervising them A LOT more when together, watching every move and for the most part we've been keeping them seperated. I really think its a dominance issue, but we've been trying to reinforce Shadow as the alpha, is that what we should be doing? Shadow gets her food first, always petted first, etc.

My mom has already been threatening to "get rid"

of a couple of them....But she knows how hurt and upset I would be......I am so afraid to move out in the fall...

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated, next time (which I REALLY hope there won't be) we might not be so lucky and have them both walk away with minimal injuries

**gemini9961** · 03-13-2006, 03:48 PM

Ashley I can relate to this. This is the exact reason why I joined PT, Sadie and Maggie were fighting. They still get into little scraps now and then, and same as you, food is not involved. It seems to be a dominance issue like you said. The only thing I can say is to keep reinforcing Shadow as alpha and just keep an eye on her and Mini. It's to the point with me that I can see when they are about to go at it and I tell them to quit and stand right by them and make them go away from each other. Mini is a female, right? Here is the link to my original post and maybe it can help some. Hope it all works out for you.

**Dixieland Dancer** · 03-13-2006, 04:03 PM

Is there another post with more information on this problem? I don't think I'm getting the whole story from just this post.

What makes you think Shadow is the alpha? What breeds of dogs are we talking about? There just isn't enough information given to give a good solid idea of what is going on. If you do have posted on this before can you link to the original post?

**gemini9961** · 03-13-2006, 04:11 PM

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=100274

That might be of more help.

**k9krazee** · 03-13-2006, 04:17 PM

Shadow is our female Rottie, almost 10 years old. Mini is a 4 year old female (unaltered) Jack Russell.

I'm pretty sure Shadow is the alpha, the other 3 all look up to her and show signs of submission (licking her face, etc) and Shadow is the one to enforce the rules or let them know when playing gets out of hand...

I haven't really posted about it before. Its a relatively new problem. Mini will stalk Shadow throughout the house and then become extremely nervous and shakey. Sometimes we can tell that they are going to fight and can break it up, other times it happens because I guess we really aren't paying close enough attention.

I guess what I'm wondering is if there's hope to work this out or will we just have to always keep constant supervision of the two?

**dab_20** · 03-13-2006, 05:27 PM

I'm really sorry this happened again.

I can't be of much help. Molli and Sam get in alot of fights but it's usually because food or toys are involved. I really hope you don't have to end up giving any dogs away. That would just be awful. Good luck.

**howlyip** · 03-13-2006, 05:49 PM

There are a lot more questions to be asked.
Are all females spayed??
Your Rotti is a bit old, how old is Mini??
Minis breed may have a lot to do with this, they don't know their size.
The fact that they are females is a huge part.

You cannot decide who is Alpha, except that you are Alpha, don't you try to figure out who should be and shouldn't. You are top dog, what you say goes.

Are they on leashes or free roaming??

How are they all greeted by you?? Must they obey a command to get some loving??

What more can you tell to the story??