My two male Bostons suddenly fighting...Help!

[Karen]

Okay, first, are both dogs neutered? In any case, yes, likely it is the move that has triggered this behavior, their world is turned upside down, and now they are trying to establish who top dog is in this new place.

The good news is, it's not up to them - the top dog is you! I would spend time retraining Biscuit, as he seems to have the most issues. Have you done any basic obedience classes with him? Maybe time to do another. Making him more confident and less fearful will help, but more than that, him knowing you are in charge, and reinforcing your bond with him, will help him be more secure, and less likely to lash out at Prairie.

[prairiebiscuit]

Thank you, Karen, for your advice.I will definitely restart training with Biscuit.

To answer your question: yes, both of the dogs have been neutered at a young age, and I did a 'Petsmart' obedience class with Biscuit, but I guess its time for another one.

So is it possible that Prairie will become top dog at the new place? Will the two dogs just fight it out? I am most worried about this because Bostons were bred to be fighting dogs (which I found out only after I got my first dog...), and they could fight until a major injury (death?) occurs..... (and please don't ask me who was the 'genius' who recommended adding a second male Boston to the family after having the first dog for a year...I know we did not think it through...)

[Karen]

i am glad they were both neutered, that helps! No, they need not keep fighting. While the breed was originally a fighting dog, that was a very long time ago, and that instinct has largely been bred out, as they have ben mostly companion dogs for many decades now.

And if you recreate yourself as the "top" dog in the house, they won't have to fight over who is in charge, they can defer to you. With the right training, things can become peaceful again, it's all up to you!

[Freedom]

Can you find a training place that used American Pet Dog Trainers? I don't think much of PetsMart and PetCo type places. At some, the person has passed a written test to qualify for the job - and never owned a dog! At a proper dog training facility, the trainers have dog(s) they work with in Agility, Herding, Flyball, something so they are used to reading dog body language. they will teach you how to read YOUR dog's body language.

Maybe you can find a place on this site:
http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx

I agree w/ Karen, the move has been a huge trigger in starting the fighting. And yes, Bostons have been bred as companion animals for generations now, so don't worry about that.

When you spend time with Prairie's teeth issues, do you then spend time with Biscuit? You should!

To answer your question, yes absolutely treat and praise good behavior! Once reason I like APDT is they only use positive reinforcement. If both dogs are lying down calmly, hey, let them know you approve!

When they are fighting, of course you do what you have to do to separate them. Then they should BOTH go in a time out. Do you have crates? I don't crate train, per se, but I DO have crates I can use for time outs. Start at 3 minutes. And while they are in time out, do not make eye contact with either dog. Completely ignore them both.

I am sorry Biscuit got hurt, thank goodness it was not more serious. I am sure you have to check them over after a fight, but that should be quick and into time outs for both of them. If you do time outs 3 or 4 times a week, then move it up to 5 minutes. You can set a kitchen timer. When times up, let them out but do NOT make a fuss over either of them.

Finally, I am sure you are also very busy with the move, unpacking, sorting. Are the dogs getting regular exercise? A tired dog is less likely to fight.

[prairiebiscuit]

Freedom, Karen, thanks for the excellent tips and your help.

I did contact a local trainer from the website Freedom recommended, and started drilling both dogs (separately...) on basic commands to show who is boss

In the meantime, if anybody has had a similar situation of two same sex dogs suddenly turning aggressive with each other, please let me know, ...I would LOVE to hear some success stories about solving the 'violence problem'....there are plenty of internet sites with horror stories and advice to put one of the dogs up for adoption once serious fighting breaks out among same sex dogs (unthinkable for me personally...)...

[buttercup132]

I don't know much about the Boston breed but you said they were bred to fight in which case I do know a thing or 2 about that.
Dogs who have DA bred into them don't always show it and then one day they can just become aggressive with other dogs with no warnings.
They usually dont become dog aggressive until they reach maturity (around 2 yrs) but it can happen any time.
I know of a lot of pit bulls who were buddy buddy and snuggled up to each other played with each other and the next minute the one will want to tear the others throat. After that they have to be kept separated for the rest of their lives. Pit bulls are a little different as they were bred to not waste time with showing warning signs.

My questions would be do you have toys,bones,food etc laying around that they share?

I would also start doing NILIF and pick one dog to be top dog.
That dog gets everything first, fed first, pet first and more pets, gets privileges over the other dog, goes out the door first etc. I would pick the more dominant dog to be the top dog.

Your on the right path, good luck!

[prairiebiscuit]

Many thanks again!!!! I had to Google NILIF, but it does make sense, and since the last fight I have been basically doing that with both Biscuit and Prairie...

I started crating them (one at a time), we practice 'sit' and 'stay' for treats for 15/20 minutes per dog every day, and I took away their free feeding food dispenser and now I am the one feeding them a few times a day. I also make sure that they are not stressed out (beyond, of course, the minimal amount needed to get their attention..) and they get a lot of reassurance, play and excercise. Right now the dogs became my 'full time job'...but I would rather do the 'rehabilitation' once but well.

I still have not reintroduced them to each other (I read somewhere online that raised adrenaline levels in dogs after a rough fight do not subside for 2-6 days and the dogs may be 'on edge' for that time...so I don't want to set them up for failure by letting them be with each other too soon...).

I will definitely update you guys on what happens when they are together again. Does any of you by any chance have some tips on how to arrange their first time together in about 3-4 days? Inside or outside? Only me or should my husband be there as well? How to behave ?(I know, calm...but should we watch the dogs, or pretend that we are ignoring them, turn away, etc...)

Thanks in advance!!!!!