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

[borzoimom]

Let me further explain why I see this- first of all- this has been a gradual process- second- an aroused dog will put off a slight musk,.. But if they are slightly impacted, or especially if it shows up when one or both are excited, this scent is sending a mis signal to the other dog. Then the other thinks this is dominance musking and gets defensive.
If they were my dogs, I would run them by the vet to check this. I would bet- BET this is the source.. This condition can mascarade for months- and considering dogs are smell orientated it is making a situation.. Please do this- just trust me..

[bluebird]

Normally when two bitches take a permanent dislike to one another, they don't get along at all and must be constantly seperated. In your case it would seem that something in particular is triggering these battles.

Do you have any clues as to what that trigger might be; toys, food, treats, attention, accidental bumping, direct eye contact?????

[catnapper]

Ok, this is a new bahvior for them? Whenever I hear of two dogs that previously got along and suddenly started to turn aggressive towards each other, I think medical issues. Get them both to the vet for a complete health check, and something tells me ot check thyroid.

[tavshoti]

Hi All,

Thanks for the responses. I had both dogs for a yearly check up about 3 mths ago and both were fine (glands were checked) and I did ask if there was anything I should do about the issues. This vet said it was obviously an issue and to call a behaviorist as he didn't have suggestions.

Yes, they do get along fairly well "to my eye" in general. They sleep right next to each other, play outside, etc. I don't notice that there is an obvious cause to the fighting. My Dobe does eat first (although I have two dishes in seperate areas), she will often pace from one dish to the other (which I have started to get on her about so that my bully will eat at the same time). The bully does give her the eye if the Dobe is standing in a room, etc. It is like they dare each other to move and if one does...a storm breaks out. The Dobe licks the Bullys head a lot...which the bully hates, and she puts her paw on the bullys head, back, etc. If the bully moves...a growl or fight will start if we don't snap at them. In turn, the bully will randomly walk up to the Dobe and get in her face (well, as much as she can for being so much shorter) and stare her down (her tail puffs up as well), if we try to pet the Dob the bully will charge over and start growling and nipping at her legs (usually the dobe will just walk away). It is strange though...they can fight, then 20 minutes later do the play bow at each other and chase around the yard. I did notice my bully tends to pee in the yard and then do the kicking/scratching of the ground with her back legs (which I though only males did?). She just seems to REALLY have a dominant personality.

So when I let them out, who do I let out first? They already know that we go out first, then they can...but they don't fit out at the same time. Since my bully tends to charge the door to beat the dobe out, I have (for the past two days) made her sit at the door until after the dobe goes out and if she freaks out I roll her over (with the thought that I'm the Alpha and say when she can go out). I don't want to make the issues worse though. I'm going to start feeding them in seperate rooms and trying to make sure they get attention time seperately instead of at the same time. I'm just really afraid of doing things that would potentially make the issue worse in any way. Last night they didn't fight at all. I think they each started a growl session seperately (different times) but we got on them about it right as it started and it stopped immediately.

Ughhh...what a nightmare. Hate seeing my girls not get along!
Deborah

[tavshoti]

Oh, wanted to add that we do make them do a chore, trick, etc. for any sort of treat, petting, food. I think we will have to get back to some basics as my bully is trying to avoid the sitting these days and they use to just respond immediately to hand signals.

[catnapper]

I just want to let you know that when my two girls started to attack each other that one actually was VERY sick. I knew something was wrong - I knew she wasn't acting "right and spent a fortune on vet tests, etc that all came back perfectly normal. The vet thought I was absolutely nuts and ran etsts they felt were useless.... I knew my dog and knew something was "off" with her. Sammie died within 6 months of starting the fights. The vet figures she had cancer that we didn't detect with tests and physical exams (I've since found a new vet).

I've heard of this scenario several other times with dogs in my classes and in rescue. Often one dog is sick when these saudden fights erupt.

[borzoimom]

Well usually with females, the conflicts are early, then they settle down. Males it goes from wow buddies - to wait a minute- who is boss here??!!
I would still check the anal glades to rule out a musk. Especially since they get along better after they have been out ( explosion so to speak..... ... .. ).. And the arguements occur more if they have been in the house for a while ( non expulsion so to speak.. .. ... )

[bluebird]

It sounds like you're on top of the situation and have pretty much figured out when the fights are likely to break out and who's the instigator. If you never leave them alone and unattended and continue to be as aware of their body language as you have been, you should be able to nip it in the bud.

Whenever the bully starts growling or they make prolonged eye contact; continue doing what you've been doing such as distracting them or giving your own command version of "knock it off"!


You'll most likely always have to be on guard for telltale signs, but in the meantime you'll be breaking the pattern they've been establishing. With vigilance you should be able to control the situation over time and these events should become rare to non existent.

Good luck!