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

[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.

[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!

[lovingpaws]

..." 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).

.... Our bulldog is a pusher...always jumping at the doberman, growling at her in a "come get some" sort of way. The doberman is fairly passive around her, but will randomly walk up to her and start licking her (which bugs the bulldog), puts her paw on her head, etc. The doberman is clearly the alpha.,." QUOTE

Actually it sounds like the bulldog is the alpha. The alpha would "growl" at a move she didn't like by other dog, Alpha would be "eyeing" the food while eating and be ready to "charge" if the Dobe is getting attention/petted (also this shows her attempting alpha status over you, as she's now "telling you" you can't pet your dobe by running her off). Also submissive dogs are the ones to go to others and lick them. I would keep that in mind. I believe it's the bully who thinks she's the alpha, and you need to establish yourself alph over her as mentioned in previous posts.