Family dogs starting to be aggressive with each other???

[Kfamr]

As others said, you need to establish with them that NEITHER is alpha, you are. A great way to establish this is the "Nothing In Life Is Free" training. Want a treat? You have to sit for it. Want to go outside? You have to sit for it. Want to play with this toy? You have to sit for it.

You can choose any command for them to do, sit seems the easiest, but either way they have to do something to please you to get what they want.

Also, I'm not sure how they are fed/walked/given treats - but do not give one dog food first/treat first/etc if the other can see it. Luckily, you only have 2 so you can give a treat to each of them at the same time.

I have three so it's very hard to treat them by myself. When giving treats I start out with "EVERYONE - SIT!" Once they've all controlled the ants in their pants and sat down, I place the treat in their mouths and tell them to wait. They hold them in their mouths until I say okay, so they all get to eat their treat at the same time. It's worked very well because my two females had always tried to establish dominance over eachother. My males has always been alpha between all three, but they KNOW that I come before him.


Anyways, do a search for NILIF. Seperate training sessions as well as time with them together would be ideal.

[pnance]

I have to agree, make sure they know your alpha. I have 2 females < 1 yr apart and they've had some issues as well. Both females want to be dominant. Basically I make sure neither get that impression. They're fed at the same time, and I'm careful never to give either of the girls a treat before the others. (I have 4 dogs, but my 2 boys could care less). The girls play, even sleep back to back at times, but I've seen then go for eachother throats before. Basically if there is even the hint of a stare down, growling or posturing I stop it immediately. Usually a stern voice saying their name is enough, they've learned that while they are fighting for the top spot I have the top spot so they usually respond instantly. If it continues then I usually give them a distraction, toy, rawhide whatever. It sounds like your Dobi respects your alpha position, but not you bulldog since the Dobi backs down but the bulldog doesn't. Working with that be careful not to let either of them think they're alpha over you.